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Christopher Seton Abele (born January 28, 1967) is an American businessman and Democratic Party politician. He is the current Milwaukee County Executive.[1][2] Abele is the son of American businessman John Abele, the co-founder of Boston Scientific.[3] Abele serves as a trustee of the Argosy Foundation, a charitable trust established with an endowment from his father.[citation needed]
Contents
1 Business career
2 2011 Milwaukee County Executive race
2.1 Issue positions
2.1.1 Tax increases
2.2 Ideology and party affiliation
2.3 Endorsements
3 Milwaukee County Executive
4 Personal life
5 Electoral history
6 References
7 External links
Business career[edit]
In 1996, Abele, with Chris Kerr, founded SteriLogic Waste Systems, which serves hospitals and medical clinics in managing sharps waste. Abele served as CEO of SteriLogic from 1996–2004. In 2004, Abele became Chairman of the company to devote more time to philanthropic efforts.[4]
In 2001, Abele and his business partner Steve Mech founded CSA Commercial, a Milwaukee-based real estate and development company.[5]
In 2006, SteriLogic merged with Medsolutions and in 2007, Kerr and Abele sold the majority of SteriLogic to Stericycle. The remainder of SteriLogic was restructured the remainder as Oxus Environmental.[citation needed]
In 2011, the Argosy Foundation took a "change in leadership." Abele left his position as president and CEO and was replaced by his sister, Jeneye.[6]
Abele invested $10 million into a venture fund, CSA Partners LLC,[7] for Milwaukee start-ups. The LLC was formed with Brian Taffora and Pat Farley. They invested into gener8tor's Fund II and opened Ward 4 (Milwaukee, WI startup accelerator space) in remodelled space inside the former John Pritzlaff Hardware Company Building.[8][9]
2011 Milwaukee County Executive race[edit]
On January 4, 2011, Abele formally announced that he entered the race for Milwaukee County Executive.[10] Abele and Stone received the most votes and advanced on to a run-off election that was held on April 5, 2011.[11] On April 6, 2011, Abele defeated Republican challenger Jeff Stone, and was sworn in on April 21, 2011.[12][13]
Issue positions[edit]
Tax increases[edit]
Abele said tax increases should be a "last resort" until the county gets its act together. Specifically, a dedicated sales tax for parks or transit is out for the "foreseeable future", he told PolitiFact Wisconsin.[14] Abele is also responsible for a county wide tax increase to build a stadium for the Milwaukee County Bucks in which he approved to also sell the land to them for $1 instead of the approximately $10 million value. Abele is now for increasing parking fees for the Milwaukee County Park system through adding parking meters to some of the most heavily used area parks. Changing his prior opinion of the county getting its act together.
Ideology and party affiliation[edit]
Abele contributed primarily to Democratic campaigns and the Democratic Party.[14] Formerly, Abele served on a number of finance committees. This included the 2002 campaign for former Governor Jim Doyle, where he helped with John Kerry's presidential fundraising, and donated to Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.[14] The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Daniel Bice reported that Abele donated to the campaigns of Republican state legislators including Joe Sanfelippo and Dale Kooyenga, both of whom have played roles in the passage of bills that have increased Abele's power as Milwaukee County executive.[15]
Endorsements[edit]
On February 12, 2011, Abele received the endorsement of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which stated "Chris Abele's leadership on nonprofit boards, his experience running two family companies and his skill managing the Argosy Foundation make him a solid choice for county executive",[16] and "Abele has the right experience and the right vision. Abele could be a game-changer".[16] On April 2, 2011, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel once again endorsed Abele over Jeff Stone, stating "Milwaukee County needs transformative change. One candidate provides the better chance to accomplish that."[17]
Milwaukee County Executive[edit]
Abele took the oath of office to become Milwaukee County Executive on April 25, 2011, succeeding Scott Walker.
On June 9, 2011, citing concerns about budget cuts at the state level, Abele indicated his opposition to a planned $775,000 investment in public art at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. A year later, in June 2012, Abele signed a resolution placing the public art program on "hiatus" and authorizing use of the program's $500,000 in accumulated funds toward deferred maintenance instead of artwork.[18]
On June 10, 2011 he announced his intention to provide health care coverage to domestic partners of Milwaukee County employees. This was approved by the County Board on July 28, 2011, and signed by Abele into law on August 3, 2011.
Personal life[edit]
Abele grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, but after attending college at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin from 1991–95, he decided to stay in Milwaukee.[19][20]
He is previously divorced and has three children.[21] He was included in the Milwaukee Business Journal "40 under 40" and "Power Broker" lists in 2000 and 2010, respectively.[22][23]
He is a member of the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Inc., a Trustee for Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Inc, and the Chairman for Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.[24]
Electoral history[edit]
2011 Milwaukee County Executive General Election (special election)
Non-partisan election
Candidate Votes %
Chris Abele 134,848 60.53
Jeff Stone 87,913 39.47
2016 Milwaukee County Executive General Election
Non-partisan election
Candidate Votes %
Chris Abele 156,509 55.55
Chris Larson 125,240 44.45
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