Anchorage Regional Office

Executive Director: Cesar Romero

As Executive Director, Cesar Romero manages the administration of Compensation and Vocational Rehabilitation benefits for more than 350,000 Veterans, their dependents, and survivors residing in Alaska and Oregon. He oversees the delivery of benefits across Alaska, Oregon, and five counties in Southwest Washington. Cesar leads two Veteran Service Centers, a Veteran Readiness and Employment Division, Support Services Division, and the Human Resources Department.

A United States Marine Corps Veteran, Cesar served honorably from 1999 to 2006. He began his career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in July 2007 at the San Diego Regional Office as a Veteran Service Representative.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY:

2024 – Present     Executive Director, Portland and Anchorage Regional Offices
2021 – 2024         Director, Albuquerque Regional Office
2020 – 2021         Acting Deputy Director, OFO Front Office Operations, Washington D.C.
2017 – 2021         Assistant Director, Seattle Regional Office
2016 – 2017         Special Missions Program Officer, Seattle Regional Office
2014 – 2016         Assistant Veterans Service Center Manager, Los Angeles Regional Office

EDUCATION:

2024     Senior Leader Program, George Washington University, Washington D.C.
2023     Master of Public Administration, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2021     The Federal Executive Institute, Leadership for a Democratic Society, Washington D.C.
2019     Federal Acquisition Certification in Program and Project Management, Washington D.C.
2017     Operations Management Course, George Washington University, Washington D.C.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Assistant Director: Melissa Bay

Ms. Melissa Bay was appointed to the position of Assistant Director for the Portland and Anchorage Regional Offices in August 2021. Prior to this appointment, she was selected to be the Veteran Readiness Officer in June 2018. She relocated to the Portland Regional Office from the Hartford Regional Office in February 2017 as the Assistant Veteran Readiness Officer. Ms. Bay has worked for VA Veteran Readiness & Employment Services Division since May 2013.

She began her career with VA as a Pathways student intern and accepted a position as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in August 2013.  Ms. Bay received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and her master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from CCSU.  She is also a 2018 LEAP graduate.

Assistant Director: Aaron Edmonds

Mr. Aaron Edmonds was appointed as Assistant Director for the Portland and Anchorage Regional Offices in November 2020. As Assistant Director, Mr. Edmonds provides operational oversight for all operational aspects within the Portland Veterans Service Center, Veteran Readiness and Human Resources divisions. Prior to his current position, Mr. Edmonds held the position of Director of VBA's Product Management and Delivery in the Office of Business Integration. Mr. Edmonds served on active duty as a Flight Operations Specialist for the United States Army.

Veterans Service Center Manager: Chad Pomelow

Mr. Chad Pomelow is responsible for the administration of VA benefits and services to more than 77,000 Veterans living in Alaska.  Mr. Pomelow began his VA career in 2002 at the Togus Regional Office, where he served in a variety of positions, including Veterans Service Representative.

Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer: Jonathan Penna

Jonathan Penna has been the Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer at the Anchorage Regional Office since April 2023. He has served as the Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer at the Portland VA Regional Office since November 2021. Mr. Penna graduated with his master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Albany (Albany, NY). He began his VA Career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Newark Regional Office. In 2018, he was selected as the supervisory vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Seattle Regional Office.

He serves as a mentor within VR&E's New Manager Training, is the Pacific District's representative on the Quality Assurance Advisory Committee and is a graduate of the 2021 LEAP cohort. Mr. Penna is passionate about serving Veterans and their families so as to ensure their success in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining employment. Mr. Penna prides himself on promoting a culture of learning, growth, and self-empowerment.