Michael Embrich, a Navy veteran and longtime veterans advocate, has been nominated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill to serve as New Jersey’s first Veteran Advocate.
If confirmed by the Senate, Embrich will lead the newly created Office of the Veteran Advocate, an independent office established by the Legislature in 2025 to serve as a dedicated voice for the state’s veteran community.
The office will operate independently within the state’s new standalone Department of Veterans Affairs, which is beginning its first year of operations. It will give veterans and their families a dedicated place to raise concerns about their care or services, with the Veteran Advocate empowered to inspect state veterans homes and facilities, investigate allegations of abuse or neglect, recommend improvements, and monitor corrective actions.
The office will also investigate broader concerns about veterans services, help connect veterans to benefits, and represent their interests before state and federal agencies.
Embrich is a Navy veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and a former policy advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and other military honors.
After his military service, Embrich held senior leadership positions in the New Jersey General Assembly, including chief of staff, and helped advocate for passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. He later served as deputy chief of public affairs for the U.S. Army and as an alternate to the U.S. Treasury Taxpayer Advocate for New Jersey. He has also served as state commander of the New Jersey Catholic War Veterans.
Embrich earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in political science, both from Rutgers University.
“I am deeply honored to be nominated by Governor Sherrill to serve as New Jersey’s first Veteran Advocate,” Embrich said. “I look forward to serving as an independent and trusted voice for veterans and their families, working alongside Commissioner Solomeno and the Department of Veterans Affairs to strengthen services, promote accountability, and improve the lives of veterans across the Garden State.”
Sherrill said she understands the need for the office.
“As a fellow Navy veteran, I understand that our obligation to those who served does not end when they take off the uniform. New Jersey’s veterans deserve a strong, independent voice focused entirely on their well-being and on ensuring government delivers the care, services, and support they have earned,” she said. “Michael has spent his career fighting for veterans and military families at every level of government. His experience, integrity, and deep commitment to service make him the right person to become New Jersey’s first Veteran Advocate.”
Supporting veterans and military families has been a recurring focus of Sherrill’s career. In Congress, she pushed measures to improve documentation of burn pit and other toxic exposures and to help servicemembers transition to civilian life. As governor, she signed a fiscal year 2027 budget that includes $11 million for the Bringing Veterans Home initiative, which the state says has helped permanently house more than 2,500 veterans.
“Veterans deserve services that are responsive, transparent, and worthy of the sacrifices they made for our country,” New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Vincent Solomeno said. “Michael brings a veteran’s perspective, decades of public-service experience, and a clear record of advocating for veterans and their families. The Department welcomes this new partnership, and we look forward to working with Michael while fully respecting the independence that is fundamental to his role.”
The department has made changes at the state’s Veterans Memorial Homes in recent years, including investments in staff, medical equipment and technology; all three homes now hold five-star overall ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“We created the Office of the Veteran Advocate to ensure veterans and their families always have someone whose sole responsibility is to stand up for their needs, protect their well-being, and hold government accountable,” State Sen. Joe Cryan said.
“I applaud the Governor for prioritizing our veteran community. Moving this nomination forward is an important step in fulfilling the promise of this new agency.”
