Wisconsin railroad commissioner resigns; Walker appoints successor

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday appointed Yash Wadhwa the state's new commissioner of railroads after Commissioner Jeff Plale abruptly resigned on Monday.

Wadhwa has more than 44 years of consulting experience in civil, environmental and transportation engineering. He has worked on infrastructure projects in the Milwaukee area, and has served as president of the Wisconsin Association of Consulting Engineers and the Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers.

"Yash Wadhwa's extensive experience in engineering and transportation will be a great contribution to the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads," Walker said in a press release.

Wadhwa's appointment requires confirmation from the state's Senate.

In his press release, Walker did not give a reason for Plale's resignation. However, Wisconsin news media reported that the resignation came in the wake of a controversy involving Plale's handling of discipline of two state employees accused of inappropriate conduct while on the job.