Anchorage Regional Office

Acting Director: Chris Norton

Chris Norton was appointed Acting Executive Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Portland and Anchorage Regional Offices in July, 2024 and is the permanant Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Phoenix Regional Office in June, 2016. Mr. Norton is responsible for administering compensation, pension, and vocational rehabilitation benefits for over 560,000 veterans and their families from the state of Arizona. Additionally, the Phoenix Regional Office operates one of nine Regional Contact Centers, assisting veterans and their dependents from throughout the country. 

Prior to his current position, Mr. Norton held the position of Director in the Albuquerque Regional Office. Mr. Norton began his career in 1999 in the position of Veterans Service Representative with the San Diego Regional Office and credits his experience as a front-line employee with instilling a true sense of mission in service to our nation’s veterans. 

When not at work, Chris can be found exploring the trails of Arizona along with his wife Holly and their dogs Poncho and Daisy. 

CAREER CHRONOLOGY: 

2016 – Present  Director, Phoenix VA Regional Office
2013 – 2016       Director, VA Regional Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico
2008 – 2013       Veterans Service Center Manager, VA Regional Office, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2007 – 2008       Veterans Service Center Manager, VA Regional Office, Anchorage, Alaska
2005 – 2007       Assistant Veterans Service Center Manager, VA Regional Office, Los Angeles, California
2003 – 2005       Supervisory Veterans Service Representative (Coach), VA Regional Office, Oakland/Sacramento, California
2001 – 2003       Rating Veterans Service Representative, VA Regional Office, San Diego, California
1999 – 2001       Veterans Service Representative, VA Regional Office, San Diego, California

Education:

2016                Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program
2012 – 2013    VBA Assistant Director Development Program
2012                Justice Center of Atlanta, Basic Mediation Skills
2010                Leadership VA
1999                Bachelor of Arts in English, San Diego State University, summa cum laude

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.