Secretary-designee

James Bond serves as the Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a disabled veteran with over three 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 three 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 Wisc​onsin Department of Veterans Affairs. As WDVA Secretary, James is the chief advocate for more than 330,000 veterans in Wisconsin and their families.   

James is deeply honored and thankful to Governor Evers for his appointment and the opportunity to continue doing what he loves best—​serving veterans, making sure they receive the benefits and services they have earned, telling their stories, and honoring their contributions. 

 James lives in Madison with his husband, Todd, and their two sons.