After leading the National Veterans' Training Institute for nearly the last 15 years, Steve Chapman will retire in May.

In November of this year, NVTI will turn 20 years old. Steve has been with NVTI for nearly that entire time, as he came on board in January 1987. Originally he was contracted to design curriculum and training for the fledgling Institute. When it became apparent that participants were hungry for continued networking and sharing of resources and information, the Resource Center was born. Steve oversaw the collection and categorizing of that information as the Resource Center manager.

Soon, he was working primarily with budgetary matters and administrative concerns as the Administrative Manager. When then-Director John Nunnery retired in 1991, Steve was appointed Acting Director and was thereafter named NVTI Director.

During his directorship, over 37,000 participants have been trained at NVTI. In the early years, NVTI trained one primary course--Core I, Professional Skills Development. Since that time speciality courses have been developed, others refined and restructured to include changes in law or delivery methodologies. Currently there are six main courses in NVTI's training curriculum, with others offered and developed as needed or requested.

Steve said he is most proud of the quality of NVTI staff he has worked with and their efforts on behalf of veterans' service providers. "Together we have maintained the high quality of our training and other products," he said. "Our training and publications are second to none and what we have accomplished as excellent stewards of tax payer money, with little to no increases in funding, is just amazing."

An on-going theme in Steve's leadership has been the goal to provide the right training at the right time to the right people. "That's really been accomplished by knowing our customer base well," Steve said. "We listen to our customers and try to give them what they need to serve veterans better. It's been a great partnership."

Steve is confident NVTI's commitment and quality of training and other services provided to veterans representatives will continue. He plans to enjoy time with his family and grandchildren, while exploring his options in other directions.

Steve's caring and thoughtful leadership has propelled NVTI forward and provided a secure, stable environment in which training has thrived. We wish him the very best as the next chapter of his life unfolds.

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A search committee has been formed and is accepting and reviewing applications for the Director position. Please refer to the UCDHSC website or America's Job Bank (AJB Job Title: 350373-Director) for further details.