Peake Confirmed as New VA Secretary

The Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. James Peake as new Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Dec. 14. He replaces Gordon Mansfield, who became acting VA secretary after Jim Nicholson resigned on Oct. 1. Peake, a retired lieutenant general, attended medical school and became a thoracic surgeon while recovering from wounds he sustained as a platoon leader with the 101st Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. He served as the Army’s surgeon general from 2000 to 2004. He then served as the chief operating officer for Project HOPE from 2004 through 2006 and responded to both the Indonesian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina disasters. He leaves his position as chief operating officer for QTC Management Inc., a California-based firm that provides health care advice to veterans and separating service members.