Katherine Hadnot-Blanco
Fremont,NE
Summary
Veterans services professional with significant experience in providing comprehensive support and guidance to fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and team members within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Skilled in developing and delivering engaging training programs for new and experienced staff, both in-person and virtually, and in creating instructional materials and local operating procedures to optimize workflows. Adept at conducting quality assurance reviews, analyzing data, and overseeing case management to ensure regulatory compliance. Strong collaborator with a results-driven mindset, ability to adapt to changing needs, and demonstrated strength in communication with both management and staff to foster a culture of learning and operational excellence.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Veterans Service Representative (FAR)
Department of Veterans Affairs
Lincoln, NE
07.2023 - Current
- Initiated and responded to communications with fiduciaries and beneficiaries under the Fiduciary Program, providing comprehensive explanations of VA benefits, related programs, and available federal, state, and local assistance.
- Advised fiduciaries, trust officers, banking officials, attorneys, and court officials on VA regulations, documentation requirements, and factors affecting fiduciary oversight.
- Reviewed records to ensure proper accounting for beneficiaries and dependents in award determinations.
- Identified and audited records to detect potential fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, or misuse by fiduciaries.
- Conducted detailed analyses, quasi-legal examinations, investigations, and financial assessments in response to allegations of misuse.
- Protected VA beneficiaries and their estates by initiating payment suspensions, resumptions, or terminations as appropriate (e.g., successor fiduciary appointments, unauthorized expenditures, death, or whereabouts unknown).
- Initiated and completed misuse investigations, prepared determination documentation, and forwarded findings for management review and concurrence.
- Audited and reviewed annual fiduciary accountings, including fund usage and receipts, collaborating with fiduciaries to resolve questioned expenditures in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
- Reviewed surety bonds for adequacy and communicated with fiduciaries regarding necessary adjustments to bond amounts.
- Processes and referred misuse of funds cases to the court of jurisdiction, Office of Inspector General (OIG), and/or District Counsel for further action.
- Maintained and updated system databases, beneficiary and fiduciary profiles, and processed changes in fiduciary assignments, names, addresses, and direct deposit information.
Insurance Representative
Gaylord Mussman & Kirk Goodnight -State Farm Insurance Agencies
Fremont, NE
09.2014 - 06.2023
- Supported sales, brokers, consultants, and underwriters in marketing and sales activities.
- Reviewed documents submitted by others for completeness, accuracy and validity within an organization.
- Specialized experience using Word, Excel, & Outlook
- Built relationships with clients using active listening and issue resolution to provide excellent service.
- Tracked progress of all outstanding insurance claims.
- Worked to accommodate new and different insurance requests and explored new value opportunities to optimize insurance agency reputation.
- Responded to customer calls swiftly to resolve issues and answer questions.
- Calculated quotes and educated potential clients on insurance options.
- Leveraged knowledge of company insurance products and services to advise customers on appropriate choices.
- Monitored changes in insurance industry to stay compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
- Determined client needs and financial situations by listening and scheduling fact-finding appointments.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline administrative processes and improve workflow efficiency.
- Developed training materials for new hires, focusing on customer engagement strategies and product knowledge.
Education
Business Management
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NESkills
- Regulatory Compliance
- Oral and Writing Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Operational Efficiency
- Conflict Resolution Techniques
- Detail Oriented
- Staff Education, Coaching and Training
- Performance Assessment
Timeline
Veterans Service Representative (FAR)
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2023 - Current
Insurance Representative
Gaylord Mussman & Kirk Goodnight -State Farm Insurance Agencies
09.2014 - 06.2023
Business Management
Bellevue University