Governor Jim Doyle has appointed Richard J. Leinenkugel secretary of the Department of Commerce. Leinenkugel, who is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, begins working on Sept. 29.

"Dick Leinenkugel comes from a family that has for generations run the kind of business we must have here in Wisconsin to grow our economy -- producing a top quality product made by the best workers in the world," Gov. Doyle said in a statement.

"Dick is a leader of one of the state's marquee companies. He knows what it takes for a company to succeed in this state and I am confident his talent and experience are what we need to help create the jobs of tomorrow and move our economy forward."

Leinenkugel, 50, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marquette University with a B.S. in Business Administration. After a stint as an officer in the Marine Corps, Leinenkugel joined the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in 1987 as a district sales manager / chain sales manager. Leinenjugel was appointed to the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors where he represented Menomonee Falls from 1997 to 2000.

"I appreciate Governor Doyle's confidence in me and am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the Department of Commerce," Leinenkugel said in the statement. "I look forward to working with my colleagues at Commerce to serve our great state of Wisconsin and help create jobs and grow our economy. I am energized to have this opportunity to give back to the state that has been so good to our family for over 141 years and to me personally."