Canavaggio was appointed Executive Director, Field Operations and Appeals, on July 1, 2015. In this role, Mr. Canavaggio was responsible for the supervision of all GDVS Veterans Field Service Offices and the GDVS Appeals Division – those areas of the department which directly serve veterans and their families.

He was responsible for ensuring Georgia’s veterans and their families are courteously treated, professionally advised, and successfully assisted regarding their earned benefits.

Mr. Canavaggio joined the GDVS in 1998 at the Macon Veterans Field Service Office. He was promoted to manager of that office in 2001. He joined the Appeals Division in 2003, was promoted to assistant director in May 2013, and to director in December 2013.

Prior to joining the GDVS, he was employed by the Georgia Department of Corrections as a firearms instructor. Mr. Canavaggio is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served on active duty from 1975-1989, reserve duty from 1989-1994, and retired as a chief warrant officer (CW3). For the majority of his military career, he served as a helicopter pilot.