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Stillwater, MN native Denis McDonough to serve as Secretary of Department of Veterans Affairs

McDonough graduated and played football at St. John's University in Collegeville

Denis McDonough
Former White House Chiefs of Staff Denis McDonough in 2014
(Getty Images / Chip Somodevilla / Staff)

CBS News has confirmed that a Minnesota native will be tapped by president-elect Joe Biden to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Biden transition aides declined to comment on the nomination ahead of a formal announcement.


Denis McDonough was born and raised in Stillwater and graduated from St. Johns University in Collegeville in 1992. He also played safety on the Johnnies football team that won two MIAC titles.

The 51-year old is married with three children.

McDonough previously served as President Obama's Chief of Staff during his second term.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second-largest Cabinet department and one of the world's largest hospital systems, with more than 335,000 employees nationwide.

McDonough would succeed Robert Wilkie who has served under President Trump since July of 2018.

McDonough graduated and played football at St. John's University in Collegeville