Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces June Veteran of the Month, Staff Sergeant Edwin Rivera

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Staff Sergeant Edwin Rivera of Fort Walton Beach as the June selection for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veteran of the Month. The Veteran of the Month program, established by Commissioner Fried shortly after taking office, recognizes veterans who have excelled in service to fellow Floridians and honors the contributions that the men and women in uniform have made to our state. 

“We’re proud of Sergeant Rivera’s military service in the Air Force, his work with veterans treatment courts, and his efforts to help justice-involved veterans return to being productive members of their communities,” said Commissioner Fried. “His work helping fellow veterans who are getting their lives back on the right track is inspiring. On behalf of the State of Florida, I thank Sergeant Rivera for his service to our state, our nation, and our proud veterans community.”

Commissioner Fried also recognized Rivera in social media posts on Facebook and Twitter.

Background: Edwin Rivera is a U.S. Air Force veteran. Rivera served as an Information Manager overseeing award packages and performance review reports, and served in the Office of the Customer System Administrator at McMullen Air Force Base, where he oversaw information technology for the 77th Operation Support Squadron, and worked to ensure that the squadron’s resources were in optimal condition. Rivera deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch, where he was dual tasked as 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.

Rivera now serves as a Veterans Treatment Coordinator for Okaloosa County Court Services, as the primary program liaison between the court, treatment providers, the Veterans Administration, and justice-involved veterans. By conducting jail visits and interviewing veterans and assessing their needs, Rivera helps veterans who have served their country return to being productive members of their communities.

Rivera’s military awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Rivera also earned an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Project Management, 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.

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