Former Department of Revenue deputy secretary David Casey to lead agency (2024)

Former state Department of Revenue deputy secretary David Casey has been appointed to fill the secretary position left vacant after former agency head Peter Barca stepped down last week, Gov. Tony Evers said Monday.

In a statement, the Democratic governor said Casey, who currently works as an industry expert in tax compliance and fraud for SAS Institute in Cary, North Carolina, brings “decades of experience in the industry, previous history working alongside our dedicated state workers, and his knowledge of our state tax laws and codes back to the department to serve the people of Wisconsin.”

Casey’s appointment will take effect on April 29. He fills the vacancy created when Barca, who joined the state DOR in early 2019 as one of Evers’ first executive appointees, announced late last month he would be stepping down as he considers a campaign for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

Casey previously served as deputy secretary from 2019-22 and has nearly 30 years of experience working with state tax agencies.

“Nearly every individual and business in the state of Wisconsin has some form of interaction with the Department of Revenue, and it is our responsibility to ensure these interactions are as efficient and effective as possible while maintaining the highest levels of tax compliance,” Casey said in a statement.

“The department is a premier tax agency known for innovative solutions and outstanding customer service, all due to the focus of hardworking state employees,” Casey continued. “It is my honor to once again work in this world-class organization to serve the needs of Wisconsin taxpayers.”

Casey earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Grinnell College and a master’s of public administration in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. He also worked as assistant to the city manager for the city of Vancouver in Washington, was a principal for American Management Systems in Fairfax, Virginia, and spent time as a consulting manager for firms in Illinois and Massachusetts, according to the governor’s office.

Casey’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.