Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis will step down at the end of 2024, according to an announcement by Governor Kay Ivey. This decision follows Ivey’s request for Davis’ resignation due to alleged mishandling of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Ivey accused Davis of delays in processing applications for $7 million in grant funds meant for veterans’ services, stating that this put the state’s ARPA obligations at risk and nearly prevented veterans’ service providers from receiving essential funds. Additionally, she criticized Davis for failing to cooperate with other state agencies, which she described as a key responsibility of his role.
In response, Davis rejected the governor’s claims, calling them inaccurate, and initially refused to resign. Ivey had scheduled a meeting of the State Board of Veterans Affairs, which she chairs, to discuss firing him. However, during a subsequent meeting with the governor and her senior staff, Davis agreed to step down, effective December 31, 2024.
In a press release, Ivey stated that caring for veterans has always been a priority for her administration and emphasized that nothing should hinder the state’s efforts to improve veterans’ care. She described the meeting with Davis as respectful and informative, expressing gratitude for his service while also acknowledging the challenges they faced.
Following Davis’ decision to resign, Ivey canceled the previously scheduled board meeting and will now work with the board to find a replacement. Davis, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, has led the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) since 2019. In a statement issued by the ADVA, Davis described the meeting with Ivey as “cordial and informative,” and expressed anticipation for the dedication of the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise.
The controversy also involved other state leaders. Ivey shared a letter from Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, who had canceled an agreement between her department and the ADVA due to concerns about the management of ARPA funds, warning of potential audit issues.
Davis disputed these claims in a previous statement, emphasizing the department’s transparency and commitment to serving Alabama’s 400,000 veterans. He pointed out that earlier in the year, his department had attempted to work with the governor’s staff and the Department of Finance on the ARPA funds.
Additionally, it was revealed that Davis had filed an ethics complaint against Boswell, which was dismissed by the Ethics Commission. The commission’s director, Tom Albritton, stated that even if the allegations were true, they would not constitute an ethics violation. Ivey dismissed the complaint as “entirely frivolous.”
Alongside Davis’ resignation, Ivey also removed Col. John Kilpatrick from his position on the State Board of Veterans Affairs. Kilpatrick had been appointed due to his role as president of the Alabama Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America. Despite his removal, Kilpatrick expressed pride in his work on behalf of Alabama veterans and vowed to continue advocating for improved access to healthcare for veterans and their families.
The situation has garnered support from Republican leaders in the Alabama Legislature, who backed Ivey’s call for Davis’ resignation.
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