DALLAS — The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the nomination of Allen Vaught as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Commission.

Mayor Eric Johnson nominated Vaught, a former state representative and U.S. Army captain, for the position on the commission. The City Council earlier this year voted to create the commission, which had been proposed by the mayor on Veterans Day 2020.

"Allen Vaught is the perfect choice to lead this vital new commission that will guide our efforts to make Dallas the top city in the country for veterans," Mayor Johnson said. "He is a true public servant, he has long been a passionate advocate for veterans issues, and he has an outstanding track record of accomplishment. I look forward to his leadership on the Veterans Affairs Commission, and I thank him for his continued service to our city and our country."

Vaught has been a licensed attorney for more than 23 years and recently served as one of Mayor Johnson's appointees to the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System Board of Trustees. Vaught served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 where he was appointed as Vice Chair of the Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs, Vice Chair of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, Chair of the Subcommittee on Violent Crimes, and Chair of the Subcommittee on Border, Health, and School Centered Emergencies.

During his time in the Legislature, Vaught introduced and helped pass the Veteran’s Court Bill, making Texas the second state in the U.S. to address mental health needs of veterans in the state judicial system. He received top legislator awards from many non-partisan groups, including the Texas Police Chiefs Association, Texas PTA, Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, and Texas District and County Attorneys Association.

Prior to his election to the Legislature, Vaught served as a U.S. Army captain in Iraq from April 2003 until March 2004 and led the first Civil Affairs/PSYOPS team to enter Fallujah. He served as the de-facto mayor of Fallujah for several months in 2003.

After eventually being transferred to Sadr City, Vaught was injured by an IED. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a result of his injuries. His awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and Order of the Spur. His unit also received the Valorous Unit Award for their Fallujah operations.

Vaught lives in East Dallas with his wife Donna, and their two children.

“I am honored that Mayor Johnson and the Dallas City Council have given me the opportunity to continue my public service as a member of the newly formed Dallas Veterans Affairs Commission," Vaught said. "As a combat veteran of the Iraq war, and having previously carried veteran-focused legislation in the Texas House of Representatives (such as the Veterans Court Program), I am excited to be a part of this newly formed team.

'Dallas is one of the first cities to have a commission such as this, and I look forward to working with the other commission members, the City of Dallas, and our citizens and businesses to continue showing the nation why Dallas is such a great place to live as we focus even more on making our veterans a top priority.”

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