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Last updated on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
(BEDFORD) - Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman will be heading up a regional economic development cooperative after she leaves state office.
Radius Indiana, an eight-county economic development cooperative in south-central Indiana, announced Tuesday that Skillman will become its new president and CEO as of Feb. 1.
"There has never been a more exciting time to build a globally competitive economy in the region," she said. "The I-69 expansion brings great potential for growth, as do the diverse assets in the eight counties."
The group represents Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Washington, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois and Greene counties.
As lieutenant governor, Skillman managed five state agencies administering more than $1 billion in programs and worked diligently to expand economic development opportunities in rural Indiana.
"With Lt. Gov. Skillman's in-depth experience in energy, commercial defense, tourism, advanced manufacturing, agriculture and other key issues affecting the eight-county region of Radius Indiana, coupled with her experience in leading international trade missions, this appointment represents nothing short of a superb match between opportunity and experience," said Ken Sendelweck, Merrill Lynch and chair of the Radius Indiana board of directors.
Skillman's second term as lieutenant governor will end Jan. 13. At Radius she will replace R.J. Reynolds, who died unexpectedly in November.
"I also very much look forward to working in tandem with the local elected officials, economic development professionals and business leaders to develop a truly team-based cooperative effort and continue to move the region forward," Skillman added.
Lawrence County Growth County Director and secretary for Radius Gene McCracken says, it would be hard to find anyone more excited about this tan the people of Lawrence County.
"She served in county government here for 16 years as county recorder and the county clerk before moving up to the state senate, so this is a strategic homecoming to the people and region who will most appreciate her continued service," McCracken added.
According to the National Lieutenant Governors Association, Skillman had more legal duties than any other lt. governor in the county.
Since first taking office in 2005, she soundly managed five state agencies that have administered more than $1 billion in programs: The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Office of Energy Development, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Office of Tourism Development. Additionally, she chaired the state's Counter Terrorism and Security Council and served as president of the Indiana Senate.
She is currently co-chairing the Indiana Bicentennial Commission with former Congressman Lee Hamilton, which she will continue after leaving office.
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