Patricia Statz was born January 25, 1960 in Chippewa Falls; the daughter of JoAnn (Marek) and Vincent Statz. She attended McDonell High School and pursued a degree in Theater at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire that she completed at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1983.

Lieutenant Colonel Dennis M. Johnson, 48, an Adjutant General Corps Officer, served in a wide variety of both command and staff positions throughout his 25 years of military service.

A two-time Vietnam veteran, John J. Chada followed his long military career (in which he served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army), by working as an administrative assistant for the Department of Defense Information Management Support Center.