VA Commission to Seek New Under Secretary for Benefits

Peake: Candidate Must Have Commitment to Newest Combat Veterans

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake has announced formation of a 10-member commission to recommend candidates for the post of Under Secretary for Benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits directs nearly 15,000 employees and administers a budget of more than $45 billion dollars, mostly for disability compensation and survivors’ benefits.  The under secretary is also responsible for VA’s educational assistance, insurance program and pensions.

“I have asked Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield to lead this important effort,” said Peake. “With a new generation of combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the search commission must ensure we fill the under secretary’s job with a person having the right skills, experience, vision and commitment to our nation’s veterans.”

The new under secretary will replace retired Navy Vice Adm. Daniel L. Cooper, who announced his resignation recently after six years on the job.  Cooper has been the longest-serving Under Secretary for Benefits in VA’s history.

The Under Secretary for Benefits is a non political appointment, subject to Senate confirmation, who serves at the pleasure of the President.  Candidates must demonstrate ability both in fiscal management and in the administration of programs of the Veterans Benefits Administration or of similar content and scope.

Under federal law, the search commission must recommend at least three candidates to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who forwards the list to the President along with any recommendations by the Secretary.

Members of the commission, in addition to Deputy Secretary Mansfield, include: 

• Brian Chappelle, president of Potomac Partners and former executive vice president of the Mortgage Bankers Association; 
• Charles Rowe, president of the National Association of State Approving Agencies; 
• Fran Hackett, from the Office of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance; 
• John F. Sommer, Jr., executive director of the American Legion; 
• Homer Townsend, acting executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America; 
• James Bombard, chairman of VA’s Veterans Advisory Committee on Education; 
• Tim S. McClain, former VA General Counsel; 
• Guy McMichael, former VA acting under secretary for benefits; and 
• Daniel L. Cooper, VA under secretary for benefits.  

Willie Hensley, VA’s deputy assistant secretary for human resources management, will serve as the commission’s executive secretary.

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