For the first time in 60 years, a new leader for Georgia veterans

The Georgia Veteran Services Board for the first time in more than 60 years picked a new leader Monday for the state's premier veterans agency, naming longtime staffer Mike Roby as its choice for the job.

The decision follows the death of former state Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Pete Wheeler, who died in April after 61 years at the helm.

Roby, who is the department’s interim commissioner, had been filling in for Wheeler since the former commissioner went on medical leave in August. A 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Roby joined the state veterans department in 1994 and rose to become one of the department’s two assistant commissioners.

The pick must be approved by Gov. Nathan Deal, although no problem is expected since Roby was one of two finalists chosen by Deal’s office for the job. The other finalist was the department’s other assistant commissioner, Dan Holtz.

With Deal’s approval, Roby would formally take the new position July 1.

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