Contact: DOA Communications, (608) 266-7362

MADISON – Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary-designate Joel Brennan today announced that Chris Patton will serve as Deputy Secretary and Tia Torhorst will serve as Assistant Deputy Secretary.

Patton comes to DOA from the private sector, most recently serving as the Principal Consultant for the Patton Group. He has extensive state government and private-sector experience, including Administrative Operations Director at Epic Systems, Chief of Staff to former Democratic leader Peter Barca, Director of the Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, and Policy Director to former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. He started his career with DOA’s Division of Gaming.

Patton lives in Verona and has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Torhorst served as Deputy Transition Director for Governor Tony Evers. Her past professional experience includes working as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Campaign Manager for Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, and Director of Legislative Affairs for Milwaukee County. She has also worked in Washington, D.C. as the Outreach Manager for the National Partnership for Women & Families and as Associate Executive Director of the Milwaukee Bar Association. She has been named one of Milwaukee’s Top 35 Emerging Leaders and a Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence. Torhorst is the Founder of the Shorewood Farmer’s Market.

Torhorst lives in Shorewood and has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Tia and I are excited to get to work for the people of Wisconsin,” said Patton. “Under Governor Evers’ leadership, we look forward to connecting the dots to put the people of Wisconsin first and working together to solve the problems facing us.”

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