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MADISON n Governor Jim Doyle today announced the appointment of Richard J. Leinenkugel as the secretary of the Department of Commerce. Leinenkugel, currently the vice president of sales and marketing at the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, will begin serving on Sept. 29.

“Dick Leinenkugel comes from a family that has for generations run the kind of business we must have here in Wisconsin to grow our economy n producing a top quality product made by the best workers in the world,” Doyle said. “Dick is a leader of one of the state’s marquee companies. He knows what it takes for a company to succeed in this state and I am confident his talent and experience are what we need to help create the jobs of tomorrow and move our economy forward.”

Leinkugel said he appreciated Doyle’s confidence in him and was delighted to have the opportunity to lead the Department of Commerce. “I look forward to working with my colleagues at Commerce to serve our great state of Wisconsin and help create jobs and grow our economy," he said. "I am energized to have this opportunity to give back to the state that has been so good to our family for over 141 years and to me personally.”

Leinenkugel, 50, graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Leinenkugel began his career with the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in 1987, starting out as a district sales manager/chain sales manager. He currently serves as vice president of sales and marketing for the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and group manager, specialty and craft brands, for Miller Brewing Company.

He was appointed to the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors, where he represented Menomonee Falls from 1997 through 2000.

Leinenkugel is married to wife Jean, a registered nurse, and has three children: Jeffrey, Katie, and Lindsay.