Amber Mertens, State Approving Agency Director amertens@dva.in.gov
Amber joined the U.S. Navy in 2002 and served as an Arabic linguist specializing in Iraqi dialect. She received her AA in Arabic Studies from the Defense Language Institute and her BA in Sociology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Amber joined the State Approving Agency in 2011.
Tim Wilson, Assistant Director twilson4@dva.in.gov
Tim Wilson is a retired Army 1SG with over 20 years of military service. He joined the State Approving Agency as a Program Director, and he covered the Southern portion of the State of Indiana. He had the opportunity to work as an Intern with IDVA prior to his departure from the Army by participating in the Army Career Skills Program, which allows Soldiers to work for an organization/company while on Active Duty. He has served in three different career fields during his time in the Army. As a Tanker on the M1A2, Helicopter Mechanic for the Kiowa Warrior and as a Career Army Recruiter. Tim is a graduate of Post University and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in Administration. Tim has a passion for coaching and mentoring youths through sports, primarily basketball, football, and track. He loves to travel and spend time with his family.
Gary Rainey, Program Director grainey1@dva.in.gov
Gary served for five years in the U.S. Navy from 1992-1997 as a Cryptologist Technician-Interpretative and Naval Aircrewman. He joined the State Approving Agency in August 2022. Gary is married and has two children.
Sean Litchford, Program Director slitchford@dva.in.gov
Sean served in the U.S. Army from 2007-2012 as a PATRIOT Launching Station Operator, serving in multiple assignments stateside and overseas. After leaving the Army, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Penn State in 2016 and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from IUPUI in 2020. When he is not working, Sean enjoys sports (especially football and baseball), traveling the world with his wife and hanging out with their two dogs.
Kimberly Bloodgood, Program Director kbloodgood@dva.in.gov
Kimberly is a U.S. Air Force veteran and the East Region Program Director at the Indiana State Approving Agency (SAA). Kim has served our Indiana veterans population for the past 14 years as a school certifying official, director and Indiana SAA program director. Kim’s journey has allowed her to assist military connected students with transitioning into the college setting by providing them with veteran related resources, camaraderie opportunities, and individual success coaching. In addition, Kim made a point to share her knowledge of the population with her campus’ staff and faculty through individual and group conversations as well as presentations focused on assisting the military connected population at her institutions. Kim will continue her educational journey starting in the Fall 2023 academic year by pursuing a degree in accounting; a dream that she has had since she was a teenager. Kim resides in southern Indiana where she can visit with her family, hike and build a relationship with nature.