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Gov. Mike Braun on Tuesday announced the appointment of Josh Richardson as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Prior to the appointment, Richardson served as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. He is also a former chief of staff for Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams.
The Governor’s Office said in a news release that Richardson will oversee efforts to “strengthen workforce alignment and support both the attraction of new businesses and the growth of existing employers through region-led planning.”
Braun said Richardson brings a rare combination of economic insight and workforce experience.
“He understands that growth starts with people—and that the best way to strengthen Indiana’s economy is to make sure our employers, universities, and regional leaders are all moving in the same direction,” the governor said in written remarks. “I have full confidence in his ability to continue driving the state’s momentum and to create lasting opportunity for Hoosiers.”
The appointment is the result of Senate Enrolled Act 516, which was signed into law on May 1. The law splits the roles of CEO and president of the IEDC to two appointees. Previously, the secretary of commerce held both titles.
In his role as president, Richardson will report to Adams and serve at the pleasure of the governor, according to the new law.
Mike Smith, chief financial officer of the DWD, will serve as that agency’s interim commissioner until Richardson’s successor is named.
In addition to Richardson’s appointment, Braun announced that the state of Indiana will “embrace” the Crossroads of America motto, though specific details on how that will be accomplished were not provided.
“Indiana is proud to be the geographic Crossroads of America, and we are also proud to be at the crossroads of the nation’s leading industries, such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, motorsports, and defense,” said Braun. “We will look for opportunities to lean into this identity and incorporate it into our work.”
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