University of Wisconsin - Extension

As the recently named Southeast District director of Cooperative Extension, Paul Brings works to coordinate the programming, communication and resource needs of 220 staff in eight counties and 11 offices.

"Part of my job is to support the department heads, faculty and staff in eight counties on issues related to budgeting, personnel and program direction," Brings said.

The Southeast District includes Washington, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties. Through county partnerships, Cooperative Extension faculty, staff and volunteers work on local community issues that impact youth, families, agriculture, businesses, local government and community organizations.

Another goal for Brings is to set up new regional programs, and he's now working on creating a regional horticulture research center.

"By cooperating across state lines, elected officials can maximize the impact of their tax dollars and deliver better programs for their constituents," Brings said.

"Another block of my time is donated to creating political effectiveness within the counties at the local, state and federal level."

Brings is also involved in the Urban Initiative, now in its sixth year. The Urban Initiative is Cooperative Extension's effort to reach neighborhoods in Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha and Milwaukee counties.

"Currently, we're working with faculty and staff from UW-Milwaukee/Extension University Outreach and UW-Parkside to meet the continuing challenge of helping people solve their problems," Brings said.

The Urban Initiative has three goals: create teams of Cooperative Extension faculty and staff, partner with urban universities and address the needs of neighborhoods to contribute to a better future for urban families.

Brings became the interim Southeast District director in May 1998. Before that, he served for nine years as the director of the Milwaukee County UW-Extension office. There, he managed a staff of 100 in four program areas. Before that, he was a UWEX environmental education agent in the Milwaukee County Parks system working with schools and communities at the Wehr Nature Center.

Brings received a B.S. degree in biology from Dominican College in Racine; secondary education certification from Marquette University and a master's degree in biology from Michigan State University in East Lansing.