MAYOR ADAMS REAPPOINTS JAMES HENDON AS COMMISSIONER OF NYC DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the reappointment of James Hendon as commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services. Hendon will continue to lead the department to provide the city’s veterans with essential services and programs focused on pivotal areas, such as economic empowerment, housing security, benefits, health and wellness, and culture.

 

“James Hendon has devoted his career to serving our country and our city, and we are honored to have him continue to serve the tens of thousands of veterans living in New York City as commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Services,” said Mayor Adams. “As a combat veteran and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, James has illustrated a sincere commitment to ensuring his fellow veterans have access to services that are both impactful and compassionate. He has a proven track record of being an innovative leader, and I am proud to reappoint him to this role.”

 

“Commissioner Hendon is truly a tireless advocate for the city’s veterans and their families,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “As a combat veteran, he knows the courage required to serve, the strong bond between service members, and the support needed when returning home. The Department of Veterans’ Services plays a key role in helping service members in their transition to civilian life and is a resource throughout their life whenever they need it. I look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Hendon in the coming months and years.”

 

"I am humbled and overjoyed to be given the opportunity to keep serving New York City's military veterans and their families,” said Commissioner James Hendon. “Mayor Adams has a vision of making New York City a place where, rather than spend disproportionate amounts of time and resources pulling people out of the river downstream, we prevent them from falling into the river upstream in the first place. We at the Department of Veterans’ Services embrace the mayor’s vision as it applies to our veterans and their loved ones. We proudly channel the mayor’s passion, viewpoint, efficiency, and sense of urgency as we empower the city’s veteran community to reach new heights." 

 

"I am pleased that the Adams administration recognizes the great contributions Commissioner James Hendon has made for veterans in New York City, said Charles B. Rangel, former congressman; statesman-in-residence, City College of New York. “I look forward to the mayor's continued support for Commissioner Hendon and the New York City Department of Veterans' Services that has done so much for our city's military veterans."

 

“I want to wholeheartedly congratulate my partner in New York City, James Hendon, on his reappointment as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services,” said New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Director Viviana DeCohen. “I look forward to continuing our work and shared mission of providing the best services and programs for New York’s veterans, service members, and their families together.”

 

About James Hendon

 

James Hendon is the commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans' Services. Previously, Hendon served as director of the New York University Veterans Future Lab, a small business incubator for practicing and aspiring entrepreneurs who are U.S. military veterans or veterans' spouses.

A veteran entrepreneur himself, Hendon is the founder and former CEO of the Energy Economic Development Corporation, an organization that provides green energy workforce development training throughout the New York City area. Previously, Hendon served as the COO for BlocPower, a U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored company that helps nonprofits, small businesses, and faith centers perform energy efficiency retrofits. He previously worked as an associate in the Real Estate Investment Banking Group at Deutsche Bank.

 

Before entering the civilian workforce, Hendon spent seven years in the U.S. Army as an active-duty infantry officer, where he deployed as a mortar platoon leader and battalion public affairs officer to Iraq, worked as an admissions officer for West Point, and served as the senior advisor to the Afghan Border Police in Afghanistan.

 

Hendon also served as a mayoral appointee on the New York City Veterans Advisory Board. He has volunteered as a longtime mentor for the Eagle Academy for Young Men in the Bronx. Hendon has participated in various fellowships, including the Council of Urban Professionals, the Truman National Security Project, the Environmental Leadership Program, and Presidential Leadership Scholars.

 

As a drilling U.S. Army reservist, Hendon, a Lieutenant Colonel, currently serves as the battalion commander for 1st Battalion, 411th Regiment, 4th Cavalry Brigade — a logistics support battalion.

 

Hendon is a graduate of West Point, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Columbia Business School. He is also a graduate of the Earth Institute's Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability.