Holcomb Names Interim Commissioners
Governor Eric Holcomb has appointed two interim commissioners to lead the Indiana State Department of Health and Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The departments’ previous commissioners officially resigned their service this week.
Indiana State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams was confirmed earlier this month as 20th U.S. Surgeon General. President Donald Trump nominated Adams for the position in June. He will be sworn in September 5.
ISDH Deputy Health Commissioner and State Epidemiologist Pam Pontones will serve as interim ISDH commissioner beginning September 2. As deputy health commissioner, Pontones oversaw the Office of Public Health Performance Management and the department’s quality improvement efforts.
DWD Commissioner Steve Braun announced last week he was stepping down from his position. A specific reason for Braun’s resignation was not given, though a spokesperson for Holcomb’s office told Inside INdiana Business, "The reason why will be clear soon."
Holcomb has named Regina Ashley interim DWD commissioner. Ashley currently serves as the department’s chief operations officer and previously served as deputy director for the Indiana Department of Child Services.
The governor’s office says Holcomb will announced new permanent commissioners "in the weeks ahead."