Governor-elect Braun names two more cabinet appointees

Matthew Ubelhor for Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure, David Adams for Secretary of Commerce

On Wednesday, Governor-elect Mike Braun announced Matthew Ubelhor as Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure. Ubelhor brings 47 years of operational leadership experience, most recently serving as senior vice president of Operations at White Stallion Energy.

“Matt’s decades of experience managing complex operations and infrastructure, combined with his service in the Indiana House, make him especially qualified to lead our transportation and infrastructure initiatives,” Governor-elect Braun said. “He has a servant’s heart and understands how to do more with less at a time when stewardship of tax dollars could not be more critical.”

A former three-term state representative, Ubelhor served in the General Assembly from 2010 to 2015, representing Greene, Martin, Daviess, and Monroe counties. During his tenure, he served on the Ways and Means Committee and as majority whip.

In his most recent role, Ubelhor managed safety, production, and cost control for 600 workers across multiple sites. His extensive background includes leadership positions at Peabody Energy, where he oversaw operations, environmental compliance, and workforce safety for 700 employees.

“Fostering long-term prosperity for Hoosier families takes many forms, and I am excited to contribute to Gov.-elect Braun’s efforts to shape the future of our transportation infrastructure,” Ubelhor said. “We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us to connect Hoosiers in ways that will grow our economy and improve our quality of life.”

As the Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure, Ubelhor will be responsible for maintaining the state’s transportation, infrastructure, and broadband systems to support Indiana’s economic growth and quality of life for Hoosiers. He will also serve as head of the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Ubelhor, a Bloomfield resident, began his career as an equipment operator before advancing through supervisory roles to senior executive positions. He graduated from Perry Central High School in 1977.

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On Thursday, Braun his intent to appoint David Adams as Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce to lead Indiana’s job creation and business growth initiatives.

Adams, who most recently served as the state’s Commissioner of Workforce Development, brings extensive experience in economic development, innovation, and business growth.

Under Adams’ leadership as Workforce Development Commissioner, Indiana’s workforce ranking in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” improved from 48th to 14th. He previously served as Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Cincinnati, where he led the development of the Cincinnati Innovation District that became Ohio’s model for economic development.

“David’s proven track record of driving economic growth and innovation makes him the ideal choice to lead Indiana’s commerce initiatives,” Gov.-elect Braun said. “His experience in workforce development to drive economic growth, combined with his successful entrepreneurial business track record and ability to attract major investments, will help accelerate Indiana’s economic momentum.”

A first-generation college graduate and lifelong entrepreneur, Adams was a founding member of the leadership team that grew software company i2 Technologies from $4 million to $1.1 billion in revenue. He also led the turnaround and merger of Indiana’s nearly $50 billion pension systems under Governor Mitch Daniels.

“Governor-elect Braun’s vision for our state’s economic future is bold and one that I look forward to supporting as Secretary of Commerce,” Adams said. “His business career gives him a unique perspective of workforce development and economic prosperity, and while we have great momentum as a state, there is more work to be done. We have an opportunity ahead of us to recruit and build a talent pipeline, and I look forward to working with Governor-elect Braun and the General Assembly to take our state to new heights.”

As the Secretary of Commerce, Adams will be responsible for driving economic opportunity for the state and fostering an entrepreneurial environment for innovation. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of Louisville. He currently serves on the Purdue Research Foundation board and is a Forbes contributing writer.