On July 1, 2017 the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation (the Foundation) was established as an independent body politic and corporate agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia supporting the interests of veterans and their families and contributors through the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the programs and services of the Department of Veterans Services (DVS). The Foundation is governed and administered by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation (the Board), consisting of the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Chairman of both the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council, along with eight non-legislative citizens appointed by the Governor; five non-legislative citizens appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and three non-legislative citizens appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The Board may hire an Executive Director of the Foundation, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, to direct the day-to-day operations and activities of the Foundation and carry out the powers and duties conferred upon that position by the trustees.