Bob McDonald (businessman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob McDonald
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Official portrait, 2014
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| 8th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office July 30, 2014 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Sloan Gibson |
| Preceded by | Eric Shinseki |
| Succeeded by | David Shulkin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Alan McDonald
June 20, 1953 Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Diane McDonald |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) University of Utah (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1975–1980 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 82nd Airborne Division |
| Awards | Meritorious Service Medal |
Robert Alan McDonald (born June 20, 1953) is an American businessman and former government leader. He served as the eighth United States secretary of veterans affairs from 2014 to 2017. Before that, he was the chairman, president, and CEO of Procter & Gamble, a very large company that makes many household products.
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Who is Robert McDonald?
Robert McDonald is known for his leadership in both the business world and the United States government. He has held important roles, including leading a major company and helping veterans across the country.
Growing Up and Learning
Robert McDonald was born in Gary, Indiana, on June 20, 1953. He grew up in Chicago. He went to the United States Military Academy at West Point, a famous military school. He graduated in 1975 with a degree in Engineering. He was among the top students in his class.
After West Point, he joined the U.S. Army and served for five years. He was mainly in the 82nd Airborne Division, which is a special unit. He became a captain. He also completed special training in different environments, like jungles, the Arctic, and deserts. He earned several military badges and awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Utah in 1978.
A Career in Business
In 1980, McDonald started working at Procter & Gamble (P&G). This company makes many well-known products like toothpaste, soap, and diapers. He worked in different jobs there for many years.
Leading a Big Company
In 2009, Robert McDonald became the president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of P&G. He also became the Chairman of the Board in 2010. As CEO, he was in charge of a big plan to reorganize the company. This plan involved making changes to how the company worked and spent money.
During his time at P&G, the company faced some tough economic times. McDonald worked to guide the company through these challenges. He left P&G in 2013.
After leaving P&G, McDonald helped his community. In 2014, he led a group that worked to fix up the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. His efforts helped the city get the money needed for the project.
Helping Veterans
In 2014, President Barack Obama chose Robert McDonald to be the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This is a very important job in the President's Cabinet. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs leads the department that helps military veterans with healthcare, benefits, and other services. McDonald took over from Eric Shinseki.
Improving Services for Veterans
As Secretary, McDonald made many changes to improve how veterans received help. He created the Veterans Experience Office. This office focused on making sure veterans got better service from the VA. In 2015, he hired Tom Allin as the first chief veteran experience officer. This person's job was to improve how the agency treated veterans.
McDonald used his business experience to make the VA more efficient. He reorganized the agency around 12 main goals. These changes helped reduce the number of disability claims that were waiting to be processed. The backlog became the lowest it had been since 2009.
President Obama said that McDonald's background at P&G and his experience in improving organizations were key reasons for his nomination. The United States Senate approved McDonald's appointment with a unanimous vote.
McDonald also worked to hire more medical staff for the VA. By June 2015, the VA had more employees to help veterans. He was against selling off parts of the VA to private companies. He believed the VA should continue to provide services directly to veterans.
McDonald started a new program called MyVA. This program aimed to make the VA more modern. It focused on hiring more staff, improving facilities, and making services more efficient. It also expanded access to care for veterans. The program helped cut veteran homelessness in half since 2010. It also helped 34 communities and three states mostly end veteran homelessness. Changes to how medical supplies were bought saved nearly $230 million in the first year.
By the end of his time as Secretary, veterans could get same-day appointments for primary care and mental health at all VA Medical Centers. In November 2016, almost all veteran appointments were completed quickly. Wait times were very short, usually less than 5 days for primary care.
In 2024, former President Barack Obama praised McDonald. He said McDonald was "one of the best Secretaries of Veterans Affairs this country has ever had."
Giving Back and Awards
Robert McDonald is involved with several important groups. He is the Chairman of the Board for the West Point Association of Graduates. He also chairs the board of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which helps military caregivers. He serves on advisory boards for other organizations as well.
Helping Others Through Giving
McDonald and his wife, Diane, started the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character. This conference helps develop leadership skills. McDonald also donated a statue of General Ulysses S. Grant to West Point, which was unveiled in 2019.
Awards and Honors
McDonald has received many awards for his work.
- In 2010, the University of Utah named him a Distinguished Graduate.
- In 2014, he received the Public Service Star from Singapore.
- The West Point Association of Graduates gave him its Distinguished Graduate Award in 2017.
- In 2021, the American Chamber of Commerce Foundation gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2023, he received the Distinguished Service to Veterans Award.
- In 2024, he was named the Non-Profit Director of The Year.
He has also served on the boards of other companies and advisory councils. In 2020, he joined the George W. Bush Institute as a fellow. He also advised Joe Biden's transition team in 2020.
Personal Life
Robert McDonald is married to Diane McDonald. They have two children.
