WASHINGTON — Today, Deputy Secretary Donald Remy announced that he will be stepping down as VA’s deputy secretary on April 1. A former Army captain and longtime public servant, Mr. Remy was nominated by President Biden on April 23, 2021 and has served honorably as deputy secretary since he was sworn in by Secretary Denis McDonough on July 19, 2021.
Guy Kiyokawa, VA’s assistant secretary for enterprise integration, will serve as acting deputy secretary when Mr. Remy departs. In his current role, Mr. Kiyokawa advises VA on strategic planning, performance, and risk management; policy and analysis; data analytics, statistics, and governance; and interagency coordination and collaboration. Mr. Kiyokawa served in the U.S. Army as a Medical Service Corps officer.
“Deputy Secretary Remy is a great leader, a true friend, and a steadfast public servant who has fought like hell every day for our nation’s Veterans,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “He’s helped lead VA through the pandemic and to the point where we are delivering more care and more benefits to more Veterans than ever before. We fully respect his decision to move on after nearly two years of unwavering service. It’s been an honor to serve alongside him.”
“Assistant Secretary Kiyokawa is a lifelong public servant and tireless advocate for his fellow Veterans,” added Secretary McDonough. “He will do an excellent job helping lead VA as we transition from Mr. Remy to a new, Senate-confirmed deputy secretary.”
“There is no greater mission than serving our nation’s Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors – and it’s been the honor of a lifetime to do that here at VA,” said Deputy Secretary Donald Remy. “I thank President Biden, Secretary McDonough, and all of VA for this incredible opportunity. Most of all, I thank my fellow Veterans for the privilege of serving them as deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs.”
VA is working with the White House to nominate a candidate for deputy secretary as soon as possible.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
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