Mary Kolar

Mary Masters Kolar[1] (born Mary Kelley in 1958)[2][3] is an American retired military officer and politician who is the Wisconsin Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Administration of Governor Tony Evers.[4]

Navy Captain Mary Kolar

Background and education

Kolar received a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, a Master's degree in Adult Education from the University of Rhode Island, and a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.[5]

Kolar served 28 years on active duty for the United States Navy from 1980 to 2008,[4] retiring with the rank of Captain. Kolar later worked as the Director of Public Operations for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.[6]

Political career

Kolar was elected President of the Metropolitan Place Condominium Owners and served from 2009-2014.

Kolar was elected to the Dane County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors in 2013.[7] She also served three terms on the Wisconsin Counties Association Board of Directors.[8] While on the county board, Kolar served as the Chairperson of the Dane County Veterans Service Commission, Chair of the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee, Co-Chair of the City-County Liaison Committee, Vice Chair of the Dane County Housing Authority, Chair of the Healthy Farms Healthy Lakes Task Force, member of the Lakes and Watershed Commission, and member of the Cultural Affairs Commission. Kolar also served as the Vice President of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation.[9][10]

In early 2019, Kolar was appointed by Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers to serve as his Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[11] She was confirmed by the Wisconsin State Senate in October 2019.[12]

Personal

She is married to Scott A. Kolar, also a former Navy officer.[13] The couple have two children.[4]

References
  1. "PN1408 — Navy". U.S. Congress. August 4, 1990. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  2. "PN814 — Civilian". U.S. Congress. April 13, 1984. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  3. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Reserve Officers on the Active-Duty List. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1984. p. 121. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  4. "Secretary's Page". Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  5. Times, Jessie Opoien | The Capital. "Tony Evers names more cabinet picks, including Dane County Supervisor Mary Kolar as DVA chief". madison.com. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  6. "Wisconsin's incoming governor picks retired Navy officer to lead veterans agency". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  7. "Detail". board.countyofdane.com. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  8. "WCA Commends Governor-Elect Evers for Selection of Mary Kolar for Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary" (PDF). www.thewheelerreport.com. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  9. "Mary Kolar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  10. "Dane County - MARY KOLAR". dane.legistar.com. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  11. "Gov.-elect Tony Evers names veterans secretary, budget director and financial services chief". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  12. "Wisconsin Senate confirms 5 of Evers Cabinet secretaries". WMTV NBC 15. October 8, 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  13. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers, p. 77. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
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