Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes to resign

Missy Hughes is leaving her position leading the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Hughes has served as the agency’s secretary and CEO since she was appointed by Gov. Tony Evers in 2019. The governor’s office announced Friday that she’s leaving the administration next week. Evers plans to announce her replacement in the coming weeks. 

During Hughes’ time leading WEDC, the agency worked with companies to secure more than $8 billion in planned investment and create or retain more than 45,000 jobs, according to the governor’s office.

In a statement, Evers said Hughes “played an important role” in his administration’s work to invest in “Wisconsin’s homegrown talent and Main Streets,” while attracting new industries.

“We’ve worked to put Wisconsin on the map as a tough competitor for workers, new ideas, and emerging industries and markets,” Evers said. “I’ve so appreciated Missy’s leadership at WEDC and am thankful for her years of dedicated service, and Kathy and I wish her and her family well.”

The governor’s office said WEDC was critical in attracting major investments by companies like Eli Lily, Kikkoman and Microsoft, ranging from hundreds of millions of dollars to billions. 

The agency also led efforts to help Wisconsin receive a federal designation as a U.S. Regional Technology Hub, unlocking $49 million to grow the state’s biohealth sector, the governor’s office said.

In a statement, Hughes said she worked to “build an economy for all.” She said each of the investments the state secured helped to “inspire more development, more innovation and more growth.”

“People start seeing something good happening in their communities, and they want to keep it moving forward,” Hughes said. “Every day, Wisconsin is solving problems for the world, and we’ve made sure the world has us on its mind.”

Hughes is rumored to be contemplating a run for governor. Evers announced this summer he would not seek reelection.