Skip to main content

Secretary James Bond

JAMES BOND

Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

PHONE:608.266.1315

EMAIL: James.Bond@DVA.Wisconsin.Gov

“Working together we can make a difference”

PRIORITIES

My number one priority since being appointed Secretary has been strengthening relationships with veteran advocates and partners across the state. None of us can do this alone—we are stronger together.

PROFILE

James Bond serves as the Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a disabled veteran, with over 3 decades of service—service to his country, the State of Wisconsin, and to fellow veterans. James served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1983–1988 with assignments at home and abroad.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps, James returned to Wisconsin, enrolled at UW-Madison, attained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, and for the past 3 decades served in several professional and executive leadership positions in service to the State of Wisconsin. James joined the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) in 2010, recently serving as Deputy Secretary. On January 9, 2023, Governor Tony Evers appointed James to serve as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. As WDVA Secretary, James is the chief advocate for more than 300,000 veterans in Wisconsin and their families.

Statewide Visits 2023-2024

1st Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 1st Congressional District

Paul Crawford, Rock County
Shawn Rivers, Racine County
Jennifer Blasi, Kenosha County
Nathan Bond, Walworth County
CVSO Conference
Memorial Day 2024, Union Grove

Kenosha County

Kenosha

  • Kenosha County CVSO Visit (12.06.2023)
  • CVSOA Speaker at 2023 State Conference (10.09.2023)

Racine County

Racine

  • Memorial Day Event at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (05.26.2024)
  • AMVETS Post 911 Speaker at Christmas Dinner (01.20.2024)
  • Memorial Day Event at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (05.28.2023)
  • Community and Veterans Mental Health Retreat at the Racine Family YMCA (03.25.2023)
  • Racine County CVSO Visit (12.13.2023)

Sturtevant

  • Tour of Pritzker Military Museum (11.17.2023)

Rock County

Janesville

  • Rock County CVSO Visit (01.31.2024)

Walworth County

Delavan

  • Meeting with Former Secretary John Scocos (12.17.2024)
  • Meeting with Former Secretary John Scocos (08.09.2024)

Elkhorn

  • Walworth County CVSO Visit (10.24.2024)
  • Walworth County CVSO Visit (01.31.2024)
  • Glenn Boyd, World War II Veteran, 98th Birthday Celebration at the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services (03.11.2023)

2nd Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 2nd Congressional District

Sandy Deich, Sauk County
Clayton Ruegsegger, Green County
Christine Kleckner, Madison VA Hospital
Jeff Lindeman, Iowa County
Jim Johnson, American Legion
Sam Fuller, Lafayette County
Greg Palo, DAV

Dane County

Cottage Grove

  • Wisconsin Veterans Museum Board 19th Annual Golf Outing at the Oaks Golf Course (07.10.2023)

Madison

  • Attend and speak at Military Sexual Trauma Conference (01.31.2025)
  • Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony at Wisconsin State Capitol (12.05.2024)
  • Tree Lighting Ceremony at Executive Residence (12.05.2024)
  • Veterans Day Reception at Executive Residence (11.11.2024)
  • Attend, speak and tour at State Archives Preservation Facility with VSOs (09.06.2024)
  • American Legion Meet and Greet with 2024-2025 Commander Jim Johnson (07.22.2024)
  • Disabled American Veterans Meet and Greet with 2024-2025 Commander Greg Palo (07.22.2024)
  • Madison East VA Clinic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (07.02.2024)
  • Pride Flag Raising at Wisconsin State Capitol (05.31.2024)
  • William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Clinic tour and meeting with Director Christine Kleckner (04.01.2024)
  • BOVA Meeting with William Schrum (02.27.2024)
  • UW MIA Project Introduction at University of Wisconsin-Madison (01.08.2024)
  • Tree Lighting Ceremony at Executive Residence (12.03.2023)
  • Madison Rotary Luncheon (11.15.2023)
  • Badger Tailgate at Camp Randall (11.11.2023)
  • Veterans Day Ceremony at Wisconsin State Capitol (11.10.2023)
  • Veterans Day Reception at Executive Residence (11.09.2023)
  • Wisconsin Department of Revenue Veterans Day Program (11.09.2023)
  • 12th Annual Military & Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at Edgewood College (11.03.2023)
  • Marine Corps League Meet and Greet with 2023-2024 Commandant Kurk Anderson (re-elected for 2024-2025 term) and COVP Member Phil Landgraf (10.30.2023)
  • National Coming Out Day at Chamber of Commerce (10.11.2023)
  • Talking Spirits Cemetery Tour at Forest Hill Cemetery (10.04.2023)
  • AMVETS Meet and Greet with 2023-2024 Commander Brian Svacina (09.20.2023)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Meet and Greet with Commander Ron Ramos (re-elected for 2024-2025 term) (09.19.2023)
  • American Legion Meet and Greet with 2023-2024 Commander Karl Stuvengen (09.18.2023)
  • Dane County CVSO Visit (09.12.2023)
  • American Legion Post 501 meeting (08.09.2023)
  • Attend and speak at VSO Orientation (07.06.2023)
  • Disabled American Veterans Speaker at 2023 DAV State Convention (06.09.2023)
  • 30 at 30 VIP Celebration at the WDVA Museum (06.06.2023)
  • National Association of County Veterans Officers Training Conference (06.06.2023)
  • Pride Flag Raising at the Wisconsin State Capitol (06.01.2023)
  • Student Veterans of American Happy Hour at Wisconsin Veterans Museum (04.26.2023)
  • Veterans Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol (04.26.2023)
  • America 250 Commission at the WDVA Museum (03.22.2023)
  • Meeting with Former Secretary Mary Kolar (03.02.2023)
  • CVSOA Meet and Greet with 2022-2023 President Ali Nelson and Bruce Wilber (02.27.2023)
  • AMVETS Meet and Greet with 2022-2023 Commander Dale Wiegand and Dennis Burdick (02.17.2023)
  • Dane County CVSO Visit (02.06.2023)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Meet and Greet with 2022-2023 Commander Michele Rathke (02.06.2023)
  • COVP Meet and Greet with 2022-2023 COVP Chairman Larry Hill (re-elected for 2023-2024 term) (02.03.2023)
  • American Legion Meet and Greet with 2022-2023 Commander Julie Muhle, Vice Commander Karl Stuvengen and Vice Commander Harold Rihn (02.02.2023)
  • BOVA Meet and Greet with 2022-2023 Chairman William Schrum (02.02.2023)
  • Disabled American Veterans Meet and Greet with 2023-2024 Commander Rob Hilliard (02.02.2023)
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart Meet and Greet with Commander George Banda (02.02.2023)
  • National Association for Black Veterans Meet and Greet with Commander William Sims and Executive Director Damon Dorsey (02.02.2023)

Green County

Monroe

  • Green County CVSO Visit (02.13.2025)
  • Green County CVSO Visit (05.01.2024)

Iowa County

Dodgeville

  • Iowa County CVSO Visit (02.13.2025)
  • Iowa County CVSO Visit (05.01.2024)

Lafayette County

Darlington

  • Lafayette County CVSO Visit (02.13.2025)
  • Lafayette County CVSO Visit (05.01.2024)

Sauk County

Baraboo

  • Sauk County CVSO Visit (11.20.2024)
  • Tribal Visit | Ho-Chunk Nation
    • Ho-Chunk Nation World War II Code Talkers Act 216 Recognition (06.22.2024)
  • Sauk County CVSO Visit (11.29.2023)
  • Disabled American Veterans Speaker at 2023 Fall Conference (10.20.2023)

3rd Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 3rd Congressional District

Lori Smolen, Buffalo County
Richard Schlichtmann and Brian James, Adams County
Ho Chunk Nation
Crystal Knoll, Vernon County
Ken McAndrew, Grant County
Clayton Ruegsegger, Green County
Tami MacGregor, Pierce County
Greg Quinn, Dunn County
Eric Killen, Eau Claire County
Jane Brannan, La Crosse County
Allen Kirkland and Charles Weaver, Monroe County
Joe Quakenboss and Wade Behselich, Trempealeau County
Michael Clements, Portage County
Colin Moten, Juneau County

Adams County

Friendship

  • Adams County CVSO Visit (07.18.2024)

Buffalo County

Alma

Chippewa County

Chippewa Falls

Crawford County

Prairie du Chien

Dunn County

Menomonie

  • CVSOA Meet and Greet with President Greg Quinn (11.20.2024)
  • Veterans Outreach Expo (04.27.2024)
  • Dunn County CVSO Visit (04.05.2024)

Eau Claire County

Altoona

  • Tour of Altoona War Memorial (06.19.2024)

Eau Claire

  • Eau Claire County CVSO Visit (04.05.2024)

Grant County

Lancaster

  • Grant County CVSO Visit (05.01.2024)

Jackson County

Black River Falls

  • Jackson County CVSO Visit (03.04.2024)
  • Tribal Visits | Ho-Chunk Nation
    • Visit with tribe and tour of pow wow grounds, tribal courts, mission Sandpillow Veterans Supported Housing (07.24.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (08.08.2023)

Juneau County

Mauston

  • Juneau County CVSO Visit (02.12.2025)
  • Juneau County CVSO Visit (09.21.2023)

La Crosse County

La Crosse

Monroe County

Sparta

  • BOVA Meeting with Chairman Christopher Hanson (10.15.2024)
  • Meeting with Former WDVA Secretary Raymond Boland (10.15.2024)
  • Monroe County CVSO Visit (07.31.2024)
  • COVP Meeting with Chairman Larry Hill (04.04.2024)
  • Monroe County CVSO Visit (11.29.2023)
  • Meeting with Former WDVA Secretary Raymond Boland (07.28.2023)

Tomah

  • Tribal Visit | Ho-Chunk Nation
    • Ho-Chunk Signing Ceremony (05.17.2023)

Pepin County

Durand

Pierce County

Ellsworth

  • Pierce County CVSO Visit (04.25.2024)

Portage County

Plover

  • Korean War Memorial Ceremony (06.02.2024)
  • Korean War Memorial Ceremony (06.04.2023)

Stevens Point

  • Portage County CVSO Visit (10.23.2023)
  • Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Plaque Dedication (06.04.2023)

Richland County

Richland Center

Trempealeau County

Whitehall

  • Trempealeau County CVSO Visit (11.28.2023)

Vernon County

Viroqua

  • Vernon County CVSO Visit (05.30.2024)

Wood County

Wisconsin Rapids

4th Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 4th Congressional District

Rick Flowers, Milwaukee County
Honoring Our Vets, Milwaukee
Scott Griffith and Todd Drazy, Paralyzed Veterans of America
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), Milwaukee
Gregory Burek and Jenna Haberkorn, BRAVE Program
Dennis Burdick, AMVETS

Milwaukee County

Greenfield

  • AMVETS Meet and Greet with 2024-2025 Commander Dennis Burdick (07.23.2024)
  • Tour and discussion on BRAVE Program (07.23.2024)

Milwaukee

  • Meeting with Damon Dorsey, Develop America (12.20.2024)
  • Honoring Our Veterans Event at War Memorial Center (11.07.2024)
  • Milwaukee County CVSO Visit (03.15.2024)
  • Veterans Day Banquet at War Memorial Center (11.11.2023)
  • 9th Annual Military & Veterans Ball (11.03.2023)
  • MH Symposium Suicide Prevention at War Memorial Center (11.02.2023)
  • Paralyzed Veteran Association Meet and Greet with 2023-2024 National President Ken Ness, President Todd Drazy and COVP Member Scott Griffith (10.18.2023)
  • Tour of Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (10.18.2023)
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month “Out of Many One” at the War Memorial Center (09.27.2023)
  • Emcee at Milwaukee County Remembers 9/11 at War Memorial Center (09.11.2023)
  • Tour of War Memorial Center (07.12.2023)

West Allis

  • Veteran and Military Appreciation Day at the Wisconsin State Fair (08.04.2024)
  • Veteran and Military Appreciation Day at the Wisconsin State Fair (08.06.2023)

5th Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 5th Congressional District

Adayta Axelson, Gene Asmann, and Yvonne Dusterhoeft, Jefferson County
Shawn Flyte, Jefferson County
Katlynn Rhyner, Dodge County
Jon Vandeyacht, Green Lake County
Jeremy Johns, Waukesha County
Kurt Rusch, Washington County

Dodge County

Juneau

Jefferson County

Jefferson

Watertown

  • Jefferson County Regional Benefit Expo (10.24.2024)

Waukesha County

Oconomowoc

  • VA Clinic in Oconomowoc Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (03.08.2024)

Pewaukee

  • Lt Col Harry Baker, World War II Veteran, 103rd Birthday Celebration (09.26.2023)

Waukesha

  • Waukesha County CVSO Visit (03.08.2024)

Washington County

West Bend

  • Washington County CVSO Visit (12.06.2023)
  • American Legion Speaker at 2023 Fall Convention (10.28.2023)

6th Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 6th Congressional District

Jessica Ethington, Rebekka Cary, and Tamra Bourne, Columbia County
Kevin Johnson, Ozaukee County
Dave Tellefsen, Rachael Peschke, Nicole Russell, and Peaches, Fond du Lac County
Kelly Bales, David Holst, Jeffery Bucholtz, Lydia Wilz, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties
Todd Richter, Sheboygan County
Bill Roseneau, Waushara County

Columbia County

Portage

  • Columbia County CVSO Visit (06.05.2024)

Fond du Lac County

Fond du Lac

  • Fond du Lac County CVSO Visit (02.07.2025)
  • Fond du Lac County CVSO Visit (05.08.2024)

Green Lake County

Green Lake

  • Green Lake County CVSO Visit (06.14.2024)

Manitowoc County

Manitowoc

Marquette County

Montello

Ozaukee County

Port Washington

  • Ozaukee County CVSO Visit (05.22.2024)

Sheboygan County

Elkhart Lake

  • Marine Corp League Speaker at 2024 Annual Convention (04.06.2024)

Sheboygan Falls

  • Sheboygan County CVSO Visit (05.08.2024)

Waushara County

Wautoma

  • Waushara County CVSO Visit (01.25.2024)

Winnebago County

Oshkosh

  • Winnebago County CVSO Visit (02.07.2025)
  • Tour of Oshkosh Defense Program (07.10.2024)
  • Winnebago County CVSO Visit (12.04.2023)

7th Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 7th Congressional District

Jeff Taylor, St. Croix Nation
John Itzin, Ashland County
Erick Nasi, Iron County
Fred Jack Jr., Lac Court Oreilles Nation
Randy Adair, Langlade County
Aaron Galindo and Jill Geoffroy, Marathon County
Robert Koplien, Forest County
Chris Livingston, Red Cliff Nation
Tammy Javenoski, Oneida County
Tony Lueck, Price County
Jeff Taylor, St. Croix Nation
Phil Landgraff, St. Croix County
Kevin Eades, Vilas County
Ella Parker, Burnett County
Jill Pollert, Clark County
Dan Mayotte, Bad River Nation
Joe Schmidt, Washburn County
St. Croix Nation
Gary Elliot, Sawyer County
Scott Bachowski and Shellie Shaw, Barron County
Lac Court Oreilles Nation
John Olson Jr., Lincoln County

Ashland County

Ashland

Odanah

  • Tribal Visits | Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians
    • Visit with tribe and tour their new wellness center, museum and pow wow grounds (07.17.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (06.26.2023)

Barron County

Barron

  • Barron County CVSO Visit (02.12.2025)
  • Barron County CVSO Visit (09.21.2023)

Bayfield County

Bayfield

  • Bayfield County CVSO Visit (07.17.2024)
  • Bayfield County CVSO Visit (09.21.2023)
  • Bayfield County Board Meeting (07.25.2023)
  • Tribal Visit | Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
    • Visit with tribe and learn more about culture and tour key points of interest, including Red Cliff Veteran Park (07.17.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (06.26.2023)

Burnett County

Siren

  • BOVA Meeting with Chairman Jason Maloney (04.26.2024)
  • Burnett County CVSO Visit (04.26.2024)

Webster

  • Tribal Visits | St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
    • Visit with tribe and learn more about culture and tour key points of interest including Culture Room (07.16.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (06.26.2023)

Chippewa County

Cadot

  • Hmong Lao Veterans Day (05.14.2024)

Clark County

Neillsville

  • Hmong Lao Veterans Day (05.14.2024)
  • Clark County CVSO Visit (04.05.2024)

Douglas County

Superior

  • Douglas County CVSO Visit (07.25.2023)
  • Veterans Center tour at University of Wisconsin-Superior (07.25.2023)

Florence County

Florence

Forest County

Crandon

  • Forest County CVSO Visit (08.07.2024)
  • Tribal Visits | Forest County Potawatomi Community
    • Visit with tribe and tour of Executive Building, Museum and Community Center (08.07.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (10.24.2023)
  • Tribal Visits | Sokaogon Chippewa Community/Mole Lake
    • Visit with tribe and tour Tribal Center, Clinic, 420 Building and pow wow grounds (08.07.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (10.23.2023)

Iron County

Hurley

Langlade County

Antigo

  • Langlade County CVSO Visit (08.06.2024)

Lincoln County

Merrill

  • Lincoln County CVSO Visit (10.23.2023)

Marathon County

Wausau

  • Marathon County CVSO Visit (07.18.2024)

Rothschild

  • American Legion Speaker at 2023 State Convention (07.22.2023)

Oneida County

Lake Tomahawk

  • Tour of Camp American Legion (07.19.2024)

Rhinelander

  • Oneida County CVSO Visit (06.06.2024)

Polk County

Balsam Lake

Price County

Phillips

  • Price County CVSO Visit (06.18.2024)

Rusk County

Ladysmith

St. Croix County

New Richmond

  • St. Croix County CVSO Visit (04.26.2024)
  • Veterans Outreach and Benefits Expo at American Legion (09.14.2023)

Sawyer County

Hayward

  • Sawyer County CVSO Visit (03.04.2024)
  • Tribal Visit | Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
    • Visit with tribe and tour LCO Veteran Memorial and LCO University (07.17.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (07.26.2023)

Taylor County

Medford

  • John McMurry, World War II Veteran, 102nd Birthday Celebration (06.18.2024)
  • Taylor County CVSO Visit (06.18.2024)

Vilas County

Eagle River

Lac du Flambeau

  • Tribal Visit | Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
    • Visit with tribe and tour of boys’ dorm, dental clinic, wellness center, museum, fish hatchery, sand beach and attend pow wow event (08.06.2024)
    • Tribal Partners Fishing Event (06.06.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (06.26.2023)

Washburn County

Shell Lake

  • Washburn County CVSO Visit (02.12.2025)
  • Washburn County CVSO Visit (03.04.2024)

Spooner

  • Memorial Day Event at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (05.25.2024)
  • Memorial Day Event at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (05.27.2023)

8th Congressional District

Secretary Bond visits the 8th Congressional District

Michelle Wynveen, Calumet County
Oneida Nation
Ron Christensen, Oconto County
Paul Pionke, Shawano County
Matthew Franklin, Brown County
Beth Van Oss, Door County
Jesse Cuff, Waupaca County

Brown County

De Pere

  • Disabled American Veterans Headquarters Visit (06.20.2023)

Green Bay

  • Tribal Conference (12.03.2024)
  • Brown County CVSO Visit (12.03.2024)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Speaker at 2024 State Convention (06.14.2024)
  • Disabled American Veterans Speaker at 2024 Convention (06.07.2024)
  • Brown County CVSO Visit (05.09.2024)
  • Tour of Green Bay Vets Center (05.09.2024)
  • AMVETS Speaker at 2023 State Convention (06.24.2023)

Calumet County

Chilton

  • Calumet County CVSO Visit (05.08.2024)

Door County

Sturgeon Bay

  • Door County CVSO Visit (05.08.2024)

Kewaunee County

Kewaunee

Menominee County

Keshena

  • Menominee County CVSO Visit (06.13.2024)
  • Tribal Visit | Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
    • Visit with tribe and tour of Veterans Building, MenomineeU, Wolf River and Family Center (08.08.2024)
    • Gathering of Warriors Pow Wow (05.18.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (10.24.2023)

Oconto County

Oconto

  • Oconto County CVSO Visit (06.13.2024)
  • Oconto County CVSO Visit (08.08.2024)

Outagamie County

Appleton

  • Outagamie County CVSO Visit (02.07.2025)
  • American Legion Speaker at 2024 Convention (07.13.2024)
  • Outagamie County CVSO Visit (12.04.2023)

Oneida

  • Tribal Visits | Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
    • Visit with tribe and tour Replica Longhouse and original log homes.  Learned about journey to Wisconsin, history of land policies, boarding school era and effects on Oneida, and life in the early 1900s. (06.17.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (10.25.2023)
    • Kerry Metoxin Retirement (10.25.2023)

Shawano County

Bowler

  • Tribal Visits | Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians
    • Visit with tribe and toured Arvid E. Miller Library and Museum, and pow wow grounds (06.13.2024)
    • Introduction/Meet and Greet (10.23.2023)

Shawano

  • Shawano County CVSO Visit (08.08.2024)

Waupaca County

King

  • Memorial Day Event at Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (05.27.2024)
  • Memorial Day Event at Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (05.29.2023)
  • Tour of King Veterans Home Moses Hall with Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Michele Rathke (05.16.2023)

Waupaca

  • Waupaca County CVSO Visit (01.25.2024)