T-R PHOTO BY SUSANNA MEYER Iowa Veterans Home Commandant Matthew Peterson, left, is pictured with Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg during an event at the facility in July. Peterson recently submitted his resignation from the position to pursue an opportunity that will not require him to be separated from his family in Texas.

Iowa Veterans Home Commandant Matthew Peterson has submitted his resignation after just over 13 months on the job to pursue an opportunity that does not require separation from his family in Texas, where they are currently residing.

Alex Murphy, the communications director for the governor’s office, confirmed the news in an email on Tuesday afternoon, noting that Gov. Kim Reynolds, who appointed Peterson and will choose his successor, “is grateful for his service to Iowa veterans and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.”

According to Murphy, Nursing Home Administrator Penny Cutler-Bermudez will continue to oversee the day to day operations at IVH, and Adam Steen, the director of the Department of Administrative Services, will serve as interim director at the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. Peterson had been serving as the IDVA director since May, and the plan at the time was to consolidate the two agencies under his leadership.

“A nationwide search is being conducted to fill this important role,” Murphy wrote.

Peterson, a retired Marine who served for 20 years, first took on his role at IVH in June of 2021, replacing Timon Oujiri. Prior to accepting the position, he had been living in Texas with his wife and children, but both of his parents originally hailed from Iowa. It was actually a connection with veteran-turned-U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who, like Peterson’s father, also hailed from the Red Oak area, that put the job on his radar in the first place.

The commandant garnered positive press for obtaining his CNA certification to work on the floor during the pandemic, and he spearheaded several initiatives during his tenure including a proposal for a large on-campus childcare facility, the revitalization of the IVH baseball field, bringing Marshalltown Community Theater performances to the facility and a partnership with the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville for foodservice labor.

Since the late Jack Dack retired after 33 years as commandant in 2002, Peterson is the 11th individual to lead IVH in the last two decades. Before Dack, there were 11 commandants between 1887 and 1969.

Peterson and Cutler-Bermudez could not be immediately reached for comment.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255

or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com