Kalamazoo Times

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) appointed Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) as the new director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA).

Hollier is currently serving his second term in the state Senate, according to a press release from the governor's office. He represents District 2, which serves Wayne County including Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, and Highland Park.  

"As someone who has taken the call to serve my country in the armed services, I feel blessed to answer this call to serve my state and my fellow service members at the same time," Hollier said in the press release. "I am excited to make Michigan the most inviting and supportive state for service members and their families. We want to make sure every person is able to receive the benefits they have earned."

Hollier worked as a volunteer firefighter before enlisting in the U.S. Army and graduating with distinction from Officer Candidate School, the press release noted. He earned the commission of second lieutenant. He was mentioned in Michigan Chronicle’s 40 under 40 list in 2013 and Crain's 20 in their 20s list in 2015. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan. Hollier currently works as a captain paratrooper and team leader in the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion Airborne.

Hollier will replace outgoing Director Zaneta Adams, according to the press release. Adams helped expand the agency's outreach to veterans in the state during her tenure. She spearheaded efforts to secure a record-setting $10.9 million in state-appropriated grants for veteran support and $1.8 million in grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in a public/private partnership. 

The MVAA also expanded the veterans' 24/7 call center under Adams' leadership, the press release noted. It connects veterans in the state with benefits and resources. The agency also "dramatically increased partnerships with employers and educational institutions across Michigan to improve veteran support."

"It has been my honor to serve the veterans of this state for the past three and a half years," Adams said in the press release. "My goal when I took on this role was to bring more awareness of the resources available to veterans, to receive additional funding to support them, and to bring more stakeholders to the table. With the support of the Whitmer administration and the legislature and with a great team backing me at the MVAA, I believe I have done that and more. I leave this role knowing that I have left the agency in a good place."

Marilyn Britten, department commander of the Michigan American Legion, spoke about the transition in leadership.

"The American Legion would like to thank Director Adams of the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency for her dedication and work on behalf of the veterans of the state of Michigan," Britten said in the press release. "She has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the over 550,000 veterans in the state of Michigan. The American Legion also would like to congratulate the new director of the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, Sen. Adam Hollier. We look forward to working with him as partners to continue to improve the lives of veterans and lowering the alarming, high rate of veteran suicides."

"We wish her the best of luck in whatever new endeavors she pursues and look forward to working with the new director," Jim Sigmon of the Military Officers Association of America Commander's Group said in the press release. "She has challenged the veteran service groups and community to reach out and engage whatever support was necessary in the name of helping veterans."

"Adam Hollier is a tenacious leader who will bring the same work ethic he has shown through a career of service as a U.S. Army paratrooper, firefighter, and state senator," state Rep. Sarah Anthony said in the press release. "I know he will work day and night to support our military families, and I'm excited to have him as a partner to make Michigan the most supportive state for our veterans and their families. We have every confidence in his ability to lead MVAA through its next chapter. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Zaneta Adams for her leadership and for helping the MVAA expand its outreach to veterans across our state."