Title: Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security - James Hopper, Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness, Terri Suit

URL: http://www.vahs.virginia.gov/

Collection: Governor Robert F. McDonnell Administration Web Archive, 2010-2014

Description: In 2010 Governor Bob McDonnell initiated legislative action which changed and re-organized the former Office of Commonwealth Preparedness (OCP) into the current Office of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security (OVAHS). In April of 2011 Terrie L. Suit was appointed by Governor McDonnell to the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security after previously serving as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness. The name change and re-organization of the office serves an important two-fold purpose. First, it distinguishes and elevates veteran’s issues in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a major priority of Governor McDonnell’s. Second, it serves to clarify the all hazards role and responsibilities of the office under the universally recognized Homeland Security title. With this legislation the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) was moved from the Office of Public Safety to the Office of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security along with the Virginia War Memorial. The Office continues to lead the Governor’s initiatives focused on relationship building with the active duty military community, response to Base Realignment and Closure actions, Veterans issues and Homeland Security initiatives. The Office of Commonwealth Preparedness has one main vision: To ensure a Virginia whose communities, businesses and government are safe, secure and prepared. To accomplish this, the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness works with federal, state, and local officials, as well as the private sector, to develop a seamless, coordinated security and preparedness strategy and implementation plan. The office also serves as the liaison between the Governor and the federal Department of Homeland Security. Duties of this office include: Oversight, coordination, and review of all disaster, emergency management, and terrorism management plans for the state and its agencies; Service as the Governor's representative on regional efforts to develop a coordinated security and preparedness strategy; Service as a direct liaison between the Governor and local governments and first responders on issues of emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery; Educating the public on homeland security and overall preparedness issues.

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Subject:   Hopper, James.,  McDonnell, Robert F.,  Virginia. Office of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security (OVAHS),  Virginia. Governor (2010-2014 : McDonnell),  Suit, Terrie.,  Virginia. Office of Commonwealth Preparedness.