Mackay resigns from VA

Department of Veterans Affairs

Leo Mackay Jr. announced his resignation today as deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Since May 2001, Mackay has overseen the daily operations of the VA, which has a budget of almost $60 million and employs more than 224,000 workers. He will officially end his tenure Sept. 30.

"Mackay brought to VA the discipline of the business world and the compassion of a man who cares deeply for America's veterans," said VA Secretary Anthony Principi. "His legacy is a more focused VA better able to meet the needs of veterans."

Upon leaving, Mackay will join Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) Inc. as a senior executive in the company's health care solutions business, in Atlanta. ACS provides business process and information technology outsourcing services.

"It is with a degree of sadness but an immense pride in the accomplishments of the Department of Veterans Affairs that I announce my resignation," Mackay said in a prepared statement. "It has been my sublime honor to serve President Bush, Secretary Principi — a veteran's veteran — my fellow veterans and America's citizens."

Mackay was instrumental in forming a Joint Executive Committee with the Defense Department to coordinate senior-level policies, as well as strengthening the VA's commitment to improving VA-operated national cemeteries.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy's Top Gun training program, Mackay was a vice president of Bell Helicopter Textron before his appointment to the VA.