VA Secretary McDonald to speak at Bowl Expo

12 June, 2016

Industry News

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The Honorable Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America International Bowl Expo on June 29 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. McDonald is speaking at the behest of bowling’s own, oldest and most successful charity — the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL).

“Our country owes America’s service men and women a debt of gratitude, and we at VA appreciate that BVL has never forgotten Veterans’ sacrifices,” said McDonald (pictured).

“We are both pleased and proud to work with our BVL partners, and we remain grateful to them for their enduring commitment and noble work for Veterans—brightening their days, boosting their spirits, and helping speed their recovery.”

Since joining VA in 2014, Secretary McDonald has led the Department in its ambitious transformational journey to be a world-class service provider and the No. 1 customer-service agency in the Federal government giving Veterans consistent, high-quality experiences.

Over the course of his tenure so far, VA has expanded Veteran access by focusing on staffing, space, productivity, and VA Community Care; continued to drive down the disability claims backlog; and progressed toward an effective end to Veteran homelessness by focusing on proven prevention and treatment services and Veteran homelessness programs and thanks in large part to unprecedented partnerships and vital networks of collaborative relationships across the Federal government, across state and local government, and with both non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Prior to joining VA, Secretary McDonald was Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). Under his leadership, P&G significantly recalibrated its product portfolio; expanded its marketing footprint, adding nearly one billion people to its global customer base; and grew the firm’s organic sales by an average of three percent per year.

This growth was reflected in P&G’s stock price, which rose from $51.10 the day he became CEO to $81.64 on the day his last quarterly results were announced—a 60 percent increase from 2009 to 2013.

An Army veteran, Mr. McDonald served with the 82nd Airborne Division; completed Jungle, Arctic, and Desert Warfare training; and earned the Ranger tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and Senior Parachutist wings. Upon leaving military service, Captain McDonald was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Secretary McDonald graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the top 2 percent of the Class of 1975. He served as the Brigade Adjutant for the Corps of Cadets and was recognized by The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing, and Commerce as the most distinguished graduate in academics, leadership, and physical education. He earned an MBA from the University of Utah in 1978.

Secretary McDonald and his wife are the parents of two grown children, and the proud grandparents of two grandsons.

“We are looking forward to introducing the Secretary to our Bowl Expo attendees,” noted BVL Board Chairman John LaSpina (right).

“The Secretary is a strong advocate for and leader of the veterans cause; and we welcome the opportunity to have him speak to our audience about the continuing need to support America’s veterans.

“This timing is wonderful, especially as we launch our new BVL campaign “Care. Commit. Contribute.” specifically aimed at the Bowl Expo audience. We are delighted that he has agreed to take time out of his very busy schedule to help support BVL. That speaks volumes about his appreciation for BVL and dedication to our veterans.”

The 2016 International Bowl Expo (IBE), bowling industry’s premier annual conference, will take place June 26-30 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

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