Secretary Denis McDonough swore in Kimberly Jackson on Tuesday as the new chief of staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
In Jackson’s new role, she will serve as the senior advisor to the secretary and deputy secretary. She will help to lead the VA as it continues to deliver more benefits and care to veterans than ever before.
“It’s the honor of my life to join VA and serve veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors,” Jackson said in a press release. “I am forever grateful to President Biden and Secretary McDonough for this opportunity, and I will work every day to make sure our nation’s heroes get the world-class care and benefits they deserve.”
Jackson is taking over the chief of staff role from Tanya Bradsher, who is now the deputy secretary at the VA. As deputy secretary, Bradsher oversees the agency’s Electronic Health Records Modernization (EHRM) program.
Previously, Jackson served as the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for force readiness – the principal advisor to the secretary of Defense on the operational readiness of the U.S. armed forces.
She also served as a Naval Reserve officer from 2012 to 2020, holding assignments in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Naval Special Warfare, and the Chief of Naval Operations’ Strategic Studies Group.
“Kimberly Jackson is a proven leader who has spent her life serving our nation and its veterans,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “We’re thrilled to have her join us to help lead VA as we continue delivering more care and more benefits to more veterans than ever before.”
With Jackson’s appointment, the VA has now filled its top six positions – including the secretary, deputy secretary, under secretary for benefits, under secretary for health, under secretary for memorial affairs, and now chief of staff.
