Secretary Randy Romanski
Randy Romanski was announced secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by Governor Tony Evers in June 2020 and was confirmed by the Senate on September 28, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Romanski served as DATCP deputy secretary since January 2019 and interim secretary since November 2019. He brings decades of experience in government administration and policy development to the department.
Romanski has held leadership roles at multiple state agencies. He previously served as DATCP's deputy secretary and secretary under Governor Jim Doyle, working on issues such as farmland preservation, local foods, Farm to School, and renewable energy. Romanski has also served as the assistant deputy secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
From 2011 to 2019, Romanski served as the head of safety programs in DOT's Division of State Patrol. Earlier in his career he held staff positions in the state legislature, both in the Senate and Assembly, and served as the deputy chief of staff in the Governor's office. He has also served as a policy analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Romanski earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and his master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Romanski resides in Monona, Wisconsin.
Deputy Secretary Angela James
Secretary-designee Romanski named Angela James deputy secretary in June 2020. She had previously served as DATCP assistant deputy secretary since January 2019. Before joining the department, James was an attorney in private practice. Her experience includes work with water quality matters including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) engagement, and nutrient trading.
Prior to entering solo legal practice, James was an attorney with a large Midwestern-based law firm, served with the Wisconsin paper industry, and was responsible for environmental compliance as the in-house counsel at an integrated gas and electric utility. Through these positions, James also gained significant hands-on experience in air, water, waste, and OSHA regulations.
She has also served as a commissioner and secretary of the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. James has bachelor's, master's, and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Assistant Deputy Secretary Eric Ebersberger
Eric Ebersberger was appointed
Assistant Deputy Secretary in November of 2020 by Secretary-designee Romanski. Ebersberger
joined DATCP following many years of service at the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources (DNR). He brings extensive experience in water resource
issues, internal agency operations, and policy development.
Ebersberger’s career includes 25
years of experience in state service spanning two state agencies and one
legislative service agency. During his time at DNR, he served in a variety of
leadership roles, from supervising the agency’s budget and coordinating water
policy development to implementing water conservation and protection programs
across Wisconsin.
Ebersberger grew up in the
Minneapolis area and earned his Master’s degree in Water Resources
Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds a law degree
from William Mitchell College of Law.