Veteran Service Team
Miguel Rodriguez
Veteran Service Officer Supervisor
Houston native Miguel Rodriguez served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012 as a Legal/Administration Specialist. After his honorable discharge, he was accepted at the University of Houston where he stayed active with veteran organizations. Miguel joined the Wounded Warrior Project, Lone Star Veterans Association, UH Downtown Student Veteran Organization, and graduated Cum Laude with a Criminal Justice Major and a Communications Minor in 2015.
Miguel initially joined the Harris County team with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, but soon joined the Harris County Community Services Department as a Veteran Program Eligibility Specialist (Case Manager) in 2015. Miguel was transferred to the Veteran Services Office, and was promoted to a Veteran Service Officer by the Commissioners Court in 2018.
With hundreds of veterans served over the years, Miguel is one of our most experienced veteran service officers. While he specializes in Disability Compensation, Pension, and appeal cases, he has experience in almost every field of veteran services and the Harris County network. in 2019, Miguel was awarded the Legion of Honor Award by the Chapel of Four Chaplains, and also recognized by the Veterans County Service Officer Association of Texas for his hard work and dedication to the Veteran Community.
Ardenna Hardy
Veteran Service Officer
Ardenna was a senior non-commissioned officer with 28 years of service, domestic and overseas on Active Duty, in the Louisiana National Guard and Army Reserves. She considers that the Army took her on one of the best "and free" educational tours one could receive.
Ardenna led soldiers in the Medical Service Corps and Adjutant Corps worldwide in South Korea, Germany, and Japan.
After her honorable discharge, Ardenna completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and a Project Management concentration from the University of Phoenix.
Ardenna joined the Texas Veterans Commission in 2015 as a Claims Benefits Advisor until April 10, 2020, where she developed her expertise in VA claims and the claims appellate process. She also frequently volunteered for additional assignments and programs such as the Homeless Veterans, Veteran Entrepreneur, and the Women Veterans Program.
In 2020, Ardenna joined the Harris County Veterans Service Department, where she continues serving Veterans for the greater Harris County.
Ardenna is a world traveler who has enjoyed planning and organizing events both in the military and personal life. Some of her favorite travel destinations included San Francisco, Honolulu, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris, and Belgium.
Dominique Brewer
Veteran Service Officer
Dominique is a native Texan who served as a U.S. Air Force Security Forces/Military Police specialist. After 8 years of service, and deployment to Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom, she was honorably discharged in 2012
During her time in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), she continued to serve as a civilian under the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait in support of the U.S. troops on numerous operating bases throughout the Middle East.
In 2015, Dominique settled in Harris County, Texas and attended college at Lone Star College where she became a Veteran Mentor. She was also accepted to University of Houston – Downtown Alumni received a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies
Dominique served the veteran community as a Certifying Official for Veterans Education benefits at Lone Star College. She also assisted Veterans and their families entitled to federal or state education benefits through the Department of the VA official all while attending school.
Her passion to serve veterans further show in her memberships as:
· Wounded Warrior Alumni
· UHD alumni
· Student Veterans Association (Lone star College and UHD)
· Combined Arms Institute
· Women’s Veterans Organizations
Kelly Haese
Veteran Service Officer
With nearly 20 years of experience dealing with Veteran-related care, documents, claims and benefits, Kelly is one of our accredited and experienced Veteran Services Officers. As a Houston and Harris County Native, she also knows our unique geographical challenges and solutions.
Kelly began working for Harris County Precinct 2 Veterans Services in, 2004 as a liaison between veterans and the VA Medical Center. Subsequently, her success earned her a promotion and expanded her expertise with veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents on Pension benefits and Burial benefits.
As an accredited VSO, Kelly’s expertise helps veterans in the greater Harris County area with their disability claims and appeals, along with her other expertise from the past years.
Daniel Ruiz
Veteran Service Officer
Daniel Ruiz joined the Marine Corps in 2013 and served as an Aviation Ordnance Non-Commissioned Officer in the Pacific and West Coast. During his time in the Marines, he deployed twice in support of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa Japan.
After his returning to civilian life, Daniel graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justine from the University of Houston Downtown.
During his service and travels, Daniel learned the importance of listening to veterans from all walks of life and what kind of difference that can make. In 2022, Daniel interned with the Harris County Veteran Services Department and subsequently joined the VSD team as a full time employee soon after. Since then Daniel frequently talks about how he takes joy from helping fellow veterans return to civilian life and supporting them with their benefits.
If Daniel isn't working, you can find him at his local church or relaxing with his wife and kids.
Donald Grinter
Veteran Service Officer
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Steven Thomas
Veterans Case Manager
With more than a decade in the public service sector, Steven brings a wealth of experience in community service, mentorship and financial planning to the Harris County Veterans Services Department.
With a background in psychology, Steven started his work with Harris County under Community Services Department and Juvenile Probation Department. Steven helped citizens in need with their applications towards community and aid programs, but also had the patience to help mentor and rehabilitate detained juveniles.
Steven’s background has easily placed him as one of our most patient staff members who excels at listening and applying the correct solutions to problems. Often times, he helps veterans with otherwise laborious applications for various financial aid programs.
Steven Thomas
Veterans Case Manager
With more than a decade in the public service sector, Steven brings a wealth of experience in community service, mentorship and financial planning to the Harris County Veterans Services Department.
With a background in psychology, Steven started his work with Harris County under Community Services Department and Juvenile Probation Department. Steven helped citizens in need with their applications towards community and aid programs, but also had the patience to help mentor and rehabilitate detained juveniles.
Steven’s background has easily placed him as one of our most patient staff members who excels at listening and applying the correct solutions to problems. Often times, he helps veterans with otherwise laborious applications for various financial aid programs.