GENESEE COUNTY, MI — Genesee County is proud to announce that it has been elevated to Silver-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer status for 2026 by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). This recognition represents a significant advancement from the County’s previous Bronze-level designation, placing Genesee County one step closer to its ultimate goal: Gold status.

“We are honored to receive this recognition because of what it represents,” said Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Delrico J. Loyd. “We are strongly committed to serving those who have served our great country. It’s what our veterans deserve, and speaks to who we are as an organization that values what they bring to our mission to make a positive impact on the residents of Genesee County.”

The recognition highlights several key initiatives that expand support for veterans before, during, and after joining our team at Genesee County:

• Veteran-Focused Hiring and Outreach: The County partners with organizations across the region for hiring events and career fairs. These efforts help connect veterans directly with County departments and ensure they are aware of the opportunities we have available.
• Enhanced Onboarding for Veteran Employees: Genesee County integrates MVAA’s Veteran-Friendly Employer benefits video into its onboarding process for all new veteran hires. New employees also receive contact information for County Veteran Services and the National Veteran Crisis Line, ensuring immediate access to support networks from day one.
• Ongoing Access to Resources: Veterans employed by the County continue to benefit from MVAA tools, information, and support through the County’s outreach platforms, providing easy access to resources whenever they are needed.
• Continued Growth and Outreach: Genesee County remains committed to participating in MVAA’s annual programming and events, keeping leadership informed of evolving best practices and standards. As a next step toward achieving Gold-level status, the County will work alongside its Veterans Department to explore additional resources and leadership training focused on hiring and retaining veteran employees.

The recognition is one milestone among many on a journey spanning many years in Genesee County, an intentional effort that began with a simple pledge to actively seek out veteran applicants and encourage them to consider employment with our organization. 

“Following through on this pledge is not simply the right thing to do for veterans, but it’s the right thing to do for our residents who deserve the highest level of service we can offer them,” said Derrick Britton, Director of Genesee County’s Department of Veterans Services (GCDVS) and retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Michigan Air National Guard.

Relying on Britton’s extensive military service experience and his passion for veterans’ service, GCDVS has been able to work closely with Human Resources to both recruit and retain veterans in Genesee County. 

“We are committed to offering a workplace where veterans can showcase their skills while being a part of a team focused on our organizational values and mission,” said Anita Galajda, Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations for Genesee County. “We are grateful to everyone on our team who has worked so hard to make this recognition possible, and I’m confident the best is yet to come. We aspire to be the most veteran-friendly county in Michigan, and we believe we can achieve it.”

If you or someone you know needs veterans’ services, please contact GCDVS at 810-230-3068 or by email at v@geneseecountymi.gov. Click here for employment opportunities in Genesee County.