Gov. Tony Evers today announced three appointments to the University of Wisconsin (UW) Board of Regents. The governor has appointed Tim Nixon, Jack Salzwedel, and Desmond Adongo. These appointments fill the vacancies created by the expiration of three former appointees’ terms that expired May 2024.
Nixon’s appointment fills the vacancy created by the expiration of Regent Bob Atwell’s term for a term that expires May 1, 2031. Nixon is a commercial lawyer at Godfrey & Kahn for the firm’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Team. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker on matters involving commercial litigation, the Uniform Commercial Code, and bankruptcy law. Nixon earned his bachelor’s degree from UW–Green Bay, his master’s degree from the Robert M. Lafollette School of Public Affairs at UW–Madison, and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Salzwedel’s appointment fills the vacancy created by the expiration of Regent Mike Jones’ term for a term that expires May 1, 2031. Salzwedel is the former chair and CEO of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, a position he held from 2011 to 2021. Prior to becoming chair and CEO, Salzwedel was the president and COO of American Family, and served in many different roles and leadership positions at the company since his start there in 1985. Salzwedel earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He has served on several boards, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors, the American Family Children’s Hospital Development Advisory Board, the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Dane County, and the UW Chancellor’s Advisory Board, among many others.
Desmond Adongo’s appointment fills the nontraditional student regent position and the vacancy created by the expiration of Regent Jennifer Staton’s term for a term that expires May 1, 2026. Adongo is a student at UW–Oshkosh, where he is double-majoring in economics and environmental studies. He has also obtained a certificate in geographic information systems. Prior to attending UW–Oshkosh, Adongo worked as a learning and development operations coordinator at Foot Locker Inc.
