HISTORY

Beginnings

The Ocean County POW/MIA Organization was incorporated on March 8, 1984. The Organization was formed to address Veterans’ issues such as employment, family stress, substance abuse, housing for the disabled, special needs for children of veterans, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling. From 1984 to 1986, the Organization’s activities and services were conducted on a part-time, informal basis. In 1986 the directors established a program known as Vetwork to provide assistance to all honorably discharged veterans in the form of professional counseling for alcohol/drug abuse issues, PTSD, eliminating barriers to employment, supportive services, emergency shelter, homeless-prevention, food, claims for VA benefits and other entitlements, and transportation services. On November 12, 1988, the directors of the Organization changed the name to Vetgroup, Incorporated.

Today

The Vetwork Program, now Vetwork, A Program of Vetgroup, Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission and purpose of the agency is to meet the immediate and long-term needs of lower-income veterans. Vetwork provides supportive services to assist the veteran in securing/upgrading employment, obtaining permanent, affordable housing, and transportation to access all necessary medical or basic-needs services. We seek to provide a continuum of care with our services, and to enable veterans to maintain, or achieve, self-sufficiency. To accomplish this end we are committed to advocacy, education, and the prudent delivery of direct, quality services.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Board:

Leonard Mueller IV
President
Joint Base McQuire/ Ft Dix/ Lakehurst Support Equipment, NAV Air
US Navy, retired, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield

Kenny Hansen
Vice President
New York City Police Department and Department of Defense – Retired
Marine Corps, Vietnam

William Quinn
Secretary/Treasurer
Navy, Lakehurst

Board of Trustees:

Chris Sharpe
New Jersey State Police
US Army, Iraq

Brian Holt
Lacey Township Police Department
Marine Corps, Afghanistan

Bernard Snyder
Lacey Township Police Detective – Retired
Marine Corps, Vietnam

Frank Stack
Retired – US Customs and Border Protection
Marine Corps, Vietnam
Army National Guard – Retired

Richard O’Meara
Retired trial attorney
Professor at Rutgers University and Stockton University
US Army – Retired

Staff

Robert Surtees 
Director
Lacey Township Police Detective Sergeant- Retired
Marine Corps, OIF/OEF

Paul Kozak  
Director of Operations
Vetwork Founding Member
Marine Corps, Vietnam

Joe Starkey 
Director of Information Technology
Marine Corps, Retired