Chris Abele is the Milwaukee County Executive. He was first elected in a special election in 2011, and re-elected in 2012 and 2016. He did not seek re-election in 2020.
Official Biography
Elected with an overwhelming 61% of the vote in a special election Chris Abele became Milwaukee County Executive on April 4, 2011. After serving one year, he ran unopposed and was re-elected to a full four year term April 3, 2012. As County Executive, Chris is focused on providing important, effective and efficient services to residents, disciplined decision-making, and making the county more sustainable. He is also focused on bringing civility back to politics. Chris wants to use his position to remind people political labels are not as important as getting things done. He’s proud to work with Democrats and Republicans on numerous issues.
Prior to his election, Chris served for seven years as CEO of the Milwaukee-based Argosy Foundation, where he remains a trustee. The foundation aims to support leaders and organizations that employ creative and entrepreneurial approaches to solving systemic problems. He’s also a highly successful business owner. He founded a successful hospital services business the he sold in 2012 and he still runs a flourishing real estate company, which owns commercial property in Wisconsin, New York and Maine.
Chris is a dedicated personal philanthropist. His philanthropic work has been primarily in arts, education and human rights. Over the past 15 years, his volunteer work has included serving on 31 local, national and international non-profit boards. He currently serves on boards at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Schools that Can, and the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University. Chris is also an active fundraiser, chairing and co-chairing campaigns that raised more than $150 million. He has received numerous awards for his effective leadership and speaks regularly on leadership, philanthropy and nonprofit best practices.
County Executive Abele is proud to live in Milwaukee with his wife Miriam and their two young daughters, Lauren and Katherine.
Content referencing Chris Abele - Page 9
County Employees Celebrate Aaron Rodgers Day by Wearing Packers Gear, Donating to MACC Fund
County Employees Celebrate 12-12-12 by Wearing Packers Gear
Dec 10th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
County Executive Helps Celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah Lighting
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Lubavitch of Wisconsin will celebrate the Hanukkah Menorah Lighting in the Milwaukee County Courthouse Rotunda on Monday, December 10th at 11:30am.
Dec 8th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Milwaukee County Aging Study Shows Changing Face of Population
Extensive Study Looks at Adults 60 and Older
Dec 5th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Mayor & Co. Executive to Announce New Way to Experience Milwaukee
More than 50,000 People Have Chosen a New Way to Experience Milwaukee
Dec 4th, 2012 by Press Release
Mitchell Airport Fares Among Lowest in the Nation
MKE Airfares Among Lowest in the Nation
Nov 27th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Courthouse Tree Lighting Will Feature Santa, Singing & Sausages
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will officially light the Milwaukee County Courthouse Christmas Tree this Thursday at 4:30pm.
Nov 27th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Celebrate the 99th Annual City/County Christmas Tree Lighting
Mayor Tom Barrett, County Executive Chris Abele, and Ald. Ashanti Hamilton at Red Arrow Park
Nov 19th, 2012 by Tom Barrett
Cudahy War Memorial Tree Chosen as County Christmas Tree
The Cudahy War Memorial is donating a tree from their memorial at Sheridan Park as the 2013 Milwaukee County Christmas Tree.
Nov 19th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Cudahy War Memorial Tree Chosen as County Christmas Tree
The tree will be cut down on Monday, November 19, 2012 and moved to the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
Nov 14th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Milwaukee County Board Raises Taxes $6.3 Million
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors was given the unique opportunity today to make history and decrease taxes for Milwaukee County residents; instead they choose to raise taxes to pad their own benefits and support their own pet projects.
Nov 14th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Milwaukee County Board Adopts 2013 Budget
Board Overrides 23 of 25 Budget Vetoes from County Executive, Prepares to Implement Business of the People of Milwaukee County
Nov 14th, 2012 by Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
Sup. Taylor Welcomes County Executive Abele’s Veto of the Resolution Abolishing Economic Development Director Position
“I commend County Executive Chris Abele for his veto on the abolishment of the position of Economic Development Director.”
Nov 13th, 2012 by Steve F. Taylor
Abele Urges Board to Sustain Vetoes That Save $6.3 Million
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele signed vetoes today that will offer better public safety, better service and save taxpayers millions of dollars.
Nov 13th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Abele’s Vetoes Lower Taxes $6.3 Million
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will sign vetoes today that, if upheld, will lower property taxes for every resident in Milwaukee County.
Nov 13th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Veterans Day Ceremony Will Honor WWII Hero
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office are pleased to announce a unique award ceremony at the War Memorial Center on November 10, 2012.
Nov 8th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Chair of Committee on Economic and Community Development Calls on County Exec To Stabilize Economic Development Leadership
The Chair of the Milwaukee County Board Committee on Economic and Community Development is asking the County Executive to shore up the County’s leadership on economic development by adhering to Milwaukee County residency requirements.
Nov 8th, 2012 by Patricia Jursik
United County Board Approves 2013 Budget on 13-5 Vote
Two-thirds back plan to improve public safety, lessen impact on taxpayers
Nov 5th, 2012 by Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
Milwaukee County Parks Prepares For Effects from Hurricane Sandy
The Milwaukee County Parks Department is preparing the Lakefront for expected impacts from Hurricane Sandy.
Oct 29th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
An Open Letter to the Residents of Milwaukee County
It’s time to set the record straight and, once again, to call on the Milwaukee County Executive to focus on collaboration.
Oct 29th, 2012 by Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic
Milwaukee County Board Raises Taxes While Sacrificing Service Level, Public Safety
The Milwaukee County Board’s Budget Committee has voted to put politics above the interests of the community.
Oct 28th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Global Rating Agency: Milwaukee County is on a Better Path
In another sign that Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is putting the County on the right path, Fitch Global Rating Agency has upgraded Milwaukee County’s bond rating from Negative to Stable.
Oct 25th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
County Board Votes Against Taxpayers and For the Status Quo
The Milwaukee County Board’s Budget Committee voted 9 - 0 today to raise taxes on Milwaukee County citizens.
Oct 24th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Green Bay Packers Partner with Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is happy to announce a new partnership between the Milwaukee County Parks, United Way, the Green Bay Packers, and the NFL.
Oct 22nd, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
County Executive Abele Named to Bipartisan Debt Commission
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has been appointed to the Wisconsin Campaign to Fix the Debt committee.
Oct 18th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
County Executive Welcomes “Flash Mob” to the Courthouse
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is happy to announce the Milwaukee County Courthouse will be the spot of a “flash mob” to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of blind and visually impaired people.
Oct 18th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Public Policy Forum Praise Abele’s Budget
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the nationally respected, non-partisan, Public Policy Forum have both praised Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele’s 2013 Budget proposal.
Oct 14th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
Common Council members call for County to codify changes in Medical Examiner’s procedures
Several Council members met with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday (Sept. 28) to discuss concerns related to the Derek Williams case.
Oct 2nd, 2012 by Milwaukee Common Council
City Seeks Candidates for 2012 City/County Christmas Tree
Your tree could decorate Red Arrow Park for all to enjoy!
Sep 27th, 2012 by City of Milwaukee
How will Milwaukee Police Department handle extra work?
I’m disappointed the Mayor didn’t find it necessary to brief more Council members on his plans.
Sep 24th, 2012 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Milwaukee County Chairwoman Reacts To Parks Director Depature
Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic released the following statement upon learning of the departure of Milwaukee County Parks Director Sue Black:
Aug 16th, 2012 by Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic
County Executive Abele Announces National Search for New Parks Director
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is announcing a national search for a new Parks Director to replace Sue Black. Black is no longer with Milwaukee County.
Aug 16th, 2012 by County Executive Chris Abele
100 Days of Progress at the County Board
Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic released the following progress report on her first 100 days in office.
Aug 1st, 2012 by Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week kicks off Monday
Monday marks the start of the 7th Annual Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, July 30 – August 3.
Jul 26th, 2012 by Milwaukee Downtown, BID 21
