Patricia Ross

Since taking office, she has spearheaded the expansion and renovation of both state veteran cemeteries and two skilled nursing facilities, ensuring that those who served are honored with dignity and receive the highest level of care. Ross’s leadership has driven remarkable impact, including securing nearly $5.2 billion annually in compensation and pension for Georgia veterans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2024. Demonstrating her commitment to veterans’ well-being, she established the Suicide Prevention Office, successfully obtaining over $2,500,000 in federal grants to advance this life-saving initiative and establishing a statewide, closed-loop referral system connecting military personnel, veterans, and their families with community partners.

Before her appointment as Commissioner, Ross spearheaded major advancements in veteran education and career transition. As the founding Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center from 2016 to 2021, she shaped a transformative one-stop resource program designed to help military personnel, veterans, and their families receive needed services and seamlessly transition into civilian careers. She also served as the first Director of Military Affairs for the Technical College System of Georgia from 2014 to 2016, forging pathways for military-affiliated students to access education and workforce opportunities.

Ross’s distinguished 25-year career in the United States Air Force culminated in her role as Installation Vice Commander of Robins Air Force Base, where she oversaw critical operations. Prior to her assignments in Georgia, she was a senior fellow with the RAND Corporation in California. A retired Colonel, she held key positions stateside and overseas in operations research analysis, manpower and personnel and at multiple levels of command.

Ross earned a Doctorate in Leadership from Valdosta State University, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Tampa, a master’s in Systems Engineering Management from St. Mary’s University, and a master’s in Military Operational Arts and Science from Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. She is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and Air War College.

Her outstanding contributions to veterans and military communities have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. In 2023, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Warrior Alliance and was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2024, she was honored with the Marvin Myers Leadership Award by the Georgia Veterans Day Association, and in 2025, she was selected as a Woman Veteran Trailblazer by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

She serves on two national boards: the Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Engagement Team (VET) for the National Center for PTSD (2020 – present) and the VA’s Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans (2024 – present). For Georgia, she serves on the State Workforce Board, the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, and as the Military Family Liaison for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission.

Ross and her husband, Scott—also a retired U.S. Air Force veteran—are the proud parents of four adult children, two dogs, and two grand-dogs.