Gov. Scott Walker has appointed Ray Allen secretary of the Department of Financial Institutions, which regulates state-chartered banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, credit unions and some operations of the securities industry.
Allen replaces Peter Bildsten, who had served as secretary of the department since January 2011. The governor appoints the secretary, a cabinet-level position, with the advice and consent of the state Senate. The secretary is responsible for overseeing the DFI’s operations and representing its interests at the state and national levels.
Allen has worked at the Department of Financial Institutions for 18 years, most recently as deputy secretary. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and previously worked as a marketing representative at John Deere Co. Allen has also served as an appointee in the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations, executive assistant to the secretary of the Department of Employment Relations, director of the State Office of Employee Development and Training and as executive director of the Technology for Education board.
Walker also appointed Matt Moroney to senior advisor in the Office of Governor Walker, where he will oversee the implementation of the governor’s plan to reform state government by merging agencies and increasing efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.
Moroney most recently served as deputy secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. He holds a political science and economics degree from Loras College and a law degree from the University of Iowa. Moroney has worked as an attorney and was previously the executive director of the Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee.
“We’d like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to Peter Bildsten for four years of great service to the state of Wisconsin, leading the Department of Financial Institutions, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Walker said. “I would also like to congratulate Ray and Matt. Both are proven leaders, dedicated to reforming state government to operate effectively, making the best use of state tax dollars. I welcome both of them to their new roles, and look forward to continued innovation as we build a better Wisconsin, together.”
