Abele is already on the clock with one-year term

Milwaukee County Executive-elect Chris Abele hasn’t even stepped foot in his new office yet, but he already must begin thinking about re-election.
Abele will be sworn in to office at a 3:30 p.m. ceremony on Monday, April 25. The ceremony will be in the county executive’s conference room, in Room 306 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Abele defeated state Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) in the April 5 election.
However, Abele must go into almost immediate re-election mode, because he only won the right to finish out the final year of Gov. Scott Walker’s county executive term.
Thomas Harris was hired this week by interim County Executive Marvin Pratt at Abele’s request to help with the transition.
Abele’s transition committee includes business and labor leaders, urban and suburban representatives, and leaders from the nonprofit and faith communities.
The co-chairs of the committee are Marc Marotta, an attorney at Foley & Lardner who previously served as Secretary of Administration under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, and Sheldon Lubar, founder and principal of Lubar & Co. who previously served in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. Marotta and Lubar also served as co-chairs of Abele’s campaign.
Abele also announced that David Riemer would serve as director of his transition committee. Riemer currently serves as director of the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute.
"Putting together a team with a track record of integrity and results is going to be key as I focus on creating jobs, and ensuring that county services are delivered sustainably and efficiently,” Abele said.
In addition to Marotta, Lubar and Riemer, Abele’s Transition Committee includes:
Sue Black, director, Milwaukee County Parks System.
Tina Chang, CEO, Syslogic.
Danae Davis, executive director, Pearls For Teen Girls Inc.
Michal Dawson, former deputy commissioner, Milwaukee Department of City Development.
Dan Devine, mayor, City of West Allis.
Ricardo Diaz, executive director, United Community Center.
Rob Henken, president, Public Policy Forum.
Mark Maierle, business manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 317.
C.H. McClelland, bishop, Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ.
Michael Neitzke, mayor, City of Greenfield.
Cory Nettles, executive managing director, Generation Growth Capital.
Andy Nunemaker, president, EMSytems.
Candice Owley, president, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.
Sandy Pasch, state representative, chair of Milwaukee Legislative Delegation.
Jeff Peelen, attorney, Quarles & Brady.
Kathy Smith, CFO, Legal Aid Society.
Adrienne Roach, committee executive assistant.
– BizTimes Milwaukee