Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has appointed Gregory McClain to lead the city’s Department of Civil Rights, with McClain set to begin the job Oct. 12, 2026. McClain most recently worked as equal opportunity manager for Montgomery County Government in Rockville, Maryland. He has more than 10 years of experience in racial equity, social justice, equal employment and public health, and served in the U.S. Air Force. Rhodes-Conway said McClain would bring a data-focused, results-oriented approach to the department. “His journey to civil rights work makes him well-qualified to lead this agency,” she said in a statement. McClain earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and master’s degrees in business and health administration from Oklahoma State University. He also holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. While at UW–Madison, he worked on community efforts to prevent harm among veterans and others experiencing substance use disorders and to advance health equity. McClain said he wants to build on the department’s current work and expand its impact. “Starting from a place of honesty and transparency, I see my role as ensuring it’s a great city for everyone,” he said.