INDIANAPOLIS (March 27, 2018) – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today announced that he will appoint Lesley Crane to lead the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) effective April 2. Current IDOA Commissioner Jessica Robertson has announced she will leave that post to take on a new opportunity at Purdue University.
“Lesley is a problem-solver who has dealt with a broad range of issues as chief of staff and chief counsel to the Indiana House of Representatives,” Gov. Holcomb said. “She is well-respected and has worked with many different constituencies, which is a big part of the job at IDOA.”
Crane has worked for the Indiana House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus since 2006, serving as chief counsel from 2006 to 2012 and chief of staff from 2012 to 2017. Prior to her work for the Indiana General Assembly, Crane worked for Krieg DeVault, LLP in various roles from 1999 to 2006. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Butler University and a law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Robertson has served as IDOA commissioner since 2013, when she was appointed by then-Gov. Mike Pence. During Robertson’s tenure leading IDOA, she oversaw the creation of Bicentennial Plaza, implemented electronic contracting and saved the state hundreds of millions of dollars through strategic cost-saving initiatives.
“I am grateful to Gov. Holcomb for the opportunity to serve in his administration,” Robertson said. “It has been an honor to be a part of his team, and I look forward to watching them continue the state’s record of good government at a great taxpayer value.”
Robertson will join Purdue University in April as assistant director of auxiliary operations. In this role, she will lead Purdue’s sourcing and contracting functions as well as other key strategic initiatives at the university.
“Jessica is a great role model for all Hoosiers and, especially, young women,” Gov. Holcomb said. “She learned the ropes of state government as a governor’s fellow for Gov. Daniels and earned her way to the state’s top post in her field. I wish her success and happiness in this new role at Purdue, and I thank her for her years of service to our state.”
