NEWS RELEASE - Solomon Gilbert named Deputy Director of your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

Solomon Gilbert named Deputy Director of your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

OLYMPIA, WA – Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director David Puente welcomes Solomon Gilbert, as the new deputy director to the WDVA Team where he will oversee agency operations.

“We are delighted to bring Solomon to back our WDVA team.  He brings a wide-ranging experience overseeing statewide programs and has extensive background and knowledge in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Puente.  “His experience will move us toward the vision and strategic priorities of WDVA and will serve our team, residents, clients, and the Veterans’ Community well.”

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Solomon has over 22 years of leadership and management experience, including enterprise-level supervision of staff across a large geographic region. His background includes service in the nonprofit sector as the Senior Vice President, and HR Director for the greater Seattle YMCA. Before that, Solomon held the position of HR Administrator within the Washington State Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).  At DCYF, he managed and led high-impact, high-risk projects including enterprise-wide response to Governor Inslee’s vaccine mandate. Solomon directly supervised and managed all major functions of the DCYF Human Resources statewide operations team.

Prior to working at DCYF, Solomon worked at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, Solomon is a veteran who served 21 years in the United States Army, where he performed a myriad of high-impact functions, including working at the Pentagon.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be able to support the veterans and families of Washington and employees who provide the critical care and program support,” said Gilbert.

Solomon has a master's in arts, Organizational Leadership, from Brandman University; a bachelor's in science, Management, from the University of Phoenix, and is a Certified Diversity Executive.

Solomon is a family man, who along with his wife Naomi a U.S. Army veteran, has two children. Solomon values family and community, ensuring that everything he does in his personal and professional life is reflective of his values.

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