Clark Dyrud, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for the past four years, is retiring April 14.
State's VA commissioner to retire; deputy to take post
April 1, 2010 at 2:42AM
Current Deputy Commissioner Michael Pugliese will replace Dyrud, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who has worked at Veterans Affairs since 1980, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced on Wednesday.
Dyrud, 63, was appointed commissioner of Veterans Affairs in March 2005. He served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 as a squad leader in a mechanized infantry unit.
He was wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart.
Pugliese, 41, will be the state's 16th commissioner of Veterans Affairs, a position that pays $108,393. He has served as deputy commissioner since January 2001. He served with the U.S. Marines from 1987 to 1991.
The department works to ensure that Minnesota's veterans, their dependents and survivors receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled.
MARK BRUNSWICK
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