The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has new leadership serving in key roles while awaiting Senate confirmation of the current nominee, former VA Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie.

A member of the Air Force Reserve, Wilkie has returned to his position in the Department of Defense where he will continue to serve as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness through the nomination process. The White House named VA Chief of Staff, Peter O’Rourke, as Acting Secretary of VA.

Since March, Wilkie has worked closely with the VSO community to better understand the needs facing his fellow veterans. With years of leadership experience in the Department of Defense, Wilkie has a deep understanding of navigating federal government policies.

“We look forward to working with him to build upon the strong foundation put in place by Secretaries McDonald and Shulkin,” said DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director Garry Augustine. “The VA has seen measureable growth and modernization over the past few years, and DAV looks forward to continuing that progress with the future secretary.”

VA Deputy Secretary Thomas Bowman, a longtime VA employee and the second in command at the department, announced his retirement but will stay on with the agency in a consultant role for the acting secretary through the nomination process.