Governor-elect Mike Braun announces Transition Council Leadership

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On Thursday, Governor-elect Mike Braun announced the formation of Transition Councils, along with their appointed leadership and members, to guide state agency reviews, drive policy development across Indiana’s government, and prepare the Braun administration to implement a bold agenda from day one.

The Transition Council leaders and members bring valuable expertise from diverse sectors, including business, public service, education, healthcare, natural resources, and constituent services. Each council will play a central role in creating streamlined, effective solutions that elevate state government’s impact on the lives of Hoosiers.

“To build an effective government that serves all Hoosier residents, we need the best minds and most experienced leaders at the table,” Governor-elect Braun said. “These distinguished individuals bring decades of public and private sector expertise to ensure a smooth and impactful transition.”

Each council is dedicated to advancing Braun’s vision of expanding freedom and opportunity for all Hoosiers. Below are the charters that guide each Transition Council’s work, along with the membership of each council:

Business Affairs Transition Council

Charter: The Business Affairs Transition Council is focused on strengthening Indiana’s reputation as a business-friendly environment by streamlining bureaucracy, cutting red tape, and enhancing customer service interactions between business owners and state regulators. The council aims to support Indiana’s businesses by reducing obstacles and improving the efficiency and responsiveness of state services.

Chair: Mike Speedy, a real estate developer, former state representative, former Indianapolis City-County councilor, and member of the HOPE Commission for Higher Education

Members: Terry Baker, Thomas Lyons, Mike Mellon, Matt Morgan, Don Rix, Bill Salin, Phil Sicuso, and Mike Smith

Commerce Transition Council

Charter: The Commerce Transition Council is focused on driving economic growth across Indiana by fostering entrepreneurship and identifying opportunities to support geographically diverse communities. The council aims to expand economic opportunity in every corner of the state by cultivating a thriving environment for Hoosier entrepreneurs and encouraging community-level development.

Chair: Mitch Frazier, CEO of AgriNovus Indiana and former leader with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under former Governor Mitch Daniels

Members: Jake Adams, Steve Akard, Devin Anderson, Brad Battin, Brad Bookout, Tom Dakich, Harry Ghoman, Greg Gibson, Larry Gigerich, Brandt Hershman, David Kerr, Courtney Kingery, Mike Rutz, and Phil Smith

Constituent Services Transition Council

Charter: The Constituent Services Transition Council is focused on improving interactions between Hoosiers and their state government by conducting a comprehensive review of constituent services across state agencies. The council will work to establish clear customer service standards for each agency, identify areas for improvement, and enhance the overall experience for Hoosiers engaging with state government.

Chair: Lawren Mills, partner at Ice Miller, chair of the firm’s Government Affairs and Regulatory Law Group, former chief lobbyist and senior policy director to then-Governor Mitch Daniels, and member of the HOPE Health and Family Services review team

Members: Brandon Clifton, Chris Creighton, Nick Goodwin, Kyle Hupfer, Jennifer Pavlik, Julie Phillips, Joel Russell, Anita Samuel, Brian Spaulding, and Mike Woods

Education Transition Council

Charter: The Education Transition Council is dedicated to ensuring a high-quality education for all Hoosiers by raising standards in K-12 and higher education, expanding school choice, keeping curriculum focused on core education rather than political indoctrination, and enhancing college and career readiness for high school graduates.

Chair: Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana’s first Secretary of Education, head of the Indiana Department of Education, and chair of the State Board of Education

Members: Caitlin Bell, Makenzie Binford, Jeff Cardwell, Jason Clark, Robert Enlow, David Fagan, Larry Garatoni, John Hammond III, Jason Kloth, David Miller, Rick Wajda, and Tom Wheeler

Efficiency and Modernization Transition Council

Charter: The Efficiency and Modernization Transition Council is dedicated to conducting a comprehensive review of Indiana’s state government to ensure Hoosiers’ tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively. The council will work to streamline bureaucracy, reduce regulatory burdens, embrace emerging technology, and foster a business-friendly environment that drives economic growth and makes Indiana an even better place to do business.

Chair: Gus Olympidis, President and CEO of Family Express Corp and charter member of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority under former Governor Daniels

Members: Jonathan Bechtle, Bill Hanna, Lisa Hershman, Charlie Hiltunen, Elisha Modisett Kemp, Marilee Springer, Scott Weaver, Josh Webb, John Westercamp, and Chuck Williams

Energy and Natural Resources Transition Council

Charter: The Energy and Natural Resources Transition Council is committed to developing Indiana’s abundant energy and recreational resources to lower utility costs and enhance Hoosiers’ quality of life. The council will focus on leveraging Indiana’s natural assets to promote sustainable resource management and cost-effective energy solutions.

Chair: Jackie Bowman Ponder, Chief Legal Officer at Bowman Family Holdings, Inc., former General Counsel to Solar Sources Mining, LLC, and former member of the Executive Committee of the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation

Members: Mark Flint, Jon Ford, Ryan Heater, Jason Lenz, Scott Lods, David McGimpsey, Om Narla, Stan Pinegar, David Pippen, Matt Smorch, and Joe Sutherland

Health and Family Services Transition Council

Charter: The Health and Family Services Transition Council is dedicated to ensuring affordable, transparent, and high-quality healthcare for all Hoosiers, developing pro-family policies, faithfully implementing SEA 1 (P.L. 179-2022, Special Session), and improving program delivery at the Family and Social Services Agency, Department of Child Services, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Chair: Gloria Sachdev, PharmD, President and CEO of the Employers’ Forum of Indiana

Members: Brian Bauer, Dr. Alex Choi, Dr. Jim Dalton, Heather Delgado, Don Fesko, Mike Fichter, Jim Hamilton, Steve Holman, Dr. Tarek Kteleh, Mitch Roob, Dr. Jim Stevens, Mark Terrell, and George Witwer

Lieutenant Governor-Elect Transition Council

Charter: The Lieutenant Governor-Elect Transition Council is focused on growing Indiana’s agriculture industry by supporting producers, expanding markets, and helping farmers pass their way of life to the next generation. The council is also committed to strengthening rural communities by reducing regulatory burdens and streamlining the grant application process through the Office of Community and Rural Development.

Chair: Sherry Ellis, Chief of Staff designee for Lieutenant Governor-elect Micah Beckwith and campaign manager for the Micah for Lieutenant Governor campaign

Members: Joseph Bortka, John Crabtree, Max Engling, Dina Ferchmin, Jodi Golden, Omar Habayeb, Bill Konyha, Sovilla Mennen, Jessica Messler, Kristi Ormsby, Gregg Puls, Erin Sheridan, and Eric Turner

Local and Municipal Affairs Transition Council

Charter: The Local and Municipal Affairs Transition Council is focused on building a strong partnership between state and local governments in Indiana. By giving local leaders a seat at the table in the incoming Braun administration, the council aims to address key issues, including local tax and financing, and improve communities across the state.

Chair: Brian Burdick, managing partner of the Indianapolis office of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, and member of the HOPE policy committee review team for the Office of Management and Budget

Members: David Bottorff, Tom Dermody, Matt Gentry, Chris Greisl, Matt Greller, Nate Harter, Chris Jensen, Rachel Leslie, Maggie McShane, Terry Seitz, Ron Turpin, and Steve Wolff

Management and Budget Transition Council

Charter: The Management and Budget Transition Council is dedicated to securing Indiana’s financial future by developing a balanced budget, enhancing efficiency through shared services, and implementing best-value procurement practices. The council will focus on ensuring the State is on sound financial footing, driving whole-of-government efficiencies through shared services, and establishing best practices for effective fiscal management.

Chair: Tera Klutz, Chief Financial Officer at Gaylor Electric, Inc., and former State Auditor-Comptroller, Allen County Auditor, and Chief Deputy Auditor

Members: Paul Baltzell, Lana Keesling, Luke Leising, Ted Nolting, Tim Rushenberg, Courtney Schaafsma, Chuck Schalliol, Micah Vincent, Gretchen White, and Aaron Williams

Public Safety Transition Council

Charter: The Public Safety Transition Council is focused on protecting every Hoosier, with priorities including school safety, support for law enforcement, crime prevention, and federal partnerships on immigration enforcement to protect Indiana communities.

Chair: Danny Price, founder of The Price Consulting Group, LLC, and a 34-year veteran of the Indiana State Police

Members: Lloyd Arnold, Jeff Balon, Rob Carter, Kip Clark, Lance Hamner, Pat Harrington, Tim Horty, Tony Murray, Chris Naylor, Martin Umbarger, Lance Waters, and Travis Yike

Transportation and Infrastructure Transition Council

Charter: The Transportation and Infrastructure Transition Council is focused on strengthening Indiana as the Crossroads of America by identifying sustainable funding to maintain, improve, and expand the state’s infrastructure without raising taxes. The council’s work includes investing in broadband solutions for all regions of Indiana and enhancing customer service at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Chair: Matt Ubelhor, former Indiana House Representative for District 62, former senior manager at Peabody Energy, and member of the HOPE energy and agriculture team

Members: John Brand, Kenny Birk, Bryce Carpenter, Chris Coyle, Dent Johnson, Gary Langston, Joe McGuinness, Tim Miller, Kent Moore, and Randy Palmateer

The transition council will work closely with current administration officials to review future initiatives, assess state agency operations, and develop policy recommendations for the incoming administration.

“Our focus is on preparing to implement the Governor-elect’s vision for Indiana’s future alongside talented individuals who are dedicated to efficiently and effectively serving the people of Indiana,” Transition Chair Victor Smith said. “We appreciate these leaders volunteering their time and expertise to the future of the Hoosier state.”

The transition council will work closely with the previously announced transition committee:

• Betsy Wiley, president and CEO of Hoosiers for Quality Education, after serving eight years as deputy chief of staff for former Governor Mitch Daniels. She is also a board member of the not-for-profit organization Hoosiers for Opportunity, Prosperity & Enterprise (HOPE).
• Jim Bopp, a Terre Haute-based attorney and owner of The Bopp Law Firm PC, also secretary, treasurer and general counsel of HOPE.
• Ryan Kitchell, interim CEO of the Crossroads of America Council and chairman of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet under Governor Eric Holcomb. He is the former director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget under former Governor Mitch Daniels.
• James Purucker, president of John Frick & Associates and a board member of HOPE.
• Brad Rateike, founding principal of Bar Communications and former deputy press secretary for former Gov. Daniels and former director of cabinet communications for President Donald J. Trump during his first term.
• Randy Head, a Logansport-based former state senator, attorney and current chairman of the Indiana State Republican Committee.
• Matt Bell, a former state representative from Fort Wayne who is currently a principal in Catalyst Public Affairs Group.
• Dan Dumezich, a former state representative from Northwest Indiana and retired partner and tax attorney at Deloitte Tax LLP.

Additional members may be added to these councils in the coming weeks.

To access the Transition Team website, please visit brauntransition.com/team.

About Governor-elect Mike Braun
Governor-Elect Mike Braun of Jasper, Ind., is a homegrown entrepreneur who has spent his life creating opportunities and getting results for Hoosiers. Mike believes deeply that personal freedom and opportunity will create a pathway to prosperity for all Hoosiers. As Indiana’s 52nd Governor, Mike Braun is developing a team to help him build an administration that puts Hoosiers in the driver’s seat and limits government to its proper role.

Mike Braun is a Main Street job creator, husband to Maureen (48 years), father of four and proud grandfather of seven. When Mike is not hard at work for the people of Indiana, he enjoys spending time on his tree farms where he also focuses on his passion for conservation.