Making a difference: Jake Leinenkugel taps with pride into job working with VA in D.C.

Aug. 06--Jake Leinenkugel has no regrets about coming out of retirement to become a senior adviser to the White House for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"It's rewarding and challenging," Leinenkugel said. "I come into work, and I tell myself I try to make a difference to one veteran every day. And at the end of the day, 12 or 13 hours later, I wonder as I walk out, did I make a difference? I'm actually working as hard as I ever did."

Leinenkugel, 65, was president of Leinenkugel Brewing Co. for 25 years, from 1989 to 2014, until retiring and turning the reins over to his younger brother Dick Leinenkugel.

Jake Leinenkugel said he was approached shortly after the November election about his interest in serving President Donald Trump in either the Department of Defense or the DVA.

"I was approached, not at the same time, by two people I trust," he said. "I think it was the excitement of being asked, even though I was retired."

Jake talked it over with his wife, Peg, who encouraged him to explore the possibilities.

"Peg said, 'It's always something you've been interested in, is helping others,' " he said. "My sons, my brother, my dad, we're all veterans."

Leinenkugel made a Dec. 20 trip to New York for an interview at Trump Tower before a three-person panel. Trump was not in attendance. Leinenkugel was offered the job as senior adviser on Dec. 22, and he accepted it on Dec. 23. A formal announcement was made Jan. 20.

Massive VA

Now, roughly six months into the job, Leinenkugel is thoroughly enjoying his work in Washington. Peg has since joined him in the nation's capital.

"I had no idea how big the VA is," he said, noting there are 360,000 employees nationwide, 168 major medical facilities and 1,087 clinics.

"That makes the VA the largest medical clinic by far, and that brings challenges," he said. "It's a big, monstrous agency. I'm starting to get comfortable with the depth and scope of this job."

There are about 22 million veterans in the country, with about 9 million seeking medical care from the VA. Veterans have a variety of ailments, ranging from dealing with missing limbs to mental health issues, from their military service.

Leinenkugel praised VA Secretary David Shulkin, saying he has the department headed in the right direction.

"He's a big thinker. He wants us to act faster," Leinenkugel said.

One of the proposed changes is to work out an agreement so VA hospitals can partner with other health facilities that might be better suited, either with staff or equipment, to handle the needs of a veteran.

"That's a big initiative for us," he said.

Another proposal would allow veterans to seek care elsewhere.

"We're calling it veterans' choice -- if they aren't happy with their VA, then they can go to another facility," Leinenkugel said. "We are working on legislation now."

He added: "All of this is coming together after six months, to be more responsive to veterans' needs."

Leinenkugel said he's thoroughly impressed with his staff, calling them "hard workers (who) are very committed."

'Walked that walk'

Jerry Jacobson of Chippewa Falls, a longtime friend of Leinenkugel, said veterans are well-served by having Leinenkugel working on their behalf in Washington.

"He goes to the vet homes, and he knows their challenges," Jacobson said. "He knows the guys who volunteer and take vets to a hospital in Minneapolis. He has firsthand knowledge on what veterans in rural America face. It's good to have someone like Jake giving rural viewpoints."

Michael Hanke, a former Chippewa Falls councilman and a retired Wisconsin Army National Guard member with 23 years of military service, echoed Jacobson's comments, saying having Leinenkugel representing the Chippewa Valley is invaluable.

"The influence he has there is extremely positive, just with the military background of that family," Hanke said. "I appreciate that he's walked that walk. And he's not there for the money -- he doesn't need it. He's there because he cares."

Leinenkugel is a Marine veteran, as are two of his four children.

Leinenkugel sees his job in Washington as a short stint; he doesn't plan to stay throughout Trump's four-year term.

"At the most, it probably will be two years," he said. "I really don't want to go through another election cycle. And I miss Chippewa Falls, and Arizona. I truly do miss being around my Wisconsin friends and family."

Contact: 715-723-0303, chris.vetter@ecpc.com

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