James Hutton was appointed Senior Advisor on March 23, 2026. In this role, he serves as an advisor to the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA), the Assistant Secretary, and other departmental executive leadership, including the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He provides guidance on major mission-oriented functions, marketing strategies, rulemaking issues, national policy, and communications and public affairs strategies. His portfolio includes media relations, digital media engagement, and nationwide outreach. He also assesses the effectiveness of these efforts and provides recommendations for improvement.
This is Mr. Hutton’s second appointment with the VA. He previously served as Director of Media Affairs, Executive Director, Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Assistant Secretary within OPIA. He has extensive communications experience and previously served as Chief Communications and Engagement Officer for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Hutton served nearly 27 years as an active-duty officer in the United States Army, retiring as a colonel and Deputy Chief of Army Public Affairs. Throughout his military career, he held numerous stateside and overseas positions, including assignments in Germany, Kuwait, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as three tours of duty in Baghdad, Iraq.
He holds a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University; a Master of Arts from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri; and a Master of Science from the National Defense University’s National War College in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Hutton’s military awards include the Legion of Merit; three Bronze Star Medals; two Defense Meritorious Service Medals; five Meritorious Service Medals; the Army Commendation Medal; the Joint Service Achievement Medal; five Army Achievement Medals; the Combat Action Badge; the Army Staff Badge; and numerous other U.S. and foreign medals and ribbons.