Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has made some leadership changes within his administration. The governor has selected Danny Lopez, who currently serves as his deputy chief of staff, as chairman of the new Governor’s Workforce Council.
The council was created with the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 50, which Holcomb signed into law Wednesday. In his new role, Lopez will “lead the cabinet’s efforts to realign and better coordinate the efforts of multiple state agencies that play a role in developing Indiana’s workforce,” the governor’s office says.
“Cracking the code on workforce development is the issue of the decade, not the day. We aim to make sure all Hoosiers have the education and skills for the jobs that are here today and coming tomorrow,” Holcomb said in a news release. “Aligning the many efforts underway will require truly effective management. There is no one I trust more than Danny Lopez to lead this work.”
Lopez previously served as Holcomb’s chief of staff when he was lieutenant governor. He also served as state director to then-U.S. Sen. Dan Coats.
Holcomb has also chosen Cris Johnston to succeed Lopez as deputy chief of staff. Johnston, who currently serves as a director for Indianapolis-based KSM Consulting, will begin his new role May 7. He has previously served as deputy chief of staff for then-Gov. Mitch Daniels and is a former executive director of the Office of Management and Budget’s Division of Government Efficiency under Daniels.
