Bob Milligan was named the interim head of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, replacing Leroy Collins Jr., who died last month near his Tampa home when he was hit while riding his bicycle.
Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet today appointed Milligan, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, as interim executive director of the agency.
Milligan will serve until a new governor and Cabinet take over in January. None of the incumbents is seeking re-election.
Milligan said his biggest challenge is making sure the state's veterans nursing homes are properly staffed.
Collins Jr., the son of Gov. Leroy Collins, and Milligan were classmates at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Collins Jr. was crossing South Hyde Park Avenue at Brorein Street just before 7 a.m. July 29 when his bicycle was struck by a sport utility vehicle driven by a physician heading to Tampa General Hospital, police said.
Police ruled the crash an accident and filed no charges.
Collins Jr., a retired admiral, lived on Davis Islands and was an active bicyclist and rower. He mounted an unsuccessful U.S. Senate run in 2006 and had written about running again for office.
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