Former DNR secretary named to Milwaukee cabinet position
Former Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole has been nominated to serve as director of Milwaukee’s Department of Administration.
Cole announced his departure from the DNR in November after serving as the head of the agency for four years.
He would replace longtime Milwaukee Department of Administration Director Sharon Robinson at the head of the agency that oversees budgeting, purchasing, information technology, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, lobbying and more.
He was nominated for the cabinet position by Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
If confirmed by the Common Council, Cole would be returning to City Hall. He served as the city’s Department of Neighborhood Services commissioner before joining Gov. Tony Evers’ administration as head of the DNR, according to a statement from Johnson’s office.
Earlier in his career he worked in senior positions at the city’s Department of Public Works.
Johnson in a statement praised Cole as bringing “an unparalleled background to this new position.”
“His leadership experience and his deep understanding of Milwaukee city government make him an ideal candidate to head the Department of Administration,” Johnson said. “I am very pleased he accepted my invitation to come back to a top job in my cabinet.”
Cole in the statement said he was honored to have been asked to serve.
“On day one, our team will work with an extraordinary group of elected leaders, city staff, and consultants, who are committed to developing new ideas for future work, and creating innovative systems that meet the needs for all whom call Milwaukee home,” Cole said in the statement.
He has long lived on the city’s west side.