WBIW.com News - state

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Governor-Elect Holcomb Reappoints Agency Directors

Last updated on Tuesday, December 20, 2016

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Governor-elect Eric Holcomb announced the reappointment of the five agency and department heads who will report to Lieutenant Governor-elect Suzanne Crouch.

Among them are Ted McKinney, Indiana State Department of Agriculture; Jacob Sipe, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority; Duane Embree, Office of Defense Development; Bill Konyha, Office of Community and Rural Affairs; and Mark Newman, Office of Tourism Development.

Ted McKinney, Indiana State Department of Agriculture:

"Ted is a dedicated leader whose experience both on the farm and in corporate agribusiness is a unique asset to the Hoosier state," said Governor-elect Eric Holcomb. "In this role, Ted has and will continue to pursue bold initiatives that affect Hoosiers, Americans, and global citizens alike."

"At the heart of it, Indiana is agriculture, and Ted's vast knowledge and experience will continue to serve Hoosiers well as ISDA Director," said Lieutenant Governor-elect Suzanne Crouch. "Hoosiers have every reason to believe that Ted will continue to support, grow, and advocate for Indiana's food and agriculture sector."

Ted McKinney was appointed as Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in January 2014, and in 2015 additional responsibilities were added as the Director of Agribusiness Economic Development within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). Prior to government service, Ted was director of Global Corporate Affairs for Elanco Animal Health and also served in a number of roles at DowAgroSciences, the last one as Leader of Food Chain, Industry, and States Affairs. He serves as a co-chair of the National FFA Conventions Local Organizing Committee for Indianapolis and is a member of numerous boards including the Indiana State Fair Commission and Board. Ted is a graduate of Purdue University.

Jacob Sipe, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority:

"Jacob has served Hoosiers as the Executive Director of Housing & Community Development with expertise and dedication," said Lieutenant Governor-elect Suzanne Crouch. "He possesses the right experience to continue serving Hoosiers in this capacity and I look forward to the continued progress under Jacob's leadership."

J. Jacob Sipe was appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve as the Executive Director of the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority in 2013. He has been with the agency since 1999 in positions such as interim executive director and head of the real estate department. Jacob serves on the advisory council for LISC Indianapolis and the Affordable Housing Association of Indiana, and is a board member of the Community Investment Fund of Indiana, Inc. He has received the Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award for his efforts to advance affordable housing partnerships and production. Jacob is a graduate of Indiana University.

Duane Embree, Office of Defense Development:

"Duane's leadership in the effort to grow the defense sector business in Indiana has certainly shown that he is up to the task," said Lieutenant Governor-elect Suzanne Crouch. "I have every confidence that Duane will continue to prosper in this position, ultimately growing Indiana's defense sector and creating more Hoosier jobs."

Duane serves as the Director of the Indiana Office of Defense Development. He also serves as the National Director for Military and Defense Initiatives for Ivy Tech Community College where he focuses on workforce development and economic development initiatives across the defense sector. Duane is a retired member of the Senior Executive Service where he served in a number of Department of Navy senior civilian leadership roles, most recently as the Technical Director of the Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Duane holds a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University.

Bill Konyha, Office of Community and Rural Affairs:

"Throughout Bill's time as the Director of Community and Rural Affairs, he has demonstrated his strong ability to represent the challenges and opportunities shared by rural communities across the state," said Lieutenant Governor-elect Suzanne Crouch. "I look forward to working with Bill to further improve Indiana for all Hoosiers."

Bill Konyha has been the Executive Director at Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs since his appointment in January of 2015. Previously, he served as the President and CEO of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County, Inc. and was the Executive Director for both Fayette County and Tipton County. Governor Mike Pence awarded Bill with the Sagamore of the Wabash award in 2013. He is a graduate of Ball State University and studied Business Administration and Management at Kent State University.

Mark Newman, Office of Tourism Development:

"With the many conventions, events, and attractions that call Indiana home, tourism in Indiana is booming," said Lieutenant Governor-elect Suzanne Crouch. "Mark's expertise and dedication has allowed Indiana tourism to flourish and I have no doubt that he will continue building upon that momentum."

Mark Newman is the Executive Director of Indiana's Office of Tourism Development. Prior to his appointment in 2012, he was the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mark also served as the COO for the Indiana Sports Corporation and was an Assistant Soccer Coach at the University of Virginia. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Massachusetts and studied Sports Psychology at the University of Virginia.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page