County Executive Falk Names Merritt Director of Policy & Program Development

January 30, 2009
Topf Wells, 266-9069

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced today the hiring of Dave Merritt as Dane County’s Director of Policy and Program Development. Merritt will advise the County Executive on long-term programs and innovations designed to sustain Dane County’s high quality of life. That includes promoting sustainable economic development, strengthening agriculture, improving transportation and protecting natural resources. Merritt will be instrumental in coordinating the County’s Executive “cow-power” initiative to create jobs and green energy. “Dave’s wealth of knowledge of how alternative energy sources can both create new jobs and improve the quality of our air and water, will serve Dane County citizens well,” Falk said. “Dave has the right combination of experience and good ideas to assist my focus and work in keeping Dane County’s economy vibrant and quality of life great.” For the past five years, Merritt has served as Project Coordinator for the Dane County Clean Air Coalition, a public/private partnership of businesses, schools and government agencies that works to improve air quality and takes voluntary steps to reduce pollution. Prior to his work with the Clean Air Coalition, Merritt served as executive director of the Citizen’s Utility Board for six years and prior to that worked in the Wisconsin state legislature. The Director of Policy and Program Development is a long-standing position in the County Executive’s office. Merritt and his wife Cheryl Wittke have a daughter and live in Madison. He has a degree in Mathematics from Carroll College. Merritt’s starting day will be 2/16/09 and his starting salary will be $63,710. # # #