The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) Interim Executive Director, Greg Slavonic, announced last week that he had made a request for a performance audit from The Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector’s office.

Slavonic stated his request to Auditor Byrd will cover the period of Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023.

The Performance Audit Services group conducts performance audits in accordance with Government Auditing Standards which describes performance audits as “…an objective and systematic examination of evidence to provide an independent assessment of the performance and management of a program against objective criteria…”

Simply stated, performance audits provide information to aid those responsible for initiating corrective action to improve effectiveness of operation, safeguarding of public assets, and the efficient delivery of government services.

Slavonic’s request for an audit comes just ahead of his 14th week as the ODVA Interim Executive Director, a position he accepted March 10 of this year after the Oklahoma Veterans Commission decided to seek new agency leadership in a 5-1 vote.

“I’ve never taken over the leadership of an organization without an audit to review the many aspects of the company,” said Slavonic on Monday. “Since I did not have the opportunity for an orderly turnover from ODVA senior leadership due to terminations or resignations, my ability to gain an insight into the agency and ask questions was not possible. This audit will provide objective insight into the agency and identify past discrepancies for corrective action.”

In the Special Audit Report released in August 2018, former State Auditor Gary Jones stated, “This is the third audit released on the ODVA in the last five years and is probably the most troubling. The issue, really, comes down to management style, common decency, respect for its mission, and the potential impact on patient care.”

The Oklahoma Veterans Commission in partnership with Slavonic conducted an employee survey in April of this year as part of the new ODVA administrations effort to improve its responsiveness to employee concerns.

“The hardworking and dedicated staff of ODVA deserve better,” Slavonic added, “It’s my duty to deliver on that promise.”