About Us

Governor Scott Walker

Governor Scott Walker signed the 2011-13 state budget, creating the new Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) – formed by combining the Department of Regulation and Licensing and parts of the Department of Commerce.

The Department of Safety and Professional Services is responsible for ensuring the safe and competent practice of licensed professionals in Wisconsin. The department also administers and enforces laws to assure safe and sanitary conditions in public and private buildings and regulates petroleum products and petroleum storage tank systems. It provides administrative services to the state occupational regulatory authorities responsible for regulation of occupations and offers policy assistance in such areas as evaluating and establishing new professional licensing programs, creating routine procedures for legal proceedings, and adjusting policies in response to public needs.

The Department is organized into five divisions and the Office of the Secretary. The divisions are Policy Development, Management Services, Legal Services & Compliance, Credential Processing, and Industry Services.

The Department licenses and regulates more than 200 different types of credentials. The agency also provides centralized administrative services to nearly 100 boards, councils, and advisory committees. The boards, councils, and advisory committees have varying levels of responsibility and professional oversight based on statutory provisions.

Secretary Dave Ross		Born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, Secretary Dave Ross graduated from Superior Senior High School in 1970 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Dave grew up in a small business family and was self-employed for over 20 years in an upholstery business. He knows the hard work it takes to run a business and is keenly aware of the importance of a reasonable tax and regulatory climate. Secretary Ross joined Governor Scott Walker’s cabinet as the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) in January 2011. DSPS licenses more than 200 professional fields and houses nearly 100 boards and councils. The Department also protects the safety, health, and welfare of Wisconsin’s residents. Prior to coming to DSPS, Secretary Ross served for two terms as Mayor of Superior. He also served as a member of the board of directors of Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Superior Business Improvement District, Superior-Douglas County Development Association, Great Ships Initiative and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors Initiative. Secretary Ross is a past director of the Wisconsin League of Municipalities. Secretary Ross was married in 1973 to his wife, Lynn, and together they have four daughters and 13 grandchildren.

Deputy Secretary
Bill Wendle

In September 2011, Bill Wendle accepted an appointment to join the administration of Governor Scott Walker as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services under Secretary Dave Ross.

Bill served 14 years at the Wisconsin Builders Association as their chief executive. Prior to that, he served 16 years at the Wisconsin Medical Society as education coordinator, information systems manager, property manager, and a variety of other positions. In 2007, Bill was elected to serve as President of the Executive Officers Council of the National Association of Home Builders.

Bill is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Business School, majoring in Organizational Behavior. He began his working career at University of Wisconsin Extension in Continuing Medical Education.

Bill and his wife, Marlene, are parents of three grown children and six grandchildren.

Executive Assistant
Greg Gasper

Greg Gasper was born and raised near the City of Plymouth in Sheboygan County. A 1992 graduate of Plymouth High School, Greg went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-Whitewater in 1996.

After graduation, Greg worked as a legislative aide in the Wisconsin Legislature for two years until, in 1999, he became a licensed real estate salesperson. He worked for two Madison-area real estate firms over five years and, in 2004, returned to the State Capitol as a legislative aide in various roles through 2011.

Greg joined the Department of Safety and Professional Services in 2011 and was appointed Executive Assistant in early 2012. As EA, Greg oversees agency policy development as well as external stakeholder and legislative affairs.

He now lives in Fort Atkinson with his wife, Betsy, and their three daughters.