Division administrator biographies

Casey Newman, administrator
Division of Business Management (DBM)

DBM manages WisDOT's personnel, payroll, information technology, facilities, fleet, purchasing, fiscal services, printing, and risk and safety programs.

Casey Newman was appointed DBM Administrator in March of 2019. He has spent the majority of his 25-year career with WisDOT, serving in several senior management roles, most recently as the Director of the Bureau of Business Services in DBM and previously as the Director of the Office of Policy, Finance and Improvement (now called the Office of Management and Budget). Casey has also held senior positions at the Department of Corrections and UW-Madison. You can reach Casey at (608) 266-2090 or casey.newman@dot.wi.gov.

Lea Collins-Worachek, administrator
Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives (DBSI)

DBSI oversees the department’s biennium budget; manages the department’s performance improvement program; administers the department’s research and library programs; develops and coordinates department strategic initiatives; and serves as the liaison for federal transportation issues.

Lea Collins-Worachek was appointed DBSI Administrator in January of 2023. Prior to becoming administrator, Lea served as the Director of DTSD’s Office of Business Opportunity and Equity Compliance Director since September of 2020. Prior to coming to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Lea worked since 2000 in various leadership positions at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Lea has a Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Madison and a Master of Science degree from UW-Stout. You can reach Lea at (608) 266-5769 or lea.collinsworachek1@dot.wi.gov.

Tommy Winkler, administrator
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Tommy Winkler Jr. was appointed DMV Administrator in October 2023. Prior to becoming administrator, Tommy served in a number of leadership roles over the course of his almost 13 year career in DMV including Division Budget Coordinator, Citations and Withdrawals Section Chief, Project Manager for the Driver’s License and Identification Card Issuance System project, Section Chief in the Administrator’s Office, Deputy Director in Field Services, and most recently as the Director of DMV’s Field Services Bureau since June 2022.

Prior to coming to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Tommy worked as an Ethics Specialist since 2007 at the State Ethics Board that later became the Government Accountability Board.

Tommy is a lifelong Wisconsin resident. He grew up in the Wisconsin Rapids area before attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.​ ​You can reach Tommy at (608) 266-2481 or tommy.winklerjr@dot.wi.gov.

Tim Carnahan, Superintendent
Division of State Patrol (DSP)

Wisconsin State Patrol is the leading safety division of WisDOT, upholding state laws on Wisconsin’s roads and managing programs in traffic safety.

Tim Carnahan serves as superintendent and administrator of the Wisconsin State Patrol. He is a 33-year veteran of the division. Carnahan became Superintendent on July 9, 2022 after serving in several leadership positions including Deputy Superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel, and Region Commander for the Southeast and North Central regions.

Tim also served 10 years as a commissioned and non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Wisconsin National Guard.

A lifelong Wisconsin resident, Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Milwaukee and a Certificate in Graduate Studies from the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety - School of Police Staff and Command.

You can reach Superintendent Carnahan at 608-709-0053 or timothy.carnahan@dot.wi.gov.

Justin Shell, administrator
Division of Transportation Investment Management (DTIM)

Justin Shell serves as the DTIM administrator. He has over 20 years of experience working in the planning sector on topics ranging from transportation to agricultural and environmental issues. The majority of that time has been spent working in DTIM on issues related to transportation asset management and development of the department’s highway improvement program. Justin has a deep interest in data analytics and visualizations. That passion has helped him build teams that use data-driven techniques to identify practical and innovative solutions for our transportation systems.

Prior to being appointed administrator, Justin served as the DTIM deputy administrator and held several different roles in the division’s Bureau of State Highway Programs. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

You can reach Justin at justinr.shell@dot.wi.gov.

Rebecca Burkel, administrator
Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD)

As DTSD administrator, Rebecca Burkel leads a division of more than 1,300 employees who work throughout Wisconsin overseeing the development, maintenance and operation of the state highway system. DTSD is comprised of five regions and six bureaus. Region offices work locally with key stakeholders and serve as the front line of project delivery, while the bureaus develop statewide policy and best practices regarding engineering, economic, environmental, and social standards and practices. In addition, DTSD houses a nationally recognized innovation program that focuses on technology and process improvement.

Rebecca grew up in the Green Bay area and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Her WisDOT career began as an environmental coordinator in 1993. She was promoted several times to managerial positions, most recently serving as deputy administrator before her 2019 appointment to administrator. Throughout her time at WisDOT, Rebecca has focused on process improvement, innovation, efficiency and consistency of policy application among DTSD’s functional, technical and regional areas.

Rebecca’s honors and achievements include honors from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognizing her efforts to help balance responsibilities for staff called away on military duties. She’s also a past honorable mention for the Virginia Hart Award, which recognizes exemplary women in state government. You can reach Rebecca at rebecca.burkel@dot.wi.gov.