Ms. Debra A. Walker was appointed Director of the Office of Survivors Assistance, Department of Veterans Affairs, on November 22, 2010.  Prior to this appointment, she served as Executive Assistant for the Office of Human Resources and Administration, Executive Reviewer for the Office of the Executive Secretariat and Management Analyst for Human Resources Management for the Department.

Prior to joining the Department in February 2004, Ms. Walker was the Organization and Public Affairs Officer for the City of Miramar, Florida, where she also held the positions of Assistant to the City Manager and City Clerk, beginning in May 1998.

Ms. Walker began her public service career in October 1989 as Graduate Management Intern with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.  She also served as Management Analyst I and Management and Budget Analyst II in the County’s Office of Management and Budget until April 1994.  Ms. Walker then continued her career as Senior Management Analyst for Manatee County, Florida, until May 1998. 

Ms. Walker earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Presbyterian College and her Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She also has a Certificate in Human Resources from George Mason University.

Ms Walker is a Veteran and served in the United States Army from 1983 to 1986.

Mr. Christopher Scott Bell, LICSW joined the Office of Survivors Assistance in November of 2009.  Prior to this, Mr. Bell worked as a Clinical Social Worker for the Washington D.C. VA medical center in the field of mental health. Since 2004, Mr. Bell has worked closely with veterans, families and their survivors.  In addition to clinical skills associated with the delivery of mental health care, Mr. Bell has experience in policy and program development as well as analysis and management. 

While not a veteran himself, Mr. Bell’s immediate family has provided extensive military service, providing him with sensitivity to the needs of the veteran community and their survivors. 

Mr. Bell received his B.S. from the University of Utah in Communication Disorders, and his M.S.W. from Virginia Commonwealth University.