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Department of Veterans Affairs

Home » Agencies » Department of Veterans Affairs
Address: 501 Woodlane Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-1787

About

Department of Veterans Affairs

Created by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1923, the Department of Veterans Affairs serves veterans and their eligible dependents through its statewide network of veteran service officers operates two state veteran cemeteries, and operates two state veteran homes.



  • Veteran Services

  • Child Welfare Services

  • State Veteran Homes

  • State Veteran Cemeteries

Cabinet Secretary

Colonel (Ret) Robert A. Ator II

Colonel (Ret) Robert A. Ator II was appointed as the 3rd Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs effective January 1, 2025. He previously served as the Director of Military Affairs for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission of the Arkansas Department of Commerce since 2018.

Prior to assuming his role in state government, Colonel Ator served as the Commander of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, the largest Air National Guard C-130 Wing in the United States.  As Commander, Col. Ator was responsible for leading the Wing’s 14 subordinate units with over a thousand members, assets valued more than $2 billion, and an annual operating budget of $70 million. During his command, the 189th expanded to include the new Cyber Skills Validation School to meet the growing demand for cyber warrior training. During Col. Ator’s term of leadership, the Wing twice earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Col. Ator is a 1989 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.  After completing his degree, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.  His first assignment was in the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, which was followed by an assignment to the 62nd Airlift Squadron.  He served 11 years on active duty in the United States Air Force before joining the Arkansas Air National Guard as a full-time guardsman.

Col. Ator is a veteran of several major combat operations, including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait; Operation Provide Comfort in Somalia; Operation Provide Promise in Haiti; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; and Operation Noble Eagle in support of homeland defense.

He has received multiple military awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.  In addition, Col. Ator has been honored with the Air Mobility and Air Education and Training Commands’ prestigious McKay Trophy and Jabra Awards.

Rob and Michelle, his wife of more than 35 years, live in Little Rock, AR. Michelle is a partner in the law firm Friday, Eldredge and Clark, LLP. Their daughter, Lauren, practices law at Wright, Lindsey, & Jennings, LLP.  Their son, Capt. Robert Ator, a C-17 pilot, and his wife, Lt. Sophia Ator, are serving the nation as Air Force officers at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska.

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