Governor Evers Appointed Aaron Towns to WEDC Board

The BMO Financial Group executive fills a vacancy left by the resignation of John Brogan.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People

Governor Evers Appointed Aaron Towns to WEDC Board

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Governor Tony Evers has appointed Aaron Towns to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. The selection fills a seat on the board that was vacated following the resignation of John Brogan.

Why it matters

The board provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to the WEDC, balancing perspectives from state legislators, departmental secretaries, and private sector leaders.

Aaron Towns brings 20 years of experience in finance, operations, and technology to the oversight body. He has held a leadership position at BMO Financial Group since 2013.

The players

Tony Evers

Tony Evers is the Governor of Wisconsin who makes appointments to the state's economic development board.

Aaron Towns

Aaron Towns is an executive at BMO Financial Group who has been appointed to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board.

John Brogan

John Brogan is a former member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board whose resignation created the current opening.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is the state's lead economic development agency responsible for business recruitment and retention.

The details

Towns currently serves as the Director of Commercial Banking Wisconsin at BMO Financial Group. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Xavier University and previously completed the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School.

Towns began his current leadership role at BMO in 2013.
Governor Evers announced the appointment on September 22, 2026.

Market Landscape

The appointment follows the structural guidelines established in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's enabling statutes, which require a mix of public and private sector representation on the board. This move reinforces the state's reliance on private sector expertise to drive regional economic oversight and business growth strategies.

The transition on the board will not immediately change retail or commercial banking products for the average Wisconsin customer. Residents should expect the board to continue its established oversight of state business development programs without changes to current service levels.

The takeaway

The addition of a finance executive with two decades of experience suggests the state board will continue prioritizing technical and operational oversight for its development projects. Board members will continue to manage the state agency's strategic direction under the new leadership structure.