Julian Bond made a big impact during his four years as the administrator of the Veterans Homes of California-Ventura.

Appointed to the post by Governor Gavin Newsom in the summer of 2019, Bond is leaving CalVet to become inspector general of the California Military Department.

“Julian truly embodies the qualities of a remarkable leader,” said CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin. “He is consistently uplifting the staff and prioritizing the well-being of our residents above all else. Julian will be greatly missed, and we extend our heartfelt wishes for his success in his new role.”

Bond’s time at the 60-bed Ventura Home involved a honeymoon period cut short by a long pandemic, yet he made it highly successful.

“I was there six months before COVID-19 hit,” he said. “It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. We looked at it as an opportunity to serve our most vulnerable population. We went 11 months without a senior COVID-19 positive. We didn’t let it stop us.”

That impressed Beth Muszynski, assistant deputy secretary for the Veterans Homes Division. 

“His strong leadership led to great outcomes as a care provider and an employer,” Muszyinski said. “He was steadfast in guiding the Ventura Home through the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on infection control and the wellbeing of residents and staff.” 

The cousin of the late civil rights leader, Julian Bond, for whom he was named, Bond served in the U.S. Army. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2006, and came to appreciate the Army as more than just a fighting force.

“We truly are ambassadors for America to other countries,” Bond said in a 2019 CalVet Connect story.

He brought that mindset to CalVet after retiring as a colonel in 2018. Before coming to CalVet, he worked as an action associate director and chief supply chain officer for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

“I wanted to get the community involved,” Bond said. “NGOs (non-governmental organizations), the Lions, the Scouts, the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign wars. Every volunteer agency we could find.”

He did just that, and more.

• Bond routinely represented the Home in the community, speaking to service clubs and veterans groups in person once the pandemic restrictions eased, just as he had done beforehand.

• When veterans at the Home raved about Admiral William H. McRaven’s book, “Make Your Bed,” Bond reached out to the admiral, explaining the impact it had in Ventura.

“You have provided a second wind to the veterans in my charge,” he wrote to McRaven.

The admiral responded a day later and sent a letter of thanks, a photo, and autographed a copy of the book to the Home. McRaven continues to keep in touch with the Home and, Bond said, plans to visit there on his next trip west.

• Bond frequently brought in active-duty military units to the Home, including Navy and Army personnel to do service projects there. He also recruited the Air Force Band to perform, and the University of California Master Gardeners group to improve the landscaping.

• Bond got word that 91-year-old World War II and Korean War veteran Bobby Knaus had spent the 2020 holiday season alone and lonely in a mobile home, barely with utilities and hot water. In July 2021, Bond fast-tracked Knauss’ admission to the Ventura Home. Knaus spent the final six months of his life there surrounded by friends, food, warmth, and enjoyed one last merry Christmas before passing in February 2022.

• Bond befriended and supported veteran Shadowdancer Melendez, a Native American whose Chumash tribal ancestors once lived where the Ventura Home now stands. The home grounds now include a garden that features Chumash medicine bowls.

• During his watch, the Ventura Home became one of five of 123 veterans homes nationally to receive a flawless rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2022. Ventura achieved The Joint Commission accreditation earlier this year.

• Veterans will soon be able to get their hair cut in the Home’s in-house barber shop, with the traditional red, white and blue-striped pole advertising its presence.

In November 2022, Bond received the 2022 Spotlight on Excellence Award, given by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System to public employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide exemplary service for their communities.

In his new position as inspector general—honest broker and consummate fact finder—Bond will oversee training, assisting, inspecting, and investigating within the jurisdiction of the Military Department. The department consists of three components: the California Army National Guard, the California Air National Guard, and the California State Guard.

His replacement to the Ventura Home post has not yet been named.

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The Veterans Homes of California offer affordable long-term care to older and disabled veterans as well as their eligible spouses and domestic partners. With eight facilities across the state, the Homes offer services ranging from independent living programs with minimal support to 24/7 skilled nursing care for veterans with significant clinical needs. The Homes are nationally recognized for the premier care and services they provide to California’s veterans. ​For more information on our Homes visit www.calvet.ca.gov/calvet-programs/veteran-homes.