As first reported two weeks ago in the Cheat Sheet, Governor Eric Holcomb today announced two key leadership changes in his administration.
Holcomb appointed his current deputy chief of staff, Danny Lopez, to be chairman of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet—a new entity created by the bills Gov. Holcomb signed this morning.
“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,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Aligning the many efforts underway will require truly effective management. There is no one I trust more than Danny Lopez to lead this work.”
The administration says Lopez will lead the cabinet’s effort to realign and better coordinate the efforts of multiple state agencies that play a role in developing Indiana’s workforce. Previously, Lopez served as then-Lt. Gov. Holcomb’s chief of staff and state director to then-U.S. Sen. Dan Coats. He will begin in this new role immediately.
Taking Lopez’s place as deputy chief of staff, the governor will welcome Cris Johnston to the Holcomb Administration on May 7, 2018.
Johnston is a director for KSM Consulting, where he has led the organizational improvement practice since 2013. Prior to his time with KSMC, he served eight years under then-Gov. Mitch Daniels—first as the executive director of the Office of Management and Budget’s Division of Government Efficiency and, later, as a deputy chief of staff to Daniels.
