Department of Veterans Affairs, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Department/Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Position:
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Executive Schedule: Executive Level II - Presidential Appointment with Senate Confirmation
Major Responsibilities:
Operate the nationwide system of hospitals and clinics for veterans Provide benefits veterans and dependents Chief operating officer of the federal government’s second largest department
Key Competencies and Preferred Qualifications:
Insight:
The Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversees the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans and their families. With wars still raging in Afghanistan and Iraq, the VA must coordinate efforts with the Department of Defense to ensure that soldiers get the help they need when sent home with serious injuries. There are 25 million veterans, three-quarters of whom served in wartime. A quarter of the U.S. population -- 70 million people – is potentially eligible for VA benefits and services as a veteran, family member or survivor. The VA health system is highly regarded for providing a continuum of care and using the latest in technology, including electronic medical records. But its capacity has been seriously strained by the rising number of wounded soldiers returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rapid evacuation and advanced care keep soldiers alive with wounds that in any earlier war would have proved lethal. But this triumph for military medicine means that more veterans need long term rehabilitation and other help from the VA and its doctors, nurses and therapists. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses also afflict tens of thousands of veterans. Nearly 34,000 veterans have been diagnosed with possible PTSD since the United States went to war in Afghanistan in 2001. The VA health system also must care for aging veterans from the Vietnam, Korea and World War II eras. The deputy secretary plays a large role in managing the department’s medical and benefits programs. “Our greatest challenge, and our greatest opportunity, is to build systems that meet the needs of veterans and DoD beneficiaries for today and tomorrow,” Deputy Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield testified to Congress in January 2007. There are vulnerabilities as well as benefits to the VA’s formidable computer network and systems. A furor erupted in 2006 over news that a stolen laptop contained the names, addresses and social security numbers of more than 26 million veterans. Months later Mansfield testified to Congress that, “The gravity of information security is undeniable. Data security incidents such as we have seen tarnish VA's reputation and the peace of mind of those we serve.” He said the VA had encrypted 14,000 laptops and put strict limits on use of “jump” drives. Members of Congress bridled over reports in May 2007 that the VA had paid more bonuses to its senior executives than any other Cabinet agency. Lawmakers said that money -- $3.6 million in 2006 alone -- would be better spent caring for injured veterans. "When the backlog of claims has been increasing for the past few years, one would not expect the senior most officials of the Veterans Benefits Administration to receive the maximum bonus," said Rep. Harry E. Mitchell (D-Ariz.). The overextended federal budget threatens to put further strains on the VA’s resources. But as a candidate, President-elect Barack Obama promised improvements in caring for veterans and their families. The next deputy secretary will have to help deliver on that promise to America’s returning military men and women.
Key Relationships – Within the Department or Agency:
Under Secretary, Veterans Health Administration
Under Secretary, Veterans Benefits Administration
Under Secretary, National Cemetery Administration
Key Relationships – Within the Government:
Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, Department of Defense
Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Key Relationships – Outside the Government:
Veterans groups, including American Legon, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets
State VA offices
Nomination Referred to:
Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Current Position Profile:
1. William Scott Gould (Confirmed: April 3, 2009). Former Vice President, Public Sector Strategy and Growth, IBM Global Business Services, International Business Machines Corporation. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, United States Department of the Treasury. Former Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, United States Department of Commerce. Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration.
Recent Position Profiles:
2. Gordon H. Mansfield, J.D. (2004-2009). Former legislative adviser VA secretary. Executive director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Former HUD assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. Wounded Vietnam veteran. Holder of Distinguished Service Cross. 3. Leo S. Mackay, Jr., Ph.D. (2001-2003). Former F-14 fighter pilot. Ph.D. in political economics from Harvard. Former Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter executive. Taught military history at the Naval Academy. Flew missions to protect oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq war. 3. Edward A. “Ned” Powell Jr., MBA (2000-2001). Former assistant secretary for financial management at the VA. Real estate broker and entrepreneur. Later president of the USO.
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