Top Wisconsin Consumer Protection Official
Leaves State Government to Join Cooperative Network
 MADISON, Wis. (October 15, 2009) - Wisconsin Consumer Protection Bureau Director Jim Rabbitt is leaving the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) after more than 21 years to join Cooperative Network as its Government Affairs Director.
Rabbitt will be working on behalf of credit unions, telecommunications, health care and other consumer cooperatives before the Legislature and the Doyle Administration. Rabbitt will also work to ensure Congress and the Obama Administration understand the important role health care cooperatives can play in federal health care reform. Cooperatives are included as a critical part of the health care reform plan passed by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, October 13.
Recently, Rabbitt attained national recognition for his important consumer protection role when he was elected to serve as the current President of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators.
“While we regret Wisconsin consumers will lose one of their primary advocates within state government, Wisconsin cooperatives will now have Jim Rabbitt working on their behalf to advance the cause of member-owned cooperatives in one of the leading cooperative business states in the nation,” said Bill Oemichen, Cooperative Network president and CEO. “Cooperatives, unlike most other types of businesses, are owned by the members who buy their products and services. This ensures cooperative businesses work hard to meet the needs of their member-owners and are focused on serving their customers rather than on meeting profit forecasts on Wall Street. Rabbitt’s consumer protection experience will fit well into the cooperative community and the principles we all share.” |
