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Leadership

  • VA adds several new political appointees

    VA adds several new political appointees

    The Department of Veterans Affairs has added several key leaders to the team in recent months, all of whom will help VA serve Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.

  • VA appointees brought on board in early 2022

    VA appointees brought on board in early 2022

    More Department of Veterans Affairs key appointments are filled at the start of the new year.

  • VA General Counsel Jim Byrne named VA Acting Deputy Secretary

    VA General Counsel Jim Byrne named VA Acting Deputy Secretary

    WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that its General Counsel, Jim Byrne, has been named Acting Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs effective Aug. 28.

  • VA announces leadership changes to take effect shortly

    VA announces leadership changes to take effect shortly

    Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced several leadership changes that will take effect shortly. These leadership changes will build upon a strong current team that will continue to carry out the priorities of President Trump and newly appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie.

  • VA announces leadership changes to take effect shortly

    VA announces leadership changes to take effect shortly

    Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced several leadership changes that will take effect shortly. These leadership changes will build upon a strong current team that will continue to carry out the priorities of President Trump and newly appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie.

  • VA Announces New Acting Secretary, Retirement of Deputy Secretary

    VA Announces New Acting Secretary, Retirement of Deputy Secretary

    Today, the White House named Peter O’Rourke as Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. O’Rourke previously served as VA Chief of Staff. Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd will serve as VA Acting Chief of Staff while Mr. O’Rourke serves as Acting Secretary. She previously was VA Deputy Chief of Staff. In addition, VA Deputy Secretary Thomas G. Bowman is re-entering retirement effective June 15, 2018.

  • VA announces Paul Lawrence as new Under Secretary for Benefits

    VA announces Paul Lawrence as new Under Secretary for Benefits

    Today VA announced that Paul R. Lawrence will assume office Tuesday, May 15 as the department’s new Under Secretary for Benefits. Lawrence is a former Army captain and airborne school graduate, and has served in a number of key positions in the accounting industry, focusing primarily in the area of federal government practices.

  • VA Commission Established to Recommend Under Secretary for Benefits

    VA Commission Established to Recommend Under Secretary for Benefits

    WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) [...]

  • New VA Law Dramatically Speeds Up Hiring of Medical Center and Network Director Positions

    New VA Law Dramatically Speeds Up Hiring of Medical Center and Network Director Positions

    WASHINGTON — On June 23, President Donald J. Trump signed into law S. 1094, the “Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017,” which makes a number of changes to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authorities related to personnel, accountability and whistleblower protections.

  • New VA Law Dramatically Speeds Up Hiring of Medical Center and Network Director Positions

    New VA Law Dramatically Speeds Up Hiring of Medical Center and Network Director Positions

    WASHINGTON — On June 23, President Donald J. Trump signed into law S. 1094, the “Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017,” which makes a number of changes to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authorities related to personnel, accountability and whistleblower protections.

  • Secretary David Shulkin Announces Establishment of Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection and Names Peter O’Rourke as its Senior Advisor and Executive Director

    Secretary David Shulkin Announces Establishment of Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection and Names Peter O’Rourke as its Senior Advisor and Executive Director

    Today U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin announced that he has established the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection in the Department, and that Peter O'Rourke will serve as Senior Advisor and Executive Director of the Office, reporting directly to the Secretary

  • VA Establishes Commission to Recommend New Under Secretary for Its Veterans Health Administration

    VA Establishes Commission to Recommend New Under Secretary for Its Veterans Health Administration

    WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the establishment of a search commission to help identify candidates for the position of Under Secretary for Health of its Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

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Last updated November 8, 2025

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