Anthony Principi

Anthony Joseph Principi is an American attorney and former naval officer who served as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs during two distinct periods in the late twentieth and early twenty‑first centuries. He first held the position on an acting basis from September 1992 to January 1993 under President George H. W. Bush, before being confirmed by the Senate as the fourth secretary of veterans affairs in the administration of President George W. Bush, a role he fulfilled from 2001 until 2005. During his tenure he chaired the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) and later worked as a consultant and board member for various foundations and corporations.

Early life and career

Anthony Principi was born on April 16, 1944, in the East Bronx of New York City. He grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he attended St. Anastasia School during his early years. In 1962 he graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy, earning recognition as the school’s top athlete and serving as president of the student council. His academic and leadership achievements at the academy set the stage for his acceptance into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967.

Following graduation, Principi was assigned to active duty aboard the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy. He later transferred from the Unrestricted Line to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC), taking on legal responsibilities within the Navy’s JAG office in San Diego. His service record includes deployment during the Vietnam War, where he commanded a River Patrol Unit operating in the Mekong Delta. In 1975, after completing his active duty commitments, Principi earned a Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.

In 1980, after fourteen years as a commissioned officer, Principi transitioned to Washington, D.C., where he served as legislative counsel for the Department of the Navy. That same year he left active duty and accepted an appointment as Republican counsel to the Senate Armed Services Committee at the invitation of Senator John Tower of Texas. His experience in both military operations and legal affairs positioned him for subsequent roles within congressional committees focused on veterans’ issues.

From 1983 to 1984, Principi worked as assistant deputy administrator for congressional and public affairs at the Veterans Administration (VA), following three years as counsel to the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He then served as Republican chief counsel and staff director of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs from 1984 until 1988. During this period he also chaired the Federal Quality Institute in 1991, an organization dedicated to improving service quality within federal agencies. In 1996, Principi became chair of the Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance, a congressional commission established to address the needs of servicemembers transitioning to civilian life.

Cabinet tenure

Principi’s first appointment to the VA leadership came in March 1989 when he was named Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He served in that capacity until September 26, 1992, at which point President George H. W. Bush appointed him Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In this acting role he oversaw the department’s operations through the end of 1992 and into early 1993.

After a period away from the VA, Principi returned to the department in the administration of President George W. Bush. He was confirmed by the Senate as United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs on an unspecified date in 2001 and served until 2005. During his confirmed tenure he continued to focus on improving services for veterans, drawing upon his extensive background in military law, congressional affairs, and veteran policy.

In March 2005 President George W. Bush appointed Principi as chairman of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC), a federal body tasked with recommending the closure or realignment of military installations to increase efficiency and reduce costs. As chair, he led the commission’s efforts to evaluate base closures across the United States, coordinating with defense officials, local governments, and community stakeholders.

Following his service as secretary, Principi entered the private sector, taking on consulting roles and serving on corporate boards. In October 2015 he was elected to the board of directors of Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, a company engaged in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution. His post‑government career has also involved participation on the boards of various foundations and corporations, leveraging his experience in public service and veteran affairs.

Legacy

Anthony Principi’s career reflects a sustained commitment to veterans’ welfare and defense policy across multiple branches of government. His early naval service, including combat operations in Vietnam, provided him with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by servicemembers. Transitioning into legal roles within the Navy and later as counsel for congressional committees, he developed expertise in legislative processes that shaped veteran benefits and military readiness.

As Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Principi contributed to the administration of programs designed to support veterans’ health care, education, and employment opportunities. His confirmed tenure under President George W. Bush coincided with a period of significant expansion in VA services, including efforts to modernize information systems and improve access to care for veterans across the country.

His leadership of the 2005 BRAC Commission underscored his role in shaping national defense infrastructure. The commission’s recommendations led to the closure or realignment of numerous military installations, influencing economic development strategies in affected communities and contributing to broader efforts to streamline federal defense spending.

Beyond his governmental service, Principi has continued to influence veteran policy through advisory roles and board memberships. His involvement with foundations and corporations that support veterans’ causes demonstrates an ongoing dedication to improving the quality of life for those who have served. While specific outcomes of his initiatives are not detailed in the available records, his career trajectory illustrates a consistent focus on enhancing the effectiveness of programs designed to honor and assist the nation’s veterans.