Somerville Names New Veterans Services Director

Mayor Joseph Curtatone recently named Bryan Bishop as Veterans Services Director for the City of Somerville. Bishop will bring his years of service as the Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff for Boston’s Department of Veterans’ Services. Bishop, a 20-year Veteran of the United States Air Force, will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department.

As director, Bishop will aid Somerville’s local veterans and their families in accessing both federal and state veterans benefits. He will also work closely with other staff to provide strong leadership in the development of constituent engagement programs within all demographics of the Veterans community. His priority will be to advocate and give a voice to the Veterans and their families who call Somerville home.

Bishop graduated magna cum laude from UMass Lowell with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and minor in Disability Studies. During his time at the college, he was active in the Student Veterans Organization as well the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society for which he still visits local colleges and universities urging students to join this prestigious society of our Veterans’ academic elite.

His military decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Recognition Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Bishop will begin his employment on Dec. 7, 2015, and looks forward to serving the community.