INDIANAPOLIS — The new director at the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs says changes are on the way to help improve the state agency and how it helps veterans in need.
Dennis Wimer, a U.S. Air Force veteran, started his new role Jan. 28.
“It was an honor to be selected,” Wimer said in an exclusive interview with Call 6 Investigates Kara Kenney. “That’s the work I’m doing right now is to determine what is working, what’s not working.”
Wimer replaces former IDVA director Jim Brown who resigned in December after Call 6 Investigates raised questions about misuse of the Military Family Relief Fund.
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In his first media interview, Wimer told Call 6 Investigates he plans to make both big and small changes.
“I won’t talk about specific personnel at this time, but there will be changes,” Wimer said. “One of the first things I did when I came in was look at all the things that we do including contracts and the people that do the work, and that is ongoing.”
Gov. Eric Holcomb directed Wimer to “make any and all necessary changes to restore the confidence of the department and the trust of Hoosier veterans.”
Whistleblowers Lisa Wilken and Will Henry questioned why IDVA employees received benefits from the Military Family Relief Fund, above the $2,500 limit while the state agency denied other veterans.
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A state audit issued in January sharply criticized the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Indiana Veterans’ Affairs Commission for its “lack of controls” and mishandling of the Military Family Relief Fund, money generated from specialty license plates meant to help veterans with food, utilities and other needs.
A 2017 audit by the Family and Social Services Administration of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program also criticized IDVA for mismanaging funds meant to help veterans with marriage counseling, child care and employment/training.
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Veterans have expressed concern that aside from director Brown’s resignation, the rest of IDVA employees have kept their jobs despite scathing audits.
Call 6: Have you read those audits yet?
Wimer: I’ve read them once or twice. I’ve made my highlights and notes.
Call 6: Is it safe to say changes will be made?
Wimer: I think that’s the mandate coming in from the governor’s office — to restore confidence in the department, and that will require some changes to be made in how we operate. Some of those will be small, some of those will be larger.
Call 6: How do you get the trust of the veterans back?
Wimer: I’m honored to be in this position to be able to do that. We need to work hard to show them they can trust what we say and what we do. It goes back to my days at the Department of Workforce Development. Government is best done in the light of day and in the open. We want them to know we’re clear and we want to communicate well with them, so they can trust what we’re saying and what we’re doing.
Wimer said restoring trust also includes an evaluation of IDVA’s budget.
“This is the people’s money that we’re dealing with,” Wimer said. “So, that requires a significant amount of work to make sure it’s being spent appropriately and that we are serving veterans in the best way possible.”
Wimer has reached out to Lisa Wilken and Will Henry, two veterans who raised concerns about misuse of funds within IDVA.
"There are multiple people out there that I've reached out to, to get their opinion and understand so that I can get a full picture," Wimer said. “I’m wanting to reach out to all people who are concerned about how this state serves veterans.”
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During his time at DWD, Wimer led multiple federal and state workforce programs, including Jobs for Veterans state grants, Jobs for Hoosiers and Hoosier Initiative to Reemploy Ex-offenders (HIRE) program. He’s also held positions at Butler University and LADS Consulting, a family-owned civil engineering consulting firm.
“I look at (IDVA) like a business, so I look at what revenue is coming in and what expenses there are,” Wimer said. “I’ve owned businesses, and I’ve worked with businesses so I think about it in that matter.”
Wimer said his main goal is for the state to better help struggling veterans.
“I’ve received services as a veteran,” Wimer said. “I have some feelings as to what it means to be in need.”
Despite all that he’s inherited, Wimer said he can turn things around.
“I want to run an effective and efficient organization and that means being very cognizant about where these funds come from, and that we are clear and open with how they’re being spent and spending them well,” he said.
Wimer’s salary as IDVA director is $117,000, records show.
Call 6 Investigates asked Holcomb whether he plans to make any changes to the governor-appointed Veterans Affairs Commission.
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Veterans have expressed frustration the commission has contributed to the ongoing problems, and does not listen to their concerns.
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Holcomb told RTV6 he’s waiting to see what recommendations Wimer has regarding the Veterans Affairs Commission and IDVA’s role in those meetings.
