Wayne Knutson has been named as the new Waupaca County veterans services officer.
Knutson is a native of Waupaca and after college, his military career and raising a family, returned to the area in 2008. He is a veteran with more than 20 years, active duty, in the U.S. Air Force.
Serving in the Air Force from 1977 to 1997, Knutson served in military intelligence. He engaged in support roles for Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Provide Promise and Deny Flight.
He brings an extensive military background with him, from being a military dependent, then entering active duty and now to having a son-in-law on active duty. He is also the junior vice commander of Waupaca’s VFW Post 1037.
Knutson holds a bachelor’s degree in applied management from National American University and an associate’s degree in communication from the Community College of the Air Force.
He comes to the Veterans Service Office from the Financial Information Service Center, a program of Goodwill Industries, where he was a financial counselor.
Knutson replaces Jon Lidonne, who served as the Waupaca County veterans officer for 13 years and recently became the veterans service officer for Outagamie County.
The Waupaca County Veterans Service Office assists all veterans and their dependents with applications for state and federal benefits. The Veterans Service Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Waupaca County Courthouse.