Gov. Eric Holcomb said he would move quickly to name an interim commerce secretary following the March 3 immediate resignation of Jim Schellinger.
Holcomb on March 8 announced Jim Staton, senior vice president and chief business development officer at the Indiana Economic Development Corp., will temporarily fill in as the state seeks a permanent replacement. Staton, whose role begins immediately, also is the former regional director for the IEDC’s northwest office.
According to the state, Staton has more than 30 years professional experience. He joined the IEDC in 2005. In his present role with the IEDC, he oversees the organization’s domestic and international business expansion and attraction efforts.
Prior to being selected to lead global business development activity in 2018, Staton served in several economic development-focused roles at the IEDC, including vice president of business development, director of business development for the Central and Northwest Indiana regions, and as business recruitment director for North America.
Staton earned undergraduate degrees in environmental design and urban planning from Ball State University.
Schellinger served as Indiana commerce secretary since 2017. He was appointed president of the IEDC in August 2015 after serving two years on the organization’s board.
