Rob Burke Named UW-Extension Area Director

Rob Burke is the new Area Extension Director, starting July 1, of UW-Extension’s newly formed administrative area #12, consisting of Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc Counties. Burke received his master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Community Development and has served as the Community Development Educator since 2002 and department head for Door County UW-Extension. UW-Extension is undergoing a reorganization process that is now beginning a transition into a new staffing model for counties that should be in place by January 2018. These new Area Extension Directors (AED) are one of the first visible steps taken by UW-Extension statewide in the reorganization process. Burke will oversee the budget and overall administration of UW-Extension in all three counties. As AED he will also be responsible for fostering partnerships to identify new opportunities in programming, funding and staffing. The AEDs will work with county governments, municipalities and partner organizations to ensure the needs of the local communities are met. Statewide, counties have been organized into 18 multi-county administrative areas and four “stand alone” urban counties. Burke – as the Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc AED – will report to Assistant Dean Matt Hanson. Although he officially began his duties as AED July 1, Burke will continue to follow-up on commitments and projects with Door County clientele made previously as the Community Development Educator. As AED he will work to provide long-term service and programming in Community Development by UW-Extension in Door County.