GOVERNOR RISCH SELECTS
NEW VETERANS ADMINISTRATOR

BOISE – Governor Jim Risch today appointed David E. Brasuell as the acting administrator of the Division of Veterans Services. He replaces Joe Bleymaier who resigned last week. The appointment of Brasuell is effective immediately.

Brasuell is currently employed by the State of Idaho as Program Manager for the Department of Corrections Women’s facility in Pocatello. He has worked for corrections since June of 1992. He also serves as the chair of the Idaho Veterans Affairs Commission, a gubernatorial appointment he received in 2000.

“I’m very pleased to appoint Colonel Brasuell as the administrator of Veterans Services. He is extremely qualified with his management experience and has a depth of knowledge that he brings from serving on the commission and with his length of service in the Marine Corps,” said Risch. “It is an honor to appoint Dave to this position and I know that the veterans in the state will be well served by his leadership.”

Brasuell is a Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves and was mobilized for duty from December 2002 through December 2004. He served six months in Iraq during that time. Brasuell has a combined 28 years of active and reserve service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“It is a privilege for me to serve our veterans as the new administrator of Veterans Services. To be able to provide quality care and assistance to those who have served our country is something that I look forward to doing to the best of my ability,” said Brasuell.

Besides serving as the chair of the Veterans Affairs Commission, Brasuell is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Marine Corps League and the Military Officer’s Association.

The new administrator said that he would work to create a respectful workplace, be a good steward of tax dollars, nurture a positive relationship with veteran organizations, and continue to work towards a veterans cemetery in north Idaho.
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Regarding the veterans nursing homes Brasuell said, “Our nursing homes are outstanding and provide wonderful care for our veterans. That service will certainly continue under my watch.” The state has nursing homes in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello.

Veterans Services also operates the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise. The 76-acre site was dedicated in 2004.

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Pronunciation Note: Brasuell is pronounced like “casual” but with a “br” instead of a “c”

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