Noem names Veteran’s Affairs Secretary

Gov.-elect Kristi Noem has named a military and veterans official in her congressional office to serve as South Dakota’s Veterans Affairs secretary. Noem announced Tuesday that Greg Whitlock, of Watertown, will be appointed to the post. Noem will be sworn in Jan. 5. Whitlock has served since 1975 in the South Dakota Army National Guard and now works as military and veterans service representative in Noem’s congressional office. Officials say Whitlock has been influential in pushing for a state veterans cemetery and has worked to keep open a Veterans Affairs health care campus in Hot Springs.