VA Director Receives Leadership Award from Chamber

Franklin County VA Director Adam Akers, who has been serving in his role for the last five years, was recently named the recipient of the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Award.

Since joining the VA, he has helped hundreds of local veterans every year with everything from processing important paperwork for their federal benefits to organizing day trips for veterans.

Akers, a veteran himself, also serves as the Commander for the Hampton American Legion Post 183, where he organizes fundraising events and more. He also spends much of his free time volunteering for organizations that benefit veterans in the community and around the country, including a veteran experience committee that serves central Iowa veterans and the Rural Midwest Veteran Panel.

“I don’t do this volunteerism for the recognition,” Akers said. “You do it because you’re able to.”

Akers also serves as the President of the Kiwanis Club of Hampton, as a board member at Trinity Lutheran Church and as an ambassador for the American Association of Kidney Patients. He said he felt moved to serve as an ambassador for the AAKP after receiving a kidney transplant himself more than ten years ago.

Akers told the Chronicle that teamwork is the key to success for the groups that he’s involved with, and that he couldn't make a difference by himself.

One of Akers's friends and fellow veterans, Butch Gruelke, of Hampton, told the Chronicle that Akers has been able to build on the already established VA program in Franklin County since starting.

"Adam and I have been friends for a very long time. We’ve also served in the National Guard together. A bond with a battle buddy is forever," Gruelke said. "Adam does a great job serving as Franklin County Veterans Affairs director. He has built on the already established program, raising awareness for VA benefits to veterans and assisting to sign up, planning bus trips to veterans and spouses, hosting veteran picnics and also involved with the American Legion monthly breakfasts. If you are a Veteran and haven’t reached out to Adam yet at his office, I encourage you to do so. He can be trusted to care for you, and your family."