The Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs voted Thursday to ask Kent Davis, the outgoing commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), to reconsider his resignation. The decision, which Governor Kay Ivey has since described as “orchestrated theater,” took place at a full meeting of the board at the State Capitol.
Davis announced his resignation effective December 31, 2024 and stepped down last month following Ivey’s demand that he leave his post by September 30. The Governor accused Davis of mishandling $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and raised concerns over his interagency conduct. Davis initially refused to resign and called the claims “inaccurate” before stepping down less than a week later.
During Thursday’s meeting, SBVA board member Ken Rollins made the motion to show confidence in Davis and encourage him to stay on. “The public needs to know Commissioner Davis has the support of the board,” Rollins said. Despite the gesture, Ivey reiterated that she had already accepted Davis’ resignation and expected him to honor it.
“To open today’s State Board of Veterans Affairs meeting, I conveyed a direct message of teamwork and commitment to our state’s wonderful veteran community,” Governor Ivey said in a statement on Thursday. “After I left to chair the State Board of Education meeting, orchestrated theater ensued, showing a lack of leadership and quite the opposite of teamwork. I have accepted Admiral Davis’ resignation, and I expect he will stand by his word. We will move forward in exploring ways to best serve Alabama’s veterans.”
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The conflict between Davis and Ivey’s administration began earlier this year when questions were raised about how the ADVA managed $7 million in ARPA funds. Ivey alleged that Davis had proposed uses for the funds that violated federal guidelines and jeopardized the state’s compliance with federal law. According to documents from the Governor’s office, the ADVA’s grant proposals included ineligible expenses, such as lobbying costs, and did not follow procedure.
Beyond the ARPA funding dispute itself, Davis’ 5-year tenure as commissioner was thrust into the limelight after a copy of a confidential state ethics complaint against ADMH Commissioner Kim Boswell was leaked to Lagniappe in August.
The complaint, which Davis reportedly filed at the board’s request, alleged that Boswell intentionally blocked the department’s access to the ARPA funds in question. The Alabama Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint. Under Alabama law, ethics complaints are confidential, and disclosing them can result in criminal penalties. The source of the leak has not been publicly identified.
The SBVA’s Benefits and Services Committee approved a document on Wednesday stating that neither Davis nor the ADVA mishandled the ARPA funds, 1819 News reported. The review directly contradicted Ivey’s assertions and stated that the department’s actions were consistent with federal regulations. The board’s vote on Thursday to ask Davis to rescind his resignation reflected that position.
“I don’t know that anyone acted inappropriately given the information we had,” said SBVA Vice Chairman Scott Gedling. “I don’t see where there was a wrongdoing.”
Governor Ivey opened Thursday’s State Board of Veterans Affairs meeting by calling for unity and accountability among the board members and emphasizing her dedication to Alabama’s veterans.
“At times like this, we must step back and have some perspective and gratitude about where we are and where we have come from. The fact is, Alabama is a great state for veterans,” Ivey said.
“I also come here with an important challenge and a humble request—that you would be mindful of the role others played in reaching these achievements—from other state agencies, to local community leaders, state legislators, our congressional delegation—and yes, me, as your appointing authority, your board chair, and your governor,” she said.
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The Governor shared her history of supporting veterans from her father’s service in World War II, to the creation of the Military Stability Commission during her time as Lt. Governor, to the accomplishments made collectively by board members, state lawmakers and the executive branch in the first two years of the current quadrennium.
“My father, Boadman Nettles Ivey, was a captain in the field artillery. He landed at Normandy six days after D-Day and also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Consequently, I was almost two years old when I met my father following his safe return. But I was one of the fortunate children, as so many were not afforded the same opportunity.”
I have always had a special respect for my father’s contribution to his country. The vast majority of those from “the Greatest Generation” lived the remainder of their lives in their communities doing the everyday things that individually seem unremarkable but collectively help make America great,” she said.
Governor Ivey concluded with the need for a unified focus among the board, saying, “It’s no secret that we’ve had our challenges recently. But we must also remember that we are all part of one team in the executive branch of state government.”
After the Governor’s departure, the board proceeded with the vote to request Davis to rescind his resignation.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
