The Department of Veterans Affairs said today that the White House has named Peter O’Rourke as Acting Secretary of the agency.
O’Rourke previously served as VA Chief of Staff and prior to that as executive director of VA’s Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection. He succeeds former Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie, whom President Trump has selected for nomination as VA Secretary. Wilkie has returned to his prior position at the Department of Defense, where he serves as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Other Personnel Changes
The VA said that VA Deputy Secretary Thomas G. Bowman is re-entering retirement effective June 15, 2018. He will continue to serve as an expert consultant to the Acting Secretary.
Additionally, 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.
