# Gerald Whitburn > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gerald_Whitburn > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gerald_Whitburn.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Whitburn > Source revision: 1349888513 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American government official}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Gerald Whitburn | office = [Secretary of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts](/source/Secretary_of_Health_and_Human_Services_of_Massachusetts) | governor = [William F. Weld](/source/Bill_Weld) | term_start = November 1994 | term_end = June 30, 1996 | predecessor = [Charlie Baker](/source/Charlie_Baker) | successor = Joseph Gallant | order1 = 7th | title1 = Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Health_Services) | governor1 = [Tommy Thompson](/source/Tommy_Thompson) | term_start1 = January 1991 | term_end1 = November 1994 | predecessor1 = [Patricia A. Goodrich](/source/Patricia_A._Goodrich) | successor1 = Richard Loring ''(acting)''
[Joseph Leean](/source/Joseph_Leean) ''(confirmed)'' | order2 = 7th | title2 = Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Workforce_Development) | governor2 = [Tommy Thompson](/source/Tommy_Thompson) | term_start2 = June 1989 | term_end2 = January 1991 | predecessor2 = John T. Coughlin | successor2 = Carol Skornicka | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|28|1972|12|18}} | birth_place = [Marenisco, Michigan](/source/Marenisco%2C_Michigan), U.S. | spouse = {{marriage|Charmaine M. Heise|1969}} | education = [University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Oshkosh) ([BA](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts))
[University of Wisconsin–Madison](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Madison) ([MA](/source/Master_of_Arts)) }} '''Gerald "Jerry" Whitburn''' (born 1945) is a retired [American](/source/Americans) businessman and government official. He served as Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Workforce_Development) and later Secretary of [Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Health_Services) under Governor [Tommy Thompson](/source/Tommy_Thompson), and subsequently served as [Secretary of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts](/source/Secretary_of_Health_and_Human_Services_of_Massachusetts) for Governor [Bill Weld](/source/Bill_Weld). He is best known for his work implementing [welfare-to-work](/source/Workfare) programs in the 1990s. ==Early life and education== Whitburn was born in [Wakefield (Marenisco), Michigan](/source/Wakefield_(Marenisco)%2C_Michigan), but moved with his family to [Merrill, Wisconsin](/source/Merrill%2C_Wisconsin), as a child. He was graduated from Merrill High School and went on to earn [bachelor's degree](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) from the [University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Oshkosh) in 1966. He continued his education at the [University of Wisconsin–Madison](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Madison) and earned his [master's degree](/source/Master_of_Arts) in [political science](/source/political_science) in 1968. ==Career== While working on his master's degree in Madison, Whitburn became involved in [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) politics on the [1966](/source/1966_Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election) re-election campaign of Governor [Warren P. Knowles](/source/Warren_P._Knowles). He subsequently worked on the Governor's staff in Madison and worked on his second re-election in [1968](/source/1968_Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election). After earning his master's degree, Whitburn moved to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.), and worked as an aide to [John Chafee](/source/John_Chafee), who was then [United States Secretary of the Navy](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_the_Navy) in the [Nixon administration](/source/presidency_of_Richard_Nixon). In 1972, Chafee resigned to seek election to the [United States Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) from [Rhode Island](/source/Rhode_Island), and hired Whitburn as his campaign director.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87572369/whitburn-for-chafee/ |title= Merrill native heads campaign for Chafee |newspaper= [Wausau Daily Herald](/source/Wausau_Daily_Herald) |date= May 25, 1972 |page= 25 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} Chafee ultimately lost the election to Democrat [Claiborne Pell](/source/Claiborne_Pell). Following the defeat, Whitburn returned to Merrill, Wisconsin, and went to work at his father's Ford dealership as a partner, Whitburn Motor Co.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87572603/whitburn-ford/ |title= Gerald Whitburn joins Ford dealership |newspaper= [Wausau Daily Herald](/source/Wausau_Daily_Herald) |date= December 18, 1972 |page= 31 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} While in Merrill, he became active with the legislative committee of the Wisconsin [Chamber of Commerce](/source/Chamber_of_Commerce) in lobbying the [Wisconsin Legislature](/source/Wisconsin_Legislature). He also remained active in Wisconsin electoral politics, working on the unsuccessful 1978 gubernatorial campaign of Congressman [Bob Kasten](/source/Bob_Kasten), and then joining Kasten's winning campaign for United States Senate in [1980](/source/1980_United_States_Senate_election_in_Wisconsin).{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87573191/whitburn-for-kasten/ |title= Kasten assistant plans to maintain local ties |newspaper= [Wausau Daily Herald](/source/Wausau_Daily_Herald) |date= November 28, 1980 |page= 23 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} After his election, Kasten appointed Whitburn as executive assistant on his Senate staff in Washington, D.C., where he served for the next six years. Following the election of [Tommy Thompson](/source/Tommy_Thompson) as [Governor of Wisconsin](/source/Governor_of_Wisconsin) in 1986, Whitburn returned to Wisconsin to accept an appointment as deputy secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Administration](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Administration).{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87573735/thompson-appointees/ |title= Thompson won't cut transit aid |newspaper= [The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times) |date= December 6, 1986 |page= 4 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} In 1989, Thompson named Whitburn to the cabinet position of Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Workforce_Development).{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87573967/whitburn-labor/ |title= Whitburn is ready to set sail at DILHR |newspaper= [Wisconsin State Journal](/source/Wisconsin_State_Journal) |date= June 25, 1989 |page= 1 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} Whitburn was appointed to replace John Coughlin, whose term at the agency was derided by state officials of both parties.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87574325/whitburn-dilhr/ |title= DILHR chief tries to outrun agency's past press |newspaper= [Wisconsin State Journal](/source/Wisconsin_State_Journal) |date= September 17, 1989 |page= 19 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} Less than two years later, Whitburn was appointed Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Health_Services).{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87574449/whitburn-hss/ |title= Gerald Whitburn named HSS head |newspaper= [Wausau Daily Herald](/source/Wausau_Daily_Herald) |date= December 8, 1990 |page= 1 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} As Secretary of Health and Social Services, Whitburn earned recognition for his experiments in [Workfare](/source/Workfare) programs as the Wisconsin Legislature voted to drop out of the federal [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families](/source/Temporary_Assistance_for_Needy_Families) program by 1999. In the Fall of 1994, Whitburn agreed to bring his experience to a new state as [Secretary of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts](/source/Secretary_of_Health_and_Human_Services_of_Massachusetts), under Republican governor [Bill Weld](/source/Bill_Weld).{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87574992/whitburn-to-mass/ |title= Welfare-overhaul expert joining Weld's Cabinet |newspaper= [The Berkshire Eagle](/source/The_Berkshire_Eagle) |date= November 11, 1994 |page= 1 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }}{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87575154/whitburn-tanf/ |title= Welfare official has soft voice, iron will |newspaper= [The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe) |date= January 9, 1995 |page= 13 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} Whitburn was able to implement some welfare-to-work programs in Massachusetts, but became a controversial figure in Weld's administration.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87578349/whitburn-returns-to-merrill/ |title= Whitburn takes job with Church Mutual |newspaper= [Wausau Daily Herald](/source/Wausau_Daily_Herald) |date= June 1, 1996 |page= 3 |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} He resigned in June 1996 to accept a job at the Church Mutual Insurance Company in Merrill, Wisconsin.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87577986/whitburn-resigns/ |title= Human services chief leaving post |newspaper= [The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe) |date= June 1, 1996 |last1= Wong |first1= Doris Sue |last2= Phillips |first2= Frank |accessdate= October 22, 2021 |via= [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com) }} He later became chief executive officer and chairman of the Church Mutual Insurance Company and retired in 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2020/01/23/uw-regent-gerald-whitburn-resigns-effective-immediately/4559274002/ |title='Nothing lasts forever, nor should it.' Longtime UW Regent Gerald Whitburn resigns |newspaper= [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel) |date= January 23, 2020 |last=Shastri |first=Devi |access-date= October 22, 2021 |language=en-US}} In 2011, Whitburn was appointed to the [University of Wisconsin Board of Regents](/source/University_of_Wisconsin_Board_of_Regents) by Governor [Scott Walker](/source/Scott_Walker_(politician)). He remained for nine years, resigning in 2020.{{Cite web|last=admin|date=1994-11-21|title=Whitburn Tapped To Head HHS|url=https://masslawyersweekly.com/1994/11/21/whitburn-tapped-to-head-hhs/|access-date=2021-02-07|website=Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly|language=en-US}} ==Personal life== Gerald Whitburn married Charmaine M. Heise in 1969. Children, Bree Whitburn and [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lwhitburn/ Luke Whitburn] ==References== {{reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-gov}} {{s-bef|before = John T. Coughlin }} {{s-ttl|title = Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Workforce_Development) |years= June 1989{{spaced ndash}}January 1991 }} {{s-aft|after = Carol Skornicka }} {{s-bef|before = [Patricia A. Goodrich](/source/Patricia_A._Goodrich) }} {{s-ttl|title = Secretary of the [Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services](/source/Wisconsin_Department_of_Health_Services) |years= January 1991{{spaced ndash}}November 1994 }} {{s-aft|after = Richard Loring ''(acting)''
[Joseph Leean](/source/Joseph_Leean) ''(confirmed)''}} {{s-bef|before = [Charlie Baker](/source/Charlie_Baker) }} {{s-ttl|title = [Secretary of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts](/source/Secretary_of_Health_and_Human_Services_of_Massachusetts) |years= November 1994{{spaced ndash}}June 30, 1996 }} {{s-aft|after = Joseph Gallant }} {{s-end}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Whitburn, Gerald}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:1940s births Category:Living people Category:American business executives Category:People from Gogebic County, Michigan Category:People from Merrill, Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Category:University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh alumni Category:State cabinet secretaries of Wisconsin Category:Massachusetts secretaries of health and human services Category:Employees of the United States Senate Category:Wisconsin Republicans Category:Massachusetts Republicans Category:United States Navy civilians Category:Political staffers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gerald Whitburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Whitburn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Whitburn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.