Paul Lawrence (government official)
Paul Lawrence | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| 11th United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| Assumed office March 28, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Secretary | Doug Collins |
| Preceded by | Tanya J. Bradsher |
| 7th Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits | |
| In office May 15, 2018 – January 20, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Allison A. Hickey |
| Succeeded by | Joshua Jacobs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul Reynold Lawrence c.1956 (age 68–69) |
| Spouse | Ann P. Lawrence |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | United States Army Airborne School University of Massachusetts (BA) Virginia Tech (MA, PhD) |
| Occupation |
|
| Awards | Meritorious Service Medal |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
Paul Reynold Lawrence (born c. 1956)[1] is an American government official, businessman, author and former army captain who is serving as the 11th United States deputy secretary of veterans affairs since March 2025 under President Donald Trump. He previously served as the 7th under secretary of veterans affairs for benefits from 2018 to 2021.
Early life and education
Lawrence's father was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and is buried in Section 66 of Arlington National Cemetery. Lawrence's middle name, Reynold, was given in honor of his uncle who was killed at Normandy during World War II.[2]
Lawrence was commissioned into the army through the ROTC. He earned his BA in economics from the University of Massachusetts in 1978, and his MA and PhD in economics from Virginia Tech in 1982.[2]
Career
After graduate school, Lawrence served in the American army in the Finance Corp. He left as an Airborne qualified Captain and received the Meritorious Service Medal.[2]
The majority of his later career was as a partner in accounting firms.[3]
Lawrence was nominated to serve as the 7th Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits by President Donald Trump,[4] and was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 26, 2018.[3]
On January 11, 2025 Trump announced that he nominated Lawrence to serve as the United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[5] He was confirmed by the Senate in a 51–45 vote on 27 March,[6] and sworn into office on 28 March by Secretary Doug Collins.[7]
Personal life
Lawrence is married to Ann P. Lawrence, and has 2 children.[2]
References
- ^ "Director of the Veterans Benefits Administration: Who Is Paul R. Lawrence?". AllGov. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ a b c d "Statement of Paul R. Lawrence Nominee for Under Secretary, Benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs". veterans.senate.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Paul R. Lawrence" (PDF). congress.gov.
- ^ III, Leo Shane (2018-02-22). "Trump nominates former Army captain as new top benefits official for VA". Army Times. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ Dorn, Sara. "Trump's Cabinet And Key Jobs: Penny Schwinn, Matthew Lohmeier Among Latest Picks". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ III, Leo Shane (2025-03-27). "Senate confirms former VA benefits chief as new deputy secretary". Military Times. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
- ^ @@SecVetAffairs (March 28, 2025). "Had the honor of swearing in Paul Lawrence today as our next @DeptVetAffairs Deputy Secretary! Paul is an expert in change management for large organizations, an Army Veteran and a former VA Under Secretary for Benefits. He will help us make VA work better for Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 3, 2025 – via Twitter.