Secretary of Defense and Veterans Affairs leaving state government for private industry

Governor Terry McAuliffe issued the following statement on the impending departure of Admiral John C. Harvey Jr. from Viirginia government:

“As the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Admiral Harvey has been a tireless advocate for the more than 730,000 veterans who live and work in the Commonwealth,” said Governor McAuliffe.

“Over the past three and a half years, we have worked together to achieve significant accomplishments for veterans, active duty military, and their families making Virginia the most veteran- and military-friendly state in the nation.

“Admiral Harvey has used his position to create opportunity for veterans, servicemen and women and their families by expanding access to benefits, employment opportunities, education, and many other resources to help them thrive in and out of the military. 

“I am particularly grateful for Secretary Harvey’s leadership in making Virginia the first state in the nation to functionally end veteran homelessness. I wish Admiral Harvey the very best in his new position at the Institute for Defense Analyses as the Director of Strategy, Forces and Resources Division, and I know he will continue to make the Commonwealth proud,” McAuliffe was quoted as saying in a news release.