Earnest Buckner, Jr has served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary 2 for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs since February of 2020. Earnest has worked for LDVA for more than 12 years. During his tenure with LDVA he served in many roles, including Veterans Assistant Counselor, Veterans Assistant Counselor Supervisor, Training and Development Program Manager, Capital and Southeast Regional Manager, and most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary 2. In his current role he is responsible for overseeing 74 veterans benefits offices, LDVA’s Veterans Appeals Office, LANG Benefit Program, and the Training and Development Program. Earnest took time away from LDVA to work as a Field Examiner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Prior to joining the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Earnest proudly served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for 6 years and achieved the rank of specialist. He was deployed to and served in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm/Shield. After returning home, Earnest worked as a police officer for more than 16 years.
Earnest earned his undergraduate and graduate degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Business Management from Southern University at Baton Rouge.
Earnest is originally from Pineville, La. He and his wife LaShonda have two children, and reside in Baton Rouge, La.