WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Anthony J. Principi has named a 13-member commission to recommend a candidate for the post of VA under secretary for benefits.
The incumbent is Joseph Thompson, whose term as under secretary for benefits ends in November. The search commission is a prerequisite to the President’s appointment of a successful candidate, subject to Senate confirmation, regardless of whether a new candidate is recommended or Thompson’s reappointment is proposed.
“I have asked Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. Leo S. Mackay Jr. to head this important effort,” Principi said. “This is a critical time for VA’s benefits programs, and this commission will help us assure the Nation’s veterans that efforts to improve services are being guided by leadership that puts veterans first.”
The under secretary for benefits is appointed for a four-year term. Under federal law, the appointment is made without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability both in fiscal management and in the administration of programs of the Veterans Benefits Administration or of similar content and scope.
VA’s benefits administration includes a network of 57 regional offices and more than 12,000 employees. Nearly 2.7 million veterans currently receive compensation for disabilities incurred in service or pensions for wartime veterans who become totally disabled in civilian life. In addition, more than a half million widows, children and parents of deceased veterans are paid survivor compensation or death pensions.
Other programs administered by the under secretary for benefits include education benefits and vocational rehabilitation and employment for veterans, and life insurance and VA-guaranteed home loans for both active-duty personnel and veterans.
Membership of the 2001 Under Secretary for Benefits Commission, in addition to Dr. Mackay, includes several former VA officials: Everett Alvarez Jr., former VA deputy administrator; R. John Vogel, former VA under secretary for benefits; Bill B. Pearson, former deputy under secretary for benefits; Jerry McRae, former director of the Portland VA Regional Office; and Raoul L. Carroll, who formerly served as VA general counsel and associate member of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Also serving are: Steve F. Kime, Ph.D., chairman of VA’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education; Vice Adm. Patricia Ann Tracey, USN, deputy assistant secretary of defense (Military Manpower and Personnel Policy); Vice Adm. Daniel L. Cooper, USN (Ret.), chair of the VA Claims Processing Advisory Committee and former vice chairman of the board of directors of United States Automobile Association; and Rodney A. McCowan, a former executive at Herman Miller Inc. and a past assistant secretary for management at the Department of Education and White House fellow.
Also, Robert Wallace, executive director of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; David W. Gorman, executive director, Disabled American Veterans; and Ed Croucher, executive director, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
The committee is expected to complete its deliberations in time for Principi to make his recommendation regarding a new under secretary for benefits in September.
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