MADISON, Wis. – University of Wisconsin System President Kevin P. Reilly today announced the appointment of Michael L. Morgan as the System’s Senior Vice President for Administration and Fiscal Affairs.
With more than 20 years of public sector experience, Morgan has served as Secretary of Wisconsin’s Department of Administration since 2007, after four years leading Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue. His previous experience includes leading business and real estate development for the City of Milwaukee, and spearheading program-related investment efforts at the Helen Bader Foundation.
Morgan, 54, accepted a three-year appointment at UW System, effective July 6. As the System’s chief operating officer, Morgan will provide leadership for finance, budgeting, information technology, facilities planning, human resources, legal affairs, and other areas. He will collaborate closely with chief business officers at all UW System institutions to develop goals and budget strategies. He will be a senior advisor to Reilly and the Board of Regents on administrative policies and practices. His annual salary will be $245,000 – the same as UW System’s current Senior Vice President.
“This is a vital position for UW System, and we’ll benefit greatly from Michael’s broad range of leadership experience. He knows how to work with people regardless of ideology, focusing on the best interests of Wisconsin people,” said Reilly. “We’re hiring a proven talent – someone with great integrity and clear vision – who can help us maximize our financial resources and align them strategically with the goals of UW System’s Growth Agenda for Wisconsin.”
In addition to Morgan’s proven record of success as an administrative leader, he has direct experience with complex IT projects – an important area for UW System at this time.
“As we begin the second phase of our Human Resources System implementation, Michael will provide oversight for this and other critical, high-risk projects,” said Reilly. “HRS is on-time and on-budget now, and we want it to stay that way. Michael is uniquely qualified to provide immediate, effective leadership for the implementation team and their complex effort. He will provide continuity for the remaining two years of implementation, and the first full year of operation.”
In his current role, Morgan works with the Governor to craft and implement the state budget and manage the affairs of state government. He is responsible for a range of strategic issues, and statewide information technology projects. He oversees units responsible for energy and land-use planning, state facilities, real estate assets, and offices that provide various support services to other State agencies.
Morgan worked for the City of Milwaukee for almost 10 years, as Commissioner in the Department of City Development, Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission, and Director of the Division of Intergovernmental Relations. He also worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County.
“I am excited to join the world-class University of Wisconsin System. I look forward to working with President Reilly, the Board of Regents and members of our outstanding university community,” said Morgan.
In his new role at UW System, Morgan will ensure that the UW System fulfills all of its state reporting requirements and meets its financial goals. He will help the university maintain effective relationships with the Legislature and other parts of State Government.
“Michael has the ability to work across partisan political boundaries to get things done. He also has a thorough knowledge of state government and public policy issues. Those skills will serve him well in this role,” said Mark Bugher, director of University Research Park in Madison, who served as DOA secretary from 1996 to 1999. “As DOA secretary, one becomes intimately familiar with the whole UW System, its complexities, its culture, and its statewide reach. Wisconsin citizens care deeply about their university, and Michael is prepared to help preserve that public asset.”
Morgan earned his baccalaureate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin. His wife, Diana, and their two daughters are also UW-Madison alumni. He is a trustee of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Milwaukee, and a member of the Westside Healthcare Association board of directors.
Morgan succeeds UW System Senior Vice President Tom Anderes, who leaves Wisconsin this month to lead the Arizona Board of Regents, overseeing a system of nine university campuses that enroll about 140,000 students. Anderes will be that System’s first president.
With an annual budget of more than $4 billion, the UW System includes two doctoral universities, 11 comprehensive campuses, 13 freshman-sophomore UW Colleges, and UW-Extension offices in all 72 Wisconsin counties. Enrollment across the UW System reached a historic peak last year, with nearly 179,000 students. See www.wisconsin.edu for more information.