James Maroney

Sen. Maroney Releases Statement in Response to Announcement
DVA Commissioner Saadi Will Be Taking a Leave of Absence While on Active Duty with the U.S. Army

HARTFORD, CT – Today state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) released the following statement in response to an announcement that Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi will be taking a six-month, quasi-leave of absence beginning Friday, November 15 while on active duty with the U.S. Army.

“I wish Commissioner Saadi the best as he continues to courageously serve our country,” said Sen. Maroney. “It is an honor to work with the commissioner as we strive to ensure our state’s veterans have the resources they require to flourish in our state.”

Commissioner Saadi expects to return to his position full time in mid-May 2020. The Commissioner was reconfirmed by the Connecticut General Assembly as commissioner of DVA in March 2019 after being nominated by Governor Ned Lamont to continue in the position he held since February 2018.

Commissioner Saadi previously served as acting commissioner of DVA from October 2017 through February 2018, and prior to that served as the agency’s chief of staff and general counsel. He received his commission as a judge advocate in the Army Reserve in November 2005, completed officer basic training in 2006, officer advanced training in 2014, and command and general staff college in 2016.

In his absence, day-to-day operations will be overseen by two senior DVA managers: Michael Clark, fiscal and business manager, and Joseph Danao, director of projects and operations.