New York Veterans Services Names Outreach Leader
Employers who recruit veterans in New York should watch how the state's outreach leadership shapes benefit and job-connection programs.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military Jobs
New York's Department of Veterans' Services has appointed Navy veteran Mark Sollohub as executive deputy commissioner, moving him up from his prior role as special assistant for outreach. The department announced the appointment in a news release on Thursday.
Why it matters
The move elevates a veteran outreach leader into a senior operational role, which signals where state veteran-services administration is placing its emphasis. For businesses that employ or recruit veterans, the state agency's priorities shape the benefits and connection programs veterans use during their transition into civilian work.
The appointment is a single senior-level personnel change at one state agency, with no associated budget, headcount, or program-size figures reported. The department serves New York's veterans, service members, and military families across the state.
The players
New York State Department of Veterans' Services
A state agency that connects veterans, service members, and military families with benefits, services, and support across New York.
Mark Sollohub
A Navy veteran who previously served as special assistant for outreach at the department and now serves as its executive deputy commissioner.
Viviana DeCohen
The commissioner of New York's Department of Veterans' Services, to whom Sollohub will report on agency priorities and operations.
The details
Sollohub will work alongside Commissioner Viviana DeCohen on agency priorities, operations, and services. In his previous role he handled community partnerships, outreach, and connecting veterans with benefits, work that feeds directly into how the department reaches eligible people. The department describes his roots in New York's Capital Region and says he has earned the trust of colleagues and partners across the state.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: the department announces the appointment in a news release.
Market Landscape
State veterans' agencies such as New York's Department of Veterans' Services run the benefits-connection and outreach work that veterans rely on during civilian transition. Moving an outreach leader into executive deputy commissioner keeps that community-facing approach at the center of agency operations.
Businesses that hire veterans should note which state programs connect veterans with benefits and support, since those connections shape candidate availability. Operators who recruit from the veteran community may find it useful to track how the department's outreach priorities develop under its new executive leadership.
The takeaway
The appointment signals that state veteran-services leadership is drawing directly from its community outreach work, which makes that outreach a useful indicator for employers. Operators hiring veterans should watch for announced department programs that connect veterans with employment and benefits.
Further reading
For broader context on how veterans find roles after service, explore Military Jobs coverage.
More information
Schedule time with a state veterans benefits adviser through the New York State Department of Veterans' Services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fingerlakes1.
