Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed several people to various state boards and commissions, including several from Northwest Indiana.
Steven Coxhead of Hammond, who is president of the Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance, was appointed to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact Commission. His term will end Dec. 31, 2024.
Coxhead has called for more train service, including more Amtrak lines from Chicago through Indiana to Ohio. The IPRA began in 1994 and called for connecting Indiana communities with passenger rail opportunities.
The MIPRC is an agreement between member states Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The goal of the four-member commission is to promote and advocate for rail improvements in the Midwest. The MIRPC and the Federal Railroad Administration released a 40-year plan for passenger rail in October 2021.
The governor also made several appointments from the Region to the Statewide Child Fatality Review Committee, which analyzes child fatalities to suggest changes in laws and policies.
Angela Comsa of Schererville will represent mental health care providers. Comsa is vice president/chief clinical officer at Merrillville-based Regional Health Systems.
Lt. Michael Sharp, a paramedic for the town of St. John, will represent emergency medical services providers.
Jason Murrey of Indianapolis will represent the Department of Education. He is a prevention specialist there.
Other appointments include:
- Jerry Roach of Orleans, director of safety, health, environmental and facilities for Kimball Electronics, to the Board of Safety Review for term ending July 31, 2025.
- Jonathan Elrod of Indianapolis to the full-time Board of Tax Review for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026.
- E. Jon Brandenberger of Fort Wayne, Allen County coroner, to the Coroners Training Board at the pleasure of the governor.
- Bradley King and Angela Nussmeyer, both of Indianapolis, to the Election Division as reappointed full-time co-directors with terms ending Dec. 31, 2026.
- Molly Kitchell of Zionsville will represent appellate District 1 on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, serving until Dec. 31, 2025.
- Morgan Torres of Lafayette, the director of the Veteran Success Center at Purdue University, will serve on the Veterans Affairs Commission at the pleasure of the governor.
