Soon-to-be former state Rep. Jason Fields will take the helm of the Madison Region Economic Partnership from retiring president and CEO Paul Jadin early next month, the organization announced Wednesday.

Fields, who represents the 11th Assembly District in Milwaukee, will begin his tenure as president and CEO Jan. 4. He said his first goal is to form relationships with business and community leaders in the region, which covers Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk counties.

“The first thing to do is get in and send the message to make sure that our vision is shared by everyone so that we’re moving in the same direction,” said Fields, who intends to move to the Madison area.

Some of Fields’ areas of interest for the organization, which helps foster regional business recruitment and development, include helping new companies form, supporting broadband internet service in rural areas and finding cost-saving and revenue-sharing partnerships to save municipalities money.     

Fields’ extensive background in business and finance will help MadREP promote economic growth in the region, said MadREP board chairperson-elect Juli Aulik. Fields is the founder and managing director of Dark Knight Capital Ventures and CEO of The Financial Promise, a Milwaukee organization that teaches personal finance.

Fields has also worked as a licensed branch manager, stockbroker and investment banking associate.