MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) Women Veterans Coordinator Andrea Searor was recently elected to serve as the Junior Vice President for the National Association of State Women Veterans Directors.

Searor’s nomination by her counterparts across the country came during the association’s annual training conference earlier this month in Savannah, Georgia.

“There is tremendous value in bringing together women from across the country who share a commitment to advocating for those who served, learning from one another and sharing what works,” Searor said. “I’m excited to help move the association forward while ensuring Alabama has a strong voice in the national conversation. Most importantly, I look forward to bringing those relationships, ideas and best practices home as we continue building a statewide network that ensures Alabama’s women veterans are informed, connected and empowered to access the benefits, resources and opportunities they have earned through service.”

Searor’s impact at ADVA has been significant since assuming the role in May 2026. As the Women Veteran Coordinator, she works directly with veterans, community organizations, and partner agencies to expand outreach, raise awareness of programs and benefits available, and increase engagement, including already hosting several events for women veterans and the community.

“We already knew Andrea was the ideal person to serve as ADVA’s first Women Veterans Coordinator, so we’re not surprised to see that her passion and experience is now being acknowledged at the national level,” said ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton. “Andrea understands the experiences and challenges many women veterans face, and she will be a strong advocate in representing Alabama during those national discussions to help ensure women veterans across our great state feel connected, supported, and empowered to access the benefits and resources they have earned through their service.”

Searor joined ADVA with more than two decades of military leadership and public service experience to the role, serving for 26 years in the United States Air Force, where she held senior leadership positions in strategic planning, international affairs and program management. During her military career, she led teams, managed multi-million-dollar programs and advised senior leaders on policy and organizational effectiveness. She retired as Division Chief of International Affairs at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Air University.

Searor joins Kim Justice, Executive Director of the State Veterans Homes Program, and Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort Director Joe Buschell as ADVA representative recognized at the national level. Justice, who has been an active member of the National Association of State Veterans Homes for 21 years, is a past president and currently serves on the VA/NASVH Liaison Committee and NASVH Executive Committee, and serves as Chair for the Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolution Committee. Earlier this year, Buschell was named Southeast Regional Director for the National State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) – Cemetery Directors.

“These opportunities for Andrea, Kim, and Joe are a reflection of the exceptional people we have serving Alabama’s veterans every day,” Commissioner Newton said. “While it is an honor to see their work contributing to a larger conversation, it is also a reminder that Alabama’s veterans are in very good hands. Our employees are passionate, knowledgeable and deeply committed to the people they serve, and their efforts continue to make a difference not only here in Alabama, but in the broader veteran community as well.”