| Order | 10th |
|---|---|
| Title | Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Governor | Tony Evers |
| Term start | January 7, 2019 |
| Term end | November 23, 2022 |
| Predecessor | Dan Meyer |
| Successor | Adam N. Payne (designee) |
| Birth date | 1961 (age 65–66) |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri |
| Occupation | Forester |
Preston D. Cole (born 1961) is a retired American conservationist and was secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during the first term of Governor Tony Evers (2019–2022).[1] Cole previously served as the Chair of the State Natural Resources Board.[2] He was first appointed to the board by Governor Jim Doyle and was reappointed by Governor Scott Walker.[3] Cole currently serves as director for the Department of Administration for the City of Milwaukee.[4]
Biography
Cole previously served as the Commissioner of the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.[5] Prior to that, Cole was the Director of Operations for the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works.[6] Additionally, he previously served as the Parks Superintendent for the City of St. Louis, as well as a Forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation.[7]
Cole received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management from the University of Missouri and was the first African American to graduate from the degree program.[8] Cole was involved with Future Farmers of America in high school.[9]
References
- ^ "Governor-elect Evers Announces Key Cabinet Appointments". www.thewheelerreport.com. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ "Natural Resources Board Chairman Preston Cole -- Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine -- June 2014". dnr.wi.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ "Wisconsin's Green Fire Applauds Selection of Preston Cole as DNR Secretary". www.thewheelerreport.com. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ "city.milwaukee.gov/doa/Directors-Biography"
- ^ "Preston Cole promises to lean on science in DNR decisions after Tony Evers appoints him to run agency". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ "Evers picks Milwaukee leaders for top Cabinet slots". thestate. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ WBAY (19 December 2018). "The Latest: Evers defends Cabinet picks from Milwaukee". www.wbay.com. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ "Gov.-Elect Tony Evers names Preston Cole new DNR secretary". Outdoornews. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
- ^ "Commissioner Preston Cole". City of Milwaukee. Archived December 21, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 31, 2022. – via Wayback Machine