2024 VSO Winner Trevor Willemsen
April 21, 2025 by Jordan Loa
Tyler’s VSO Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding work veterans service officers (VSO) provide to those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. We are pleased to spotlight one such VSO: Trevor Willemsen from the Kansas Office of Veterans Services. Trevor won the Software Superstar award for his deep commitment and exceptional service to veterans.
A Legacy of Service
A former United States Marine, Trevor joined the Kansas Office of Veterans Services (KOVS) as the Hays Kansas Field Office Veteran Service Representative (VSR).
“I quickly realized his affinity for collaboration and problem solving,” said Eric Rohleder, deputy director of KOVS. “When a leadership team position came open in February 2024, I knew Trevor was the person for the job.”
Now, Trevor oversees nine VSRs responsible for 37 of the 105 Kansas counties. While this only covers about one-third of the state’s counties, the nine field offices serve more than two-thirds of the 190,000 veterans in Kansas, including all five of the most veteran-populous cities.
During his time with KOVS, Trevor’s leadership and tenacity have helped the agency put more than $380 million back in the pockets of Kansas veterans and family members.
Unwavering Leadership
Trevor’s meticulous attention to detail, first-rate advocacy for veterans, and can-do attitude prompted Rohleder to assign him as the primary trainer and subject matter expert in the Eastern Kansas Area.
“We were recently sponsoring a large Veterans Benefits Outreach event, and I required another supervisor at the last minute,” Rohleder recalled. “Trevor stepped up to the task and drove three and a half hours to assist.”
Noticing that on-site VSRs were overwhelmed by the number of attendees and that wait times were undesirably increasing, Trevor went straight to work processing claims using Tyler’s Veterans’ Benefits software.
“Trevor is a role model and the type of leader everyone turns to when they need solutions,” said Rohleder.
Dedication to Veterans
In addition to overseeing nine VSRs and orchestrating two field office relocations during his short tenure as a supervisor, Trevor has also helped re-energize the incarcerated veteran outreach program.
Today, he leads a committee of four VSRs who are dedicated to advocating for the veterans served through the program. As a former law enforcement officer, Trevor has also reached out to Fraternal Order of Police groups and is coordinating a veteran benefits fair for first responders and police officers – the first of its kind in Kansas.
“Trevor continually amazes me with his out-of-the-box thinking and new and fresh ideas when it comes to assisting the veterans of Kansas!” said Rohleder. “He is truly worthy of receiving a Tyler Technologies VSO Excellence Award.”
Congratulations to Trevor Willemsen for his exceptional service and commitment to Kansas veterans!
Interested in how this technology can improve your agency’s veterans’ benefits claim management process? Learn more about Tyler’s Veterans’ Benefits software and the full suite of workforce case management solutions.