David Puente Jr.

David Puente Jr. is the Director of your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.  He served as WDVA’s deputy director beginning in February 2020 and was appointed director in February 2023.

David was instrumental in bringing the principles of organizational change management to the agency, which has experienced considerable change over the last several years with the addition of several new programs.  Puente is focused on improving workplace culture and achieving the vision of improving the quality of life for Veterans and their families.

Prior to WDVA he served as the assistant director for Labor and Industries, Field Services and Public Safety Division, where he was responsible for 19 field offices throughout Washington.

Puente is an Army Veteran, serving in the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command.  After his service, David joined the Department of Labor and Industries as a fraud investigator in 1992 where his career would expand over the next 28 years.  He shifted to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), then became the director of Human Resources, and the assistant director of Field Services and Public Safety.

David has a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational safety and health from Central Washington University.  He serves on the board of directors for the Washington Youth Academy Foundation, as a board member of CIELO, Centro integral Educativo Latino de Olympia, and a member of American Legion Post 164.  He enjoys serving his community by officiating baseball and football as a member of the Washington Officials Association. He is also a member of the South Sound Football Official Association, Thurston County Youth Football League, and South Sound Umpires Association.

News Release announcing Director Puente's appointment

Event Intro Short Version:

David Puente Jr. was appointed Director of your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs in February of 2023.  Prior to that he served as WDVA’s deputy director beginning in February 2020.

Puente is focused on improving workplace culture, using principles of organizational change management, and achieving the vision of improving the quality of life for Veterans and their families.

Prior to joining WDVA he served at the Department of Labor and Industries for 28 years.

Puente is an Army Veteran, serving in the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, and a member of American Legion Post 164.