Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill Announces Cabinet Picks Following Split of New Jersey’s Military and Veterans Affairs Departments
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- Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays nominated to lead Department of Military Affairs.
- Vincent Solomeno III nominated to lead newly created Department of Veterans Affairs
By Adam Rizvi, Editor-in-Chief, The India Observer (TIO): TRENTON, N.J. — Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill on Monday announced two key cabinet nominations to lead New Jersey’s newly restructured military and veterans agencies, following the official split of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA), which takes effect January 9, 2026.
Under legislation signed into law in September, the existing department will be reorganized into two distinct entities: the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs, allowing for more focused leadership and service delivery.
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Governor-elect Sherrill confirmed that U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays will continue serving as The Adjutant General of New Jersey and has been nominated to lead the Department of Military Affairs.
She also announced the nomination of U.S. Army veteran Vincent Solomeno III, currently a deputy commissioner and the state’s administrator of veterans affairs, to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Governor-elect emphasized that the restructuring will strengthen New Jersey’s National Guard readiness while significantly improving veterans’ access to benefits, housing, health care, and support services.
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“I’m honored to nominate two leaders who have served our country and our state throughout their lives,” said Governor-elect Sherrill. “Both Brig. Gen. Yvonne Mays and Vincent Solomeno have proven track records of delivering for service members and veterans and have the experience needed to ensure a smooth transition as these departments transform to better serve our state.”
As Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Mays will continue overseeing more than 8,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard, managing both federal and state missions. She brings more than four decades of military service, having enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1983 and serving in major operations including Operation Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom.
“It remains the privilege of my career to serve our state and lead the Soldiers, Airmen, and civilian professionals of the New Jersey National Guard,” Brig. Gen. Mays said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue advancing readiness and serving New Jersey with excellence.”
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Vincent Solomeno III, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, will lead a newly formed department responsible exclusively for veterans’ services. The agency will oversee three veterans memorial homes, two transitional housing facilities, 21 veterans service offices—one in each county, and the busiest state-run veterans cemetery in the United States.
“New Jersey is home to more than 300,000 veterans,” Solomeno said. “It’s the honor of my professional life to be nominated to continue serving them. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not only meet standards—we will exceed them.”
Incoming First Gentleman Jason Hedberg, a fellow Navy veteran, also welcomed the nominations, underscoring the administration’s commitment to service members and their families.
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Governor-elect Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and member of the House Armed Services Committee, has built a national reputation as a bipartisan advocate for veterans. During her time in Congress, she helped pass landmark legislation including the PACT Act, the Blue Water Navy Act, and bills expanding mental health services, veterans’ health care access, and service-dog training programs.
Beginning in January, the Department of Veterans Affairs will focus exclusively on veteran-related services such as housing, health care, mental health support, and benefits administration, while military operations will continue under the renamed Department of Military Affairs.
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Editorial Note: The India Observer
Editor-in-Chief Adam Rizvi, a respected journalist and active community leader, has long covered New Jersey’s civic and political landscape. Through The India Observer, he continues to highlight stories of leadership, service, and integrity that shape the state and strengthen public trust.
Editor’s Reflection: Adam Rizvi
The separation of military and veterans services is more than a bureaucratic change—it is a moral commitment. Veterans and service members deserve leadership that understands their sacrifice and responds with dignity, efficiency, and compassion. These nominations reflect that responsibility and set an important tone for the next administration.
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