Jake Leinenkugel to Lead VA Commission on Veterans’ Mental Health Treatment

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced former VA White House Senior Advisor Thomas “Jake” Leinenkugel has been selected to lead a key commission focused on the department’s mental health care programs.

The Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery (COVER) commission will examine VA’s evidence-based therapy model for treating mental health conditions, as well as the department’s complementary and integrated mental health approaches. “Jake has been an ambassador for change at the VA,” said Acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke. “As leader of this important new commission, Jake will continue to advocate for better care and services for his fellow Veterans.”

Leinenkugel has served as a U.S. Marine captain. He joined the VA in January 2017 after retiring in 2014 from his family-operated business, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., where he had served as the company president for 26 years.

At the VA, Leinenkugel is credited with being instrumental in the creation of the department’s “ChooseVA” branding campaign and the implementation of November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month. He has also worked to promote VA’s efforts to reduce veteran suicides.

For more information about the COVER commission, email COVERCommission@va.gov.