• ST. LOUIS 

The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) named Chief Operating Officer (COO) Renee Claypool as its acting executive director. 

James Leahy, who served as the canteen service’s executive director, has been detailed as acting executive director, Business Operations Center. 

According to the VCS, the changes were made as the Veterans Administration (VA) undergoes a “significant” realignment and “based on need.” 

A VCS spokesman said that the length of Leahy’s detail is not known. 

“Leahy is in a different role within VA,” the spokesman noted. “The detail is currently set to last until Sept. 30, but that is subject to change.   

“Until then, Renee Claypool is acting executive director. Leahy may return to his position after Sept. 30, as would normally happen at the end of a detail.” 

In the meantime, Kevin Campbell, the VCS’s chief financial officer (CFO), is acting COO. 

CLAYPOOL 

Claypool joined the VCS in 1998, and served in various in-store and headquarters positions, including as canteen chief and assistant canteen chief at Columbia, Mo., and later, as director of Food Operations and associate director, Operations.  

She served as the COO since February 2022, taking over this position when Leahy ascended to the executive director spot.  

LEAHY 

After spending 22 years in private industry, including more than 17 years as a divisional vice president/divisional merchandise manager (DMM) with the May department stores, Leahy joined the VCS in 2007 and he served in a variety of positions, associate director, store operations, and in 2015, he was named COO. 

In June 2021, he succeeded Joseph “Ray” Tober as executive director.