Job Creation Top Priority for Walker Appointees MADISON—Governor-elect Scott Walker has tapped six seasoned veterans, including two CEOs, to provide advice on pro-jobs policies, balancing the state budget and selecting cabinet secretaries dedicated to making Wisconsin open for business. "We will commit ourselves to a jobs turnaround in Wisconsin," Walker said. "I am assembling a team that is committed on day one to jobs.” Walker will be sworn in as Wisconsin's Governor on January 3, 2011. Upon taking the oath of office, Walker will call the Legislature into a special session to pass measures aimed at improving the state's business climate. Walker has committed to developing economic policies that will help Wisconsin's economy create 250,000 private-sector jobs. "The time for a turnaround is now," Walker said. "That's why I have assembled an innovative team to provide advice on cabinet secretaries, develop pro-jobs policies, and balance the state budget." The advisors will be divided into three specialty areas that will provide advice to the Governor-elect and the transition. One team will deal with cabinet appointments, another with the upcoming special session on jobs and the other one will deal with balancing the state budget. The advisory teams will seek input from business groups, agricultural groups, specialty trade groups, organized labor and others interested in improving Wisconsin’s economy. Walker's transition is being chaired by Michael Grebe, CEO of the Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee. John Hiller serves as executive director of the transition team based in Madison. Below please find an attached list of Walker Turnaround Team Leaders. Cabinet Appointment Team Leaders Michael Grebe – President and CEO of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee. Grebe was the chairman and CEO of Foley & Lardner, one of the country's largest law firms. Grebe chairs the Greater Milwaukee Committee, a business and civic organization that is active in the region’s economic debate, and co-chairs the Milwaukee 7 regional economic development council. John Matthews – Matthews of Racine served as chief of staff to Governor Tommy G. Thompson. Matthews is a senior vice president of corporate affairs of JohnsonDiversey, Inc. of Sturtevant. Lt. Gov Margaret Farrow – Farrow of Pewaukee served as Lt. Governor with Governor McCallum. She served in the State Senate from 1989 until 2001 and one term in the Assembly. She continues to serve on various civic and state boards. Susan Marks – Marks is CEO of Pinstripe, Inc, a Milwaukee-based business services firm. Pinstripe designs, builds and manages talent management systems for health care, technology and financial services organizations. Marks is president of Competitive Wisconsin, Inc. and serves on a number of boards globally. Pro-Growth Budget Team Leaders Rick Chandler – Chandler served as Secretary of the Department of Revenue for Governor Tommy G. Thompson and Governor Scott McCallum. Chandler, of Madison, also served as state budget director under Thompson. Chandler is currently a public affairs consultant, advising corporate clients on fiscal policy. Rep. Kitty Rhoades – Rhoades served for six years on the powerful Joint Finance Committee, including two years as chair. Rhoades, of Hudson, served as the executive director of the Hudson Chamber of Commerce from 1991 to 1996. She served in the Assembly from 1999, until retiring this year.
