Mr. Merchant oversees delivery of health care to Veterans in VAGLAHS’ two ambulatory care centers and eight community-based outpatient clinics in Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Mr. Merchant also leads the VAGLAHS Veteran Experience Office. Mr. Merchant previously served as the VAGLAHS Chief of Strategic and Facility Planning, where he oversaw the development of the West LA Master Plan. He has also served as Special Assistant to the VA Secretary, Executive Assistant to the VA Chief of Staff, and Special Advisor to the VA Deputy Secretary. He has held senior positions at the Department of State in both Baghdad, Iraq and Washington, DC. Mr. Merchant holds a Master of Laws from The George Washington University Law School, a Juris Doctor from Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from Juniata College. Mr. Merchant served in the United States Navy Reserve for 12 years and is an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.