Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.
 

Anchorage Regional Office

Meet Our Leadership Team

 

Chris Norton

Acting Director: Chris Norton

Director Norton, appointed in June 2016, is responsible for administering compensation, pension, and Veteran readiness & employment benefits for an extensive population of over 500,000 Veterans and their families residing in Arizona. Director Norton also supports the operations of a national call center, extending his assistance to Veterans nationwide.

Melissa Bay

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.

Aaron Edmonds

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.

Chad Pomelow

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.

Jonathan Penna

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.

 

return to top go