Contact:
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Governor Praises His Leadership of Department of Commerce; Cites
Accomplishments on Creating Jobs, Investing in Workforce, & Bringing New
Businesses to Wisconsin
Department of Commerce Secretary Cory Nettles announced
today that he is moving to the private sector effective December 31, 2004.
Governor Jim Doyle praised Secretary Nettles for his accomplishments over
the past two years and thanked him for his great service to Wisconsin.
“I called Cory a bright, young, rising star when he joined
my Administration, and he certainly has exceeded all expectations,” Governor
Doyle said. “His straightforward, no-nonsense style has served Wisconsin
well. He truly understands what it takes for businesses to grow and succeed
in Wisconsin, and he has done a wonderful job of selling our state as a
great place to live, do business, and raise a family. Although I am sorry
to see him go, I wish him all the best and thank him for a job well done for
Wisconsin.”
Nettles, who is becoming a partner in the Milwaukee office
of Quarles & Brady LLP, thanked the Governor for the chance to serve
Wisconsin in the Doyle Administration.
“I am profoundly grateful to Governor Doyle for the
opportunity he has given me to serve,” Secretary Nettles said. “I very much
have appreciated and respected his strong, decisive leadership and his focus
on creating jobs in Wisconsin. I have learned a great deal from Governor
Doyle as a leader, a boss, and a friend. I’m glad he gave me the
opportunity to be a part of his team.”
Governor Doyle credited Secretary Nettles for a series of
improvements at Commerce and across Wisconsin, including:
* Helped the Governor craft and implement “Grow Wisconsin,” the
Governor’s economic development strategy. From venture capital legislation
to repealing the tax on creating jobs, virtually every major piece of “Grow
Wisconsin” was signed into law. Since October 2003, Wisconsin has created
more than 60,000 jobs, including more than 10,000 manufacturing jobs.
* Led the negotiations on the Financial Modernization Act (Act 63),
which is expected to bring hundreds of millions of dollars of new investment
to Wisconsin.
* Streamlined Commerce programs and cut spending to support the
Governor’s goal of eliminating the $3.2 billion budget deficit without
raising taxes. Commerce savings included merging two divisions into the
Division of Business Development, consolidating two bureaus in the Division
of Safety & Building, consolidating the Bureau of Housing, eliminating more
than 60 positions, and cutting more than $10,000,000.
* Awarded $278.2 million to businesses and communities since January
2003, leveraging more than $1.4 billion of investment, and creating or
retaining 42,000 jobs.
“I’m very proud of the successes we’ve enjoyed in getting
our state’s economy back on track because of Governor Doyle’s very strong
leadership,” Secretary Nettles said. “I very much look forward to
continuing to work for and support Governor Doyle and his good work in the
future.”
Governor Doyle will name a successor to Secretary Nettles
soon.
