VetStateEmp9

Ross Cohen

Ross Cohen serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a U.S. Army combat veteran with a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

A native of Rockville, MD, Ross attended college at Brown University in Providence, RI. Following graduation and a brief stint as a reporter in Mongolia, Ross was inspired to join the U.S. Army in the aftermath of 9/11. He served for three years as an enlisted Airborne infantryman. Stationed in Alaska, he deployed once to Eastern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After his tour of duty, Ross earned his Masters in Public Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University on a scholarship and the GI Bill.

He leveraged his military service and education to contribute to the military-connected community.

Prior to the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, Ross served in various leadership roles with military-serving non-profits and organizations. He served as Chief External Affairs Officer with Blue Star Families, a leading military family non-profit. He has also led in Executive Director roles with two of the nation's largest military-community employment efforts; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes and JPMorgan Chase's Veteran Jobs Mission coalition.

Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen with Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and others

As the Deputy Secretary, Ross supports the Department's programs and strategic engagement across the state. He represents the Department and the administration on various boards, commissions, and at events in Maryland.

He lives in Riva, MD with his wife and daughter.

Secretary Anthony Woods, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen, Hiring Our Heroes Executive Director Elizabeth O'Brien