Anthony Woods facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony Woods
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| Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families | |
| In office March 2, 2023 – May 11, 2025 Acting: January 18, 2023 – March 2, 2023 |
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| Governor | Wes Moore |
| Preceded by | George W. Owings III |
| Succeeded by | Ross Cohen (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Anthony Christopher Woods
July 20, 1980 Fairfield, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (MPP) University of Maryland, College Park (MBA) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
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Branch
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 United States Army |
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Rank
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Major |
| Unit | U.S. Army Reserve |
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Anthony Christopher Woods, born on July 20, 1980, is an American politician. He served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families from 2023 to 2025. Before his political role, he was an officer in the United States Army. He served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Woods left the Army in 2008 due to a military policy that was later changed.
Early Life and Education
Anthony Woods was born in Fairfield, California, on July 20, 1980. He was raised by his single mother, who ran a small business and worked as a housekeeper. Anthony grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.
He graduated with honors from Vanden High School in 1999. A U.S. representative helped him get into the United States Military Academy at West Point. There, he studied economics and political science, graduating in 2003. Later, he earned a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University in 2008. He also completed an executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Military Service
Woods joined the United States Army as a second lieutenant in 2003. He volunteered for his first deployment to Iraq. He led a group of National Guard soldiers in the Diyala province for eleven months.
After returning to the U.S. in 2005, Woods deployed to Iraq a second time. He served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
After his second deployment, the Army chose Woods to teach at West Point. This was a special opportunity for an officer of his rank. To prepare, he enrolled at Harvard University to earn a master's degree.
While at Harvard, Woods helped his community. He mentored students from low-income families who wanted to go to college. He also helped start the first student chapter of The Fuller Center for Housing. He traveled to New Orleans three times to help families rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. For this work, he and other students received the Robert F. Kennedy Public Service Award.
In 2007, Woods co-led a group of thirty cyclists across the U.S. They raised over $130,000 for Habitat for Humanity through a group called Bike & Build. They built homes in five states during their trip.
In 2008, Woods was chosen to give a speech at Harvard's graduation ceremony. Shortly after graduating, he was discharged from the Army. This was due to a military policy that was later repealed. He was asked to pay back the tuition for his Harvard degree. The discharge process was completed in December 2008.
In 2014, Woods rejoined the military. He became a major in the United States Army Reserve.
Civilian Career and Public Service
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After leaving the Army in 2008, Woods worked for Governor David Paterson of New York. In 2009, he ran for Congress in California. His campaign gained national attention, but he did not win the election.
After his campaign, Woods worked for a nonprofit group called Be the Change, Inc. He helped with their ServiceNation campaign. This campaign worked to increase support for national service programs like the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. He also helped cities find volunteer-based solutions to problems. In 2011, Woods became a White House Fellow. During this time, he worked at the United States Office of Personnel Management.
On January 12, 2023, Maryland governor-elect Wes Moore nominated Woods to be the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. The Maryland Senate approved his nomination. Woods stepped down from his role as secretary on May 11, 2025, to join a technology startup company.
See also
- Sexual orientation and the United States military
