After much deliberation, time, and speculation, Wisconsin Gov.-elect Scott Walker has finally announced his appointments to state government agencies and cabinet secretary posts. Walker, who will be inaugurated as Wisconsin’s next governor on Jan. 3, had to make his decisions public by Dec. 30 so that his team would be ready to assume their new roles immediately upon him taking the oath of office.
Walker opted to announce all of his appointees at once as opposed to announcing each individual as he or she was appointed. He felt that it was in the best interest of those involved to announce them all at once and take his time in doing so. As published in JSOnline, Walker noted, “It's better off that - than six months later not having the right team in place. You'll see a majority of talent from inside the state but at least one person from elsewhere. I think people are going to be impressed."
Walker took a meticulous approach to the process in order to ensure that the right people got placed in each position. As published on JSOnline, Walker said,“You can't put all Type A personalities in your cabinet, or you've got trouble. You have to fit the pieces together like a puzzle. So you need people with a strong private-sector background and people who were in state government to make those connections."
Before they can officially assume their new duties, all nominees for secretary positions must be confirmed by the state Senate. The various appointees by Walker to positions within his staff do not need this confirmation, however.
With all nominations and appointees made, the Walker administration makes its first public appearance yesterday. If all individuals for secretary positions are confirmed by the state Senate, the governor’s administration will look like this:
Secretary of the Department of Administration – State Rep. Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem)
Huebsch, who has served the 94th Assembly District in the state Legislature since 1994, is also the former Assembly Speaker.
Secretary of the Department of Commerce – Paul Jadin
Jadin, the former mayor of Green Bay and current president and CEO of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, will also become the CEO of the public-private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
Secretary of the Department of Health Services – Dennis Smith
Smith is currently the managing director of the Medicaid practice at the national consulting firm Leavitt Partners. Smith served as the director of Medicaid and State Operations at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid under President George W. Bush.
Secretary of the Department of Revenue – Rick Chandler
Chandler served as Revenue Secretary from 2001-2003 and as the Wisconsin Budget Director from 1987-2001 under former Governor Tommy Thompson.
Secretary of the Department of Transportation – State Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington)
Gottlieb, who served as a Port Washington alderman from 1991-1997 and then as mayor of the city from 1997-2003 before assuming his current post in the state Legislature, is a licensed civil engineer.
Secretary of the Department of Corrections – Gary Hamblin
Hamblin, who was a law enforcement officer for 39 years in a variety of positions, was the administrator of the Division of Law Enforcement Services within the Wisconsin Department of Justice under Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.
Secretary of the Department of Financial Institutions – Peter Bildsten
Bildsten is a 30-year veteran of the Wisconsin financial services industry. Most recently he served as Chairman and CEO of First National Bank & Trust Company of Baraboo for six years before being named the CEO of Maritime Savings Bank in 2009.
Secretary of the Department of Tourism – Stephanie Klett
Klett is an Emmy-award winning host of the Discover Wisconsin Television and Radio Series, which promotes tourism throughout the state. She is also the managing director of the Discover Wisconsin Radio Network.
Secretary of the Department of Regulation & Licensing – Dave Ross
Ross, the current mayor of Superior, has been a business owner for over 20 years.
Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources – Cathy Stepp
Stepp, a former Republican state Senator, was an appointee to the DNR board before serving in the state Legislature. She also ran a home building business with her husband before taking on her new business venture, which involves buying and selling used light trucks.
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection – Ben Brancel
A fifth generation farmer, Brancel served as the Wisconsin Director of the USDA before serving in the state Legislature. Brancel also served as the Secretary of DATCP under former Governor Tommy Thompson.
Secretary of the Department of Children & Families – Eloise Anderson
Anderson was the director of the California Department of Social Services before serving as the assistant to the county executive of Dane County.
Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development – Manuel “Manny” Perez
Perez was an affirmative action officer and a director of IT before being the North American Product Manager for Manpower Services.
Chief of Staff – Keith Gilkes
Gilkes served as Walker’s campaign manager during his gubernatorial campaign.
Deputy Chief of Staff – Eric Schutt
Schutt was the former VP for government affairs with United Health Group and served as the Deputy Campaign Manager in 2006 for Mark Green’s gubernatorial campaign against Gov. Jim Doyle.
Spokeman – Cullen Werwie
Werwie will assume the position within the administration that he has held throughout the duration of Walker’s gubernatorial campaign.
Chief Legal Counsel – Brian Hagedorn
Hagedorn was the assistant attorney general in the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Policy & Lobbying Director – Ryan Murray
Murray served as Walker’s campaign policy director and is the former communications director for state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau).
Communications Director – Chris Schrimpf
Schrimpf served in a similar capacity when he worked for the Republican Governor’s Association. His role was to serve as the spokesman for all 37 gubernatorial races in 2010.
As published in Biz Times Daily, John Hiller, Walker’s transition director, said, “I am thrilled with the highly qualified senior-level staff the transition team has assembled. These individuals will help the people of Wisconsin create 250,000 jobs and 10,000 new businesses by 2015. Working with the new governor, this team will put government back on the side of the people and loudly proclaim ‘Wisconsin is open for business.’”
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