In the News: Francisco Urena

The Baker-Polito administration recently announced the appointment of Francisco Urena as Secretary for Veterans’ Services.

“We are continuing to assemble an accomplished team of individuals in order to better serve Massachusetts’ veterans, families and children in need,” said Marylou Sudders, HHS Secretary-designate. “I look forward to Francisco drawing on his own experience on the front lines and in public service, to ensure our veterans and their families are receiving the support they need.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring our successful experiences in Boston and Lawrence to serving our brave military men, women and families across the commonwealth,” Urena said. “Whether retired, returning home or still serving, Governor-elect Baker understands we can never do enough to support those who have put their lives on the line for our country.”

Urena has been commissioner of Veterans’ Services for the City of Boston since 2011. Prior to that, he was Director of Veterans’ Services for the City of Lawrence for four years prior, where he was recognized as the Commonwealth’s Veterans Agent of the Year in 2008. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal for combat injuries received in Iraq, Urena served in the United States Marines for eight years as a tank commander on the front lines of Operation Iraqi Freedom and as a Marine Embassy Guard in Kyrgyzstan and Syria. After returning home as a staff sergeant in 2006, he completed undergraduate and graduate coursework at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Boston.