Bill Davis from Jay County was tapped earlier this month as the new Executive Director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. He was named to that post by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann.
The Office of Community and Rural Affairs came under the lt. governor's jurisdiction at the same time the Indiana State Department of Agriculture was created by the Indiana General Assembly during Governor Mitch Daniels' first term. The heads of both departments answer to the lt. Governor, who also serves as the Secretary of Agriculture.
Davis held House Seat 33 representing an area in east-central Indiana at the time that Ellspermann selected him for the new post. He resigned that seat earlier this month to take the new position.
Davis, a Republican, will be succeeded by Greg Beumer, a Republican from Modoc. He was sworn into office on Reorganization Day for the Indiana General Assembly last week by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Dickson.
Beumer's career has focused heavily on economic development. He served two terms as Randolph County Commissioner and was Region 8 director for the former Indiana Department of Commerce. He has also served as executive director of the Randolph Economic Development Corporation for six years.
Brian Bosma, Speaker of the House, said the leadership of Bill Davis will be missed in the House. However, he expressed the normal confidence in Beumer, the new representative for House District 33, and believes he will be important moving forward as the legislature focuses on creation of quality jobs and financial integrity in the future.
Besides representing Jay and Randolph County, Beumer also represents a portion of Delaware County, He will serve through 2014, when the seat will be up for reelection.