Assistant Commissioner of Veterans Affairs

Joseph Pipas

Joseph Pipas serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, where he oversees the Department’s core business functions, including Communications, Employee Relations and Human Services, Facilities, Fiscal & Administrative Services, and Information Services. In this role, he provides strategic leadership to ensure operational excellence and the effective delivery of services supporting New Jersey’s veterans and their families.

Previously, Mr. Pipas served as the Department’s Chief Information Officer, where he led a team of specialized professionals responsible for the design, development, and management of information technology and telecommunications systems that support and enable Department operations. His oversight included Network Operations and Security, Customer Support Services, Web Services, Telecommunications, Policy and Planning, IT Project Management, Procurement, Asset Management, and Health Information Systems.

Prior to joining the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Pipas held numerous roles within the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, including 21 years as a federal employee in maintenance, logistics, project management, and information technology, and 17 years as a state employee, where he served as IT Operations Manager and later as Department Chief Information Officer.

Mr. Pipas retired from the United States Army in 2025 at the rank of Colonel, following 39 years of distinguished service in a variety of leadership roles, most notably with the New Jersey Army National Guard.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in History, with honors, and a master’s degree in Education from Rutgers University, and has completed extensive professional training across multiple disciplines.

As a combat veteran, Mr. Pipas remains deeply committed to serving the veteran community. His leadership continues to strengthen the Department’s ability to deliver mission-driven services, leveraging innovation, operational excellence, and strategic coordination to support veterans and their families across New Jersey.