Potts is chosen to head State Relations

Crystal Potts will join University Relations as the director of state relations for UW–Madison in November.

Potts comes to UW–Madison from Wisconsin state Sen. Howard Marklein’s office, where she served as his chief of staff and supported the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. She also gained valuable, detailed experience with the legislative process while clerking a standing committee in the state Assembly early in her career at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

A native of Champlin, Minnesota, Potts graduated from UW–Madison in 2010 with a degree in political science and Chinese, and she attributes her interest in state government and politics to her education and experiences at the university.

“I’m a proud Badger alum with fond memories of Jumping Around with friends at Camp Randall,” she says. “I enjoy politics and love my alma mater, so this role is an ideal way for me to combine two of the passions in my life.”

Ben Miller, assistant vice chancellor for government and corporate relations, says Potts will be an ideal advocate for the campus heading into the upcoming budget cycle. She replaces Matt Kussow, who left the university over the summer.

“Crystal brings bicameral experience that will be helpful as the next budget is developed,” says Ben Miller, assistant vice chancellor for government and corporate relations. “We believe her knowledge and expertise will be an asset in the years to come.”

The 2017-19 state budget process will kick into high gear in January with the launch of the governor’s budget proposal, followed by deliberations in Joint Finance and consideration by both chambers of the legislature. For updates on the process, visit budget.wisc.edu.