Veterans Summit 2025

Opening Remarks

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, Supreme Court of Ohio
Retired Justice Evelyn Stratton, Supreme Court of Ohio
Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General

Session Recording

Emerging Trends in Veterans Specialized Dockets: Insights from the Field

Mercedes Anderson, Franklin County Municipal Court
Samantha Barbarek, Franklin County Municipal Court
Bentley Edwards, Warren County
Judge Gary A. Loxley, Warren County Court
Judge Timothy Tepe, Warren County Common Pleas Court

Veterans Specialized Dockets continue to evolve in response to the unique needs of justice-involved veterans. This session will present findings from a recent survey of Ohio Veterans Specialized Dockets and discuss challenges and best practices when serving veterans. The session will also provide a platform for discussion on how these trends can inform future policy, practice, and collaboration across systems.

Session Recording

Innovative Pathways to Healing: Programs Supporting Veterans

Adam Carr, Save a Warrior
Joshua Doran, Veteran Companion Animal Services
Valorie Machovina, Fieldstone Farms

Veterans often carry the invisible wounds of service—trauma, addiction, and isolation.  This session highlights innovative programs that offer transformative support tailored to veterans’ unique experiences.  Participants will learn about Save A Warrior’s integrative healing model, Fieldstone Farm’s equine-assisted therapy, and Veteran Companion Animal Services’ pet placement and support.  Through these examples, attendees will explore how community-based and court-integrated services are reshaping recovery and reintegration for veterans.

Remarks by Major General John C. Harris, Jr., Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Session Recording

Civil Legal Services Supporting Veterans’ Stability & Justice

Anna Lynch, Legal Aid Society of Southeast & Central Ohio
Diana Wiebe, Ohio Legal Help

Veterans often face complex legal challenges that can impact their housing, employment, health, and overall well-being.  This session explores innovative legal service models designed to meet the unique needs of veterans, including Ohio Legal Help’s accessible online resources, the work of legal aid organizations, and the Veterans Justice Program at Legal Services for Veterans.  Presenters will share how these programs provide critical support in civil matters, collaborate with courts and community partners, and empower veterans to navigate the legal system with confidence.

Session Recording

Materials

Additional Materials

Connecting Veterans to Vital Support: Relink Ohio’s Resource Network

Barbara Campbell, Relink Ohio

Veterans navigating challenges such as addiction recovery, housing instability, mental health needs, or reentry after incarceration often struggle to find timely and appropriate support.  Relink Ohio offers a powerful, geo-location-driven platform that connects veterans to essential services across the state.  This session will explore how Relink Ohio’s searchable database helps veterans and service providers access resources for basic needs, legal assistance, trauma recovery, and more.  Participants will learn how to use the platform effectively and discover ways to integrate Relink Ohio into their own outreach efforts.

Session Recording

Materials

Empowering Veterans Through Employment: OhioMeansJobs

Zachary Ludi, Ohio Department of Job & Family Services

Transitioning from military to civilian employment can be challenging, but Ohio offers a robust network of support to help veterans succeed.  This session will explore how veterans can leverage OhioMeansJobs and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) to access job training, career counseling, resume assistance, and priority placement services. Participants will learn about veteran-specific programs, OhioMeansVeteranJobs.com Tools & Resources including expedited licensing, credit for military experience, and the Veterans Workforce Services initiatives. The session will also highlight how these resources align with federal programs like the Jobs for Veterans Act to ensure veterans receive priority access to employment and training opportunities.

Session Recording

Materials

Mercedes Anderson, LSW
Franklin County Municipal Court 

Mercedes Anderson is a Licensed Social Worker with extensive experience in diverse clinical and community-based settings.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Ohio Dominican University in 2013 and obtained her licensure in 2014.  Ms. Anderson is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Denver.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Anderson has demonstrated a strong commitment to service and advocacy, with professional experience spanning youth residential treatment, juvenile detention, and adult crisis intervention.  For the past three years, she has served at the Franklin County Municipal Court, where she works with veterans on a specialized docket to connect them to treatment, resources, and supportive services aimed at fostering long-term stability and success.

Samantha Barbarek, LISW
Franklin County Municipal Court 

Samantha Barbarek is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and has worked for five years as the Clinical Coordinator for the Franklin County Municipal Court’s Military & Veterans Services (MAVS) Specialized Docket in Columbus, Ohio.  Through this innovative court program, she helps veterans involved in the justice system address the underlying mental health and substance use challenges through treatment, resources, and community collaboration.  She leads collaborative efforts among treatment providers, community partners, and the court to promote accountability, recovery, and successful reintegration into civilian life.

A proud advocate for the military and veteran community, Ms. Barbarek has long dedicated her service to bridging civilian and military worlds.  She was the first Civilian Liaison elected onto the Student Veterans Association at The Ohio State University and served as President of Pets for Vets Ohio State, where she led initiatives pairing shelter animals with veterans coping with PTSD and other invisible wounds.  Her leadership and advocacy earned her Ohio State’s Unsung Hero Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to the student veteran community.  She’s also worked with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Unit and Buckeyes for Ohio Military Kids.

Ms. Barbarek earned her Bachelor of Security & Intelligence and her Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University and is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Public Administration at Franklin University.  She continues to mentor future social workers as a Field Instructor and remains deeply committed to service, compassion, and community reintegration for those who have served our nation.

Barbara Campbell, RPh
Executive Director
Dalton Foundation

Barbara Campbell brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, global humanitarian experience, and innovative leadership in community health resource development.  After more than 20 years as a practicing pharmacist, she felt called to serve beyond the traditional healthcare setting.  Led by her Christian faith, she joined a major mission organization in Haiti, where she supported critical healthcare operations in one of the world’s most challenging environments. It was during this time that she connected with the Dalton Foundation, which was actively involved in healthcare initiatives throughout the region.

In 2017, Ms. Campbell relocated to Ohio to lead the Dalton Foundation’s International Healthcare Division.  Her leadership and vision quickly became instrumental in driving strategic healthcare initiatives both internationally and domestically.  Just a year later, she was entrusted with leadership of relink.org, a rapidly growing digital platform focused on connecting individuals to life-saving community resources.

Under Ms. Campbell’s leadership, relink.org expanded its original mission from addiction recovery resources to a broader, community-wide continuum of care.  The platform now connects Ohioans to over 19,000 services statewide, including housing, food, employment, mental health support, and more.  Special attention has been given to key populations such as veterans, justice-involved individuals, and families in crisis.

In 2024 alone, relink.org facilitated access to over 6 million resources, with more than 6,000 individuals using the platform each week.  Of particular note is the recent initiative to expand and tailor services specifically for veterans—a growing focus area for Barbara and her team.

Ms. Campbell comes from a proud military family, including a brother currently serving as a Colonel in the United States Air Force.  Her deep respect for the sacrifices made by veterans and their families fuels her passion for ensuring that those who served have easy access to the care and support they need.

She is honored to be part of this conference and is committed to continuing relink.org’s mission of connecting people—especially veterans—with the resources that can change and even save lives.

Adam Carr
Executive Vice President
Save a Warrior

Adam Carr is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Special Forces Green Beret who devoted over 12 years to serving his country.  During his military tenure, he undertook missions in counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic engagement, working collaboratively with diverse teams to navigate complex geopolitical challenges.  Mr. Carr earned his B.A. in Security and Intelligence from The Ohio State University in 2006 and deployed extensively to Asia, contributing to pivotal operations such as Enduring Freedom in the Philippines and Afghanistan.

Profoundly shaped by the loss of comrades, mentors, and friends to suicide, Mr. Carr’s work is imbued with a deep sense of purpose and gratitude for the opportunity to impact lives.  As Executive Vice President and a Board Member of Save A Warrior (SAW), he is privileged to lead initiatives addressing Complex Post-Traumatic Stress and suicide prevention among veterans and first responders.  Having directly supported over 100 cohorts, he has been instrumental in facilitating SAW’s transformative programs, which foster profound healing and resilience.

In his leadership capacity, Mr. Carr collaborates closely with SAW’s Founder to enhance innovative methodologies, forge strategic alliances, and cultivate the next generation of ontological leaders.  Among his most meaningful contributions is the co-creation of the National Center of Excellence for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping the landscape of trauma recovery.

Beyond his work with SAW, Mr. Carr is honored to inspire and educate audiences across the nation, drawing on his own experiences to promote hope and transformation.  Adam is a graduate of the prestigious Ignite Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business and holds an MBA from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, where he was recognized as the Most Outstanding Student of his cohort.  In 2022, he was deeply humbled to be inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, an accolade he credits to the unwavering support of his family and colleagues.

Joshua Doran
President & CEO
Veteran Companion Animal Services 

Joshua Doran is the President and CEO of Veteran Companion Animal Services (VCAS), a nonprofit connecting veterans with rescue dogs.  Since joining VCAS in 2022, he has tripled veteran-dog placements and led the organization to open its second office in Cincinnati, while strengthening alumni engagement and operational sustainability.

With 18 years of service in the U.S. Army National Guard, including deployments as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Mr. Doran brings strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to service.  His military honors include the Army Commendation Medal, NATO ISAF Ribbon, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Gold.

Mr. Doran’s professional experience spans nonprofit compliance and philanthropy, including roles as Chief Compliance Officer at Combat Connect and Campaign Director for Global Impact’s Combined Federal Campaign in Dayton, Ohio.  He holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science from The Ohio State University.

Known for his mission-driven leadership and passion for veteran advocacy, Mr. Doran guides VCAS with integrity, empathy, and impact.

Bentley Edwards

Bentley Edwards is a Cincinnati native and veteran of the United States Army.  While serving, he earned a Humanitarian Service Medal for Operation Gustav Victor in 2008.  After his military service, he faced significant challenges and served time in prison.  During that season, Mr. Edwards leaned on his faith and military training to teach classes to his peers, creating both accountability and hope for the future.

As part of his journey of recovery and growth, Mr. Edwards became a graduate of the Warren County Veterans Honor Court. His resilience and commitment allowed him to turn adversity into a platform for service and leadership.  Today, he serves as the Care Captain over community service projects for the Cincinnati market at Home Genius Exteriors, is an ordained Elder with the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology.

Mr. Edwards is a devoted father to his son Andrew, a leader in the faith community, and a living example of the power of second chances.

Major General(Retired) John C. Harris Jr.
Director, Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Major General (Retired) John C. Harris Jr. was appointed as the Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services by Governor Mike DeWine and assumed his new leadership duties on June 1, 2025.  General Harris brings decades of distinguished military service to this vital statewide role, where he now leads efforts to support Ohio’s nearly 700,000 veterans and their families.

He previously served as the Ohio Adjutant General from 2019 to 2025, commanding the state’s Army and Air National Guard, Military Reserve, and Naval Militia – a force of nearly 17,000 personnel.  A veteran of both domestic missions and overseas deployments – including leading Task Force Lancer in Kosovo – he is a proven leader, aviator, and advocate.

After 44 years in uniform, General Harris continues to serve with integrity and purpose, ensuring Ohio veterans of all backgrounds, eras, and branches of service receive the care, recognition, and opportunities they have earned.

Sharon L. Kennedy
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio

Sharon L. Kennedy was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio in November 2022. She is the eleventh Chief Justice and the second woman to serve in the role. Chief Justice Kennedy first joined the court as a justice in 2012, having been elected to fill an unexpired term. She was elected to her first full term in November 2014 and re-elected in November 2020.

Prior to her term on the Ohio Supreme Court, Chief Justice Kennedy served at the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division beginning in 1999. From 2005 until December of 2012, Chief Justice Kennedy served as the administrative judge of that division. During her time as administrative judge, she improved the case management system to ensure the timely resolution of cases for families and children. Working with state legislators she championed a "common sense" family law initiative to reduce multiple-forum litigation for Butler County families.

When Butler County faced tough economic times, Chief Justice Kennedy organized concerned elected officials in a county-wide Budget Work Group. Seeing the need to bring private sector financial know-how to the government, she worked to create the Advisory Committee to the Budget Work Group. Chief Justice Kennedy served as the facilitator and led discussions between county officials and private sector leaders to analyze county finances, study and implement cost saving measures, and present business driven fiscal policy to the county commissioners. 

In 1991, after obtaining her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Chief Justice Kennedy ran a small business of her own as a solo practitioner. While in private practice she served the legal needs of families, juveniles, and the less fortunate. As special counsel for Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery, Chief Justice Kennedy fought on behalf of Ohio’s taxpayers to collect monies due the State of Ohio. As a part-time magistrate in the Butler County Area Courts, Chief Justice Kennedy presided over a wide array of civil litigation and assisted law enforcement officers and private citizens seeking the issuance of criminal warrants for arrest.

Chief Justice Kennedy began her career in the justice system as a police officer at the Hamilton Police Department. She was assigned to a rotating shift, single-officer road patrol unit working to protect and serve the citizens of the City of Hamilton. From the routine, to the heart-pounding, to the heart-breaking, she has seen it all. During her time as an officer, Chief Justice Kennedy also worked undercover operations, implemented crime prevention programs, and later, as a civil assistant, assisted in drafting police policy and procedure for the Accreditation Program.

Throughout her career Chief Justice Kennedy has served on numerous boards, developed and facilitated programs to address the needs of young people, and worked with judges across the state. As a dedicated jurist she has received multiple awards of recognition including: The AMVETS Department of Ohio 2018 Past Department Commanders' Civil Servant of the Year Award; The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Silver Good Citizenship Medal, May 5, 2018; Leadership Ohio Community Leadership Award, 2016; The University of Cincinnati College of Law Nicholas Longworth, III Alumni Achievement Award, May 17, 2014; Northwest High School Distinguished Alumnus Award, April 25, 2014; named one of 13 professional women to watch by The Cincinnati Enquirer, March 17, 2013; Excellence in Public Service, June 2009; Judge of the Year, 2006; Above the Fold Award, 2002; and the Furtherance of Justice Award, 2001. Justice Kennedy was also featured in Trends in the Judiciary: Interviews with Judges Across the Globe, Volume II, published by CRC Press in February 2015.

Hon. Gary A. Loxley
Warren County Court

Gary A. Loxley has served as a judge on the Warren County Court since May 2013.  A native of Greenville, Ohio, Judge Loxley is a graduate of Miami University (Oxford) and the Ohio Northern University College of Law.  He began his legal career as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 1988.  For nearly 15 years, he served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.  He engaged in the private practice of law in Dayton from 1998-2002.

In 2018, Judge Loxley retired as a colonel from the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps.  During his 36 years in the Army, he served in many leadership and command assignments, including service as a Military Judge in the United States Army’s 1st and 2nd Judicial Circuits.  He earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College. 

Judge Loxley is active in several local, state, and national organizations and committees, especially veterans interest groups.  He is a member of the Warren County (Past President) and Ohio Bar Associations, Association of Municipal and County Judges of Ohio, and the Ohio Judicial Conference.  In 2015, he established a specialized docket for veterans known as the Warren County Veterans Court and serves as its Presiding Judge.  As a result of the contributions he made to the community after his active military service, Judge Loxley was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2021.

Zachary Ludi
Office of Workforce Development
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services

Zachary Ludi served in the United States Air Force from 2000 – 2007 with several deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Mr. Ludi is honored and proud to currently serve for the last decade as a Veteran Program Manager for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ (ODJFS) Office of Workforce Development (OWD) Veteran Workforce Services program.

The ODJFS OWD Veterans Workforce Services program’s goal is to help all members of Ohio’s military veteran community in alleviating unemployment and underemployment.  His program role provides policies and procedures regarding veterans’ reemployment programs and the services necessary for the state to implement the Jobs for Veterans Act in OhioMeansJobs centers throughout Ohio.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Ludi served as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, passionately providing reemployment services to military veterans.

Mr. Ludi graduated Summa Cum Laude from DeVry University, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management.  He is a committee member of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies Veterans Affairs committee.  He also voluntarily serves as the Treasurer with the Central Ohio Veterans Stand Down, a non-profit providing services to economically disadvantaged veterans.

Anna Lynch
Veteran Outreach Attorney
Legal Aid of Southeast & Central Ohio

Anna Lynch is the Veteran Outreach Attorney at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO), based in the Columbus office.  In this role, she has cultivated strong partnerships with a wide range of organizations serving veterans, including veteran service organizations, social service providers, and local agencies.  

Through targeted outreach to VA service providers, Veteran Service Officers, and other community stakeholders, as well as coordination of LASCO’s monthly Veterans Clinic at the Columbus VA Hospital, Ms. Lynch has helped build robust referral networks and expand access to civil legal services for veterans across both urban and rural communities.  She represents veterans in a variety of civil matters and VA-related cases, with a focus on issues such as overpayments and discharge upgrades.

Ms. Lynch earned her JD from the University of Iowa College of Law and began her legal career as a staff attorney with Iowa Legal Aid, where she represented clients in housing, protection orders, and consumer matters.

Valorie Machovina
Equine Director
Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center

Valorie Machovina is the Equine Director for one of the largest therapeutic riding centers in the country, Fieldstone Farm in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  She holds designations as both a PATH International Certified instructor and an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist and has facilitated equine assisted therapy sessions for veterans, first responders, and people with disabilities for many years.

Her 40 years of experience with horses and understanding their intuitive ability to help change the lives of people with challenges has made her a leader in the field of equine therapy. Ms. Machovina oversees Fieldstone’s 30 horses as well as veterans programming at the center, which has become a model for other therapeutic riding centers around the nation. 

Before joining Fieldstone, she was the Equine Director for Hope Meadows in Northeast Ohio and owner and manager of a large boarding facility in Northeast Ohio.

Hon. Timothy Tepe
Warren County Common Pleas Court

Judge Tepe is a graduate of Moeller High School, The University of Dayton and the University of Dayton School of Law.  As a practicing attorney, he maintained his law practice in Warren County for 31 years before taking the bench in 2017.  From 2005-2016, he served as the prosecuting attorney for the City of Springboro.

Judge Tepe has been active in the community throughout his law career.  He has served on the Springboro Superintendent’s Business Advisory Council, The Springboro Scholarship Foundation, Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Lebanon Warrior Youth Football Conference, and the Gem City Youth Football Conference.  He has also served as a board member for Elizabeth’s New Life Center and for the Fenwick High School Board of Limited Jurisdiction. He also currently serves as an adjunct professor for Sinclair College.

Since taking the bench, Judge Tepe has presided over the Warren County Veteran’s Honor Court.  In 2025 the Warren County Veteran’s Honor Court was named as a national mentor court by All Rise and Justice for Vets.  In 2022, he helped establish the Warren County Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Coalition and continues to serve on the executive committee of that Coalition.

Diana C.J. Wiebe
Communications & Program Manager
Ohio Legal Help 

Diana C.J. Wiebe is the Communications & Program Manager at Ohio Legal Help. She manages all communications and works closely with the organization’s network of partners to connect Ohioans with critical legal information and strengthen access to justice across the state. Before joining Ohio Legal Help in 2020, Diana worked at the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, where she supported the launch of the statewide legal help website and advanced access to justice initiatives through strategic communications. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, where she studied Strategic Communications and Political Science.

Dave Yost
Ohio Attorney General

Dave Yost was re-elected as Ohio’s 51st attorney general on Nov. 8, 2022, receiving more votes than any other attorney general in the state’s history. 

During his first term as the state’s chief legal officer, he quickly gained a national reputation as a fearless advocate for the rule of law — or, as he puts it, “the same rules for everybody.”

Attorney General Yost’s goal is to “do big good” for the people of Ohio by protecting consumers, rooting out corruption, defending the environment, ensuring an open and competitive marketplace, and fulfilling the many other duties of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. 

Attorney General Yost began his public-service career as Delaware County auditor, later winning election as that county’s prosecutor.  From 2011 through 2018, he served as Ohio’s auditor of state and, in January 2019, began his first term as attorney general. 

Attorney General Yost earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and law degree from Capital University.  He and his wife, Darlene, live in Franklin County; they have three grown children and five grandchildren.