First woman to lead WisDOT started Thursday

The first woman to lead the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) began her new role Thursday after being tapped by Gov. Tony Evers as Wisconsin’s newest secretary of transportation.

Secretary Kristina Boardman previously served in various agency roles, 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 more than 3,200 employees, dozens of field offices and a biennial budget of more than $8 billion.

According to Evers, 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,” 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 supporting the WisDOT workforce with ongoing opportunities for engagement and support. She will also maximize the funding opportunities of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring needed resources to Wisconsin, according to Evers.

Boardman will also strengthen Wisconsin’s technology and tools to best deliver safe and efficient self-service opportunities to our customers and stakeholders, while continuing investment in transportation to deliver on “core responsibilities to safely connect the public, wherever they travel.”

Boardman possesses 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.

Boardman replaces former secretary Craig Thompson, who 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.