Cory, Nettles, a 1992 graduate, is working to encourage talented Wisconsin students to attend in-state colleges. (Public Affairs)
Cory L. Nettles, a Lawrence University graduate from the class of 1992, has proven that one can achieve positions of prominence in politics without spending decades trying to get there. He has worked his way up in a few short years from the classrooms at Lawrence to being the youngest member of recently elected governor Jim Doyle’s cabinet. Doyle appointed him to the position of Secretary of Commerce for the State of Wisconsin.Although he is only 32 years old, Nettles’ career includes considerable accomplishments. He is in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors and Finance Committee and serves as chair of the Bar’s Strategic Planning Committee (he has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School). Additionally, he is on the board of the Milwaukee Urban League and the Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., and he is trustee board chair of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
As secretary, Nettles has decided to use his resources to prevent the best and most acute Wisconsin students from leaving the state to go to college, causing the state to lose some very valuable minds. The average SAT I score in Wisconsin is considerably higher than the national average. Doyle, conscious of the youngsters’ potential, decided that he needed a secretary who appreciated the importance of education.
When asked about Nettles’ appointment, Doyle said, “He understands that retaining our best and brightest college students and attracting young professionals and business to our state are essential components to improving Wisconsin’s business and economic development climate.”
The Lawrence University graduate and present Secretary of Commerce has not forgotten his Alma Matter. He was present at his 10 year Lawrence reunion last year, serving on the Steering and Gift Committee, gathering funds.