Lt. Gov. Crouch rounds out executive team

“In the two weeks since taking on the awesome responsibility of this office, I have been focused on seizing every opportunity to take the work of our office and those of our "Family of Businesses" to the next level,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch. “Our team will work hand-in-hand with counterparts on Gov. Holcomb’s staff and with partners across the state both in, and outside, the government to ensure our office is accessible, efficient and effective in achieving real results for the people of Indiana.”

Assisting with the day to day operations strategic planning of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor are:

Tracy Barnes, Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Barnes is responsible for assisting the lieutenant governor with the management and leadership of the executive office, the business office, and five state agencies that make up the Family of Business.

Barnes brings significant business leadership and information technology experience to his role, having previously served as deputy auditor and IT director for the Indiana Auditor of State. Additionally, he was president and chief executive officer for ENTAP, Inc. which designed and delivered effective information technology solutions to organizations in various industries across the globe.

Mark Wuellner, Deputy Chief of Staff

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Wuellner oversees the staff who directs policy, communications, finance, operations, management, and intergovernmental relations for the lieutenant governor’s office and Family of Business agencies. Additionally, he serves as general counsel to four of those agencies.

Wueliner previously served as the deputy executive director, general counsel and chief of staff at the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority where he oversaw the agency’s legal, human resources, communications, research, and policy work. During his tenure, he championed initiatives focusing on agency culture and staff development, and worked to advance outcome-focused strategic priorities.

Ryan Heater, Policy and Legislative Director

As the Policy and Legislative Director, Heater oversees the policy and legislative initiatives of the lieutenant governor’s office and the Family of Business agencies. He tracks and supports policy and legislation that benefits rural community development, ensuring that all of Indiana’s small towns have the opportunity to flourish alongside larger, regional economic zones. With the help of the lieutenant governor’s agency directors, Heater also oversees policy and legislation related to Indiana’s agriculture, defense and tourism industries, housing issues, and community economic development initiatives.

Heater previously served as the policy director for lieutenant governors Eric Holcomb and Sue Ellspermann. He earlier worked as the association manager for the Indiana Cable Telecommunications Association where he oversaw association operations and assisted with government affairs activities. He also worked in the Indiana House of Representatives as a senior legislative assistant for four state representatives.

(Heater is a 2002 graduate of Winamac Community High School, as well as Purdue University and Indiana University School of Law. He is the son of Ron and Joyce Heater of Star City)

Marie Davis, Director of Communications Strategy

As the Director of Communications Strategy, Davis is responsible for the creation of strategic messaging, branding, and implementation tactics for the executive office and Family of Business agencies.

Prior to serving the lieutenant governor, Davis was CEO of Keystone Message Integration, LLC, a provider of digital communication, marketing and training programs specializing in the agricultural and environmental sciences sectors. As marketing communications director for The GSI Group, Inc., and later at Precision Laboratories, LLC, she oversaw and implemented marketing, public relations, communications, advertising, and media relations initiatives across all domestic and global business units.

Maureen Hayden, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

As the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Hayden serves as the lieutenant governor's primary contact with local elected officials, and with faith-based and civic leaders. She also assists in constituent relations, with communities and citizens throughout Indiana.

Hayden previously served as Statehouse Bureau Chief for the 13 CNHI newspapers in Indiana, with a chief focus on reporting on how decisions made in the Statehouse impact local communities. Prior to her work in the Statehouse, she served as managing editor for the Tucker Publishing Group's city and regional magazines, and as a beat reporter for the Evansville (Ind.) Courier. Additionally, she served as team lead for the Indiana Government Partnership Program, working with local governments to raise their community's response rate to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Jim Morrison, Director of Veteran Opportunity

Morrison works diligently with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs to help our former service men and women have access to the resources they need, whether that be medical, educational or work-related. In 2013, Morrison created and oversees the State of Indiana Veteran Opportunity Program which allows employers, educators, and service providers to partner with the state and be displayed on the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs website. These resources are then readily available to Veterans and their family members, other state agencies and 501c3s.

Additionally, Morrison handles constituent concerns, meets with employers and educators, assists the IDVA with Community Outreach events, and participates in various Veterans Boards and Committees.

Ethan Lawson, Director of Advanced Scheduling

As a member of the lieutenant governor’s executive team, Lawson oversees the logistical details of her schedule. He is responsible for facilitating requests for speaking engagements, celebrations, ribbon cuttings, and other events taking place throughout Indiana where the lieutenant governor or members of her team are invited to attend.

Lawson previously worked for the Auditor for the State of Indiana where he served in multiple roles including payroll specialist, executive assistant, and finally as the communications and legislative director where he oversaw media strategy and messaging through social media, tracked legislation, and acted as a liaison between state and local offices and the public to resolve issues. Other positions within the public service sector include customer service representative for the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, outreach coordinator for the Indiana Education Savings Authority, and district assistant for the Congressional Office of U.S. Representative Todd Rokita.

John Roeder, Special Assistant to the Lt. Governor

In the integral role of special assistant to the lieutenant governor, Roeder is her right-hand man, accompanying the lieutenant governor on official business and serving as a direct point of contact for logistical details and information between the office and host organizations, constituents, and partners.

Roeder most recently worked for the Indy Eleven Professional Soccer team as equipment manager. Duties included assisting the public relations department with the coordination of various projects and appearances and was primarily responsible for the inventory and daily maintenance of apparel for staff and players.

In December 2016, ahead of taking office, now Governor Holcomb and Lt. Governor Crouch reappointed the Family of Business agency heads.