(MADISON)—Today, Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement following the announcement of Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole’s retirement:
“I would like to thank Secretary Preston Cole for his many distinguished years of service to our state and local community.
“As the Commissioner of the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, and Director of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works, he worked diligently to ensure that our homes and community infrastructure were safe and designed to meet the needs of the people.
“He brought his experience from those agencies, as well as his time serving as a member and chair of the Natural Resources Board with him when Governor Evers appointed him to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.
“During his time as Secretary, he has strengthened the role that science and research play in policy decisions at the DNR, and focused on the health of our state and its people by prioritizing measures to ensure clean drinking water, and developing strategies to make our state more resilient against climate change.
“Preston Cole has provided a tremendous example of effective service to our state that will be missed. I am very proud to call him a friend and neighbor, and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”
