Jessica Villarreal
Jessica Villarreal is a grassroots engagement director with Concerned Veterans for America in Texas and a veteran of the United States Army.
Jessica served with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Drum, New York, from 2004-2010 and provided support during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. She credits her time in the Army with giver her insight into the bigger picture of what matters most to her and everyday Americans.
After the Army, Jessica wanted to continue serving her community. She received a bachelor’s degree in communications studies from University of Texas-Pan American and a master’s in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Through her social work career, Jessica had the opportunity to work with veterans, children, and families, conducting individual and group counseling focusing on trauma. This work led her to a job at the Department of Veterans Affairs. At the VA, Jessica helped veterans get through difficult transitions back to civilian life as many were experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems.
Her time at the VA also gave Jessica insight into shortcomings and harmful policies that affect veterans and veterans’ families. To further her impact, Jessica started her work with Concerned Veterans for America to affect policy change and is concurrently working toward a doctorate in behavioral health through Arizona State University.
Jessica lives in the Rio Grande Valley area with her husband, a combat veteran of the Marine Corps, and their two sons.