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Schellinger Steps Down As Indiana Secretary Of Commerce

Brandon Smith

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, responsible for helping get companies to locate and add more jobs in the state, will soon have a new leader. 

Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger stepped down Wednesday, effective immediately.

In a letter to the IEDC Board of Directors, Schellinger said serving as Secretary of Commerce has been the “higher honor” of his life, but that it’s time for a “new day and a new leader” at the agency.

Schellinger started at the IEDC in 2015, under then-Gov. Mike Pence. The 60-year-old business leader and former Democratic candidate for governor said he believes the timing of his departure is good, arguing the “pipeline” for new jobs has never been stronger.

In a statement, Gov. Eric Holcomb called Schellinger a “great leader” and lauded IEDC’s record under his leadership. He said he’ll move quickly to name both interim and permanent successors to the position.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.