Rules Committee forwards eight nominees to Veterans Affairs Commission

The Rules Committee on Feb. 26 recommended eight nominees to the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission and forwarded the slate to the full Board of Supervisors.

Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan and Vice Chair Shimon Walton moved to advance the committee's recommended slate after hearing from a wide field of applicants and from many veterans and community supporters during public comment. The clerk read the item as a hearing to appoint eight commissioners with terms ending March 17, 2027.

Nominees recommended by the committee were Jenny Perez (seat 1); Deborah Dokumas (seat 2); John Reisenweber (seat 3); Jason Chitavong (seat 4); Hanley Chan (seat 5); Prince Kelly Jordan (seat 6); James Boatman (seat 7); and Daria Kutovaya (seat 8). Several applicants described lived experience with homelessness, military service and veteran-focused nonprofit work; applicant statements emphasized outreach, housing access and mental-health services for veterans.

During public comment, multiple current commissioners and community members urged support for the slate and recounted collaborative work on BMR housing and veterans services. Commissioner Bill Barnacle, Nicholas Rusinoff, and others offered extended endorsements of multiple candidates for their service and leadership in veterans programming.

The committee moved to recommend the slate and the clerk conducted a roll call; Vice Chair Walton and Chair Ronan recorded Ayes and the motion passed without objection with Supervisor Safaie absent. The committee's positive recommendation will go to the full Board for final appointments on the Board's March 5 calendar.