12 Oct Burke to leave Department of Commerce
Madison, Wis. – Mary Burke, who has served as state Secretary of Commerce under Gov. Jim Doyle since 2004, will leave the Department of Commerce effective Nov. 1, 2007, according to the Governor’s office.
A new Secretary will be appointed in the coming weeks.
Burke is leaving 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.
“There are so many things I like about this [cabinet] job, but these jobs are pretty much all-encompassing in terms of time and energy,” Burke said.
In a release announcing the departure, Doyle praised Burke for her work to attract new businesses to the state, grow existing ones, and create good-paying jobs.
“She has been an asset to my administration and a valuable leader for our state’s economy,” Doyle said. “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.”
Doyle said Burke’s accomplishments at Commerce also include streamlining and strengthening the state’s economic development efforts, encouraging development of regional business groups such as Milwaukee 7, and attracting investment to Wisconsin for projects like the Abbott Laboratories’ purchase of 500 acres for a new corporate campus in Kenosha, Northwestern Mutual’s $70 million expansion in Franklin, and Kerry Corp.’s new headquarters in Beloit.
He also praised Burke’s work to increase early-stage investing through the Wisconsin Angel Network and the Act 255 tax credit program, and helping Wisconsin companies expand internationally through increased export activity.
Burke cited her work in developing new companies through entrepreneurial programs like Act 255 and the Wisconsin Angel Network, which have helped solidify its technology and life-science sector, but she said further developing the state’s biofuels industry is perhaps the most important item going forward.
“It’s our greatest opportunity,” she said.
Related stories
• Commerce qualifies seven for investor tax credits
• Women entrepreneurs reach for $1M level
• Burke would like to double Act 255 angel tax credits