Press Release  Governor Healey Announces Departure of Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago After Transformative Tenure

Boston — Governor Maura Healey today announced that Veterans Services Secretary Dr. Jon Santiago will step down this fall after more than two and a half years leading the newly created Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) through the most historic period of reform in Massachusetts history. Santiago, who has chosen to return to his public health and medical career as a physician, will be succeeded on an interim basis by Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett until a permanent successor is named.

Appointed in March 2023 as the first cabinet-level veterans secretary in Massachusetts history, Santiago took the helm at a moment when the state was called to fundamentally reshape how it serves veterans and their families. Born out of the devastating losses at the state’s veterans homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Santiago was charged with creating the first ever veterans cabinet secretariat, restoring accountability, rebuilding trust, and delivering the highest standard of care and services for more than 200,000 veterans and their families across Massachusetts.

In just over two years, Santiago led an unprecedented transformation of the agency: modernizing operations from top to bottom, securing historic funding, enacting sweeping legislative reforms like the HERO Act, and fast-tracking construction of two state-of-the-art veterans homes in Chelsea and Holyoke. His leadership reaffirmed Massachusetts as a national leader in care for veterans and set a new benchmark for excellence nationwide.

“Secretary Santiago stepped into this role at one of the most challenging moments in our state’s history for veterans services,” said Governor Maura Healey. “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. His steady hand, strategic vision and deep commitment to our veterans have made a lasting impact. I am deeply grateful for his leadership, and for the compassion and dedication he has shown to every veteran and family he has served.”

“Secretary Santiago’s leadership has been defined by his ability to listen, engage and deliver results,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “He built strong partnerships across government, communities and veterans organizations, ensuring every voice was heard and every concern addressed. His focus on innovation, accountability and collaboration has strengthened services for veterans across Massachusetts and will leave a lasting legacy.”

“We set out to restore trust in the veteran community, and today, Massachusetts has become a national model in how a state cares for its veterans,” said Secretary Jon Santiago. “I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together and none of this would have been possible without the dedicated team at EOVS, our partners across the state, and the veterans who served. I leave confident that the foundation we’ve built will continue to serve veterans well for years to come.”

Under Secretary Santiago’s leadership, EOVS has delivered historic progress across the veteran services landscape:

Building a Cabinet-Level Veterans Secretariat

• Established the Commonwealth’s first cabinet-level veterans secretariat, defining its mission and building the agency from the ground up.
• Created core HR, IT, finance, and legal operations, implemented agency-wide policies, and integrated data systems that enhance service delivery and accountability, leading to rebuilt trust in the veteran community.
• Veterans’ services funding has hit record highs two years in a row, including $202 million this year to support long-term improvements.

Transforming State Veterans’ Homes

• Overhauled Massachusetts’ two long-term care homes by restructuring leadership, instituting accountable management practices, and modernizing clinical standards to include the implementation of electronic medical records for the first time at both veteran homes.
• Fast-tracked infrastructure upgrades to complete the new Veterans Home at Chelsea and secured $263M in federal funding toward a $500M new state-of-the-art Holyoke facility, scheduled to open in 2026.
• Achieved landmark DPH licensure, CMS certification, and VA compliance at both Veteran Homes - all while modernizing clinical standards. As of July 2025, the Holyoke Veterans Homes is exceeding the average state long-term care facility in 6 of 7 CMS indicators and had a deficiency-free VA survey in 2025.
• Veteran satisfaction at both Homes now exceeds national averages, according to Pinnacle Quality Insight surveys. In 2024–25, Holyoke reached 100 percent satisfaction and Chelsea achieved 98 percent.

Expanding Benefits and Protections

• Led the development, passage and implementation of the HERO Act, the most comprehensive veterans’ legislation in state history.
• This landmark law increased the Disabled Veteran Annuity for the first time in 17 years by 25 percent, allowed for behavior health treatment under Chapter 115 benefits, increased the Veteran Hire Tax Credit, broadened the definition of a veteran, expanded veteran RMV benefits, extended access for veterans to use the active-duty service buyback program, provides municipalities with the ability to increase property tax exemptions to veterans, established a military family advocacy program, etc.
• Launched a broadscale effort to improve training and standardization among Veteran Service Officer through VA accreditation. More than 154 VSOs have been accredited, a 214 percent increase, allowing for the Commonwealth to better support veterans, families and survivors navigate the complex universe of VA claims, benefits, and services. 

Ending Veteran Homelessness

• Launched a $20 million campaign to end veteran homelessness, the largest targeted veteran housing investment in Massachusetts history. Partnering with statewide organizations, the campaign placed 800+ veterans into housing and advanced new developments in under 15 months, putting Massachusetts on track to reach functional zero veteran homelessness.
• Over Secretary Santiago's tenure, veteran homelessness in Massachusetts has decreased by 27 percent for unsheltered veterans per federal data, a clear outcome achieved even as overall homelessness statewide and nationally has increased.
• Additionally, the office expanded its supportive services for housing insecure veterans to include food pantry, rental arrears, utility assistance, and emergency housing assistance. For the first time, EOVS tracked metrics for supportive services, delivering over 165,000 services to over 10,000 veterans during FY25.

Innovating Veteran Engagement & Services

• Created the first-ever Veteran Engagement Team, prioritizing outreach to women, justice-involved, and behavioral health–involved veterans.
• A major emphasis place on constituency services: 98 percent of 6,500+ constituent cases since October 2023 resolved, providing faster and more responsive service.

Workforce & Economic Mobility

• Launched several workforce and economic mobility initiatives at EOVS, including a Veteran Ready Business Program (VRB) to educate businesses about the value of hiring veterans; a Veterans CARE program that is hiring disabled veterans while providing mental health treatment; and implemented and expanded the Veteran Hire Tax Credit to support employers and create pathways to sustainable jobs.

Strengthening Federal Partnership

• Advanced joint initiatives and secured major federal investments, including $263 million toward construction of the new Holyoke Veterans Home, nearly $5 million for a historic expansion of the Massachusetts Veterans Cemeteries at Agawam and Winchendon, and $300,000 to launch the state’s first Veteran Suicide Mortality Review Board. 

The Executive Office of Veterans Services will carry forward this momentum with major initiatives this fall, including the groundbreaking of multiple veteran affordable housing projects, the continuation of the End Veteran Homelessness campaign, and the opening of the new Holyoke facility in 2026. 
 

Statements of Support 

Senator John Velis, Chair of Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs:

“I am deeply grateful for Secretary Santiago’s dedicated service to veterans across the Commonwealth. From day one, he has made a conscientious effort to connect with veterans in every corner of Massachusetts, ensuring his office could best serve their needs. Secretary Santiago took on the enormous task of transforming a small state agency into a strong, independent executive office—one that has exceeded every expectation of what the Legislature envisioned the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services could one day become. I am especially thankful for the partnership and friendship he has shown me over the years, and I have no doubt that his many accomplishments will have a long-lasting impact on our entire Commonwealth.”

Representative Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr, Chair of Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs:

"Secretary Santiago’s service and leadership have had a lasting impact on veterans’ services in Massachusetts. I had the pleasure of working with him in the House as well and he is what every public servant should be. His commitment has improved the lives of veterans and their families across the Commonwealth. I wish him the very best moving forward."

Senator Michael Rush, Vice Chair of Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs:

“From modernizing our Veterans’ Homes to supporting the HERO Act, Secretary Santiago has consistently demonstrated his commitment to those who served. His work has strengthened veterans’ services across Massachusetts and will benefit veterans and their families well into the future.” 

Jeff Chin, Executive Director, Blue Star Families of New England:

 “Secretary Santiago has made it a priority to include military families in the Commonwealth’s vision for veterans services. His leadership recognizes that when we support veterans, we must also support the spouses, children, and caregivers who serve alongside them. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors and look forward to continuing our collaboration with EOVS.”

Peggy Griffin, Gold Star Wives of America, Greater Boston Chapter: 

“On behalf of the Gold Star Wives of America, Greater Boston Chapter, I want to thank Secretary Santiago for his leadership and commitment to honoring our loved ones’ sacrifice. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that Gold Star Wives receive the recognition, care, and benefits they deserve. We wish him success in his next endeavors and look forward to future contributions to the community.”

Dan Stack, Disabled American Veterans (DAV): 

“The DAV fights every day to make sure disabled veterans receive the care and benefits they earned. Secretary Santiago has been a true ally in this mission — from advancing landmark reforms in the HERO Act to strengthening access to critical benefits — he has made life better for our veterans. We are grateful for his partnership and leadership.” 

Vincent J. Perrone, Lt. Colonel USAF, President and CEO, Veterans Inc.:

"Veterans Inc. extends its appreciation to Secretary Jon Santiago for his service as the first Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (EOVS).  We thank him for his dedication and wish him well in his future endeavors. Veterans Inc. also warmly welcomes Brigadier General Andrea Gayle Bennett to her new role as interim Secretary. We are excited to continue building on our strong partnership with EOVS under her leadership and look forward to working together to ensure veterans and their families receive the care, support, and recognition they deserve."
 

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