Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday (March 18) signed Senate Bill 67, which reorganizes the chain of command within the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and allows her to appoint the department’s commissioner.
She immediately selected retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Newton, who had been serving as interim commissioner the past six months.
“Brigadier General Newton has earned this important job, and I am more than confident he will work to ensure our state better serves all of our 400,000 veterans,” Ivey said in a written statement. “He most recently served as interim commissioner of the ADVA and previously worked in the Department to assist veterans and their families receive state and federal benefits. I am grateful Jeff has answered the call to serve yet again, and I look forward to working with him to ensure Alabama is the number one state for veterans to live, work and raise a family.”
Newton was previously director of the joint staff of the Alabama National Guard, responsible for joint military operations relating to state and national emergencies, according to Ivey’s office. His 41-year military career with the United States Air Force and the Alabama Air National Guard included overseas deployments with the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham and supporting operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle.
“I am humbled and grateful to be appointed to the Governor’s cabinet and join her team,” Newton said. “I look forward to working with other departments and cabinet officials as we continue to provide first-class support for Alabama Veterans and their families, as we have done for the past 80 years. Several major projects are already being coordinated with the Governor’s Office, highlighting our commitment to make Alabama the most veteran friendly state in the nation.”
Tumultuous year
Senate Bill 67 followed a tumultuous 2024 in the department that included inter-agency disputes, a debunked state ethics complaint and ultimately the firing of former Commissioner Kent Davis by Ivey against the wishes of the State Board of Veterans Affairs. That board previously appointed the department’s commissioner.
Some veterans opposed the legislation, particularly those in South Alabama. But veterans groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars supported it, leading to its passage in the 140-member House on a 56-39 vote earlier this month.
“Elevating the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs to a cabinet-level position is certainly the right path forward for Alabama when it comes to better serving and supporting our veterans,” Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, said. He sponsored the legislation.
“I want to thank Governor Ivey for her leadership on this issue, as well as my colleagues in the Legislature for prioritizing veteran needs in our state.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mary Sell and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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