It may not be the large-scale exodus that President Bush has seen from his Cabinet in the last month, but Gov. Jim Doyle lost one of his trusted advisers Friday when state Secretary of Commerce Cory Nettles announced his resignation.
Effective Dec. 31, Nettles will leave his post to become a partner at Milwaukee law firm Quarles & Brady LLP. Nettles worked for the firm for six years before Doyle appointed him in January 2003.
In a statement, Doyle thanked Nettles for helping to boost Wisconsin’s economy during the last two years.
“I called Cory a bright, young, rising star when he joined my Administration, and he certainly has exceeded all expectations,” Doyle said. “His straightforward, no-nonsense style has served Wisconsin well. He truly understands what it takes for businesses to grow and succeed in Wisconsin, and he has done a wonderful job of selling our state as a great place to live, do business and raise a family. Although I am sorry to see him go, I wish him all the best and thank him for a job well done for Wisconsin.”
Over the last two years, Nettles oversaw the implementation of Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin plan, which Doyle credits with creating 60,000 jobs in the state since October 2003. Wisconsin has led the Midwest in job growth in metropolitan areas in 2004.
Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled state legislature, however, point to their own initiatives, and not Doyle and Nettles’, to explain the brisk growth.
Nettles, the first African-American to serve as Commerce Secretary, will join Quarles & Brady’s Corporate Services Government Affairs group. The company said Nettles’ experience in the business community and government will help to provide better counsel to their clients.
“Cory Nettles is a skilled and talented attorney with a deep understanding of business and economic development in Wisconsin, and we are pleased to welcome him back to Quarles & Brady,” Pat Ryan, the firm’s chairman and managing partner, said in a statement.
Nettles earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has since served as guest lecturer in several law classes.
Nettles’ resignation comes one month before Doyle marks the midway point of his first term in office. The Governor’s office hopes to name a replacement soon.
