Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), founded as Operation Truth by Paul Rieckhoff, a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans, its website states.

Mission

The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.

Source: IAVA Mission Statement

Staff

The following is according to IAVA Staff Profiles.

• Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1998 and served a tour of duty in Iraq lasting from April 2003 to February 2004. During that time, Paul was a 1st Lieutenant, and served as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the 3rd Infantry and 1st Armored Divisions. Paul's Platoon conducted over 1,000 dismounted and mounted combat patrols, and was centered in the Adamiyah section of central Baghdad.

Prior to going to Iraq, Paul worked as a high school football coach and an Investment Banking Analyst on Wall Street. Paul received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Amherst College and continues to serve his country as a 1st Lieutenant and Detachment Commander in the New York Army National Guard.

• Perry Jefferies, Veteran Outreach Director:

Perry Jefferies, from Waco, TX, served as a First Sergeant in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He now lives in Copperas Cove, TX, with his wife and four children.

• Rob Timmins, Field and Outreach Director:

Rob served as an Army Infantryman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in Najaf, and then Mosul. He received his BA in Sociology from the College of Staten Island. He recently re-enlisted in the Army Reserves and is currently living in Staten Island.

• Patrick Campbell, Congressional Liaison:

Patrick is a combat medic serving with the Washington, D.C. National Guard. He returned from Iraq in October 2005 after one year of service in Baghdad with the 256 Infantry Brigade. He was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Patrick is currently a full time law student at the Catholic University of America, and also staffing the Washington, DC office of IAVA.

• Will Coghlan, Communications Director:

Prior to joining IAVA, Will lived in New Hampshire where he covered state and national politics for a daily newspaper. He is a graduate of Bates College.

• Vanessa Williamson, Research Director:

Before joining IAVA in 2004, Vanessa received her MA from NYU, and has worked for several nonprofit and advocacy organizations.

• Devon Collins, Director of Operations:

Prior to joining IAVA, Devon attended Rollins College in Florida, graduating with a degree in Sociology.

• Daniel Atwood, Director of Online Strategy:

Daniel graduated from Trinity College with a BS in Computer Science. Prior to joining IAVA, Daniel worked as a legal assistant at a New York law firm and has held positions as a computer specialist and academic mentor.

Contact information

770 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212 982-9699
FAX: 212 982-8645
Website: www.iava.org
E-mail: info AT IAVA.org

Please be aware that all comments sent to the above addresses may be used on the IAVA website.

External links

Profiles

• Also see External Links for Paul Rieckhoff.

External articles

• Don Lohaus, Documentary: "When I Came Home 2004," Internet Archive.
• "Murder Amidst War: Interview with Paul Rieckhoff," NOW on PBS, June 30, 2006.
• Julie Kosterlitz, "Lobbying & Law - Veterans of Political Wars," National Journal, 2006.
• Joe Klein, "A Place to Honor the Heroes," The Swampland Blog/TIME Magazine, September 11, 2007.