New secretary shares vision for Wisconsin’s transportation future

Release date: September 12, 2024

Secretary Kristina Boardman begins her new role today as Wisconsin’s secretary of transportation. Gov. Tony Evers announced her appointment to the position last month.

Secretary Boardman becomes the first woman to lead the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) after serving in a variety of roles in the agency, including deputy secretary and administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

As deputy secretary, Boardman was the department’s chief operating officer, overseeing operations for an agency with 3,200 employees, dozens of field offices and a biennial budget of more than $8 billion. Under Boardman’s leadership, the DMV excelled in customer service, efficiency, and innovation. Key accomplishments include innovating an award-winning online service for customers to title and register their vehicles, implementing the federal REAL ID program in Wisconsin, and expanding opportunities to schedule appointments at DMV service centers.

“It’s been a privilege to work at WisDOT serving the people of Wisconsin for the last 19 years,” Secretary Boardman said. “The opportunity to now lead the department I love is a true honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I will build on the progress we’ve made to improve our transportation system in recent years and will continue to share WisDOT’s story, so the public understands the crucial work we do every day to improve safety and mobility in Wisconsin.”

Secretary Boardman’s priorities for WisDOT include:

• Support the WisDOT workforce with ongoing opportunities for engagement and support.
• Maximize the funding opportunities of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring needed resources to Wisconsin.
• Strengthen our technology and tools to best deliver safe and efficient self-service opportunities to our customers and stakeholders.
• Support continued investment in transportation to deliver on our core responsibilities to safely connect the public, wherever they travel.

In addition to her time at WisDOT, Secretary Boardman has nearly three decades of state government service, including 10 years as a legislative aide for the Wisconsin State Assembly, before transitioning to WisDOT in 2005. She also served as chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Board of Directors for the 2022-23 federal fiscal year.

Secretary Boardman replaces former secretary Craig Thompson, who Gov. Evers appointed to lead WisDOT in 2019. Since then, the Evers Administration has worked to improve more than 7,400 miles of road and 1,780 bridges across Wisconsin.

View Secretary Boardman’s full bio and download her official photo here.

For more information, contact:

WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov