Manila Regional Office

Station Director: (vacant)

The Station Director heads the VA Manila Regional Benefit Office and Outpatient Clinic. Manila Office is the Department’s only office located in a foreign country; the Director also serves as the United States Attaché for Veterans Affairs at the United States Embassy in the Philippines. In this role, the Director provides executive direction to 175 employees who administer medical and non-medical benefits to Veterans, their dependents, and their survivors residing in the Philippines to include disability compensation, pension, and the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) benefits. Monthly monetary disbursements total $20.7 million for approximately 13,000 beneficiaries throughout the Philippines. The clinic provides outpatient medical services for service connected eligible Veterans. VA services are provided within an annual operating budget of $18.7 million.

Assistant Director: Kevin J. McAllister

Kevin J. McAllister was selected as the Assistant Director of the VA Manila Regional Benefit Office and Outpatient Clinic on 16 September 2018. The Manila Office is the Department’s only office located in a foreign country; therefor, Mr. McAllister also serves as an Embassy Officer for the United States Embassy in the Philippines. As the Assistant Director, Mr. McAllister is responsible for day to day operations of 175 employees who administer medical and non-medical benefits to Veterans, their dependents, and their survivors residing in the Philippines to include disability compensation, pension, education, veteran readiness and the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) benefits.

Kevin is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps (four years) and the United States Army (six years) and has over 23 years of total federal service. He began his career with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in 2008, as a Loan Specialist with VBA’s Loan Guaranty Service in the Specially Adapted Housing Programs policy and procedures division at VBA Central Office, Washington, DC. He transitioned to the Office of Management as a Management and Program Analyst in March of 2012. In this role he served as a senior advisor to the Director, Office of Management supporting the areas of Employee Development and Training, Acquisition, Administration and Facilities, Human Resources.

Kevin’s other professional accomplishments include the completion of the Partnership for Public Service- Excellence In Government Fellows leadership program (2016) and VBA’s Leadership Development Program (2011). He has also served on details as the Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Administration and Facilities (2018), Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Management (2016), Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Field Operations (2015), and Acting Chief of Administrations (2014).

Mr. McAllister was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and has three adult children. He currently resides in Manila with his wife Lucenia “Vicky” who was born in the Philippines

Clinic Manager: John L. Stelsel

John L. Stelsel was appointed as the Health System Administrator (Clinic Manager) for the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic. In this role, he is responsible for the daily operations of VA’s only clinical location outside of the United States and its territories. The VA Manila Outpatient Clinic provides service-connected health care benefits to more than 6,000 unique Veterans annually. In addition to outpatient primary care, mental health, and specialty care, VA Manila also provides laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy services.

Mr. Stelsel began his VA career in 1992 as an Textile Care Manager Intern at the William S. Middleton VAMC in Madison, WI and served in various administrative leadership positions of increasing responsibility at nine VA facilities across the country. Prior to this appointment Mr. Stelsel served as Assistant Director, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System from September 2012-December 2022. He was directly involved in the day-to-day operations of VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. He served as the facility’s Acting Associate Director on several occasions; and in 2021, was detailed as Acting Associate Director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System.

Mr. Stelsel holds a both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in occupational safety from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He is also a graduate of several leadership programs including VA’s Health Care Leadership Institute (HCLI) and is a Fellow-Level Mentor in the national mentor certification program.

Veterans Service Center Manager: Nathan "Paul" Loftis, II

Paul is a veteran of the United States Army and comes from a military family.  His father was a Vietnam veteran and his Grandfather served in World War II.   

Paul has a long history of serving veterans.  He began his career as a County Veterans Service Officer in Stokes County, North Carolina where he was born and raised.  His was chosen as the National Assistant Director of Membership and Internal Affairs for the American Legion.  After traveling the country, Paul returned to North Carolina and served as a District Service Officer with the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs in the Charlotte North Carolina office.  Soon after, he was chosen to become a State Service Officer assisting veterans with claims and appeals.  This opportunity afforded Paul to become more involved in the process of serving veterans as the office was co-located with VA Regional Office in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Paul began his career with VA as a Veteran Service Representative in the Winston-Salem Regional Office in July 2007. He attained the title of Certified Veterans Service Representative (Authorizer) prior to his appointment into management as Assistant Coach, Coach, and Acting Assistant Veterans Service Center Manager.  His areas of expertise include Post-Determination, Training, Quick Start, IPC, VSC Core, and Non-Rating Teams.

Paul’s other professional accomplishments include participation in the Winston-Salem Regional Office local Leadership Development Program;  member of the national Pre-Discharge Redesign Committee, representing Winston Salem; member of the VBMS Requirements group for Pre-Discharge; and was chosen as a member of the Director’s Innovation Committee.  Paul has an extensive background planning and attending veterans’ outreach events. 

Paul is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Management.