Patricia Rowe Kerr is the Missouri State Veterans Ombudsman and the Director of Operation Outreach at the Missouri Veterans Commission in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Public awareness of services offered by State Veterans agencies and the needs of Veterans is critical, especially in light of the Global War on Terror. Ms. Kerr is tirelessly devoted to the needs of Veterans, providing assistance for Veterans, and advocating change on their behalf.
She is an expert in Veterans benefits, education, resource coordination, and navigating the various Department of Defense, federal, and state programs available to Veterans, for which she developed the manual "Life After War - It's About Making A Plan."
Ms. Kerr's team at the Missouri Veterans Commission created a program, Operation Outreach, to provide resources for service members, Veterans, and their families. This program has become a model for the nation.
Ms. Kerr has an impressive list of Honors and she delivers speeches on Veterans benefits, rights, and activism at various venues around the country.
Honors
VFW Veterans Appreciation Award
89th RRC Commanding General "Letter of Commendation"
Exercise Tiger Foundation, Spirit of America "Military Community Relations Award"
2004 American Red Cross "Heart of A Hero - Local Volunteer Hero Award"
2006 Brain Injury Association of Missouri "Service Excellence Award"
2006 Zonta Woman of Achievement finalist
2007 Classic Woman of the Year, Traditional Home Magazine
Public Relations Society of America "Communicator of the Year" finalist
2008 First Lady Awards Nominee
Speaking Engagements
89th RRC Battle Focus Conference, Kansas
Vietnam Veterans of America Winter Conference, Arizona
Brain Injury Association of Missouri Annual Conference, Missouri Veterans Commission
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes Road to Recovery Conferences, Texas, Florida
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes Troop Recognition, Missouri
Wounded Soldiers Conference, Illinois
Congressional Subcommittee of the House of Representatives on Small Business, Washington, DC
The Joint Committee of the Missouri House and Senate on Veterans Affairs
The Missouri State Veterans Commission's Veteran Service Officer Training
The Missouri Department of Economic Development's Annual training for Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOPS) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERS)
The National Head Injury Association Annual Conference, Missouri
The Marine Parents Conference, Missouri
Naval Ombudsmen Family Programs, Missouri
Missouri Association for Social Welfare Conference, Missouri
Various community, civic and veteran service organizations statewide
Participated in the AmVets' National Symposium on the Needs of Returning Veterans, Illinois
Attended the 15th Annual International Conference on Combat Stress at Camp Pendleton, California
