For Immediate Release: September 21, 1995
Management changes announced at two Wisconsin state government departments
Secretary William J. McCoshen of the Department of Development and Secretary
Carol Skornicka of the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations
announced today important personnel changes in the top management of
their departments.
Secretaries McCoshen and Skornicka said that these changes are being
made effective October 1, 1995, to enable the two departments to administer
the new responsibilities assigned to them in Governor Tommy G. Thompson's
recently approved state government reorganization plan. The Secretaries
said they expect the reorganization plan, which has been scheduled to
become effective July 1, 1996, to be completed ahead of time. In anticipation
of early completion of the reorganization, the personnel changes are
being announced now.
Patrick J. Osborne, Deputy Secretary at DILHR, will move to the Department
of Development to become Executive Assistant to Secretary McCoshen.
The Department of Development will be renamed the Department of Commerce
in the reorganization. Prior to joining DILHR, Pat directed Governor
Thompson`s policy staff during the majority of his first term, and served
as acting Chief of Staff for several months in 1990. Osborne has extensive
experience on environmental, construction, and health and safety issues.
These functions, which are currently managed by DILHR's Division of Safety
and Buildings, will be transferred to the Department of Commerce as part
of the reorganization.
Secretary Skornicka said, "Pat Osborne's contributions at DILHR have
been absolutely exceptional, and he will be of significant value to Secretary
McCoshen at the new Department of Commerce." Secretary McCoshen agreed,
saying: "Osborne's expertise in environmental, construction, health and
safety issues will be vital to the successful integration of the Division
of Safety and Buildings into the Department of Commerce."
Brenda J. Blanchard, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Development,
will move to the DILHR where she will become Executive Assistant to Secretary
Skornicka. Blanchard has long service in the business community, having
served as the Executive Director of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce
for seven years before joining the Thompson administration
Secretary McCoshen said, "Brenda Blanchard has been a valuable member
of my management team at DOD, and she will do an exceptional job at DILHR
as well. Brenda has the right blend of management and interpersonal
skills to be successful in any endeavor she undertakes.
Secretary Skornicka said: "Blanchard's experience with private sector
employers will be extremely valuable to DILHR as this agency looks for
innovative ways to create a stronger connection with the private sector,
which plays a major role in Wisconsin's new Employment and Training System
and making welfare reform a success."
Thomas H. Taylor, currently Executive Assistant to Secretary McCoshen,
will become Deputy Secretary of the Department of Development. Before
joining the Department of Development as Executive Assistant in March
1995, Taylor spent nine years in private practice and the Department
of Justice, concentrating on bankruptcy, commercial and contract litigation.
Since joining the Department of Development, Taylor has been working
closely with Secretary McCoshen on major economic development issues.
Secretary McCoshen said, "Tom Taylor has added tremendous value to the
Department of Development during his tenure as Executive Assistant, co
authoring Governor Tommy G. Thompson's new Enterprise Development Zone
Program, recommending and implementing a number of changes to improve
the DOD's loan and grant programs, and serving as Special Counsel to
the Governor and Secretary James Klauser on the Milwaukee Brewers stadium
negotiations. Tom has exceeded all of my expectations as my Executive
Assistant and he will be even more valuable in his new role as my Deputy
Secretary."
Richard C. Wegner, currently Executive Assistant to Secretary Skornicka,
will become Deputy Secretary of the DILHR, which will be renamed the
Department of Industry, Labor and Jobs Development in the reorganization.
The new department will be responsible for worker's compensation, unemployment
insurance, employment and training programs, and fair employment laws.
It will acquire responsibility for all welfare and vocational rehabilitation
programs from the Department of Health and Social Services in the
reorganization.
Wegner has extensive background in employment, training and organizational
change management in private business and government, and he has worked
closely with Secretary Skornicka as her Executive Assistant at DILHR
in establishing a comprehensive management system for the agency. Skornicka
said Wegner has been serving as the project manager in the Secretary's
Office in overseeing the process of absorbing its substantial new
responsibilities under the reorganization.
Governor Thompson expressed his strong support for the changes and said
they would strengthen each department's ability to manage its new programs
and help ensure the success of his reorganization program.
Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations
Carol Skornicka, Secretary
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: 608/266-7552
FAX: 608/266-1784
Department of Development
William J. McCoshen, Secretary
123 W. Washington Ave.
P.O. Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970
Telephone: 608/266-8976
FAX: 608/266-3447
For more information, contact David Blaska at 608/267-4400 or Tony Hozeny
at 608/267-9661
SEC-7792-E (R. 08/94)