Blinded U.S. Army veterans and BVA members Teresa Galgano and Scott Quinlan have been appointed to new positions of responsibility with BVA National Headquarters, Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. announced this week. Teresa will assume the role of BVA Director of Member Relations while Scott will serve with the Association’s Veterans Service Program as a National Service Officer. 

A resident of Fort Myers, Florida, Teresa began working for BVA this past March as a Strategic Advisor, focusing on program development and social media. She is a former high school Junior Army ROTC instructor and Program Director. She was also a Professor of Military Science during her Army service. Teresa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Webster University. She is currently completing a second Master’s Degree in Mass Communication/Social Media from the University of Florida. Teresa’s volunteer service includes tenure as Board Secretary of the General James Dozier Scholarship Fund, an initiative to raise money to support the Lee County, Florida, Junior ROTC program and fund scholarships for students entering university ROTC programs or a Service Academy. 

Scott, a resident of Fountain Valley, California, is known for his many passions and activities despite being totally blind due to Diabetic Retinopathy. He joined the Army at age 19 and served for six years immediately before the first Gulf War. Despite his adversities and challenges, Scott returned to school, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. He served for a short time as a BVA Field Service Representative and has been a Peer Counselor at the Braille Institute, a volunteer at the Long Beach VA Blind Rehabilitation Center, and a member of the Board of Directors of Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation of Southern California. He is a longtime member of the Huntington Beach Lions Club. 

Welcome, Teresa and Scott!