Secretary Mary Burke Departs Commerce

Governor Praises Her Leadership, Thanks Her for Her Service

Governor Doyle announced that Secretary Mary Burke left the Department of Commerce effective November 1, 2007. Secretary Burke departed to devote more time to her non-profit work and family interests, including her position as President of the Boy's and Girls Club of Dane County and her family's Trinity Foundation. A new Secretary will be appointed in the coming weeks.

"Secretary Burke has worked tirelessly to attract, strengthen and grow Wisconsin businesses and create good-paying jobs for our citizens," Governor Doyle said. "She has been an asset to my Administration and a valuable leader for our state's economy. From promoting regional economic development and best practices in every part of the state, to improving accountability and efficiency in state government, her service will have a lasting impact."

"It's been an honor to help Governor Doyle grow our economy, attract new businesses and create jobs for Wisconsin families," Secretary Burke said. "I know that under the Governor's leadership, the state's economy will continue to grow and prosper."

Governor Doyle praised Secretary Burke for her accomplishments at Commerce, including:

• Streamlining and strengthening the state's economic development efforts by improving accountability and ensuring companies that receive state support create jobs and grow Wisconsin economy;
• Encouraging development of regional business groups, such as Milwaukee 7, REDE and the New North;
• Creating thousands of jobs by attracting investment to Wisconsin for projects including the reopening of the paper mill in Park Falls, Abbott Laboratories purchase of 500 acres for a new corporate campus in Kenosha, Northwestern Mutual's $70 million expansion in Franklin, and Kerry Corporation's new R&D and headquarters in Beloit;
• Assisting early stage start-up companies and entrepreneurs, including increasing early-stage investing through the Wisconsin Angel Network, the Act 255 tax credit program and the Wisconsin Innovates conference;
• Promoting minority entrepreneurship through the Get Started, Get Growing initiative and implementing the state's first Women Business certification program;
• Protecting the safety of Wisconsin residents by giving Safety and Building inspectors "red-tag" authority to shut down dangerous facilities and equipment across the state;
• Helping Wisconsin companies expand internationally. Since 2004, Wisconsin's exports have grown nearly 50 percent, 7 percent faster than the national average.

-- Carla Vigue