John A.
Miterko

I served in the Army from July 1968 and in Vietnam July 1971- March 1972, as Captain and Chief of Military Intelligence Collection Operations for the 3rd Military Region RVN.  Responsible for directing unilateral and bilateral intelligence collection operations for the 12 provinces comprising the Third Military Region of South Vietnam, as well as cross border intelligence collection operations into Cambodia.

I retired January 2002 from 3M Company after 30 years as a Communications International Business Development Manager.  I now devote my time, energy, and skills full time for VVA and VSF in leadership positions at the chapter, state, and national levels.

Positions Held:

  • Director:  VVA Chapter # 915:  April 2003 to April 2005
  • Secretary: VVA Chapter #915: October 2004 to present
  • Membership chair, VVA Chapter #915:  April 2003 to present
  • Board of Directors, Executive Committee Member, Chair for Veterans Outreach for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on State Capitol Grounds: November 2005 to present
  • Vice President, Military Service Coalition, Austin, TX representing ~120 + veteran service organizations; appointed June 2006; elected December 2006 to present
  • Chair:  Government Affairs, Texas State Council:  July 2003 to present
  • State Legislative Coordinator, Texas State Council:  April 2005 to present
  • Legislative Coordinator, Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans
  • At-Large Delegate:  Texas State Council:  April 2003 to February 2004
  • Secretary, Texas State Council: February 2004 to June 2006
  • Member, Region 7 Disciplinary Review Board: October 2004 to present
  • Region 7 Alternate Regional Director: August 2005 to present
  • Special Advisor and Member: VVA National Membership Affairs Committee:  January 2003 to present
  • Treasurer and Board of Directors Member; sub-committee chair Corporate Donor Development Team:  National Veterans Support Foundation:  October 2003 to present
  • Chair, National Government Affairs Committee: October 2005 to present

Qualifications:

Demonstrated ability to consistently define and implement multi-level projects through:

  • Project Leadership and Organizational expertise
  • Ability to work well with all levels in an organization
  • Proven Oral & Written Communications skills
  • Long-term expertise in Organizational Operations
  • Expertise in personal time management resulting in ability to multi-task
  • Proven Ability in Relationship Development and Management
  • Broad Domestic and International Business Experience and Background
  • Strategic Business planning and positioning experience
  • Five+ years leadership experience in VVA at chapter, state, region, and national levels

Notable accomplishments:

VVA Texas State Council Government Affairs:

  • Worked with Senator Van de Putte (Chair, Texas Senate Veterans Affairs and Military Installations) to have a special recognition ceremony marking the May 2005 25th Anniversary of the End of Vietnam War on Senate Floor.  A unanimous resolution was passed by the House and the Senate recognizing the sacrifices and accomplishments of Vietnam Veterans.  Five Vietnam Veterans, each representing a separate branch of Service, were honored on the Senate floor.
  • May 2006 and Spring 2007:  Unanimous Resolution from Texas Senate supporting VVA Legislative Agenda especially full funding of VA health care system.  This resolution was then sent to President Bush, VA Secretary Nicholson, Vice President Cheney (as President of the Senate), the Speaker of the House, Texas Senators Cornyn and Hutchison, and the 32 US Representatives urging their support of the issues raised in the VVA 2006 and 2007 Legislative Agendas.  According to VVA’s Government Relations staff, this is the first time that such support has been obtained from a State Legislature and forwarded to the US Congress urging such support.
  • Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial:  charter member, Executive Committee member, Chair for Veterans Outreach Committee and on Board of Directors.   Based on contacts with a number of other states that have planned, designed, and constructed Vietnam Memorials, I have provided a series of guidelines, action items, and time frames to the rest of the Board and the working committees.

National activities: 

  • Since being appointed VVA National Government Affairs Chair, I have traveled to Washington, DC to support the lobbying efforts of VVA for the introduction, explanation, and adoption of the VVA 2006 and 2007 Legislative Agendas.
  • Principal author of Membership Committee multi-year recruitment and development plan
  • Created the concept and is helping to implement the One-page business plan for VVA National Committees and Task Forces as a communications and resource allocation tool
  • Initiated an email Talklist for State Council Presidents, State Government Affairs Chairs and Legislative Coordinators, and the National Government Affairs staff.

Awards:

  • Named VVA Capitol of Texas, Austin, Chapter 915 official Pointman
  • 2006 El Amistad Club Service to Country Award
  • 2006 VVA Texas State Council Leadership and Service Award
  • 2006 VVA National Member of the Year


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