The Honorable Samuel B. Brown was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the Senate on July 30, 2025, to serve as the 8th Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In this role, he oversees the operation and maintenance of 156 VA national cemeteries and the delivery of memorial products such as headstones, markers, medallions, and Presidential Memorial Certificates. He also administers the federal grant program supporting the establishment and expansion of Veterans cemeteries managed by states, territories, and tribal governments. His responsibilities further include leading programs that honor and preserve the memory of Veterans through the Veterans Legacy Program and the Veterans Legacy Memorial.

Prior to this appointment, Under Secretary Brown served as a Senior Advisor to Secretary Collins, supporting strategic initiatives and special projects. Drawing upon his military service, personal experience as a recipient of VA health care and benefits, and prior work as a VA contractor, he provided informed counsel across a broad range of departmental issues.

Before joining VA, Mr. Brown led efforts to advocate for a change in national leadership and priorities aimed at benefiting all Americans. Prior to this, and shortly after earning his MBA from Southern Methodist University, he founded and served as CEO of Palisade Strategies. The company supported Veterans by providing urgent and emergency pharmaceutical access and services within local communities on behalf of VA. Under his leadership, Palisade expanded from serving a single VA region to offering services nationwide, including the U.S. Pacific Islands. Mr. Brown sold the company in 2021, enabling its continued impact on behalf of Veterans.

Mr. Brown began his military career in 2006 after commissioning as an Infantry Officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point. An Airborne Ranger-qualified leader, he led soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2008. He was severely wounded during this deployment, resulting in his medical retirement at the rank of Captain. His awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor.