Our goal is to build a Wisconsin where people come together to invest in a brighter future for everyone. That starts with a Cabinet that represents Wisconsin values.
The broad depth of experience our cabinet brings to our state will ensure that we bring science back to the Department of Natural Resources; that we can reform our criminal justice system and address racial disparities while improving public safety; that we can highlight for the world all that Wisconsin has to offer; and that we do it all by running an efficient, effective government that is focused on bipartisan solutions, not political fights.
Department of Administration
Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld
Kathy Blumenfeld previously served as the Secretary of the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) in the Evers Administration from 2019 to early 2022. Prior to her appointment at DFI, Kathy Blumenfeld served as the executive vice president of special operations at TASC. Before joining TASC, she worked for CUNA Mutual Group for twenty-five years, most recently as vice president of lending and payment security. Ms. Blumenfeld also served as a certified public accountant at two large firms and worked for State Senator Joe Strohl. She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the author of three books.
Department of Corrections
Secretary Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr most recently served as a U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Mr. Carr has a 39-year law enforcement background, including 30 years with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. He served four years in Internal Affairs and led a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Gang Task Force for two years. He received his undergraduate degree from Concordia University and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Public Service Commission
Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq
Rebecca Cameron Valcq was appointed by Gov. Evers as Commissioner at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for a six-year term beginning on January 7, 2019. Gov. Evers also appointed her as Commission Chairperson for a two-year term effective March 2, 2019. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Valcq was a partner at Quarles & Brady in the energy, environment and natural resources practice group. Previous to that position she was regulatory counsel for Wisconsin Electric Power Company where she advised management on all areas of regulatory law in multiple jurisdictions as well as compliance matters. Ms. Valcq earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University and her law degree from Marquette University. She lives in Whitefish Bay with her husband Rob and two daughters.
Department of Transportation
Secretary Craig Thompson
Craig Thompson was appointed by Gov. Evers to serve as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) beginning in January 2019. Previously Mr. Thompson was the executive director of the Transportation Development Association (TDA) of Wisconsin. He has more than 25 years of experience working with Wisconsin businesses, communities, legislators and units of government. Prior to leading TDA, he served as the legislative director for the Wisconsin Counties Association, managing legislative initiatives at the state and federal levels. Mr. Thompson is a native of Racine and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He lives in Madison with his wife and two teenagers.
Department of Health Services
Secretary Kirsten Johnson
Kirsten Johnson was appointed by Gov. Evers to serve as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) beginning in February 2023. She has over 20 years of experience as a public health leader, serving most recently as the health commissioner for the city of Milwaukee and before that, as director and health officer of the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department for more than a decade. Johnson has her master’s degree in public health from Tulane University of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and holds certifications as a public health professional and certified education specialist.
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Secretary Randy Romanski
Randy Romanski was announced secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by Governor Tony Evers in June 2020. Prior to this appointment, he served as DATCP deputy secretary since January 2019 and interim secretary since November 2019. Romanski has held leadership roles at multiple state agencies. He previously served as DATCP's deputy secretary and secretary under Governor Jim Doyle and most recently serving as the safety program chief in DOT's Division of State Patrol. He brings decades of experience in government administration and policy development to the department. Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Romanski earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and his master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Romanski resides in Monona.
Department of Children and Families
Secretary Emilie Amundson
Emilie Amundson was appointed by Gov. Evers in January 2019 to serve as the secretary of the Department of Children and Families, and was confirmed by the Senate in February 2020. Since joining DCF, Secretary Amundson has successfully led the department in transforming the state’s child welfare system; stabilizing and growing the early care and education field; and building stronger, innovative partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. Prior to her appointment to DCF, Secretary Amundson served as the chief of staff at the Department of Public Instruction where she advanced multiple statewide and cross-agency efforts related to K-12 public education. Secretary Amundson received her undergraduate degree from UW-Madison, her Master of Education Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Education and has completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in Literacy Studies at UW-Madison. She is the proud spouse of a teacher and the proud mom of two elementary school-aged children.
Department of Financial Institutions
Secretary Cheryll Olson-Collins
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Secretary-designee Cheryll Olson-Collins, a native of Portage, Wis., spent more than two decades in the private-sector banking industry before joining the State of Wisconsin in 2007. She began her banking career with the First National Bank of Portage. She later joined Associated Bank and over a period of 20 years served in a variety of leadership positions, including ten years as the community bank’s president in charge of 14 branches. In 2007, Olson-Collins began her service to the State of Wisconsin as the Administrator of DFI’s Division of Corporate and Consumer Services. In 2011, she became the Administrator of DFI’s Division of Administrative Services and Technology, a position she held for more than three years. In May 2015, she became the Deputy Administrator of DFI’s Division of Banking and was later appointed to be the Administrator of DFI’s Division of Banking in May 2016. Olson-Collins most recently served in the role of DFI Deputy Secretary from January 2019 until being appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve as the Secretary of DFI in January 2022. Olson-Collins earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Banking. She has been active in a variety of civic organizations.
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Commissioner Nathan Houdek
Governor Tony Evers appointed Nathan Houdek as Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Wisconsin in January 2022. He previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Insurance following his appointment by former Commissioner Mark Afable in January 2019. Commissioner Houdek serves as the state's chief regulator of insurance and oversees the operations of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. He is also chair of the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund Board of Governors, Vice Chair of the state Group Insurance Board, and chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices. Having spent over twenty years working in state legislative and regulatory affairs, Commissioner Houdek has extensive experience in dealing with issues across all lines of insurance and engaging with a variety of stakeholders to find solutions to complex public policy and regulatory challenges. He has held several senior-level roles in the public and private sectors, including serving as a principal at one of Wisconsin's largest public affairs and business consulting firms and as chief of staff to the former minority leader in the Wisconsin State Senate. Commissioner Houdek grew up in northern Wisconsin and earned his BA and MBA degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is actively involved with the Madison Public Library Foundation.
Department of Revenue
Secretary Peter Barca
Peter Barca previously served as the state representative for the 64th Assembly District in Wisconsin. A lifelong citizen of Kenosha and Somers, Mr. Barca has previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as the Midwest regional administrator of the Small Business Administration during the Clinton Administration. He also served on the WEDC board, where he helped advance several major business developments, including the two new Amazon distribution centers in Kenosha. Mr. Barca received his undergraduate degree from UW-Milwaukee and a graduate degree from UW-Madison.
Department of Safety and Professional Services
Secretary Dan Hereth
Dan Hereth was appointed Secretary-designee of the Department of Safety and Professional Services in August 2022. Hereth has spent his career in public service. He previously served as the agency assistant deputy secretary since January 2019. Before that, he served as the Deputy District Director for Congresswoman Gwen Moore since 2007. Hereth is a Watertown native and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Minor in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Department of Tourism
Secretary Anne Sayers
Prior to serving as acting secretary, Secretary-designee Sayers served as the deputy secretary at the department since 2019. She earned her degrees in International Relations and Geography, as well as a Certificate of Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sayers started her career, as many do, in hospitality, serving up food and beverages in a hotel and coffeeshops which shaped her appreciation of frontline hospitality workers and her commitment to the tourism industry as a whole. In January 2021, Sayers was recognized as one of the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing and Revenue Optimization" by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. Secretary-designee Sayers sits on the Board of Directors for Taliesin Preservation, UW-Madison's Nelson Institute, and Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Department of Workforce Development
Secretary Amy Pechacek
- Amy Pechacek, following a four-month transitional leadership role with the Department, was appointed to lead the Department of Workforce Development in December of 2020. Most recently, she served as the deputy secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Amy is a government administration strategist with two decades of executive leadership experience and prior to joining the Department of Corrections was involved in public policy development and acted in advisory roles for multiple practice areas associated with local and large-scale governmental administration. Secretary-designee Pechacek earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a master's degree in public policy and public administration from Northwestern University. She is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper School for Public Service.
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Department of Veteran Affairs
Secretary James Bond
James Bond joined DVA in 2010 and served as the administrator of the Divisions of Veterans Benefits and Veteran Services before being appointed deputy secretary in 2019 and as Secretary in 2023. Prior to his time with DVA, Bond was employed at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as a deputy division administrator in the Divisions of Employment and Training and Family Supports and as bureau director of management services in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Bond, a disabled veteran, served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. from 1983 to 1988, with assignments at home and abroad. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Secretary Missy Hughes
Melissa "Missy" Hughes is secretary and CEO of WEDC, Wisconsin's lead economic development organization. Before joining WEDC in October 2019, she was general counsel and chief mission officer at Organic Valley. Her previous positions include associate attorney at the firm of Holland & Hart, where she practiced in the areas of natural resources, construction litigation and corporate business transactions. She served on the boards of the Environmental Working Group and the Organic Trade Association, where she was a three-term board president. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appointed Hughes to the USDA Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Biotechnology in the 21st Century. Hughes received her bachelor of arts in political science from Georgetown University and juris doctor degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Executive Director Elmer Moore, Jr.
Elmer Moore, Jr. was appointed by Gov. Evers in April 2022. Mr. Moore previously served as the executive director of Scale Up Milwaukee for the Greater Milwaukee Committee. He has a proven track record in creating public-private partnerships and innovative programs that support business development and job creation resulting in over 1,400 jobs created for more than 200 Wisconsin organizations and securing more than $60 million in new capital investments. He has a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Business School in New York, New York. Mr. Moore also serves as chairman of the board for the Social Development Commission, board member for the Harbor District, and adjunct instructor for Marquette University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, instructing students on entrepreneurship.
Department of Natural Resources