The Dog Tag Texas Veterans Land Board

On this episode of The Dog Tag, our hosts Jim Bob Mickler, Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Director for Marketing & Outreach, and Jimmy Smaragdis, VLB Marketing Specialist, talk about how to find a lender, prequalify for a mortgage and why you need a good real estate agent. Their guests include Director of Strategic Products Elizabeth Robertson and Loan Officer Marcia Boyer of Gateway Mortgage Group, as well as Kim Mangum, Loan Origination Manager for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program.
After you’ve established your credit score and calculated how much house you can afford, the next step in the home buying process is finding a good mortgage lender who can help you pre-qualify for a home mortgage. On this episode you can find out how the VA Home Loan Guaranty works, what kind of documents you initially need to provide the lender and how an experienced real estate professional is essential to help you find the perfect home that fits your budget.
The information and advice in this episode can help you take the right steps to becoming a homeowner.

On this episode of The Dog Tag, our hosts Jim Bob Mickler, VLB Deputy Director for Marketing & Outreach, and Jimmy Smaragdis, VLB Marketing Specialist, talk about the first steps to take when buying a home. Their guests include Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Strategic Products at Gateway Mortgage Group, Marcia Boyer, Loan Officer for Gateway Mortgage Group, and Kim Mangum, Loan Origination Manager for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program.
Buying a home can be a very intimidating process, especially if it’s your first time, so we’re going to break it down with some of the most knowledgeable real estate people we know. On this first podcast we’ll cover the first two subjects related to buying a new home: credit scores and budgeting.
We’ll discuss what credit is, why it’s important and how to obtain it. We’ll also go over how to read your credit report and fix any incorrect items, so you can raise your credit score. We’ll also talk about how to budget for a home including how to calculate your desired monthly payment. We’ll get into down payments, closing costs, housing-related expenses, loan terms and much more.

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Terry Tottenham the founder of Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV). Mr. Tottenham established this program with the State Bar of Texas to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for Veterans who otherwise cannot afford, or do not have access to, the legal services they need.
Matt and Terry discuss the mission of this unique program, how it’s funded, and what kind of legal services they provide to Military Members, Veterans and their family members in Texas. The attorneys who volunteer for TLTV provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues including VA disability claims, family law, criminal matters, real estate and tax law, and much more.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge takes a deeper look at the variety of programs and assistance for Military Members and Veterans provided by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Matt’s guests are Dale Robertson, Manager of the Office of Employer Initiatives and Outreach and Project Development, and Jeff Singh, Program Manager for College Credit for Heroes.
Matt, Dale and Jeff discuss how to find a Workforce Solutions Office in your area and connect with a Veteran Resource & Referral Specialist. You’ll learn how to register as a job seeker on the Work In Texas website and what special priority status is afforded to Veterans looking for work.
Whether you’re planning your transition from the military, or you’ve already left, listen to this podcast and let the Texas Workforce Commission help you find a career that’s right for you.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at texasveteranspodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Deputy Director, John Berkely, and Program Administrator, Kathy Johanns of the Texas State Veterans Homes.
The VLB Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term nursing care for Texas Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Located across Texas, each first-class facility is designed to enhance quality of life with a clean, caring and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country with honor.
Matt, John and Kathy discuss the origin of these special homes, eligibility requirements, associated costs, quality of life and much more.
John Berkely, a Navy Veteran with 23 years of experience in long-term care administration, took on the role of Deputy Director for the Texas State Veterans Homes at the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) on Monday, May 12, 2014.
Kathy joined the Texas Veterans Land Board in 2015 and has almost 20 years of experience in the field of long-term care. Her father was a U.S. Air Force Veteran who served in both Korea and Vietnam and she is also the spouse of a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Kathy, and her colleague, Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse who also works for the Texas State Veterans Homes, developed and teach the Post-Traumatic Stress Program to every staff member at all eight Texas State Veterans Homes.
The VLB is extremely fortunate to have these very compassionate and dedicated people on our team serving Texas Veterans!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Bill McLemore, Deputy Director for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program, and Charlotte Mumphord, Director of the Land & Housing Program, about the Texas Veterans Home Improvement Program (VHIP).
Matt and his guests break down the home improvement loan process including how to apply for pre-approval online, select a contractor and which projects are eligible. These loans are available to Veterans, Military Members and eligible spouses in Texas.
Charlotte Mumphord has served Texas Veterans and Military Members in Texas for 32 years at the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), helping them realize their dream of owning their own little piece of Texas.
Before Bill McLemore retired from the U.S. Army in April 1986, he deployed on four combat tours — three in Vietnam and one in the Dominican Republic. After leaving the Army, Bill worked as the Travis County Veterans Service Officer until 2001 when President George W. Bush appointed him to the position of Senior Advisor and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served until 2008. From 2008 to 2013 he served as a Senior Staff Advisor and Veteran Advocate to the Director of the VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network. In 2013 Bill joined the Texas Veterans Land Board.
We are very proud to have these two hardworking, dedicated individuals on board serving Texas Veterans and Military Members.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at texasveteranspodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!