By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Gov. Wes Moore recently announced that Tony Woods, secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, is stepping down from his cabinet position effective May 11. Woods is returning to the private sector to assume a new role with a technology startup.
In a press release, Moore said Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen will serve as acting secretary and continue to provide service and support for Maryland’s veterans and military families until a permanent replacement is found.
Woods said he views his transition to his new position as “bittersweet,” but one that he could not avoid.
“Unfortunately, stepping down from my cabinet position was the best move for me and my household after we, like so many other families, were impacted by recent decisions made by the Trump administration,” Woods said. “My spouse previously worked for a USAID contractor, so finances were at the root of this decision.”
Woods acknowledged that he and his family are not alone in their concerns about the future.
“Nearly one-third of federal employees have been laid off and the federal government is the largest employer of veterans in Maryland,” he said. “So, like me, many of my friends have been hit hard. Those of us who work and live in the DMV are very much feeling the ripple effect within the military community, and it’s devastating.”
Woods said he understands firsthand the challenges that the governor continues to face, but he has unswerving confidence in Moore’s ability to lead.
“Federal employees are facing an unprecedented amount of chaos and uncertainty, and for state governments like Maryland, it’s hard to navigate their budgets and move forward with any level of certainty,” he said. “Similarly, within the private sector, because of tariffs and their impact on trade, employers are unsure how to hire the employees they may need or when that may be.”
“However, Governor Moore recently managed to overcome a $3.3 billion structural deficit by working with the state legislature, so he has the skills and tools necessary. But it’s a shame that he must pivot rather than be able to focus solely on growing our state’s economy. He’s doing both and spending a lot of energy cleaning up and fixing the damage that’s been caused by the Trump administration when he’d rather be focusing on his agenda for Maryland.”
Woods, 44, who graduated from West Point before earning a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School and an executive MBA at the University of Maryland, said his biggest regret upon announcing his departure has been the people he leaves behind.
“We have an incredible department between the 130 people who worked with me and the nearly 350 people who work for the contractor who supports veterans at Charlotte Hall,” he said. “The military community supports one another and cares about veterans and military families.”
“As the secretary, I received the gift of seeing how much they care while also observing the diversity within the military community and the dynamism that keeps them motivated. I’ve been inspired to see how veterans give back, to witness their resilience and to understand how they and their families contribute to our economy. Our community is about 600,000 strong – that’s 10 percent of Maryland’s population. And it’s been a privilege to witness and be a small part of this community.”
Woods, who continues to serve as a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, added that he has every confidence that while there may be more hurdles to overcome in the future, the governor will adequately handle the challenges ahead.
“When I first took my job as secretary, the governor gave me and my staff the space we needed and encouraged us to do what was necessary to assist veterans and military families,” he said. “I have no doubt that Governor Moore, a veteran himself; the first lady, who knows what it’s like to be a veteran’s wife; and the lieutenant governor, whose husband is also a veteran, fully understand the needs of and challenges faced by military families and veterans. It’s their personal mandate to provide them with whatever they need. And the state of Maryland will be there for them.”
