Doyle Names Brandon Executive Assistant Of Department Of Commerce

MADISON, Wis. -- One of the most recognizable figures on Madison's city council is stepping down.

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Alderman Zach Brandon is moving from the city level to the state level.

Gov. Jim Doyle announced on Wednesday the appointment of Brandon as executive assistant of the Department of Commerce.

"Zach Brandon is a young entrepreneur whose knowledge of Wisconsin business will prove valuable to the Department of Commerce," Doyle said. "With his talent and vision, we will grow businesses in Wisconsin, create the jobs of tomorrow, and help Wisconsin companies compete in the global marketplace."

Brandon, who is a business owner himself, will be working with businesses across the state in his new role.

He'll focus on bringing new business to the state and will also work with current Wisconsin businesses -- to keep them here.

Something the state has had problems with, especially in the last year. Brandon said it's an issue across the country -- he looks forward to tackling the issue here, WISC-TV reported.

"It's still a continuation of my public service for me. It's almost an expansion of my public service," said Brandon. "Public service has always been an important component for me. Now I have this opportunity to take something else that's very important to me, which is business, and say, 'Here's what I've seen as a business owner.'"

"I think it's great for Zach Brandon," said Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "I think he's going to be a positive addition to state government. I think Jim Doyle's getting a very good person to move on to state government."

The 35-year old Ohio native has had a seat on the Madison Common Council since 2003.

He's known for his "frugal" qualities -- always questioning spending -- and looking for ways to cut budgets, WISC-TV reported.

Brandon said he will officially resign from his City Council duties Friday but remain on the council until a replacement is named.

An application process will begin to find his replacement and citizens can apply for the position.

The council president will then appoint a person, who upon city council approval will finish out the term. Then in April, the seat will become an open spot.

"I am grateful to Governor Doyle for the opportunity to continue my public service as part of his administration," Brandon said. "I will utilize my experience in both the private and public sector to help the exceptional team in the Department of Commerce energize growth and support retention and expansion of business within the state, while enthusiastically representing Governor Doyle's economic development agenda."

Brandon was part of the executive management team of three start-up companies, most recently president and chief operating officer of Laundry 101, which in 2003 topped USA Today's "Best Places" to do laundry. He has been elected to the Madison City Common Council in 2003 and re-elected in 2005 and 2007, and is a member of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission.

As a Madison alder, Brandon helped create the Department of Economic Development and authored and passed a cutting edge workforce ordinance that requires contractors who do business with the city to provide apprenticeship programs and training, giving more Madison residents opportunities to obtain family supporting skilled labor jobs.

The Department of Commerce has about 400 employees who provide development assistance in areas such as marketing, business and community finance, exporting, and small business advocacy. The department issues professional credentials for the construction trades and administers safety and building codes. Commerce also regulates petroleum products and tank systems and administers the Petroleum Environmental Clean-up Fund.