When Mark Hogan took the reins at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. last year, the state’s job-creation agency was under siege.
Democrats were calling for an overhaul of the agency in the wake of reports that insufficient safeguards during the agency’s early years had resulted in millions of squandered taxpayer dollars. Republicans had removed Gov. Scott Walker as WEDC board chairman at his request, cut $32 million from the agency’s budget and begun to phase out the agency’s loan program.
Morale among staff had plummeted and anywhere from 16 to 22 employees were leaving each year.
A year into Hogan’s tenure, the agency has continued to move beyond the high-profile missteps of its early years. One sign: In 2016 to date, the number of staff departures is down to six.
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