Three new members of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents kicked off their positions yesterday after being appointed by Gov. Scott Walker earlier this year.

Regina Millner, John Behling and Tracy Hribar all began their positions, each with a different background to add to the mix along with the other 15 members.

Millner, despite her workforce experience, said she believes her areas of strong understanding for the position stem from her small and large business experience, her first career as an elementary school teacher and her experience returning to higher education as an adult.

Millner said these experiences have helped her understand areas of focus that she believes are more important. She said she hopes this understanding will lead her to making a meaningful contribution to the Board of Regents.

Behling has had experience advising regulatory, environmental, zoning, permitting and public relations subjects through his time as vice president of the Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci law firm, according to his Board of Regents biography page.

He has also served on a variety of boards including Angel on My Shoulder, the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund.

Hribar has had experience as a small business manager, and has also returned to school to pursue a double major in economics and business management at UW-Parkside. She said she feels she can represent all students who attend UW System schools and can help express the concerns of her fellow classmates.

“I hope to add my firsthand experience as a student and parent along with the common sense approach I have acquired working in a small family business,” she said. “I would like to use my experience to help make the best decisions possible for the UW System.”

For Millner and Behling, their term on the Board of Regents will last seven years, ending in 2019. Hribar’s term will last two years because she was appointed as a non-traditional student representative, ending her term in 2014.

Millner spoke on behalf of the three and said together they are excited for what is to come.

“All three of us are honored and proud to be asked,” Millner said. “[We] are looking forward to the June meeting – nothing like a serious meeting to begin our work with the Regents.”