On 4 August 2021, Governor Andy Beshear appointed Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Retired) Whitney Allen as the seventh Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs. Whitney Allen is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 25 years
of combined military service.
His has been
Deputy Commissioner of KDVA
and is an
advocate for veteran inclusion in the workforce.
LTC Allen has served in various military organizations
and military locations. His assignments include three combat tours in
Afghanistan/Kuwait (2006-07, 2008-09, 2013-14), peacekeeping mission in Bosnia (1996),
training exercise in Kingdom of Jordan (2003), tour in Germany (1995-1998) and
various assignments throughout the United States.
LTC Allen military awards and decorations include the
Bronze Star Medal (one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (Silver OLC), Army
Commendation Medal (two OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal
(Bronze Star), Army Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service
Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon (#3 Device), North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) Medal (Bronze Star), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit
Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Airborne Badge and the Military Intelligence
Association Knowlton Award. He also received an award from the Afghanistan
Minister of Interior for his work with Afghanistan local police.
He is a Louisville Week of Valor 2020 Honoree, Humana’s
Boots on the Ground Honoree, Louisville Business First 2019 “Salute to
Veterans” honoree, Kentucky Colonel, and holds membership/leadership positions
in local and national veteran organizations to include Veterans Community
Alliance of Louisville (VCAL), the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Military
and Veterans Affairs Committee, and the NAACP Louisville Chapter’s Military and
Veterans Affairs Committee. He and his
wife Yolanda have two daughters and currently reside in Louisville.