Gov. Scott Walker today announced his appointment of banking executive Mark R. Hogan as CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Hogan replaces Reed Hall, who announced his retirement last month.
Hogan’s work experience includes almost four decades at M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank and BMO Harris Bank. He retired in 2010 as M&I’s executive vice president/chief credit officer before signing on to serve as senior advisor to BMO Harris in 2011.
“Mark Hogan is a proven and respected leader in finance and business, and we are honored to have him as a partner in our efforts to grow the economy, create jobs, and keep Wisconsin heading in the right direction,” Walker said. “Mark’s experience will be invaluable as WEDC continues to reform and improve processes to best serve the citizens of this state in developing economic opportunities for families all around Wisconsin.”
The WEDC has been in turmoil over the past several months after a state audit revealed several of the companies to which it has awarded state funds have not been thoroughly vetted or tracked. Some have failed, while others have not met job creation promises upon which the funding was contingent.
“I am honored to join the team at WEDC, and look forward to putting my experience to work for the people of Wisconsin,” Hogan said. “We will continue to work in partnership with Wisconsin business leaders, so they can grow and expand and create more good-paying, family-supporting jobs.”
“I am glad to see that Mark Hogan has experience in the private and financial sector and I look forward to working with him,” said Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), a Democratic representative on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Board. “I am disappointed but not surprised that this leadership change was not discussed at the WEDC board meeting we held last week. While WEDC knew Reed Hall was leaving there was no discussion at that meeting of potential candidates, let alone the process for filling the role. A change of leadership was desperately needed at this agency but unfortunately, there are persistent problems with the structure of WEDC that Sen. (Julie) Lassa and I are working to address. We hope that newly appointed Secretary Hogan will work with us on this process.”
Hogan has served as Chairman of the Board for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) since March 2015. He has also served on the boards of the Children’s Hospital & Health System, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, and the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Milwaukee, the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee County Historical Society, Marquette University High School, and Mount Mary University, among others.
Hogan and his family live in Wauwatosa.
