David Cord

BUTLER TWP — VA Butler Healthcare has a new director.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Friday that David Cord will be the new director of the health care center on New Castle Road.

Cord will oversee delivery of health care to about 19,000 veterans with an operating budget of nearly $101 million, a VA news release said.

“We are excited to bring Mr. Cord on board as the new director of VA Butler Healthcare,” said William Mills, Veterans Integrated Service Network 4 interim director. “His unique leadership experience and insight as an Air Force veteran will be valuable assets for the facility, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the veterans we are honored to serve.”

Cord is expected to begin working in Butler within the next 60 days.

Cord joined the VA more than 14 years ago and has held leadership positions in both VISN 4 and the VA Maryland Healthcare System.

Most recently, he served as the director of the Erie VA Medical Center.

Cord’s appointment in Butler fills the vacancy left by John Gennaro, who was appointed as the director of the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.

Cord spent more than five years on active duty in the Air Force, including serving as a Judge Advocate General officer, responsible for prosecuting court-martials. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English literature and psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University.

VA Butler Healthcare has 592 employees and five community clinics in Armstrong, Clarion, Lawrence and Mercer counties and Cranberry Township.

The facilities’ outpatient programs generate more than 174,000 visits per year.