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  2. News Room
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Tony Evers, Governor
Caleb Frostman, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 02, 2020
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

DWD Announces New Deputy Secretary: Robert Cherry, Jr.

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced its new Deputy Secretary, Robert Cherry, Jr., following the retirement of JoAnna Richard, who retired March 26.

"I greatly appreciate JoAnna stepping back into DWD to support Governor Evers' Administration, having served eight years at DWD under Governor Doyle's Administration," Sec. Caleb Frostman said. "Her leadership, insights, and deep knowledge of the workforce system have been pivotal factors in DWD's successes."

Cherry serves as Chief Development and Partnership Officer for Employ Milwaukee. Cherry earned his Bachelor of Science degree at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and has extensive experience in community organizing, overseeing budget activities, and implementing community programs and policy initiatives.

During his tenure at Employ Milwaukee, Cherry created the Office of Career Exploration, which is dedicated to enhancing the workforce skills of individuals 18 to 24 years old in Milwaukee County. He has a background in strategic planning related to communications, marketing, and fundraising. Additionally, he has developed and led symposiums to engage state and community leaders to improve upon policies that effectively assist individuals in poverty in Wisconsin.

"Cherry is an experienced and strategically-focused leader in the fields of workforce development and public policy," Frostman said. "His passion around economic support and advancement will serve Wisconsin well amid COVID-19 and beyond. People throughout our state have been economically impacted by this pandemic and we need more thoughtful leaders to lead us through this situation and I believe Robert is one of those leaders."