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* This is the sort of person the state needed to begin with at IDVA. A veteran with actual management experience over actual veterans’ homes. My goodness, what a strange concept for Illinois…

Gov. Pritzker Announces 31-Year Navy Veteran Terry Prince to Serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker named Terry Prince, a 31-year United States Navy veteran with experience leading veterans homes in Ohio, to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

“Having served as the Superintendent of Ohio’s veterans’ homes, Director of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps and Force Master Chief of Navy Medicine, Terry Prince brings to Illinois exemplary experience in caring for our veterans and their families, and I’m deeply proud to welcome him to Illinois as Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As the proud son and grandson of Naval officers, it’s my mission that Illinois will provide every possible support for our military men and women, their families and our veterans, and I have complete confidence in Terry’s ability to advance that mission on behalf of those who have made sacrifice upon sacrifice for the nation we proudly call home.”

“I’ve dedicated my life to serving those who’ve served us, and as a veteran myself, I know the value of compassionate and meaningful support centered around our nation’s greatest heroes and their families,” said Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs Terry Prince. “I’m honored to return to the State of Illinois, where my wife and I have previously served in uniform, with the chance to bring my experience in veterans’ affairs and healthcare to the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. I want to thank Governor Pritzker for the opportunity to serve and empower Illinois’ veteran community through every stage of life.”

Prince is a senior executive leader and 31-year United States Navy veteran. Most recently, Prince served as Superintendent of the Ohio Veterans Homes where he oversaw three facilities, including the nation’s 5th largest skilled nursing home and an independent living community. Previously, he served as Force Master Chief and Director of the United States Navy Hospital Corps. In that role, Prince served as a senior advisor to the Surgeon General of the United States Navy and a member of the Navy Medicine’s Executive Steering Committee. Prior, he served as Senior Enlisted Leader at the Defense Health Agency and at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Prince began his military career in 1986, serving in the Dental Technician and Hospital Corpsman ratings. Prince has received a number of awards including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal and many more. He retired from the military in July 2017. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Chapman University and is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Command Master Chief Program and the National Defense University Keystone Fellowship.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 2:50 pm

Comments

Finally. I don’t know what they were thinking with Chapa LaVia…

I just hope he doesn’t get caught up in what usually is the downfall of “outsider” leaders at either the state or university level: Moving so fast with change that they get tripped up by very specific Illinois rules and laws (specifically the ethics ones).

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 3:01 pm
=== This is the sort of person the state needed to begin with at IDVA. A veteran with actual management experience over actual veterans’ homes. My goodness, what a strange concept for Illinois ===

Looking at you, DCFS, and the national search for a director and inspector general that led to…two friends from Joliet.

Comment by What a Wonderful World Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 3:18 pm
=== Terry Prince, a 31-year United States Navy veteran with experience leading veterans homes in Ohio, to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.===

The antithesis that was Chapa LaVia.

Great choice.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 3:25 pm
“pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate”

Adding: I’m going to be peeved if the Senate decides to keep this appointee in an “acting” limbo for years after they sailed through a confirmation for Chapa LaVia.

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 3:48 pm
Because there are so many examples where bringing someone with stellar credentials from out of state is a big success.

Comment by JLW Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 3:56 pm
Sounds like a very good nominee.

Comment by Back to the Furure Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 3:59 pm
===Terry Prince, a 31-year United States Navy veteran with experience leading veterans homes===

I wish Acting Director Prince the very best, but hope Illinois doesn’t finally break his teeth.

This is unrelated to my opinion of him, but I would like to know what the search process looked like for hiring Acting Director Prince.

===they get tripped up by very specific Illinois rules and laws (specifically the ethics ones). ===

Us Illinoisans are quick to bemoan our government’s corruption, but if there’s one good Blago did as governor, it was to create cause for one of the more restrictive public employee ethics act in the country.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 4:02 pm
Wait, what? Someone with actual qualifications?

Comment by JoanP Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 4:03 pm
Welcome Master Chief! About time JB picked somebody with “boots on the deck” relevant experience in running Veteran’s homes Took far, far too long, at too high a cost in lives. Hope he survives dealing with Illinois politics and administrative rigamarole. Bet he won’t be quiet if things need changing.

Comment by thisjustinagain Friday, Mar 19, 21 @ 4:30 pm