Board of Visitors Biographies
Cory L. Nettles
Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
(Madison)
Appointed as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce in January 2003 by Governor Doyle, Cory Nettles is the point person on economic development issues for the state and a catalyst for Wisconsin's economic growth. The department has more than 400 employees and an annual budget of $221 million, and provides development assistance in areas such as marketing, business and community finance, exporting, small business advocacy and manufacturing assessments.
From 1996 to 2002, Nettles was an attorney at the law firm Quarles & Brady LLP, handling product liability and commercial litigation. He has also worked with state and national businesses on issues ranging from real estate, to the environment, to labor and employment. In addition, he has represented small businesses, nonprofit organizations and community churches.
Nettles previously served on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Wisconsin and on the boards of the Milwaukee Urban League; Crusade to Save Our Children, Inc.; Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.; Partners Advancing Values in Education; and the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
Nettles graduated magna cum laude from Lawrence University and holds a law degree from UW-Madison. He has served as Guest Lecturer for the UW-Madison Law School in the General Practice Skills Course and Civil Procedures and Federal Jurisdiction classes.