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Schellinger Steps Down As Indiana Secretary Of Commerce

Brandon Smith
/
IPB News

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.

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.