Gov. Jim Risch today named David Brasuell the new acting administrator of the Division of Veterans Services, replacing Joe Bleymaier, whom Risch’s office said resigned last week. The Veterans Affairs Commission – which Brasuell currently chairs – is charged with nominating a permanent director. Brasuell is resigning from the commission to take on the job.

Brad Hoaglun, Risch’s communicators director, said Bleymaier simply informed the governor’s office last week that he was resigning for personal reasons, so Risch made the interim appointment.

Brasuell is a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves who served six months in Iraq, and has a combined 28 years of active and reserve service. He has served on the Idaho Veterans Affairs Commission since 2000. Brasuell has worked for the state Department of Corrections since 1992, most recently as program manager for the women’s prison in Pocatello.

The governor said in a press release that the new administrator’s goals are to “work to create a respectful workplace, be a good steward of tax dollars, nurture a positive relationship with veteran organizations, and continue to work towards a veterans cemetery in North Idaho.”

Risch, who is serving as governor only for seven months, already has named new heads for the state Health & Welfare Department, the Corrections Department, Insurance Department, the Division of Human Resources, and the Idaho Transportation Board.

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