June 2021 Veteran of the Month: Edwin Rivera

From left: Attorney General Ashley Moody, Governor Ron DeSantis, FDACS Veteran of the Month for June 2021 Edwin Rivera, Commissioner Nikki Fried, and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis

Military Service

Served in the U.S. Air Force as an Information Manager. Left the Air Force in 2006 as a Staff Sergeant (E-5) after 10 years of military service.

Public Service

Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator at Okaloosa County Court Services.

Biography

Edwin Rivera is an Air Force veteran and Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator at Okaloosa County Court Services. In the Air Force, he served as an Information Manager overseeing award packages and performance review reports. Later he transitioned to the Office of the Customer System Administrator at McMullen Air Force Base where he was in charge of all the information technology for the 77th Operation Support Squadron. He was also on the early web design team, tracking all computer equipment to ensure that the squadron’s resources were in optimal condition. During his military service he deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch. Here he served as both the Information Manager for the Command Support Staff and the Customer System Administrator. He also deployed to Soto-Cano Air Base in Honduras in support of Joint Task Force Bravo as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge for the Command Support Staff.

After leaving the military, Edwin went on to serve as a Veterans Treatment Coordinator for Okaloosa County Court Services. In this capacity, he acts as the primary program liaison between the court, treatment providers, the Veterans Administration and the justice-involved veterans. By conducting jail visits and interviewing veterans and assessing their needs, he helps veterans who have served their country return to being productive members of their communities. Edwin’s military awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Edwin earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in project management from Northwest Florida State College. He also holds an Associate of Applied Science in industrial management and an A.A. in general studies from Northwest Florida State College, as well as an Associate of Applied Science in information management education from the Community College of the Air Force.