Clearfield County hires new Veterans Affairs director

In late October, Dominick Kurtz, Clearfield County veterans affairs director resigned from his position. 

Kurtz had been director for six years.

Following his resignation the Clearfield County commissioners accepted applications for the vacant position.

After conducting 25 interviews and several months of waiting, the commissioners and the advisory committee chose a new director. 

Betina Nicklas, a Clearfield County native was offered the position. 

Nicklas told 6 News that she was living in Jacksonville, North Carolina when she traveled back to Clearfield for the interview. 

Nicklas said that she was thrilled when she was offered the position. 

At just 32 years old, Nicklas is also a veteran.  She said that she has been a part of the National Guard for six years, and was recently promoted to sergeant. She also spent nearly a year as a fueler in Iraq.

When asked what she plans to do first, she said that she wants to get her face out there.  Nicklas said that she plans to stop by at all the different organizations to meet people face to face. 

Nicklas believes her biggest obstacle will be her age.  She hopes that veterans will still embrace her and see that she truly cares about the county and its 8000 plus veterans. 

"Hopefully we can all work together and bring back the faith that the veterans had in this organization. It is all about them. It's not about this that or the other, it is about the veterans, what they have done, what they will do and what they will continue to do," said Nicklas.