MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The CEO of the state economic development agency that’s been besieged with problems since Gov. Scott Walker created it in 2011 is stepping down. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Reed Hall said Tuesday he plans to retire from the agency. WEDC Board Chairman Dan Ariens thanked Reed for his leadership during a “challenging” time for the agency. Its troubles have included not tracking past-due loans, leadership turnover and audits that revealed mismanagement. A state audit last fall found the agency lacked documentation justifying spending on expenses and grants during its first two years. WEDC leaders voted recently to hire a consultant to review its operations and named a new chairman. The agency remains in disarray as Walker campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. Hall says his last day will be Sept. 25.
