Pamela J. Powers

Pamela Powers
Pamela Powers
Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
	In office; April 2, 2020 – January 20, 2021
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	James Byrne
Succeeded by	Carolyn Clancy (acting)
Personal details
Born	Minnesota, U.S.
Education	United States Air Force Academy (BS); United States Army War College (MSS); University of Phoenix (MA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Rank	Colonel
Awards	Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Pamela J. Powers is an American government official who served as the Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs from April 2, 2020 to January 20, 2021.[1]

Education

Powers graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Psychology. She earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College and a Master of Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.[1]

VA investigation

Powers was a central figure in an Inspector General investigation [2] into allegations then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie attempted to smear a Veteran who claimed to be sexually assaulted.[3]

Powers told investigators women veterans described walking through the medical center as a “gauntlet” of unwelcome interactions, such as “cat calls.” She later told investigators that conditions in the medical center improved, but did not say what improvements VA made.[2]

In the interview with investigators, Powers stated that Wilkie, in relating a conversation he had with Congressman Dan Crenshaw, “might have said something to the fact that, [the veteran] made allegations in the military as well when [Congressman Crenshaw and the veteran] served together or something to that effect.”[2]

The Inspector General requested a second interview with Powers, but she repeatedly refused. [2]

The Inspector General stated, “The evidence is replete with examples of VA senior leaders undertaking defensive actions and engaging in confrontational messaging while failing to recognize the need to take corrective action to address known problems.” [2]

Personal life

Powers' great-grandfather served in World War I and her grandfather served in World War II.[4] She served in the United States Air Force and retired as a colonel on March 1, 2018.[5] Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.[1]

References

"Pamela J. Powers - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs". va.gov. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Mitchell, James (December 10, 2020). "Senior VA Officials' Response to a Veteran's Sexual Assault Allegations" (PDF). VA. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Powers, Pamela J. (December 10, 2020). "VA Secretary Focused on Smearing Woman Who Said She Was Sexually Assaulted in a VA Hospital, Probe Finds". ProPublica.
Powers, Pamela J. (May 1, 2019). "Meet the women helping VA work for women veterans". MilitaryTimes.
La Curan, Donnie (April 7, 2020). "President Trump tasks VA Chief of Staff Pamela J. Powers to perform duties of Deputy Secretary". Veterans Resources.

Political offices
Preceded by James Byrne	United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Acting 2020–2021	Succeeded by Carolyn Clancy Acting

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[VABio-1] "Pamela J. Powers - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs". va.gov. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

[AutoLZ-1-2] Mitchell, James (December 10, 2020). "Senior VA Officials' Response to a Veteran's Sexual Assault Allegations" (PDF). VA. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

[3] Powers, Pamela J. (December 10, 2020). "VA Secretary Focused on Smearing Woman Who Said She Was Sexually Assaulted in a VA Hospital, Probe Finds". ProPublica.

[4] Powers, Pamela J. (May 1, 2019). "Meet the women helping VA work for women veterans". MilitaryTimes.

[5] La Curan, Donnie (April 7, 2020). "President Trump tasks VA Chief of Staff Pamela J. Powers to perform duties of Deputy Secretary". Veterans Resources.