This organization, working with Ohio legislators, formulated basic changes to laws which began the process of standardizing the operations of the 88 CVSOs, entities which were created in the late 19th century to care for Civil War veterans.

The study said that Ohio was 50th in terms of the per capita dollar amount that veterans in the state received in compensation from the VA.

Ted Strickland convened a study commission of veterans organizations that unanimously recommended the formation of the department.

[4] Former state legislator and Korean War-era veteran Bill Hartnett was named by Governor Strickland as the first Director of ODVS.

[5] The department’s second Director was Colonel Thomas N. Moe (U.S. Air Force retired), appointed by Governor John Kasich in January 2011.

Mr. Gorrell served 31 years in the Army, retiring in 2012 following a final assignment as Command Inspector General for the Ohio National Guard.

ODVS advises the Governor on the state of veterans' affairs in Ohio and work as a liaison with other levels of government agencies.

It monitors the federal money that comes into the State of Ohio from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and works with the VA on program development, implementation and operations.