Governor-elect Youngkin announces selection for Veterans and Defense Affairs Secretary and Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services

RICHMOND, VA – On January 4, 2021, Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin announced he has chosen Craig Crenshaw as the next Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs of Virginia and Dan Gade as the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services.

“Craig and Dan share my vision for making Virginia the best place for our military heroes to pursue the next chapter of their lives. They are dedicated to caring for our veterans, championing their concerns, connecting them with resources, getting them the proper care, and reducing barriers to their capital and employment opportunities. They share my commitment to ensuring Virginia is competing with neighboring states when it comes to veterans benefits and tax treatment. Their skill set and experience will be crucial in making sure all of our veterans transition from military service into the civilian community smoothly and on Day One we will get to work to make Virginia the best place for our veterans to stay, work, and retire,” said Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin.

Craig Crenshaw, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs of Virginia
Craig has over 30 years of leading robust logistics products and services across a global network. Currently, he serves as the president of Claxton Logistics Services. He spent many years in leadership roles in the United States Marine Corps and retired as a Major General. Craig served as the Senior Executive of Logistics and Supply Chain Management and prior to that, he was the Director of Manpower Management for the United States Marine Corps.

Craig also served as the Commanding General and the Director of Logistics Plans and Policy for the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, he served as the Vice Director for Logistics at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Craig received his B.A. in Political Science from Southern University and A&M College. In addition, he has an M.A. from Webster University and an M.S. from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.

Dan Gade, Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services
Daniel Gade graduated with a B.S. degree from West Point and later received his MPA and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. Daniel has dedicated his life to serving our country and his community.

While serving in Iraq in 2005, he was injured and the severity of his injuries led to the amputation of his right leg. Gade made it his mission to bring awareness to veteran issues across the country. After retiring from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, he co-founded The Independence Project, which helps veterans provide for themselves, their family, and bring awareness to the issues facing veterans.

Daniel worked at the White House and taught at West Point for six years before retiring from the Army in 2017 after 20 years of service. In his most recent role, he was a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Labor in the Veterans Employment and Training Service. Daniel ran for United States Senate in 2020 and works as a professor at American University.