VA Taps California Administrator for High-Level D.C. Post

Washington, DC -- Kenneth J. Clark, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center in Los Angeles, has been selected as Chief Network Officer (CNO), overseeing nationwide coordination of VA's health-care system.

Under Secretary for Health Dr. Kenneth W. Kizer said, "I am pleased to welcome Ken Clark back to Washington. The extremely broad and complex responsibilities of his new position will provide him ample challenge to exercise his skills."

As CNO, Clark will be responsible for line management and coordination of the health-care activities of VA's 22 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs). Each VISN conducts strategic planning and budgeting for all medical facilities within the network, and is responsible for meeting unique community needs. Clark will serve as the primary contact between headquarters staff and the field, and will monitor and evaluate VISN directors' performances.

Clark began his VA career in 1974. He previously served in VA headquarters from 1986 to 1989 as the deputy regional director for the health-care system's western region. From there, he was appointed director of the VA medical center in Reno, Nev., and in 1992 was assigned director of the VA medical center in Los Angeles.

Clark earned a master's degree in health-care administration and a doctorate of jurisprudence.