MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) secretary will leave his position effective Sept. 11. 

WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson is exiting the Evers Administration to serve as the vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Gov. Tony Evers appointed Kristina Boardman to fill the role. Boardman will be the first woman to serve as the WisDOT secretary. She is currently the deputy secretary for the department and is the first woman to hold that role.

Boardman has worked for WisDOT since 2005.

“For nearly 20 years, Kristina has been a key part of the WisDOT team, and her proven leadership and experience at the department, both as deputy secretary and during her time leading the DMV, have positioned her well to be an exceptional secretary,” Evers said. “I look forward to the vision and insight she will bring as a member of my cabinet and trust that her transition into the role will be seamless.”

Boardman has previously held multiple leadership roles within WisDOT’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), most recently as the administrator of the DMV. She has also served as chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Board of Directors. She served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for 10 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Augustana College and has worked in state government for nearly 30 years.

“I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from Secretary Thompson and know I have important shoes to fill,” Boardman said. “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity, and I am thankful to Gov. Evers for his confidence in me to take over this new role. We have made some incredible progress these last several years to build transportation systems the people of Wisconsin can rely on, and I am excited to continue building upon that momentum as secretary at the department.”

As for Thompson, who has held his position with WisDOT since 2019, he will start his new role at UW-Madison on Sept. 16. His predecessor, Charles Hoslet, retired earlier this year.

“I was born and raised in Racine, graduated from UW–Madison and have since worked effectively with five Wisconsin governors,” Thompson said. “I’m excited and honored to serve my alma mater in this new capacity and join Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s leadership team. I am an extremely proud Badger.”

He previously worked for the Wisconsin Counties Association for 16 years and led the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin for 12 years. He has held multiple leadership roles with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, serving as the 2024 president. He hold’s a political science degree from UW-Madison.

“I recognize the complexity of the current political environment and the importance of bringing many voices to the table from across the spectrum in support of UW–Madison. Every stage of my journey has instilled in me the lessons and experiences that will allow me to be successful in navigating the very complex landscape the University of Wisconsin and the state face today,” Thompson said. “I not only have knowledge of the ‘how’ we arrived at where we are today in Wisconsin, but also the ‘why.’”

“Craig will bring energy, a strategic mindset, and a vital network of connections that will further enhance the already-significant impact of University Relations,” UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin said. “He arrives in a critical role at a very important time for the university.”