Somerville Names New Director Of Veterans Services

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city welcomed U.S. Army veteran Ted D. Louis-Jacques as its new Director of Veterans Services this week. Louis-Jacques, a corporal in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, served as a Recruiting and Retention Specialist for the U.S. Army/National Guard in the Greater Boston area and was later deployed with the 1060th Transportation Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned to the United States in September 2016.

Louis-Jacques and the staff in the Veterans Services Office will host two meet-and-greets:

• Thursday, March 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Dilboy Post, 351 Summer St.
• Friday, March 13, 9:30 – 11 a.m., at the City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Ave.

"I am honored to welcome Corporal Louis-Jacques to our team here in Somerville," Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "Ted has incredible experience working with and for his community, particularly with residents most in need of support, resources, and services. This along with his service to our nation and to his colleagues in the armed forces are two of the many reasons he will be an asset to the Somerville community and to our veterans."

Prior to enlisting in the Army, Louis-Jacques was a member of Malden Mayor Gary Christenson's cabinet, where he was the lead liaison between the youth of the city and the Haitian American community. He helped established the Mayor's Internship Program and Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program, served on the Board of Directors of the Malden Teen Enrichment Center and founded Malden Rising Leaders, Inc. (MRL), a nonprofit organization focused on youth leadership and development. In his spare time in his hometown of Malden, Louis-Jacques volunteers with many local organizations and enjoys playing and coaching basketball.

"I am humbled to advocate for veterans and their families in our community. This pivotal role presents a rewarding opportunity to strengthen relationships with fellow veterans and foster connections to resources and benefits that will impact their lives in a positive way," Louis-Jacques said in a statement. "I am thrilled to embark on this new journey and look forward to making a difference while serving our country's heroes."