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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGov. Mike Braun on Friday announced two new agency heads for the Indiana Department of Transportation, or INDOT, and the Indiana Office of Technology, or IOT.
A third agency—the Indiana Department of Revenue—is still waiting for permanent leadership. Kevin Gulley is DOR’s acting commissioner, according to Braun spokesperson Molly Craft.
Lyndsay Quist will lead INDOT as the second commissioner under Braun after Kent Abernathy, who held the role from Jan. 13 to March 28. Abernathy previously served as chief of staff for the Indiana Department of
Environmental Management and as commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The State Personnel Department provided no reason for his resignation.
Quist will oversee the planning, building and maintenance of the state’s transportation infrastructure with a focus on quality of life enhancements, economic growth and accommodating new modes of transport, according to a release.
“As the crossroads of America, our roads and transportation are critical for driving economic growth in our state,” Braun said. “Lyndsay Quist’s experience of over a decade with INDOT as well as her experience as an engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared her well to step into this role and serve Hoosiers.”
Quist has served in multiple roles with INDOT since 2013. Before joining the agency, she worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the New Orleans District in Louisiana.
Warren Lenard was tapped to lead IOT. He will oversee information and technology efforts across Indiana state government.
“IOT works behind the scenes to keep state government afloat and operational. I am excited to announce that Warren Lenard will serve as the next director of the Indiana Office of Technology,” Braun said. “His private sector experience brings the type of entrepreneurial mindset that our state government so desperately needs.”
Lenard most recently served as the chief operations and information officer for Byrider Auto Sales in Carmel and as the vice president of technology and operations for JD Sports Finish Line in Indianapolis.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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Outstanding decision to elevate Lyndsay Quist to INDOT Commissioner. Her knowledge of the department and her training as an engineer is perfect for her new role. Goes without saying, she likely should have been Braun’s first choice but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. Best of luck, Commissioner Quist!
One hopes the Crossroads of America will seek to significantly improve roadway operations and maintenance first. Unfortunately, Indiana in the typical American Way is great at building and very poor at maintaining. Regarding interstates, why not 3 lanes in each direction along I-65 for the entire distance between Indianapolis and the Toll Road? Regarding interchanges, please stop building slow, inefficient and dangerous deadly loop ramps when traffic volumes demand directional ramps — one is sure designers have the capacity to design multi-level directional ramp interchanges. Loop ramps are cheap for sure but the cheapest way (Indian!) is typically not the best long-term solution. The I-69/I-465 interchange redo is already out of date before being completed. And just reflect upon how many times the I-70/I-465 (East Side) interchanges has been reconstructed and it still is subpar design.
Yes to three lanes on the entire Indiana length of I 65. But also the entire length of I 70, plus I 69 between Indianapolis and Michigan and I 74 between Indy and Cincinnati. The amount of traffic on these highways more than justifies additional lanes.