RICHMOND, Va. –
After eight years guiding the Virginia Department of Military Affairs as the Chief Operations Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer is retiring from the DMA effective Dec. 31, 2023, with another retired Virginia National Guard officer, retired Col. Everton E. Nevers, taking over the role of COO.
"Mr. Mercer is retiring as the chief operations officer at the end of December after serving in this capacity for the last eight years. His contributions to DMA and his unwavering dedication leave an indelible mark on our team, and we thank him for his remarkable service,” said Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia. ”Mr. Nevers's remarkable skills and extensive experience make him the ideal candidate to carry forward the legacy of excellence that Mr. Mercer established within our organization.”
Nevers has already been spending time with the organization, meeting employees and learning the ins and outs of the DMA operation.
“The thing I’m looking forward to the most in leading the DMA organization is working with the outstanding men and women who I will have to opportunity to interact with on a daily basis in order to affect our employees’ lives positively,” said Nevers, who retired from the VNG in 2022 as the G4 logistics officer.
Nevers will aim to fill the large shoes of Mercer, who has spent his time as the COO working tirelessly to improve the organization by investing in its employees. During his tenure, he helped initiate several courses and programs for his state employees to take advantage of as they grow their DMA careers, including the New Employee Orientation, the Supervisor Course, DMA Leader Development Course and the DMA Workforce Development Mentoring Program.
Most of his proudest accomplishments in the COO role came as a direct result of listening to his charges and identifying areas improvement was needed.
“I think that coming in and listening to staff and using data to identify gaps or problem areas was a positive starting point that led to accomplishments or initiatives that were relevant and got after the actual problem,” said Mercer. “I think I have had some success in listening to staff, leading with caring and putting people first, which has had a positive effect on the work climate, level of trust, and teamwork across DMA. Part of this led to our creation of the DMA Mentor Program, which I have seen touch our staff in a truly empowering and positive way.”
With the help of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Tim White, the DMA instructor and trainer, Mercer set out to formalize courses intended to teach new hires about the organization and its policies and procedures, as well as a course for new supervisors to learn about managing and leading state employees.
“When I arrived as the COO there was no formal class for new staff, nor a Supervisor Course,” said Mercer. “I pulled some staff together in several working groups, and we worked to create these initiatives. Tim White and I put the finishing touches on them and they have been very successful. I know we hit the right areas from the very positive feedback we have received over and over from staff who have attended these classes.”
Mercer said helping those state employees grow their careers and come together as a team will be the big thing he will miss upon retirement.
“The DMA staff are dedicated and care about their mission greatly,” said Mercer. “There is an overall feel of family here compared to most agencies, and I will miss the caring and loyal staff who supported me and the various initiatives that we have implemented.”
Nevers said he looks forward to continuing to build upon his predecessor’s legacy.
“I believe the organization has been well managed over the past several years,” said Nevers. “My initial observation is there have been many positives changes that have taken place under Mr. Mercer’s leadership, and my goal is continue to build and cultivate the positive environment that is now DMA.”
The incoming COO knows filling Mercer’s shoes as the organization’s leader is a tall task.
“That will be impossible but I will work tirelessly to try.”
Read more about the Department of Military Affairs at https://ngpa.us/25482.