Branch: U.S. Army / Massachusetts National Guard
Rank: 0-7 Brigadier General
BG(MA)(Ret) Andrea Gayle-Bennett, PA-C, DMSc, is a distinguished leader dedicated to serving veterans and her community. Raised as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, she learned the values of hard work and giving back from an early age. Andrea's academic journey includes earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from City College of New York's Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education in Physician Assistant Studies in 1981, a Master of Education degree from Lesley College in Business Management in 1988, and a Doctor of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Medicine in 2021.
With over 35 years of MA Army National Guard service, Andrea's military career is marked by numerous achievements. In 2012, she made history as the 1st African American female O-6 in the MA Army National Guard and later served as the State Surgeon for Joint Forces Headquarters, breaking barriers once again as the 1st non-physician and the 1st African American in that role. Her deployments to Paraguay, Iraq, and Kenya underscore her commitment to service and leadership.
In addition to her military accomplishments, Andrea is deeply involved in her community, serving on various veteran committees and boards. She has received numerous accolades for her service, including the Deborah Sampson Outstanding Female Veteran of the Year award in 2011. Currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services and as the 1st Junior Vice Commander of the DAV Department of Massachusetts, Andrea continues to make a lasting impact in the lives of veterans and their families.