As presidential transitions go, it lacks the wow power of what will happen in Washington about a year from now. But for Milwaukeeans and residents of southeastern Wisconsin, the leadership shift taking place at the Public Policy Forum very well could have significantly greater social and economic impact.

Between now and early March, forum President Jeffrey Browne will familiarize incoming President Rob Henken with the Milwaukee-based organization's inner workings.

"The forum is well-positioned to be taken to the next level, to have a real impact on the region," says Browne, a former Milwaukee newspaper editor and research specialist who came to the forum over 13 years ago. "Rob is the perfect choice to get it there."

Henken, a former congressional aide, came to the Milwaukee area in 1994 as executive director of the Alliance for Future Transit, a pro-public transportation and light rail advocacy group. He went on to a career in Milwaukee County government, climbing through the ranks to his most recent position as head of the Department of Administrative Services, the county's most powerful non-elective position.

"I'm excited about the challenge," says Henken, who will be the forum's ninth president. "The forum has a distinguished history and important tradition to carry on."

The forum began in 1913 as a local, non-partisan policy watchdog dedicated to enhancing government effectiveness and the quality of life in the seven-county southeastern Wisconsin region by objectively researching public policy issues, with a focus on:

• Economic development
• Workforce development
• Education
• Transportation

With a current annual budget of about $700,000 (compared to $1.3 billion for the county), the forum's position as a prominent, if leanly financed, player in area government and economic development policy was ultimately solidified by its fifth president, Norman Gill, who served for about 40 years from the 1940s into the '80s.

Browne recalls his early days at the Milwaukee Journal beginning in the '70s when Gill was a seemingly constant presence in the newsroom, bandying comprehensive charts and research documents for reporters and editors. Gill was passionate and vigilant about raising the profile and coverage of important area policy issues.

"He was this amazing guy with all these charts and tables and information bringing topics to our attention, and analyzing government spending and policy with all this detailed data and research he had compiled," Browne says with an appreciative smile and tone that evolves into soft laughter. Often quoted by the media, Gill provided a constant chirp in the collective conscience and consciousness of area leaders. An annual award given by the forum bears his name.

More understated than Gill in his approach, Browne came to the forum in 1995 as director of research for then-president Dave Meisner.

"When I arrived here, we were focused on the microscopic minutia of government," says Browne, 60. "I tried to turn the microscope lens around and take more a big picture view." He thinks it might be time to flip the focus back around a bit.

Henken, 44, says he plans to follow that advice to some degree, but without losing the larger view in the process. From his experience in local and regional government, he sees another role shift also worth encouraging.

"I'm hoping to become a little more proactive," says Henken. "When I interviewed with the board, they asked me if I saw the forum as more of a think tank or a watchdog. I'd like it to become a combination of both and be a government seeing eye dog."  Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

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