WDVA Executive Biographies

Secretary | Deputy Secretary | Executive Assistant
Division Heads/Special Staff | Board Member Biographies

Secretary
John A. Scocos

John A. Scocos was appointed the first cabinet Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Scott Walker. As the Secretary he is the chief advocate for the over 407,000 veterans of Wisconsin. In this capacity he is responsible for the leadership and management of the Department to include strategic and long-range planning initiatives aligning with the Department's vision.

Secretary Scocos has a long and distinguished record of service to his state and country. He last served as the Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (formerly Regulation and Licensing). He was responsible for the overseeing and coordinating day-to-day operations of the Department's administrative staff, Division of Board Services, Division of Enforcement, Division of Management Services, Division of Professional Credentialing, Division of Safety and Building, and the Division of Environmental and Regulatory Services.

He also formerly served as Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Executive Assistant at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and as Chief Clerk and Sergeant at Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly. The accomplishments achieved during his tenure at WDVA include: the passage of the Wisconsin G.I. Bill Tuition Remission Program, the Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit for totally disabled Veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses, and the creation of the skilled nursing facility of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove, as well as the plans for the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.

Scocos was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1981 as an Armor Officer. He served more than 31 years of military service and retired at the rank of Colonel. He served on active duty from 1981 to 1990 and then joined the United States Army Reserve. He was mobilized in both 2007 and 2008 for service in Iraq. In 2010 he served as a Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Scocos' civilian awards include: the 2006 Wisconsin Department of the American Legion Leadership Medal, the 2006 Wisconsin State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America Distinguished Service Award, the 2006 Disabled American Veterans Distinguished Service Award, the 2007 Elks Club Citizenship Award, and in 2007 and 2008 he was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Wisconsin Outstanding Service Award. Additionally, Scocos received the 2010 AMVETS Legislative Advocacy Award, Department of Veterans Affairs of the United States of America Secretary's Award for Leadership and Dedication 2008.

Scocos' military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster) Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Iraqi Campaign Medal (1 Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Scocos holds a Bachelors Degree in History from Mankato State University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Touro University. He is married to Dr. Kelly Ann Williams. They currently live in Fitchburg, WI with their children.

Deputy Secretary
Jason Johns

Jason Johns was appointed by Secretary Scocos and serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He serves as the chief legislative liaison as well as the head of public affairs and policy making. Deputy Secretary Johns is a Purple Heart recipient and Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, having served and been wounded by enemy action there during his tour in 2003-04. He comes to the WDVA from the private sector where he represented his clients in the Wisconsin State Legislature as well as volunteering his time to act as a legislative officer for multiple veterans service organizations in the state. Deputy Secretary Johns grew up in Louisburg, WI and has earned a Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law as well as a B.A. in History from the University of Northern Iowa. After completing his education he practiced law in Washington, D.C. before returning home to Wisconsin, where he worked in the Capitol as well as on numerous political campaigns and then moving back in to the private sector. Deputy Secretary Johns resides just outside of Madison in the Village of Oregon, where has been an active member of the community over the years serving on village committees, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, and multiple years as commander of his local VFW Post. He and his lovely wife Carin live there with their beautiful twin daughters Abby & Ellie.

Executive Assistant
Michael Trepanier

Michael Trepanier was appointed by Secretary Scocos and serves as the Executive Assistant of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He has responsibility for the Department’s day-to-day operations. As a member of the senior management team within the Department, he coordinates and directs strategic planning and program development for the Department. Trepanier received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves for a combined total of five years. While on active duty, he served in the 1st Cavalry Division and was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom II for fourteen months. Trepanier was previously an Administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (formerly Regulation and Licensing). He also was a Legislative Assistant to a state legislator.