About Herm

Herm is a veterans advocate with over 19 years of service providing direct resources to veterans at the local level, as well as a proven leader in organizations from local to state and national. His leadership and insight has provided for positive change on all levels. 

Herm was the director of Trumbull County Veteran Office, providing resources to the veteran population. The resources they provided varied from assistance with the Department of Veteran Affairs applications for benefits, transportation assistance, providing subsistence for veterans in financial hardship. As the director of the veterans office, he became the defacto spokesperson for all things military and veteran in the region. He lead his office during a critical changes from the State and Federal Government. With the increase in resources being provided he spearheaded the effort to transform his counties office which led to a ground up build of a 7000 square foot state of the art resource center.

During his tenure with the county, he participated in veteran organizations from local to state to federal. Local organizations such as the congressionally chartered historical organizations, that are the lifeblood of the veteran community as well as grass roots fundraising by organizations such as Freedom Warrior Charitable Fund, which he served as the fundraising chairman, raised nearly $1 million in 6 years, solely on local sponsorships. 

Herm was also the President of the Ohio State Association of County Veteran Service Officers from 2012 through 2015. During a time when Governor staff and legislators were exploring options to shrink the footprint at the local level. He worked closely with the staff in Columbus, OH to educate them on local services, and they opened up dialogue between the counties and the state that created a collaborative atmosphere, and the calls for change subsided. 

A few years later he would be the President of the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers from 2018 through 2021. During this time he utilized the services of Ward Circle to implement a strategic plan, during which they reached new heights in the way of fundraising efforts. They partnered with NaCo to open an office in D.C., and also hosted their first ever leadership summit. During the Pandemic his leadership guided the organization to transition to an online training platform, which became a new revenue stream, and the new platform became a way to reach their members in ways they never have.

He joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard while studying communications at Slippery Rock University. His wife Tara delivered their youngest daughter just 9 days before he deployed to Iraq. He provided security for the Commanding General staff in Mosul, Iraq, where he was wounded by an IED. Which sparked his passion for helping his brothers and sisters that served. He holds certifications and accreditations to provide assistance at all levels. 

Career Highlights

• Trumbull County Veteran Services, Director
• National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, President
• Ohio State Association of County Veteran Service Officers, President

4 Fun Facts

• Worked for 10+ years with DoD and legislators to upgrade a veterans Distinguished Service Cross to the Congressional Medal of Honor
• Lives in Warren, OH with his wife of 25 years Tara (although he’s not a Buckeyes fan)
• He has testified in front of Congress on various veteran issues
• He enjoys traveling with his wife and daughters, New Orleans is his favorite place to visit