Dane County Executive Melissa Agard has named former Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Caleb Frostman as her new chief of staff
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard has named former Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Caleb Frostman as her new chief of staff, elevating a former Democratic colleague to one of the most influential roles in county government.
Frostman, a former Democrat State Senator, led DWD during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by unprecedented demand for unemployment benefits—and significant administrative breakdowns. His tenure ended in September 2020 when Gov. Tony Evers asked for his resignation following months of mounting criticism over the agency’s handling of unemployment claims.
At the peak of the crisis, Wisconsin’s unemployment system was overwhelmed, with tens of thousands of residents waiting weeks or even months for benefits. Hundreds of thousands of claims remained unprocessed well into the summer, and constituents across the state reported being unable to reach the agency for assistance. Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about the pace of the response, the agency’s communication failures, and its reliance on outdated systems that struggled to adapt to federal pandemic programs.
While the surge in claims posed challenges nationwide, critics argued Wisconsin’s delays were particularly severe and prolonged, intensifying pressure on DWD leadership. The backlog—and the agency’s inability to quickly resolve it—ultimately led to Frostman’s removal.
Agard, who served in the Legislature at the time of Frostman’s resignation, has not publicly addressed his departure from DWD in announcing the hire, instead emphasizing his background in public service and economic development.
The appointment comes amid broader scrutiny of recent high-profile hiring decisions in Wisconsin government. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley—now a Democratic candidate for governor—recently hired Milwaukee Public Schools budget chief Nick Sinram to lead the county’s Office of Strategy, Budget and Performance. That decision followed findings from auditors that MPS ran a $46 million deficit during Sinram’s tenure.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany blasted the decision as “ABSURD,” adding: “If this is the kind of budgeting Crowley rewards, imagine what he would do with the state’s checkbook.”
Agard’s decision to elevate Frostman to a top administrative role similarly raises questions about how past performance in public office factors into leadership appointments—particularly following one of the most widely criticized agency responses during the pandemic.
