Governor Jerry Brown assigned Rocky J. Chavez as Acting Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs on January 4th, 2011. Previously, Rocky served as the Undersecretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs from November 9th 2009 until January 3rd, 2011. Prior to his assignment with California Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky served on the Oceanside City Council from November of 2002 to December of 2009.

Rocky Chavez was born in Los Angeles and graduated from Torrance High School. He attended California State University, Chico, where he received his BA degree.

Rocky was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps on January 1, 1974. Following his commission, he served in all four Marine Divisions around the world. In his Marine Corps career he has risen from commanding three men in a Forward Observer billet to being Chief of Staff for the 4th Marine Division. His last billet was Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, Camp Pendleton.

Rocky is a graduate of the Air War College, Armed Forces Staff College, and Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He also attended Old Dominion University where he studied International Relations. Rocky retired from the Marine Corps on September 1, 2001.

Rocky serves his community through a variety of civic organizations including: serving as a Board Member of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce (Member of the Year 1999), Rotary, and the Women’s Resource Center, 2001-04. He is also involved with numerous youth programs and coached varsity wrestling at El Camino High School, 2000-01. Rocky held the position of Chief Education Officer for the School of Business and Technology Charter High School in Oceanside from 2001-07.

Rocky and his wife Mary live in Oceanside and have three children. His wife Mary received her BA degree from the University of New Orleans and her MBA from California State University, San Marcos. Son Temujin Tom Chavez is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy. He received his BS degree from the University of California, Davis and his Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Daughter Regina Ann Shepperson received her BS degree from the University of California, Davis and her MSA from Central Michigan State. Son Sage John Chavez attended the Coast Guard Academy and graduated from Park College with a degree in Computer Science.