Lunch breakout conversations

Alyssa Kenney is the state broadband and digital equity director for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. At the commission since 2019, Alyssa manages the talented team that coordinates the BEAD and digital equity program along with numerous state and federal broadband grant programs, the Wisconsin Broadband Map, the State Universal Service Fund, and numerous projects and initiatives that support a more connected Wisconsin. Before coming to the commission, Alyssa served as the executive director of a digital equity and community technology-focused non-profit. She serves on the Madison Public Library Board, the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, and as an expert advisory panelist on internet affordability. Alyssa is a proud University of Wisconsin–Madison alumna and longtime Wisconsin resident. She is passionate about solving wicked problems and connecting people to each other (mostly through great broadband).

Steven brings to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ leadership team more than 25 years of public policy, executive budget management, financial regulatory, and government relations experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to accepting an appointment as the director of management and budget for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Steven was a senior vice president of government relations for Citigroup Inc., with a focus on state government relations in the Upper Midwest. Steven holds a master’s degree from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and received his undergraduate degree in government from Beloit College.

Casey Newman was appointed Division of Business Management (DBM) administrator in March 2019. DBM manages the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s information technology, facilities, fleet, purchasing, fiscal services, printing, and risk and safety programs. He has spent the majority of his 28-year career with the department, serving in several senior management roles, most recently as the director of the Bureau of Business Services in DBM and previously as the department’s budget and policy director. Casey has also held senior positions at the Department of Corrections and UW–Madison.

Nancy Quirk is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer and is currently the general manager at Green Bay Water Utility. She has thirty-five years in the drinking water industry in Wisconsin previously working at Madison Water Utility and Waukesha Water Utility. She has served on national drinking water association boards and councils. She is currently a special government employee of the EPA as a member of the EPA’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council.

Brian Weaver has dedicated his career to making a positive difference for children, families, and communities. Working primarily with governmental and non-profit agencies in the areas of public and population health. He serves as the lead policy advisor at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and is charged with carrying out Governor Evers’ 2019 Executive Order #36: Relating to Measures to Abate and Prevent Lead Exposure. In this role, he coordinates the development of policy and budget initiatives, working across agencies and levels of government to develop and implement a comprehensive agenda to reduce lead poisoning and increase lead hazard control efforts in Wisconsin.

Scott Schmitt primarily focuses on the development of low-carbon, resiliency, and ‘beneficial electrification’ products and services for Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE) customers. He also leads MGE’s ‘Joint Plant’ efforts representing the company and its customer’s ownership interests in numerous jointly-owned renewable and fossil generation facilities located throughout Wisconsin. Scott joined MGE back in 2001 and has previously managed the finance and business planning areas. Scott holds a BA in accounting from Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

I am the fifth generation of my family to own and operate our farm. I’m very active in government, education, and agricultural organizations. 1977 graduate of UW–Madison with a BS in Agricultural Business Management. I served as chairman of our Plan Commission for 28 years and was elected as Town Chairman four years ago. Currently serving as a commissioner on Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.