DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SECRETARIES

FORMER SECRETARIES

[photo, George W. Owings III, Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs] GEORGE W. OWINGS III (1945-2023)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 2004-07, 2015-23

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, June 1, 2004 to January 17, 2007, and February 13, 2015 to January 18, 2023. Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs, January 18 to May 9, 2007, and January 22 to February 13, 2015.

Member, Governor's Executive Council, 2015-23. Chair, Governor's Commission on Military Monuments, 2015-16; Maryland Veterans Trust, 2015-23; Governor’s Warrior to Worker Council, 2015-23.


Member, Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Minority Affairs, 2015-17; Interagency Committee on Aging Services, 2015-23; Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2015-23; State Coordinating Committee for Human Services Transportation, 2015-23; Maryland Commission on Suicide Prevention, 2015-23; Superintendent's [Secretary of State Police] Council of Advisors on Diversity and Inclusion, 2015-23; Governor's Workforce Development Board (formerly Governor's Workforce Investment Board), 2015-23; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, 2017-23; Maryland Semiquincentennial Commission, 2021-23.

Member, State Advisory Council on Hepatitis C, 2004-05; Governor's Executive Council, 2004-07; Governor's Commission on Maryland Military Monuments, 2004-07; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Minority Affairs, 2004-07; Task Force on Assistance to Disabled Veterans Establishing Small Businesses, 2005; Task Force on the Establishment of a Maryland Women Veterans Monument, 2005. Chair, Advisory Committee on the Naming of State Facilities, Roads, and Bridges, 2005-06. Member, Task Force to Study State Assistance to Veterans, 2006-07; State Coordinating Committee for Human Services Transportation, 2006-07; Maryland Military Installation Council, 2010-23.

Member of House of Delegates (Democrat), 1988-2004. Majority Whip, 1994-2004 (deputy majority whip, 1992-94). Member, Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1988-92; Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas, 1991-2003; Environmental Matters Committee, 1992-93; Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1994; Environmental Matters Committee, 1995-2004 (environment subcommittee, 2003-04; local government & bi-county agencies subcommittee, 2003-04; chair, environmental & natural resources subcommittee, 1995-99; chair, agriculture, environment & natural resources subcommittee, 1999-2003; chair, natural resources subcommittee, 2003-04); Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 1995-2004; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 1996; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002; Department of Natural Resources Special Funds Work Group, 2003-04; Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, 2003-04. Chair, Calvert County Delegation, 1990-2004. House Secretary, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2004.

Member, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1988-2004; Chesapeake Bay Trust, 1991-93; Southern States Energy Board, 1995-2000; Attainment Plan (federal air quality standards) Task Force, Department of the Environment, 1995-2002; Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry, 1997-98; Governor's Pesticide Council, 1998-99; Task Force on Tobacco Crop Conversion in Maryland, 1999; Task Force to Ensure Utility Services, 1999-2000; Oil Spill Prevention Advisory Committee, 2000; Maryland Veterans Home Commission, 2003-04.

Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, April 11, 1945. Attended Calvert Senior High School, Prince Frederick, Maryland; University of Maryland, 1963-64. Prince George's Community College, A.A. (liberal arts), 1978. Served in U.S. Marine Corps, 1964-68 (sergeant); Vietnam, 1965-68 (Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star Device, Navy-Marine Corps Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star Device). Mortgage banker. Member, Calvert County Democratic Club; Calvert County Democratic Central Committee, 1985-88. Charter President, Mid-Chesapeake Bay Kiwanis. Life member, Post no. 7950, Chesapeake Beach, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) (past adjutant, 1985-88). Life member, Post no. 206, Chesapeake Beach, American Legion. Died in Calvert County, Maryland, October 31, 2023.

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