Chambers named Indiana Secretary of Commerce
INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — Governor Eric Holcomb has selected Bradley Chambers as the state’s new secretary of commerce. Chambers, the founder and chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based real estate firm Buckingham Companies, will lead the Indiana Economic Development Corp. in his new role. He succeeds Jim Schellinger, who resigned from the position in March. Jim Staton has served in the role on an interim basis since that time.
Holcomb’s office says Chambers will enter into a two-year contract with the IEDC Board of Directors to lead the organization. The governor says there is “no one more qualified” to oversee the state’s economic development efforts.
“Not only has Brad created, grown and expanded his business from the ground up, he’s been focused on how his work contributes to making Indiana the best place to invest, work, and live for his entire career,” Holcomb said in a news release. “Brad will be the next great leader of our economic development efforts, and he joins us just as we are getting our $500 million READI program off the ground. We will have a transformational leader at the helm of this transformational project.”
In addition to leading Buckingham Companies, which develops and manages multi-family and mixed-use properties, Chambers is also the founder of Buckingham Foundation Inc. and serves as chair of the Indiana State Fair Commission, a role he will continue to hold through this year’s Indiana State Fair.
“I’m honored to serve the state of Indiana and give back to a home that has given so much to me over the years,” Chambers said. “I’m very excited for the opportunity to strengthen statewide entrepreneurship and help drive Indiana’s overall business climate to the next level. I’m nothing short of impressed with Governor Holcomb’s leadership and ideas for the state and look forward to being part of the team.”
Holcomb’s office says Chambers will reduce his day-to-day involvement with Buckingham Companies while he serves as secretary of commerce. Additionally, the firm will not be eligible for state incentives during Chambers’ tenure.