Executive Staff
Dan Hereth, Secretary
Dan Hereth was appointed Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services in August 2022. Secretary Hereth has spent his career in public service. He had previously served as the agency assistant deputy secretary since January 2019. Before that, he served as the Deputy District Director for Congresswoman Gwen Moore since 2007.
Hereth is a Watertown, WI native and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Minor in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Jennifer Garrett, Deputy Secretary
Jennifer Garrett was appointed Deputy Secretary of DSPS in January 2025 after serving more than two years as the department's Assistant Deputy Secretary. Before that, she served as director of public affairs. Jennifer joined the department in July 2019 as communications director.
She serves as the chief of staff for the Secretary, managing external affairs for DSPS including media, legislative, and external stakeholders. Additionally, Jennifer serves as the department liaison with the governor's staff and other agencies.
Garrett is an Indiana native. She has a bachelor's degree in communications and English from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She also earned her J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana.
Niko Ruud,
Assistant Deputy Secretary
Niko Ruud was appointed as Assistant Deputy Secretary in January 2025 after serving two years as Administrator for the DSPS Division of Professional Credential Processing. In that role, Niko led the approximately 50 DSPS employees that process initial and renewal applications for health, business, and trades professionals; provide legal services to the division; and handle call center services for the department.
As Assistant Deputy Secretary, Ruud provides oversight and leads operational work across all DSPS divisions.
Before joining the department, Niko supervised the Comprehensive Health and Wellness Program at the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.
Niko served as a Maintenance Officer in the U.S. Air Force. He led teams of maintenance professionals during three assignments at units worldwide before his fourth and final active-duty assignment as an International Programs Officer and Instructor of French at the U.S. Air Force Academy.