Deputy Superintendent Grant Jacobson

 

 

 

 

Justyna is a dedicated Veteran service leader and U.S. Army Iraq Veteran who brings deep experience, compassion, and drive to her role with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County. After more than a decade with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she joined the VACCC to expand access to benefits, strengthen outreach countywide, and ensure Veterans, caregivers, and survivors receive the support they earned and deserve. She focuses on building modern, efficient, and responsive services across Cook County. Her work includes developing outreach strategies, improving claims processes, supporting underserved communities, and mentoring new Veterans Service Officers. She is known for her ability to turn complex systems into clear, accessible pathways that help Veterans move forward with confidence.

Her commitment is rooted in her own military service and her belief that every Veteran should be treated with respect, dignity, and urgency. She approaches each case with empathy and determination, advocating for real outcomes and lasting impact. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her wife and their two fur babies, Becca and Stacey, who bring energy and joy to her home. Her family keeps her grounded and fuels her passion for serving the Veteran community every day.

 

Derek was raised in Northwest Indiana and graduated from the esteemed Andrean High School in 1999 before attending Indiana University Northwest and ultimately enlisting in the United States Army as a Telecommunications Specialist. He served five years with the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, completing two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military service, Derek earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History through studies at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Purdue University Calumet, and Purdue University North Central. He went on to join the Department of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars as an Assistant Department Service Officer, later rising to Director of the office in 2015.

 

In 2023, Derek transitioned to the Department of Veterans Affairs, serving on their Public Contact Team, and in March of this year he joined the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County as the Manager of Veteran Services. In the nearly 100-year history of the VACCC, the organization has never had a dedicated Veterans Service Officer program, and Derek brings both experience and determination to his professional mission of building a VSO presence in all 17 Commissioner Districts across Cook County. 

 

Conner was raised across the United States, living in Illinois, California, Tennessee, and Wisconsin before graduating from high school in Wilmette and continuing on to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in public administration & policy and history from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. He commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2017 and served as an Engineer Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard until 2025 and conducted a deployment to Kuwait and Iraq between 2019 - 2020 where he managed engineering projects throughout the region.

 

Upon returning home, Conner pursued his master’s degree in public affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs, specializing in social policy with a focus on criminal justice reform and defense policy. Outside of his professional commitments, Conner is the proud father of a beautiful daughter and enjoys writing, reading, and playing tabletop games such as Dungeons & Dragons in his spare time. 

 

 

Rajeev is an accomplished finance professional whose career spans finance, operations management, engineering, and continuous improvement across multiple industries. He currently serves as the Finance and Business Operations Manager for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, where he leverages his broad expertise to strengthen financial efficiency, streamline processes, and support the organization’s expanding mission. Rajeev holds graduate degrees in engineering, business administration, and accounting, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois, and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, underscoring his commitment to operational optimization and strategic problem-solving.

 

His technical skillset is further enhanced by certifications in Microsoft applications and client-server technologies. Before transitioning fully into finance, Rajeev spent more than a decade in the manufacturing sector as an engineer, later advancing into financial and investment services, transportation, healthcare, and government roles - experience that gives him a unique understanding of how financial systems and operational structures intersect. Outside of his professional career, Rajeev is a devoted family man, married with three children, and brings the same dedication and integrity to his personal life that he brings to his work at the VACCC.

Vanessa has served the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County since 2018, bringing more than 20 years of management experience to her role as Executive Assistant. Known for her professionalism, compassion, and steady leadership, Vanessa is a vital part of the VACCC’s daily operations, ensuring that staff, Veterans, and partner organizations receive the support and coordination needed to keep services running seamlessly. Her extensive background in management has equipped her with the skills to navigate complex administrative responsibilities, advocate for Veterans’ needs, and contribute meaningfully to the Commission’s mission of providing high-quality assistance across Cook County.

Beyond her professional role, Vanessa is deeply rooted in a life of family, service, and community. She has been happily married for over 40 years to her husband, Charles Meadows, a proud U.S. Army Veteran, and together they have raised two sons. Vanessa often shares that she feels truly blessed to work alongside a team of dedicated individuals who care for Veterans with the same passion and sincerity that she does. Her commitment to helping others, combined with her warmth and unwavering loyalty, makes her not only an invaluable member of the VACCC team but also a steady, uplifting presence within the Veteran community.

 

 

 

Caseworker Peter Bencak 

 

Peter is a dedicated Case Worker and Incoming Processor with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, bringing more than seven years of combined part-time and full-time service to the organization. A reliable and experienced member of the team, he draws on an extensive background in both military service and telecommunications to support Veterans with professionalism, compassion, and meticulous attention to detail. Prior to joining the VACCC, Peter retired from an extraordinary 44-year career in telecommunications in 2014, where he developed deep technical expertise and a long-standing reputation for consistency and leadership.

A retired Major in the United States Army, Peter proudly served for 24 years -11 years as an enlisted Soldier and 13 years as a commissioned Officer. His service included a peacekeeping deployment to the Philippines in 1985, experiences that shaped his disciplined approach and lifelong commitment to serving others. He also completed two years of junior college, adding to the strong educational foundation that supported his lengthy professional career.

 

Outside of his work with the VACCC, Peter is a devoted family man who has been happily married to his wife for 52 years. He treasures spending time with her, their three children, and their three grandchildren, whom he describes as the joy of his life. Peter also remains deeply engaged in the Veteran community, serving as the Commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans in Chicago since 2009—a role that keeps him actively involved in advocacy, camaraderie, and leadership. In his personal time, he enjoys traveling and taking vacations with his wife, embracing the simple pleasures and meaningful connections that have defined his life of service and family.

 

 

 

Julian Calderon serves as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, where he brings creativity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to public service to the agency’s growing outreach mission. A proud United States Marine Corps Veteran, Julian has devoted his career to supporting fellow Veterans through visual communications, resource awareness, and community engagement. Before joining the VACCC, he worked for six years as a Visual Information Specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, specializing in photography, graphic design, digital media production, and the development of veteran-centered communication materials.

 

His professional skill set includes advanced expertise in Adobe Photoshop, branding, videography, print and digital marketing, and the creation of accessible, impactful outreach resources used across diverse communities. At the VACCC, Julian oversees the design of marketing materials, captures field photography, enhances the agency’s digital presence, and supports outreach operations across all 17 Cook County Commissioner Districts. Beyond his professional life, Julian is a devoted husband and father whose family’s love and support remain at the heart of everything he does. Known for his dedication, kindness, and passion for service, Julian is a valued member of the VACCC team and plays a key role in connecting Veterans to the resources and support they have earned. 

 

 

Faris is a dedicated Veteran Service Officer with the VACCC, bringing a wealth of experience from both federal service and military duty. Before joining the VACCC, Faris spent ten years as a Rating Veteran Service Representative with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Chicago, where he evaluated claims, applied the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, and issued rating decisions that directly impacted the lives of countless Veterans. His work included preparing detailed decision notices, determining service connection, and awarding compensation benefits - experience that now informs his precise and compassionate approach to VSO advocacy.

 

Prior to his VA career, Faris served in the United States Army, first as a 19K M1A2 Abrams Tank Crewmember at Fort Carson and later as a 15P Aviation Operations Specialist at Hunter Army Airfield, including a year deployed to Iraq and service in a mission coordination role. Faris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a foundation that supports his strong communication, decision-making, and administrative skills. Known for his integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to Veteran care, Faris is a valued member of the VACCC team, devoted to ensuring Cook County’s Veterans receive the benefits and support they have earned through their service.

 

 

Krystal is a dedicated Veterans Service Caseworker with the VACCC, bringing extensive experience from her years serving Veterans and families at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Before joining the VACCC, Krystal held multiple leadership and patient-facing roles at the VA, including Program Specialist, Patient Advocate, Executive Assistant to the Medical Center Director, and Supervisory Medical Support Assistant in the Call Center. Across these positions, she managed complex office operations, coordinated multi-department initiatives, provided policy interpretation, conducted customer recovery efforts, oversaw staff training, and served as a key liaison between Veterans, clinicians, and executive leadership.

 

Her work as a Patient Advocate allowed her to directly assist Veterans and families seeking resolution to concerns, analyze trends in service needs, and collaborate with specialized committees supporting at-risk or high-need patients. Earlier in her career, Krystal supervised call center teams, ensured compliance with HIPAA and customer service standards, and supported systemwide scheduling and operational goals. She holds a strong academic foundation in Social Work from DePaul University, where she earned honors including membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Single-Parent Scholarship, as well as prior academic distinction at Aquinas Dominican High School. Combining her administrative expertise, interpersonal skill, and long-standing commitment to Veteran care, Krystal is a valued member of the VACCC team - dedicated to providing compassionate, thorough, and empowering support to Veterans and their families across Cook County.