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 official. He was the head of a big company called Procter & Gamble. Later, he became the eighth United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This is a very important job in the U.S. government. He worked to help military veterans.
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Early Life and Education
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. He graduated in 1975, doing very well in his class. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
After West Point, he joined the U.S. Army. He served for five years. He was mostly in the 82nd Airborne Division. He became a captain. He also learned special skills like Jungle, Arctic, and Desert Warfare. He earned badges like the Ranger Tab. In 1978, he got his MBA degree from the University of Utah. When he left the Army, he received the Meritorious Service Medal. This award is for doing a great job.
Career Highlights
Leading Procter & Gamble
McDonald started working at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 1980. P&G makes many products you might use every day. He worked in different jobs there. In 2009, he became the company's president and CEO. He also became Chairman of the Board in 2010. As CEO, he worked on a big plan to improve the company.
He left P&G in 2013. This happened after some people on the company board wanted changes. He was replaced by the person who was CEO before him. In 2014, McDonald helped his city, Cincinnati. He led a group to fix up the Museum Center. This project was successful.
Serving Veterans as Secretary
In 2014, President Barack Obama chose McDonald for a big job. He became the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This job means he was in charge of helping all U.S. military veterans. He took over after Eric Shinseki resigned.
One of McDonald's first actions was to create the Veterans Experience Office. This office helps veterans get better service from the VA. He hired Tom Allin in 2015. Allin was the first chief veteran experience officer. This helped the agency treat veterans better.
McDonald used his business skills at the VA. He made changes that helped reduce delays. For example, the time it took to process disability claims became much shorter. President Obama said McDonald's business background was a key reason for choosing him. The United States Senate approved his nomination. Everyone voted for him.
McDonald also hired more medical staff. By June 2015, the VA had more people working to help veterans. He was against selling off parts of the VA to private companies.
In 2015, McDonald made a mistake when talking to a homeless veteran. He said something that sounded like he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He later clarified that he was not in the Special Forces.
McDonald started a new program called MyVA. This program helped make the VA more modern. It focused on hiring more staff and improving services. It also helped cut veteran homelessness in half since 2010. Many communities ended veteran homelessness. The program also saved money on medical supplies.
By the end of his time as Secretary, veterans could get same-day appointments. This was for primary care and mental health care. Most appointments were completed quickly. In 2024, former President Barack Obama praised McDonald. He called him "one of the best Secretaries of Veterans Affairs this country has ever had."
Other Activities and Honors
McDonald is involved with several groups. He is the Chairman of the Board for the West Point Association of Graduates. He also leads the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
He and his wife, Diane, started a special conference. It is called the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character. He also donated a statue of General Ulysses S. Grant to West Point.
McDonald has received many awards. In 2010, the University of Utah honored him. In 2014, he received the Public Service Star from Singapore. West Point also gave him a Distinguished Graduate Award in 2017. In 2021, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was named Non-Profit Director of The Year in 2024.
In 2020, he joined the George W. Bush Institute. He also advised Joe Biden's team in 2020. He served on the boards of companies like Xerox.
Personal Life
Robert McDonald and his wife, Diane, have two children.
