William D. Turner Jr. was appointed executive director of Skillful Indiana, a state-backed initiative launched in the fall to assist people without four-year college degrees land good paying jobs in a changing economy.

Turner most recently worked for Allison Transmission Inc., where he led the training and development organization at Indianapolis-based manufacturing company for more than a decade. Turner currently serves as chair of the EmployIndy Workforce Development Board and also is a member of the Indiana Automotive Council, the Indiana Workforce Development Board Alliance, and the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township School Board.

He is a graduate of Purdue University and holds an honorary degree from Ivy Tech Community College.

“Bill’s unmatched blend of private sector leadership and public service contributions to Indiana’s workforce development, plus his personal passion for helping Hoosiers succeed, makes him a natural fit to lead Skillful Indiana as executive director,” said Beth Cobert, Skillful CEO. “He understands the needs of employers and skilled workers and is deeply connected to the larger workforce development community across Indiana.”