MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis released a statement in the wake of his decision to step down from his role by the end of the year at the behest of Gov. Kay Ivey.
“This was not an easy decision, but I am convinced that my decision was the best one given my recent health concerns, the long-term mission of the ADVA, and, most importantly, the outstanding military Veterans of Alabama,” Davis said in a video statement.
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis releases a video statement on his decision to step down by the end of the year.#ALPolitics pic.twitter.com/CPzkWNKOwL
— Alexander Willis (@ReporterWillis) September 10, 2024
Ivey first called for the commissioner’s resignation last week following an ethics complaint Davis filed against Kim Boswell, commissioner for the Alabama Department of Mental Health, had been made public.
In a letter calling for Davis’ resignation, however, Ivey did not mention the ethics complaint, and instead, alleged that under his leadership, the ADVA had “mishandled” federal grants from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
Davis denied any wrongdoing, and initially refused to resign. Ivey shortly thereafter called a special meeting of the ADVA Board to consider Davis’ dismissal, a meeting that was ultimately canceled after Davis met with Ivey on Monday to submit his resignation, effective Dec. 31.
In his statement, Davis described that meeting as “cordial” and “informative,” and that his decision to step down was ultimately a “mutual benefit of all parties.”
“I remain proud of the great work and propriety that the ADVA team has accomplished over the past nearly six years of my tenure as Commissioner,” he said.
“Gov. Ivey summed it up best when she spoke of the challenges of fulfilling our respective roles, and I am very grateful for the great discussion we had on Monday.”
Davis did not elaborate on what his future plans were, and did not respond Tuesday for a request for comment. He has previously spoken about his 2019 prostate cancer diagnosis.
In Tuesday’s written statement, Davis said was looking forward to commemorating a new veterans home facility in Enterprise this week, and that he would continue to devote his full attention to leading the ADVA throughout the remainder of the year.
The new veterans home, the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, is 182,000 square feet, will house 174 residents and have 200 employees.
“One of the most significant accomplishments during my tenure will be celebrated later this week as we dedicate the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise; this has been a seven-year project that I am grateful to see through the ribbon-cutting of this incredible facility,” he said.
“And yet, as I reflect on my nearly six years as Commissioner, I also acknowledge that more work is needed. There are always new and constructive ways to support Alabama’s Veterans. I look forward to completing this year with that goal in mind, and I will continue to apply the same passion and purpose for the next few months that has become expected.”
Davis has led the ADVA since early 2019, and is a retired U.S. Navy officer who served during the First Gulf War aboard the USS Missouri.