Scott Walker tabs retired banker, Republican donor for Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO, replacing Reed Hall. Leadership change for troubled jobs agency was not discussed with WEDC board.

MADISON - On Thursday, Governor Scott Walker announced the appointment of retired banking executive and Republican donor Mark Hogan as CEO of the troubled Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Hogan replaces Reed Hall, who announced his retirement last month.

“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 in his annoucement. “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.”

Mark Hogan has been a big money donor to support Scott Walker's political ambitions. Recently, he donated $10,000 to Walker's Unintimidated PAC. According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s campaign finance database, Hogan has contributed over $43,000 to political candidates since 2002, the vast majority of them Republicans, including more than $24,000 to Walker since 2005, the bulk of it during Walker’s three campaigns for governor.

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.

Hogan has served as Chairman of the Board for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) since March 2015 and has served on various other boards for community organizations and businesses.

A Green Bay native, Hogan earned a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and received his M.B.A. from Marquette University. He and his wife, Janet, have three adult children and reside in Wauwatosa.

The continued WEDC scandals have been a thorn in the side for Walker, a GOP presidential candidate who until recently served as chairman of the WEDC board. A number of investigations have discovered that WEDC gave financial assistance to deeply troubled firms and business owners without proper verification that their business would deliver the jobs promised. Many were also Walker donors.

The agency was created by Walker and legislative Republicans in 2011 to replace the Commerce Department.

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), a Democratic representative on the WEDC Board, said on Thursday about Hogan's appointment:

“I am glad to see that Mark Hogan has experience in the private and financial sector and I look forward to working with him.

“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.

“It’s also curious that Gov. Walker tapped one of his major donors to fill this role at WEDC.

“A change of leadership was desperately needed at this agency but unfortunately, there are persistent problems with the structure of WEDC that Sen. Lassa and I are working to address. We hope that newly appointed Secretary Hogan will work with us on this process.”