The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff recently welcomed a third generation Navy veteran from Perryville, Mo., as the new associate medical center director.
Former intelligence analyst Libby Johnson has been the chief of education and training at the Poplar Bluff VA since 2011. She has served as interim associate medical center director on several occasions, according to a press release.
"I am committed to serving our nation's veterans, and it is truly an honor to be given this opportunity to work with all of our employees to make our facility the best in VA," said Johnson, whose appointment was effective immediately.
When Johnson entered the Navy in 2002, she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, a World War II veteran, and her father, a Vietnam veteran.
Johnson worked as a Chinese linguist during her service. By the time she left the Navy in 2008, Johnson had earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal for her work with the National Security Agency and Cryptologic Security Service.
"We are excited to welcome Libby to this new position," stated medical center Director Dr. Patricia Hall. "Her strong organizational management skills will be an asset to our leadership team."
Johnson received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Columbia College, and a master's degree in education and human resource studies, organizational learning, performance and change from Colorado State University.
Following active duty, she worked for the Department of the Army as an intelligence officer at Fort Carson, Colo.
Johnson established one of the first Afghan language training sites for the Defense Language Institute. Located at Fort Campbell, Ky., it trained infantry soldiers deploying to Afghanistan.
Johnson is married to a Navy veteran and they have two children. The family currently resides in Advance, Mo.