Walker announces administration changes
In a cabinet shakeup, Gov. Scott Walker has named Scott Neitzel secretary of the Department of Administration, moving current DOA Secretary Michael Huebsch to the Public Service Commission.
Walker announced the changes Monday afternoon as part of a number of moves.
Neitzel, a senior vice president for Madison Gas and Electric Co., replaces Huebsch, who has served since Walker was elected in 2010.
“It has been an honor serving the governor and the people of the state of Wisconsin as the secretary of the Department of Administration,” Huebsch said in a news release from the governor’s office Monday. “I look forward to continuing to serve at the Public Service Commission. I wish all the best to Scott Neitzel. I believe he will do a tremendous job as the next DOA secretary.”
“Public service is a great honor, and I am humbled Gov. Walker has asked me to serve in this capacity. We will continue to build upon the reforms that grow our economy and increase the efficiency of state government.” Neitzel said in the release.
Neitzel will make just more than $128,000 in the secretary position, and Huebsch will get a slight raise to a salary of $129,000.
Walker also appointed Ellen Nowak as the new chairwoman of the Public Service Commission. Huebsch will replace outgoing Doyle appointee Eric Callisto at the PSC.
Nowak takes over as PSC chair from Phil Montgomery, who had had the role since March 2011.
Former Gogebic Taconite mining company spokesman Bob Seitz has been appointed to be the executive assistant to Nowak, where he will make $112,000.
Cate Zueske, a former state treasurer, will become the deputy DOA secretary, a position recently vacated by Chris Schoenherr. Zueske will make $125,476.
The governor also tapped Tricia Braun, a former vice president of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., as chief operating officer of WEDC. She will make $150,000 in that role
Brian Schimming was named deputy executive director and chief operating officer of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, where he will make $128,000.
