Jon Santiago, a former state lawmaker who serves as Gov. Maura Healey’s veterans providers secretary, plans to step down from his publish within the fall after greater than two years on the job, the Healey administration introduced Friday.
Santiago’s departure marks the newest turnover in Healey’s cupboard throughout her third yr in workplace. Two different secretaries have left their positions this yr, together with former Financial Growth Secretary Yvonne Hao and Health and Human Companies Secretary Kate Walsh.
Healey solid Santiago’s time on the helm of the Government Workplace of Veterans Companies as one which resulted in “unprecedented transformation” after devastating deaths at a state troopers’ residence in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Secretary Santiago stepped into this role at one of the most challenging moments in our state’s history for veterans services,” Healey mentioned in a press release. “In just over two years, he turned that challenge into a success by rebuilding trust, driving transformative reforms, and positioning Massachusetts as a national leader once again.”
Santiago, who as soon as served as a Democratic state consultant from Boston and mounted an unsuccessful bid for mayor of the town, mentioned he doesn’t have plans to run for elected workplace however nonetheless has an curiosity in public service as soon as his time with the Healey administration ends.
“I am a public servant through and through. I’m a former Peace Corps volunteer. I’ve served in the Army. I’ve served in government, and public service is my passion. And it’s what I’m committed to doing. So I’m very interested in continuing to have another episode in the public (realm),” he instructed the Herald. “What that is, I don’t know. But for right now, I’m okay with completing my time as a state rep, as a cabinet secretary.”
Santiago, a serious within the U.S. Military Reserves and an emergency room physician, mentioned he desires to focus extra on well being care.
“I’m a physician who’s very passionate about health care, is very passionate about equity, and I’m looking to get more involved in that space,” he mentioned. “Whether it’s working more as a clinician, teaching the next generation of trainees, or getting more involved in the organizational capacity, that’s what I’m looking to do.”
Deputy Veterans Companies Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett will take excessive spot within the workplace on an “interim basis” till a everlasting successor is known as, Healey’s workplace mentioned.
Santiago was appointed because the state’s first cabinet-level veterans providers secretary due to a 2022 legislation that shifted the place to turn into a direct report of the governor in response to a lethal COVID-19 outbreak on the Holyoke Troopers’ House that left 76 veterans lifeless.
He additionally helped shepherd a large veterans-focused invoice by way of the Legislature final yr and launched a $20 million marketing campaign to finish veteran homelessness in Massachusetts.
“Veteran homelessness is decreasing in the Commonwealth, while overall homelessness is rising,” Santiago mentioned. “There’s been a 27% decrease in unsheltered veteran homelessness just this past year.”
However Santiago’s departure leaves Healey with one other high-level place to fill with lower than two years left in her first time period, and as she faces reelection subsequent yr.
Santiago mentioned the variety of secretaries who’ve departed the Healey administration this yr is “part and parcel of government.”
“It’s not too out of the ordinary at all for a secretary to work two, three, four years and move on to the next opportunity or leave government,” Santiago mentioned. “In each of those cases and in my case, we came here, we accomplished what we sent forth to do, and we’ve left the organization in better hands, and always consistent with Gov. Healey’s commitment to affordability, competitiveness. and equity.”
Former Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca stepped down from her publish months into Healey’s first yr in workplace in 2023.
Initially Printed:
