WASHINGTON – Cynthia R. Church was sworn in today as assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A former television news anchor and reporter, she comes to VA from the State Department, where she served as deputy press secretary from August 2001 until February 2003.
"Clear and effective communication with veterans and our partners is key to our efforts to improve services and ensure veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled," VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi said. "Cynthia Church brings her considerable talent to help us with our important work."
As assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, Church will lead VA's media relations and internal communications; an office of intergovernmental, international and consumer affairs; a network of veterans services organization liaison officers throughout the country; national rehabilitation programs honoring veterans through special events; and an office of homeless veterans programs.
Before her State Department position, Church worked as a freelance national news correspondent at NBC Television Stations, Washington news bureau, and as a media consultant.
She served as a news anchor and reporter for WVEC-TV (ABC) in Norfolk, Va., from 1984 until 1996 and for Cable 3 News in East Providence, RI, from 1983 until 1984.
Church earned her B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
