BOSTON — Veterans’ Services Secretary Jon Santiago appointed National Guard Brig. Gen. Andrea Gayle-Bennett of Lynn-Swampscott Disabled American Veterans Chapter 64 as the Commonwealth’s first-ever deputy secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (EOVS) Monday.
“There’s a woman named Sheryl Sandberg, and she wrote a book called ‘Lean In’ where she says ‘If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat, just get on,’” Gayle-Bennett said. “I’m on — I’m going to fully commit myself to this with my whole heart and all of my determination.”
EOVS was previously housed under the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, but became its own secretariat office on March 1 in accordance with “An Act relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes,” which was passed by the state legislature in 2022.
In her new role, Gayle-Bennett, of Lynn, will partner with Santiago to lead initiatives related to veteran care throughout the Commonwealth.
Gayle-Bennett listed improved housing, employment, and communication on available veteran services as goals she focused on while working in Lynn and Swampscott, but said she will need to hear from veterans across the Commonwealth to identify and serve veterans’ needs on the state level.
“My goal is to find out from veterans what they need, find out what’s working, find out what’s not working, and find ways to serve them better,” Gayle-Bennett said. “There’s things that people need, and they don’t even know that there’s help available to them.”
Gayle-Bennett, a more than 35-year Army National Guard veteran and a distinguished healthcare professional, takes annual trips to Washington, D.C. to advocate for legislation to improve veteran services. Recently, Gayle-Bennett advocated to ensure the 12-24 Pine Street properties in Swampscott will be used for veterans’ affordable housing, and worked to keep the Lynn VA clinic open last year.
In addition to her extensive military career, Gayle-Bennett holds a Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg, a Master of Education from Lesley University, and a Bachelor of Science in allied health from Sophie Davies School of Medicine. She also spent 37 years as a physician assistant at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Boston.
In a written statement, Gov. Maura Healey said Gayle-Bennett’s shining military and medical experience makes her “uniquely qualified” for the position. Santiago echoed the governor’s remarks, adding that he believes Gayle-Bennett’s passion for veteran care will elevate the department’s services.
“I have full confidence that she will enhance our efforts in serving the Massachusetts veteran community through her leadership and passion for supporting veterans,” Santiago said.
While she’s excited to begin a new chapter of her career at the State House, Gayle-Bennett said at the end of the day, service for those who served remains her top priority.
“It really comes down to service for me. My ideal is really just being able to service the Massachusetts veterans community in the best way I possibly can,” Gayle-Bennett said. “I look forward to finding out how we can support each other in this work and make the department a shining example of what veteran services could be.”
