LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts has chosen a Wisconsin business recruiter to lead Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development.

Brenda Hicks-Sorenson was chosen after a national search that began in December. In a statement Friday, Ricketts praised her as an innovative leader who stood out because of her recruiting record.

Hicks-Sorenson recently served as a vice president for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in Madison, Wisconsin. Her 21-member team had a $4.3 million operating budget and oversaw $34 million in business and community assistance money.

Hicks-Sorenson developed a business attraction strategy for the state of Wisconsin. Her efforts have helped attract Collaborative Consulting, Ta-Chen, Kenall Manufacturing, and Amazon.com.