Heller urges VA to put permanent director in Reno

WASHINGTON – Sen. Dean Heller has urged the the Department of Veterans Affairs to name a permanent director for the regional office in Reno that has had only an interim head since mid-summer.

Heller, R-Nev., said temporary assignments in the VA typically are authorized for 120 days, and require special sign-off to be extended further. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, Heller asked for an explanation why the Northern Nevada post remains unfilled.

“Given this VARO (VA Regional Office) and its employees have faced significant problems with management, I believe it is time for a new permanent director to be assigned to the Reno VARO and respectfully request the VA act expeditiously on this appointment,” Heller said in the letter dated Dec. 3 and made public Friday.

McDonald toured the Reno office on Aug. 19, shortly after he was confirmed by the Senate to head the agency. He introduced Kathy Malin, who had been director of the Boise office, as acting director in Reno to serve “on an interim basis.” The agency said previous director Ed Russell had been on leave since July 9.

Russell remains on leave, but it was unclear under what circumstances. A VA spokesman on Friday said the agency could not comment on his status citing personnel privacy.

Heller and Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who sit on veterans panels in Congress, have pressed for Russell to resign or be replaced. Heller has blamed management flaws for the Reno outpost having the highest percentage of backlogged disability claims in the nation.

Contact Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @STetreaultDC.