Harry N. Walters
Encyclopedia
Harry N. Walters is a United States
businessman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
from 1981 to 1983 and Administrator for the U.S. Veterans Administration from 1983 to 1986.
, graduating in 1959. During his time at West Point, he played for the Army Black Knights football
team as a fullback blocking for Pete Dawkins
. He then served in the United States Army
from 1959 to 1963.
Following his army service, Walters joined Kimberly-Clark
, first in Neenah, Wisconsin
, then in New York City
. He left Kimberly-Clark in 1975 to become executive vice president of the Standard Paper Manufacturing Company in Richmond, Virginia
. He then spent 1976-77 as a management consultant
with Howard Paper Mills, Inc. in Dayton, Ohio
. In 1977, he became the chief executive officer
of the Potsdam Paper Corporation.
In May 1981, President of the United States
Ronald Reagan
nominated Walters to be Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
. Following Senate confirmation, he held this office until 1983 when he was nominated to be Administrator of the U.S. Veteran's Administration. He received Senate confirmation and served as Administrator from 1983 to 1986.
In 1986, Walters became CEO of the Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, holding that position until 1993. At the request of the hite House], he oversaw the National Victory Celebration held in Washington, D.C.
on June 6, 1991, celebrating American victory in the Gulf War
. From 2001 to 2003, he was a commissioner on the President's Task Force to Improve Healthcare for American Veterans.
In 2006, Walters was influential in establishing, along with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a "Commission on the Future for America's Veterans." The Commission was funded and managed independent of government influence and at its conclusion in 2009 proposed a completely new approach for how the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) could be structured - suggesting that it become a "government corporation."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army — abbreviated ASA — is a civilian official in the United States Department of the Army.U.S...
from 1981 to 1983 and Administrator for the U.S. Veterans Administration from 1983 to 1986.
Biography
Harry N. Walters was born on June 4, 1936. He was educated at the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, graduating in 1959. During his time at West Point, he played for the Army Black Knights football
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
team as a fullback blocking for Pete Dawkins
Pete Dawkins
Peter Miller Dawkins is a Heisman Trophy winner, Rhodes Scholar, U.S. Army Brigadier General, and Republican candidate for Senate. He is the former vice chairman of Citigroup Private Bank.-Early life, education and athletic career:...
. He then served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1959 to 1963.
Following his army service, Walters joined Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark Corporation is an American corporation that produces mostly paper-based consumer products. Kimberly-Clark brand name products include "Kleenex" facial tissue, "Kotex" feminine hygiene products, "Cottonelle", Scott and Andrex toilet paper, Wypall utility wipes, "KimWipes"...
, first in Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah is a city on Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 24,507 at the 2000 census. The city is bordered by, but is politically independent of, the Town of Neenah. Neenah is the southwestern-most of the Fox Cities of Northeast Wisconsin...
, then in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He left Kimberly-Clark in 1975 to become executive vice president of the Standard Paper Manufacturing Company in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. He then spent 1976-77 as a management consultant
Consultant
A consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
with Howard Paper Mills, Inc. in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
. In 1977, he became the chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Potsdam Paper Corporation.
In May 1981, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
nominated Walters to be Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army — abbreviated ASA — is a civilian official in the United States Department of the Army.U.S...
. Following Senate confirmation, he held this office until 1983 when he was nominated to be Administrator of the U.S. Veteran's Administration. He received Senate confirmation and served as Administrator from 1983 to 1986.
In 1986, Walters became CEO of the Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, holding that position until 1993. At the request of the hite House], he oversaw the National Victory Celebration held in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on June 6, 1991, celebrating American victory in the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. From 2001 to 2003, he was a commissioner on the President's Task Force to Improve Healthcare for American Veterans.
In 2006, Walters was influential in establishing, along with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a "Commission on the Future for America's Veterans." The Commission was funded and managed independent of government influence and at its conclusion in 2009 proposed a completely new approach for how the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) could be structured - suggesting that it become a "government corporation."