Peter Gravett

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, State of California (ret.)

B.S. Criminal Justice (1969)

Appointed by Governor Brown in 2011 as a cabinet member to oversee the department that provides benefits and services to veterans and their families. There are 1.8 million veterans in California, or about 8.3 percent of the nation's veterans population.
Before his appointment, he was retired with more than 40 years of military service in the U.S. Army and the California National Guard. He held key leadership positions including Commanding General, Major General, and Brigadier General.
Recipient of more than 20 awards and decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Medal of Valor from Los Angeles Police Department—the department's highest award—where he served for more than 20 years.
Was President and Chief Executive Officer of Traiden Global Solutions, a homeland security and emergency preparedness consulting firm.
His late father served as an enlisted soldier in a Tuskegee Airman's unit during World War II. He is one of 12 children, 9 of whom served in the military. His wife Blanche is a retired educator and a retired Army National Guard Colonel.

Notable CSU Alumni in public service