Wayne Bollig started his employment with the State of Kansas in April of 1998. His State career started as the Chief Fiscal Officer for the Kansas State Library. In 1998, he was selected as the first State Cemetery Program Director for the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs where he implemented the current Veterans Cemetery Program, developing the Grant applications for the State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Dodge, Wakeeney and Winfield and pre-grant application for the Fort Riley Cemetery. Mr. Bollig served in this capacity until 2001 when he became the Chief Fiscal Officer for the KCVA. Subsequently he was selected as Director of the Veteran Service/SAA Program. He has served three Executive Directors in this position and served as interim Executive Director during the transitions. With the passage of Senate Bill 396, he was given the additional duties of Director of the Veterans Claims Assistance Program and Chair of the Veterans Claims Assistance Advisory Board.
Mr. Bollig is a native Kansan, born and raised in Hays Kansas, where he attended St. Josephs Military Academy a Catholic high school. While in high school, he participated in the Army ROTC program. Mr. Bollig graduated from St. Josephs Military Academy in 1969. On August 30, 1970, Mr. Bollig enlisted in the United State Air Force where he was honorably discharged in December 1977 after serving two successful tours. While in the Air Force he attended basic training in San Antonio, Texas, and schooling at Lowery AFB in Denver Colorado. During his tours he was stationed at Altus AFB, Oklahoma; Hickam AFB Hawaii; and McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas. While in the Air Force, Mr. Bollig attended the University of Hawaii working on his Associates degree. Prior to leaving the service Mr. Bollig received an Associates Degree from the Community College of the Air Force.
After leaving the Air Force in December of 1977, Mr. Bollig continued his education attending classes evening and weekends at Fort Hays State University, using his G.I. Bill as a full time student, while working days as office manager for Warehouse Incorporated. He graduated from Fort Hays State University 1982 with a degree in Finance.
Prior to taking the position of Chief Fiscal Officer for the Kansas State Library System, Mr. Bollig spent most of his fifteen years in the financial arena in Western Kansas working for two rural banks and as Research/Business Development Director for Mid-Kansas Economic Development. While in western Kansas, Mr. Bollig served on the church finance council, as Chamber President, and served on the City Council for the communities of Gorham and Hoisington. In addition to his business career, Mr. Bollig taught evening classes at Barton County Community College.
Mr. Bollig married his high school sweetheart Connie Riedel, also a Western Kansas native, on July 4, 1970. Wayne and Connie have three children, two sons Scott and David, and a daughter Jamie and four grand children Sarah, Valerie, Coby and Coy. Connie has had a successful career as coordinator of the Shafer Art Gallery in Great Bend, Kansas and has had the pleasure to serve as scheduler for two former Kansas Lt. Governors, Gary Sherrer and John Moore. She currently works for the Kansas Department of Administration, Legal Section.
Mr. Bollig not only serves as Director of Veteran Services, Director of the Veterans Claims Assistance program, Chair of the Veterans Claims Assistance advisory board, he is an active member of the American Legion, and an accredited Service Representative for the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Retired Enlisted Association.