(Chicago, IL) — August 5, 2011. At a press conference today in Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn announced the appointment of a former senior staff member for Army General David H. Petraeus as chief of the Illinois veterans agency.
Erica Borggren was tapped by Quinn to serve as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, replacing fellow Iraq war Veteran Dan Grant, who is leaving to pursue a post-graduate degree.
“Time and again, Erica Borggren has shined in the armed forces,” Quinn said. “Her outstanding service makes her an excellent choice to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs as it fulfills its mission to serve the brave men and women who have sacrificed for this country.”
Borggren served as a senior staffer and speechwriter for Petraeus during his time as Commanding General of multi-national forces in Iraq and as head of United States Central Command throughout the Middle East.
Borggren earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star as well as the Joint Service Achievement and Iraq Campaign Medals. She returned home to Illinois from the Middle East in 2009.
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Quinn for this opportunity to serve those who have served our country in uniform,” Borggren said.
Prior to her time in the Middle East, Borggren, who is a Rhodes scholar, served in the United States Army Medical Service Corps in Yongsan, South Korea, rising as an officer in the 18th Medical Command to a Company Commander at the 121 Combat Support Hospital, for which she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Borggren currently resides with her husband Erik, a West Point graduate and chaplain candidate in the Illinois National Guard, and their son Ethan in Chicago.
Gov. Pat Quinn
Any truth to rumor she is Ed Burke’s second cousin twice removed?
Posted by Jim Sather | August 5, 2011, 3:19 PMNo truth. Third cousin.
Posted by David Ormsby | August 5, 2011, 3:26 PM