Service Department Team

Elliot J. Berger served in the United States Marine Corps from 2010 to 2015.  His deployments include: VMGR 352 12.2, Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom (2012 -2013) and 11th MEU aboard the USS Makin Island, VMM 163 (REIN), Operation Inherent Resolve (2014-2015). Elliot has served with the VSCSC team since August 2016, and has risen to Assistant Director. Elliot is accredited with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and Military Order of the Purple Heart.

James Garvey enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in May 2000 as a Military Police Soldier. In 2001, his unit was activated to Fort Bragg, NC to serve in MP roles for units deployed. His unit then deployed in 2007 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. James deployed again in 2013 to Afghanistan as the unit Supply Sergeant. James has conducted training exercises in multiple countries to include Germany, Italy, and Serbia. James retired from the Ohio Army National Guard in February 2022 with 22 years of service, 17 of which were active duty.  James has served with the VSCSC since May 4, 2022, and has risen to County Veteran Service Officer. James is accredited with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.

Sara is the daughter of a Veteran and has Veteran family members that have served in several eras. Sara has always had a love and passion in working with Veterans and their family. She is a fountain of knowledge and has an amazing drive to go above and beyond to assist.  Sara is an ambassador for Objective Zero, a member of the NACVSO Membership Committee, and a past member of Rolling Thunder Ch 2 where she served on their suicide prevention committee. Sara has served with the VSCSC team since March of 2019, where she started as an administrator. She is now a Benefits Advocate and is accredited with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and Disabled American Veterans.

Danielle is a native of Stark County where she also enlisted in the Navy, August of 1992.  She was attached to the Family Service Support Center in Washington, D. C.  and then transferred to Naval Station New York and ended her active duty career in 1996.   She transferred to the Navy Reserve as a Storekeeper and attached to the Seabees.  She was activated in 2004-2005 with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWENTY-THREE (NMCB 23) and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2010, she was activated again with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWENTY-SIX (NMCB 26), as their Logistics liaison and HAZMAT certifier in Kuwait, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Danielle retired September 1, 2017, as a Logistics Chief Petty Officer.

Darbey A. Schultz served in the United States Army in Communications from 1986 – 1989. He served with the 143rd Signal Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, Frankfurt, Germany. Darbey also has 2 sons who are veterans. One in the United States Army, Military Intelligence, stationed in Korea, and one in the Army National Guard.

Service Representative II Katherine D. Britton served in the United States Air Force from 1990 to 1994.  She proudly served with the 18th Fighter Maintenance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, 1991 to 1993.  Katherine’s son is a Veteran of the United States Navy. Katherine has served with the VSCSC team since July 2016.  Katherine is accredited with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Chris began his military service in 2010 with the Ohio Army National Guard as a Military Police Soldier. In 2013, he deployed to Afghanistan with the 838th MP Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After completing his Army service in 2016, Chris continued his commitment to service by enlisting in the Ohio Air National Guard in 2019 as a Firefighter with the 179th Airlift Wing. In 2021, he deployed to Kuwait in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Chris has served with the Stark County Veterans Service Commission since September 2025. He is currently in training and working towards accreditation.

Katie Bussard is a native of Akron, Ohio and served in the United States Air Force as a Geospatial Analyst from 2009-2016. She was stationed at Hurlburt Field, FL and Beale AFB, CA, and completed 2 deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following separation from Active Duty, Katie entered the United States Air Force Reserves and served as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee at Air Force Special Operations Command HQ until 2021. She has multiple family members, including her husband, who are also veterans. Her family now happily resides in Stark County. Katie has served with the Stark County Veterans Service Commission since September 2025. She is currently in training and working studiously towards accreditation.

Alyssa Keys is a Veterans Service Officer with the Stark County Veterans Service Commission, a United States Navy Veteran, and a current Navy Reservist. She served on active duty as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) while forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, where she supported naval aviation operations in a high-tempo environment. Drawing from both her military experience and professional training, Alyssa assists Veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents with disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, VA health care, appeals, and other available resources. She is committed to providing knowledgeable, thorough, and compassionate advocacy while ensuring Veterans understand the benefits they have earned through their service. For Alyssa, serving the Veteran community is a continuation of her commitment to service and an opportunity to ensure Veterans and their families feel informed, respected, and supported throughout the benefits process. Alyssa has served with the Stark County Veterans Service Commission since September 2025.