Gary Tallman serves as the Principal Deputy and senior Federal career leader for the VA Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA). He elevated to the Federal Senior Executive Service in 2016. He supports six political appointees and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, direction, coordination, and alignment of resources for 85 Federal employees to include 10 field offices throughout the Continental United States.
He serves as executive in charge and accountable official for strategic communications planning for major departmental policy initiatives for National Veterans Outreach, Internal Communications, and the Secretary’s speech writing team. He provides executive level strategic communication advice and counsel to the Assistant Secretary, OPIA and other VA senior leaders as required. Mr. Tallman represents OPIA as required on VA executive committees to include the interagency VA/DOD Joint Executive Committee.
He leads OPIA’s participation in VA’s Federal disaster response program in support of Emergency Support Function 15 for national level response to disasters or designated national security events.
Mr. Tallman completed a 21-year career in the U.S. Army (retired in 2009). His service includes three combat deployments, along with the award of the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
