Aitkin County Veterans Services staffer Josh Hugley named Isle Citizen of the Year

Josh Hugley, a staff member in Aitkin County’s Veterans Services, said he was surprised to learn he had been named Isle Citizen of the Year and used a recent "Coffee with the County" interview to outline the office’s work helping veterans.

Hugley described Veterans Services’ daily work as assisting veterans to access VA benefits, arranging transportation to and from VA appointments, supporting spouses and widows after a veteran’s death, and connecting people with chemical-dependency treatment when needed. "We help them with any type of services that maybe try to get into the VA, out of the VA," he said, adding that the office also works with area counties to coordinate care.

Why it matters: Hugley told the county podcast that the work supports a broad network of former service members in Aitkin County and surrounding communities, and that local partners — including DAV posts, American Legions and VFWs — play a role in supporting veterans. He said his office’s caseload has "just hit, a little over 500 now" veterans connected since he has been in the role.

Hugley credited coworkers and family for the accomplishment. He praised a long-serving colleague, Penny Harms, saying she has "been here for 19 years" and called her a role model. He described the award ceremony in Isle as an unexpected honor: he went to support a 9-year-old, Logan Slama, who was being recognized by the Isle Chamber of Commerce and then learned a second award would be given to him.

Hugley also spoke at length about his community involvement outside county work. He coaches youth sports — noting a recent 26–2 season, a fifth straight conference title and coach-of-the-year honors in the Great River Conference and Section 7A — and said he aims to preserve investment in local youth programs. He described a family-run bear-guiding business (started by his father in 1984, Hugley joined in 1995) and said that business and other community activities are part of how he stays connected to residents.

Hugley framed his public service as a team effort: he said he relies on a large coaching staff, community volunteers, and families to sustain programs and credited his wife with much of the behind-the-scenes work. The conversation included plans for upcoming youth seasons, wrestling camps in Wisconsin Dells and summer leagues.

What’s next: During the episode, host Mark directed listeners to a previous podcast episode for more detail on Veterans Services. The interview closed with mutual thanks and the program sign-off.