Pertl led DCF from 2024 until September, when he stepped down to work on Crowley's campaign for governor. Before that, he served as the agency's deputy secretary starting in 2019. His state government resume also includes a stint as senior policy advisor to the state superintendent at the Department of Public Instruction, and he previously represented Dane County as a supervisor.

In a statement, Crowley praised Pertl's breadth of experience and his commitment to Wisconsin families, saying Pertl would bring "incredible depth of experience, a strong understanding of state government and a deep commitment to serving Wisconsin families."

Crowley added that Pertl has demonstrated "the leadership, thoughtfulness, and collaborative approach needed to tackle our state's biggest challenges and deliver results for the people of Wisconsin," calling him "an invaluable partner as we build an administration focused on bringing people together, making life more affordable for working families, and moving Wisconsin forward."

Pertl lives in Madison with his wife. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

The chief of staff announcement comes as Crowley assembles a transition operation he has promised will reach beyond the state's two largest cities. In the week since his election win, Crowley has emphasized a statewide approach, saying he is "committed to bringing people together from across the political spectrum and all across this state."

"We're going to listen to every region … every community," he said last week. "We're going to make decisions that are based on what's best for everyone here in the state of Wisconsin, and we are going to measure our success on whether life gets better for all families in this great state."

Crowley named Thad Nation, founder and senior partner of the public strategies firm Nation Consulting, to direct the transition committee. He also appointed twelve co-chairs from across Wisconsin, including former Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, Greater Milwaukee Foundation CEO Greg Wesley, UW-Stevens Point faculty member Marcus Lewis, The Hmong Institute co-founder and CEO Peng Her, and Kathleen Rulka, a retired marriage and family therapist.

On Tuesday, Crowley opened applications for jobs within his administration, signaling that the transition is moving quickly from personnel announcements to building out the government he will lead.

The choice of Pertl, who spent years overseeing programs for children and families, offers an early signal of the new administration's priorities. Crowley campaigned on making life more affordable for working families, and his incoming chief of staff's background at DCF — an agency that administers child welfare, child care subsidies and energy assistance — aligns with that focus.

Pertl's departure from DCF in September to join the campaign also underscores the continuity between the outgoing Evers administration and the incoming one. Pertl served in multiple roles under Governor Tony Evers, and his appointment suggests Crowley intends to draw on experienced state officials as he takes office.