Biography Timothy J. Smith Director, DC Office of Veterans Affairs   Timothy J. Smith was nominated to serve as director of the DC Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, February 4, 2008. He currently acts as the Mayor’s principal advisor on all issues regarding veterans’ services and benefits, and advocates on behalf of DC veterans and their families.   Smith is an accomplished military officer with 18 years of service. Most recently, he served as the Chief of Public Affairs for the 459th Air Refueling Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, where he directed public affairs activities, initiatives and key Wing programs for the commander. In his role as Chief of Public Affairs, Smith was responsible for planning and coordinating media and community relations events. In addition to his outreach efforts, he acted as a spokesperson for the unit in print, Web, radio and television interviews.   During his tenure with Andrews Air Force Base, Smith secured local and national media coverage for Wing events of national interest, resulting in positive exposure to millions of people. As a project officer for Andrews’ annual Employer Appreciation Day and Flight, he increased National Guard and Reserve civilian employers’ understanding of the Guard and Reserve mission.   In an effort to enhance public trust and support, Smith planned and conducted tours of Wing aircraft and facilities, allowing hundreds of non-military citizens to receive a first-hand impression of the unit’s aircraft and mission.  He has coordinated events to provide education and insight of the Air Force Reserve mission for various federal agencies as well as Congressional members and staffers.   Smith, a strong supporter of employment rights for Guardsmen and Reservists, volunteers as an ombudsman for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). He provides guidance and mediation for servicemen and employers concerning the protection and limitations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Smith carries a 100 percent success rate in resolving employer issues for Guardsmen and Reservists. He promotes education of employment rights, and provides USERRA briefings to new recruits in the Air Force Reserve at Andrews Air Force Base, as well as the base’s mobilizing Air Force Reservists.   Committed to military affairs and outreach, Smith currently serves as the Voting Assistance Officer for the 459th Air Refueling Wing at Andrews Air Force Base.  He is also the Wing staff Unit Deployment Manager, ensuring members are scheduled for required training and maintain readiness for deployment.    Prior to serving as the Chief of Public Affairs at Andrews Air Force Base, Smith served as a Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. He also led a successful career as a morning news anchor with WJRD 7 News in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and as a reporter for WKRG 5 News in Mobile.   Smith grew up in Alabama and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama. He currently resides in Ward 7.