President Obama selects Procter and Gamble executive to head Veterans Affairs

If confirmed by the Senate, Robert McDonald will become new VA Secretary, replacing acting head Sloan Gibson

By Julie Pace AP WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT

Published June 29, 2014 8:20PM (EDT)

Barack Obama (AP/Susan Walsh)
Barack Obama (AP/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is selecting former Procter and Gamble executive Robert McDonald as his choice to be secretary of Veterans Affairs.

McDonald, 61, is a native of Gary, Ind., who grew up in Chicago. He was at the helm of Proctor and Gamble from July 2009 to July 2013.

If confirmed by the Senate, McDonald would replace Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson, who replaced Eric Shinseki as head of the agency.

Shinseki resigned May 30 after apologizing for the agency's problems.


By Julie Pace AP WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT