The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) received the La Follette/Gladfelter Award for Innovation in State Government at last month’s 33rd annual Salute to Local Government Awards hosted by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. This prestigious award, made possible by a gift from Lloyd D. Gladfelter, celebrates public sector innovation and excellence.
With the launch of its Digital Wallet Card, DSPS made Wisconsin the first state in the nation to implement digital credentials for licensed professionals in various occupations. License holders can now access their account on a mobile device and download a secure copy of their credentials to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. This enables DSPS professionals to carry proof of licensure directly on their phones and allows members of the public to quickly and easily confirm professional qualifications.
DSPS Assistant Deputy Secretary Niko Ruud emphasized the practical impact of the innovation, noting that “the ability for our trades professionals to go between different job sites, in a day, in a week, and be able to have their credential with them at any given time is huge.”
The evening also highlighted individual leadership alongside organizational innovation. La Follette School lecturer David Schmiedicke was honored with the Norman N. Gill Award for Individual Excellence. This award recognizes his key role in shaping some of the most significant state and local government budgets in Wisconsin over the last 20 years. View Schmiedicke’s award video.
Students and staff from the La Follette School attended the event — reconnecting with alumni and celebrating the collective impact of Wisconsin’s public sector innovators. The Salute to Local Government Awards brings together government professionals, academic partners, and graduates celebrating lifetime achievement and emerging leadership.
– Story by Outreach Assistant Ana Massoglia