Joey Strickland was appointed Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor John Bel Edwards on January 13, 2016.  In this position, he is responsible for overseeing five Veterans Nursing Homes, four State Veterans Cemeteries, the department’s Administrative, Contact Assistance, and Claims Division, the Military Family Assistance Fund, Veterans Honor Medal Program, and advocacy outreach to our Veterans Service Organizations, homeless, and women Veterans.  A large part of his responsibility is advocating on behalf of Louisiana Veterans to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Secretary Strickland is no stranger to VA, having served for more than 15 years as either Director or Deputy Secretary in two states.

At the national level, Secretary Strickland served as Chairman of the VA Advisory Committee for Minority Veterans and as President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) from 2003-2004.  As NASDVA President, he testified before the U.S. Congress on Veterans’ issues. 

Secretary Strickland served 28.9 years in the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty in Vietnam.  In 1994, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was later appointed Colonel in the Louisiana State Guard by Governor Mike Foster, with duty on the Governor’s Military Advisory Board.  His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal (2^nd award), Air Medal (3 awards), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 7 battle stars, Airborne Medal, and Overseas Ribbon, among others.

Secretary Strickland is married to Leila Hiestand Strickland, an “Army brat”, and they are the proud parents of three sons, all Army soldiers, and twin daughters who are educators.