Tammy Duckworth appointed to head Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs

[wndycty]

Gov picks Duckworth for Veterans Affairs

November 21, 2006
BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief
Gov. Blagojevich is starting his second term making a smart choice for a top job. He's tapping wounded Iraq war vet Tammy Duckworth to be the new director of the Illinois Veterans' Affairs Department.

"I thought it was a natural fit for me and my background," Duckworth told me.

Duckworth, a Democrat, said after being defeated Nov. 7 by Peter Roskam in a congressional contest that caught nationwide attention, she started pondering her future.

Duckworth rejected suggestions to lobby or to write a book (she wondered, "don't you think I have to win an election first?") or to consider other government jobs when the call from the governor's office came through.

After talks with Blagojevich chief of staff John Harris and then the governor, Duckworth, a major in the Illinois National Guard, signed up for her next mission.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/144033,CST-NWS-tammy21.article

[itsmesgd]

1. I'm glad that she will be able to continue her service

I think that she will be able to help veterans in this position much more than had she been elected to public office. I think it's a good fit.

[lapfog_1]

2. If she likes and does well at it...

in 2009 she could move to a cabinet level office with the new President. Of course, she might try again for that seat in Congress.

[madrchsod]

3. that`s really great

it gives me satisfaction that the republicans in her district will receive 0 from their new representative in washington. she will be a excellent choice for the national veterans affairs office when we take the presidency in two years

sometimes one wins by losing

[sarge43]

4. Excellent.

Illinois vets will have a champion in their corner.

[adadem]

5. YES!!!

I'm thrilled for her. I lived in that district for ten years so I watched it closely. Tammy is awesome.

[NMDemDist2]

6. excellent! n/t

[Vidar]

7. Glad to hear it.

[Dr Fate]

8. So we have not heard the last of her- great news!! n/t

n/t

[democrank]

9. What wonderful news.

Best of luck to her.

[RiverStone]

10. Great news! Anyone know, did any heads roll at the ILL VFW for...

...endorsing the rethug with zero years in the military over courageous VET Tammy?

[sandnsea]

11. Uhm - Director??

Getting elected is one thing, people make those judgments based on whatever they want.

But a government job should be qualifications alone and I don't think she has any management experience that I know of. "..she will oversee a $94.2 million budget and 1,135 employees" What in her background gives her the experience to do this?

Sounds like a political appointment to me and I don't like them no matter which party.

[KittyWampus]

12. Well, it's a politcal position hence it's a political appointment

the only issue being, is she capable of doing an excellent job or an incompetent crony.

[sandnsea]

13. That's the point

Certainly a Governor needs to have people who are committed to carrying out policy objectives in key positions. At the same time, they ought to have some experience to the job. I would think there would be something that didn't require quite the learning curve as directing the state's veterans' affairs. No wonder this country is so screwed up.

[dogman]

14. Her resume.

From her website.
Snip>Career and Education
At the time of her deployment to Iraq, Tammy was working as a staff supervisor at the worldwide headquarters of Rotary International, in Evanston. She was invigorated by her work in establishing new Rotary clubs to do much-needed community service projects in countries such as East Timor and Afghanistan. She also helped American and Middle Eastern Rotary clubs send wheelchairs to Iraq.

Tammy received her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Hawaii and her master's degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She was working on a doctorate in political science at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb when deployed to Iraq. Her research focused on political economies of Southeast Asia and the region's public health systems. She is a published author, with papers and textbook contributions on the link between environmental health hazards and cancer.

Edited to add: She has a better background than many, especially if you add in her personal experience with the system.

[sandnsea]

16. Staff supervisor to state director??

No, don't think so. She's not qualified, no two ways about it. She's just not.

[dogman]

17. The person she replaced.

http://www.state.il.us/agency/dva/staff.htm

Snip>Mr. Dolgos, a native of New Jersey, attended Dumont High School and Loyola University in Chicago. Drafted in 1966, Director Dolgos served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 with a tour in Vietnam from 1966-1967. Upon his honorable discharge, he pursued his education in Business at Central Connecticut State University from 1968-1972.

Director Dolgos moved to Chicago in 1973 and served as General Manager for the Arrow Trucking Company from 1973-1986. In 1986, he took a position of Director at the Chauffeurs Driving School. In 1990, Mr. Dolgos accepted a position as Facilities Manager for Interpark.

[wndycty]

18. Roy. . .great guy, but as a manager. . .

. . .left a lot to be desired.

[dogman]

19. I prefer her background for this job.

Snip>community service projects in countries such as East Timor and Afghanistan. She also helped American and Middle Eastern Rotary clubs send wheelchairs to Iraq.
Snip>Her research focused on political economies of Southeast Asia and the region's public health systems. She is a published author, with papers and textbook contributions on the link between environmental health hazards and cancer.

Understanding community service should be a primary function of DVA. It is likely that a background in environmental health hazards and the link to cancer will make her more cognizant of Agent Orange and DU and the Gulf War syndrome. As a Major she also has had leadership training with hands on experience.

[sandnsea]

21. One political appointee for another

Kind of my point. At least he'd managed a signficant number of people and budgets.

There are undoubtedly people who have worked their butts off for 20-30 years who would be just as dedicated to carrying out the governor's agenda.

This is part of what people were voting to end.

[wndycty]

26. And if she succeeds, if she makes a positive impact?

:kick:

[sandnsea]

27. Oh gee, like I'm rooting for failure

:eyes: How ridiculous. Of course I hope she does well. I just don't like political appointees, so shoot me.

[wndycty]

29. Well you have the basic assumption that political appointees are not qualified

As a political appointee who has proven his worth over the last 26 months, who will in fact be working closely with Ms. Duckworth and her staff I take a huge exception to that.

[sandnsea]

30. Aaaaah

You feel personally offended - I get it now. Well, I guess that goes with the territory of being a political appontee. I stand by my belief that Ms. Duckworth was not the best choice to run the state veteran's dept. I don't know what your qualifications are, so I can't say about that.

People's lives depend on this stuff, it's kind of important to get it right from the get-go. Hope it all works out for you.

[wndycty]

15. Evening kick

:kick:

[Adelante]

20. Terrific News

Thanks for letting us know, wndy. :pals:

[Skittles]

22. excellent

a very smart choice indeed

[JI7]

23. i hope she runs for Congress again in 2 years

[Dr Fate]

28. She will win next time- this job gives her even more gravitas. n/t

n/t

[jackster]

24. BRAVO!

N/T

[Eurobabe]

25. Awesome! Great pick for the job

Best of luck Tammy!