Bruce Lemmon will be the new commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction. Gov. Mitch Daniels’ office announced the appointment Thursday.

Lemmon has been with the department since 1976, most recently as the superintendent of the Putnamville Correctional Facility in Greencastle. He also has served twice as interim DOC commissioner and held a number of leadership positions within the department.

Before joining the DOC, he served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a Specialist 5. Lemmon is a certified correction executive and a member of the American Correctional Association.

Lemmon replaces Edwin G. Buss, who has been DOC commissioner since August 2008. Buss has been appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott as secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections. Lemmon takes over as DOC commissioner Jan. 17.