In a meeting held on Thursday, November 18, 2021, Georgia’s State Veterans Service Board chose Patricia Ross as Commissioner to lead the Department of Veterans Service.

Board member and retired Brigadier General John Kubinec stated that Ms. Ross’s term as commissioner will officially begin on December 1. The board will coordinate with Governor Brian Kemp’s office to plan a swearing-in ceremony.

“I am extremely humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity to continue to serve our state’s veterans and their families,” said Ms. Ross. “Huge thanks to the Veterans Service Board and their vote of confidence in my leadership. I am definitely looking forward to working with the professionals in the Georgia Department of Veterans Service to modernize the Department and provide the best customer service to our men and women who have served this great nation.”

As outlined in the state constitution, the seven-member State Veterans Service Board selects the Commissioner of Veterans Service to serve as the executive officer of the Department of Veterans Service. The commissioner is charged with the administrative responsibilities of the department in conformity with the orders, rules, and regulations of the board.

Together, the board and the commissioner – who, by law, must be war veterans themselves – work to fulfill the mission of the Department of Veterans Service to serve Georgia’s 700,000-plus veterans and their families in all matters pertaining to veterans benefits.

Ms. Ross succeeds Commissioner Mike Roby, who led the department from July 2015 until his retirement in October 2021. Board member Shawn Hanley served the department as Interim Commissioner from October through December 1.

A biography of Ms. Ross is available at veterans.georgia.gov/commissioner.

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For more information on the content of this news release, please contact the GDVS Public Information Division at 404-656-5933 or [email protected].