The Honorable Donald M. Remy is a leader, speaker, executive, advisor, attorney,
humanitarian, former military officer, and former athletics administrator.
He was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the ninth deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2021.
Remy earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from LSU in 1988 and a juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law in 1991. While at LSU, he was involved in the Student Government Association and ROTC and was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Following graduation – carrying on a long tradition of family military service – he was commissioned into the U.S. Army, eventually becoming a captain.
Before his appointment to VA, he was a chief operating officer and chief legal officer at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where he oversaw all strategic planning, operations, budget management, and legal affairs for America’s Higher Education athletics activity. He advised the NCAA governance cabinets, committees, and boards of all three Divisions, and he was central to improving NCAA business, operational, and legal strategies.
In prior government positions, he served as deputy assistant attorney general, Department of Justice; assistant to the general counsel, U.S. Army; detailee, Office of the Secretary of Defense; and law clerk, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In the private sector, he was an executive vice president, chief compliance officer, and deputy general counsel at Fannie Mae. In his legal career, he practiced at the international law firm of O’Melveny &; Myers handling complex class action litigation, and served as partner and global practice group chair in the Law Firm of Latham & Watkins.
Remy is also involved in a number of memberships and associations, including the A.P. Tureaud Sr., Black Alumni Chapter. He and his wife Alicia live in Washington, D.C. He has two sons and two stepchildren.
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LSU provided the key ingredients for the gumbo of my life. I enjoyed incomparable experiences offering lasting memories and lessons. Starting with the world-class education that widened the aperture of my world perspective. As a resident assistant, I learned skills that made me a great mentor and later in life, a great father. ROTC put me on the path to effective leadership. As chair of the Black Culture Committee, I acquired knowledge about governance, government, and the contributions of people who looked like me.
And oh, to be an LSU Tiger: the school spirit exhibited through athletics permeated everything on and off campus and taught me about community and diversity! Yet, few things had a more lasting impact than Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Through Greek life I made and maintain some of the best friends in my life.
Simply put, when all my student days were done and the shady stately oaks and broad magnolias were but a memory in my heart, I was well prepared to use my time on this earth as a man molded with fidelity to make a difference. I hope that in some small measure, I have – and in the LSU way, I will never stop trying. - Donald Remy