Read the Commissioner's Bio

Glenda V. Garcia is the Deputy Commissioner of Operations while Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Roth is on extended military leave. Glenda provides oversight of the agency's Operations and Administrative Services, Informational Technology, and Community Affairs departments. Glenda also holds a dual role of General Counsel and Agency Chief Contracting Officer where she manages all legal, contract, and compliance matters. Prior to joining DVS, Glenda served as agency counsel at City of New York agencies FISA-OPA and NYCERS, where she provided legal advice and guidance on statutory matters, labor and employment law issues, EEO, collective bargaining agreements, and drafted complex IT and human services procurement contracts. Before committing to public service, Glenda worked in litigation for one of New York's leading defense law firms covering various liability lawsuits with a wide range of national clients, including insurers, manufacturers, and property owners. Glenda started her legal career as an immigration attorney assisting Chinese nationals seeking asylum in the United States. 

Glenda is admitted to the New York State Bar, holds a J.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University, New York.

Cassandra Alvarez currently serves as the Chief of Staff for DVS.

Prior to serving in her current role, Cassandra served as the Associate Commissioner of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for DVS. Under her leadership, DVS became a partner in the nation's first-ever, veterans-focused Pay For Success project—Veterans CARE—which focuses on improving employment and health outcomes for veterans with service-connected PTSD.

Before joining DVS, Cassie served as the Associate Director of Sponsorship and Development with the Mayor's Office of Special Projects and Community Events where she designed and launched the office's first strategic partnership program. Before joining city government, Cassie launched an individual giving program and strategic plan for NPR's StoryCorps. Prior to that, she worked in development at a number of different NYC nonprofit organizations, including the SS United States Conservancy, Migraine Research Foundation, and Brooklyn Historical Society.

In 2015, Cassie was named as a Community Innovation Fellow by Re: Gender (formerly the National Council for Research on Women). Cassie is a member of the Marine Park Community Association, Adelphi University Alumni Council, and has previously served on the advisory board of the United War Veterans Council. She holds an MS in Nonprofit Management from the Milano School of International Affairs, Management & Urban Policy at The New School and a BA in Political Science from Adelphi University. Her 91-year-old grandfather is a proud Korean War veteran and her two great uncles served in the US Army during the invasion of Normandy in World War II.

Ellen Greeley is the Assistant Commissioner of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for DVS. In this role, Ellen leverages private sector resources to help establish and sustain agency initiatives. Ellen also oversees grants management, data and reporting, and special programs.

Emily Jagroop is the Chief Information Officer for the NYC Department of Veterans' Services. In this role, Emily leads the Information Technology (IT) team by overseeing and being responsible for the management, implementation, and usability of information and computer systems required to support the DVS organization's unique objectives and goals.

With over nine years of public service, her career in public service began with positions at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and NYC 311.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College, Associates of Technical Studies in Information Technology from Eastern Gateway Community College, and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from CUNY School of Professional Studies.

Emily is a military spouse of a US Marine Corps Veteran who came to this agency to support the veterans in NYC.

Jason Loughran is currently serving as Senior Advisor of Intergovernmental Affairs for DVS.

Before joining DVS, Jason served as an Adjudication Specialist at the US Department of State where he collaborated with local and federal agencies on legal and regulatory provisions governing U.S. citizenship, nationality, and visas.

His career in public service began with positions at the New York State Assembly and the US Department of Homeland Security before moving on to the State Department.

Jason is a veteran of the US Navy. He deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. He holds a BS in Homeland Security from St. John's University and an Executive MPA from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. Jason was selected for the 2019 Baruch College Alumni Association Leadership in Public Service Award.

Nicole Jordan Jones is currently the Assistant Commissioner of Outreach. Mrs. Jordan Jones comes to DVS with over a decade of experience in media, public and urban policy, community engagement, development, and management. In this work she continues to serve New York’s most vulnerable residents by committing her life to increase the effectiveness of government policy.

Prior to her work at DVS. Nicole served New York City as Deputy Commissioner for Faith and Community Affairs for the Office of the Mayor of New York City and Borough Policy Director for the New York City and Department of Social Services/Department of Homeless Services.

Mrs. Jordan Jones started her career in public service as the Executive Director of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. While working with the Caucus she was responsible for all policy elements including writing and editing their "Budget Equity" and "The People's Priorities" book, as well as conducting legislative and budget research, policy analysis and program development. Later Mrs. Jordan Jones would share her talents with Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Development Corporation, as a Director where she is responsible for various ESD real estate development projects.

In March of 2016 Mrs. Jordan Jones was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve on the Board of Directors of Queens West Development Corporation. In her role as Director, she reviews and monitors the implementation of fundamental financial and management controls and operational decisions of the corporation.

Mrs. Jordan Jones holds both a Master of Science in Urban Policy and Management from New School, A New York University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Delaware State University. She also serves as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) and The Association of Junior League International, Inc (AJLI). She is the granddaughter of a Korean War Veteran, daughter of a Vietnam War Veteran and Stepmother to a daughter currently serving in the Army Reserves.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Rivera currently serves as the Press Secretary for DVS.

Prior to joining DVS, Chuck worked at multiple news outlets-- producing, writing, and researching news-of-the-day for a national audience. Most recently, he was a producer for MSNBC with The Rachel Maddow Show and before that with Good Morning America.

Chuck is an Air Force Veteran. He deployed as a non-commissioned officer in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After separating from the Air Force he worked for Lockheed Martin as a network analyst and Air Force liaison in Qatar.

Chuck holds a BA in sociocultural anthropology and political science, with a focus on media from Columbia University.

As a Veteran and news producer, who has covered Veteran issues over the years, Chuck has said that he is very much looking forward to rolling up his sleeves and getting things done for our city’s Veteran population.