Washington (CNN) The top communications official at the Department of Veterans Affairs, John Ullyot, announced his resignation Thursday, according to an internal email obtained by CNN and a statement from Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Ullyot will officially leave his post as the assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs in early April and will be "announcing an exciting new position shortly," according to the email.

A White House appointee, Ullyot was widely considered to be a staunch loyalist of President Donald Trump during his two years at the VA and praised the President's leadership in an note to colleagues announcing his decision to leave the department.

"Under the leadership of President Trump, VA has done more in the last two years than it has in decades in reforming the department and improving care and benefits for our nation's heroes. As a Marine Veteran, I consider myself fortunate to have played a modest role in this historic effort, together with each of you," he wrote.

Wilkie confirmed Ullyot's departure in a statement to CNN.

Read More