| Preston Cole | |
| Order: | 10th |
| Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | |
| Governor: | Tony Evers |
| Term Start: | January 7, 2019 |
| Term End: | November 23, 2022 |
| Predecessor: | Dan Meyer |
| Successor: | Adam N. Payne (designee) |
| Alma Mater: | University of Missouri |
| Occupation: | Forester |
Preston D. Cole (born 1961) is a retired American conservationist and was secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during the first term of Governor Tony Evers (2019 - 2022).[1] Cole previously served as the Chair of the State Natural Resources Board.[2] He was first appointed to the board by Governor Jim Doyle and was reappointed by Governor Scott Walker.[3]
Cole previously served as the Commissioner of the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.[4] Prior to that, Cole was the Director of Operations for the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works.[5] Additionally, he previously served as the Parks Superintendent for the City of St. Louis, as well as a Forester for the Missouri Department of Conservation.[6]
Cole received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management from the University of Missouri and was the first African American to graduate from the degree program.[7] Cole was involved with Future Farmers of America in high school.[8]