John Wagner

commissioner, MA Transitional Assistance

John A. Wagner was appointed Director of the California Department of Social Services by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in April 2007. With nearly two decades of experience in human services, he has served as senior policymaker and advisor to six gubernatorial administrations in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Previous to his appointment, Dir. Wagner served as assistant secretary for children, youth and families for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, where he coordinated policies and programs for the Office of Children, Youth and Families with other state agencies. Director Wagner also served as commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, where he led one the state's largest agencies and oversaw the administration of cash assistance, shelter and food programs serving poor and low-income residents. Director Wagner earned a master's degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree from Marquette University.