Gov. Tony Evers announced that Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Craig Thompson will be leaving the Evers administration, effective Sept. 11, to take a position at UW–Madison. Evers also announced he is appointing Kristina Boardman to serve as WisDOT secretary. She will become the first woman to serve as secretary at the department, according to a review of records by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
With more than three decades of experience working with Wisconsin businesses, industry stakeholders, local communities, and units of government, Secretary Thompson has driven efforts to advance the state’s transportation system. Having helped secure investments in three consecutive state biennial budgets that increased transportation revenues for the department, the Evers administration has worked to improve more than 7,400 miles of road and 1,780 bridges, including over 900 miles of road and over 200 bridges in 2023. WisDOT has also worked to advance initiatives to address reckless driving and bolster road safety, diverse transportation options, and clean energy goals.
Boardman previously served as administrator of WisDOT’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and under her leadership, the DMV excelled in areas of customer service, efficiency, and innovation. Key accomplishments include innovating an award-winning online service for customers to title and register their vehicles, implementing the federal REAL ID program in Wisconsin, and expanding opportunities to schedule appointments at DMV service centers. Boardman also served as chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Board of Directors for the 2022–23 federal fiscal year.
