The Honorable Douglas A. Collins was sworn in as the 12th secretary of Veterans Affairs on Feb. 5, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald J. Trump.
A native of Gainesville, Georgia, Mr. Collins saw public service modeled by his father, a Georgia State Trooper, and mother, who provided care to local senior citizens. He earned a degree in political science and criminal justice from the University of North Georgia.
Secretary Collins earned his master’s degree in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and his community roots deepened in the eleven years he pastored Chicopee Baptist Church. In 2006, the people of Georgia’s 27th State House District elected Mr. Collins to represent them. During his first term in the state legislature, Collins graduated from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and established his own legal practice.
As a U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplain, Collins ministered to our country’s military for nearly 25 years, retiring on 16 May, 2026. He completed a 2008-2009 deployment to Iraq while stationed at Balad Air Base, and he previously served in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Secretary Collins served as a U.S. Representative for Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District from 2013-2021. While he is a public servant, attorney, and practicing military chaplain, he remains foremost a husband to Lisa and father to daughter Jordan and sons Copelan and Cameron. Lisa was a lifelong educator in Georgia’s public schools, and together she and Doug are actively involved at Lakewood Baptist Church.