Biography
Becky Skillman is serving her second term as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. Since 2005, she has served as the state's second in command with a clear vision of Indiana's complete economic rejuvenation.
She is fiercely committed to revitalizing Indiana's economy for the benefit of all Hoosiers. A native of southern Indiana, Becky understands the importance of bringing economic development to all regions of the state. In uncertain economic times, she has demonstrated clear-minded leadership as Chair of the Clearinghouse Task Force, coordinating all state agencies' use of federal stimulus dollars. Despite significant federal restrictions on the stimulus dollars, Becky is championing projects that will get Hoosiers working, do it quickly and do it in a way that will leave a lasting impact on Indiana.
As Lt. Governor, Becky Skillman has helped Indiana regain a place of national prominence. She worked tirelessly to defend our state's military installations, including Crane Naval Base, through the 2005 federal Base Realignment and Closure process. More than 5,500 jobs were saved at Crane alone. Her work with the defense community has earned her respect both nationally and locally, where she participated with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Guard in a large-scale disaster scenario, preparing Hoosiers to protect and defend against enemy attacks.
Working in close partnership with Governor Daniels, Lt. Governor Skillman's leadership has helped move Indiana forward. Since they began their work together in 2005, Indiana has seen a new era of honestly balanced budgets and a strong, growing economy. In addition, their administration has deregulated the telecommunications industry and opened the doors for much-needed infrastructure modernization that has made Indiana a national leader in this critical field. Other accomplishments include the largest tax cut in Hoosier history through property tax reform, funding full-day kindergarten and providing long-overdue benefits to Hoosier veterans and service members.
Becky has an extensive background in local and state government, which includes holding county offices for 16 years, serving as president of the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC), and serving 12 years in the Indiana Senate, where she held unprecedented leadership roles for a woman. She has put that experience to good use as Lt. Governor, where she continues to pursue the renewal of Indiana's economy.
While raising a son, Aaron, with her husband, Steve, Becky took on the work of economic development in her southern Indiana community. She served on the Board of the Bedford Urban Enterprise Association and the Board of Directors of the Bedford Federal Savings Bank and helped create economic opportunities, recruit new businesses, renovate buildings and construct neighborhood parks. Becky has spent her career fostering economic development through entrepreneurship and small business.
She has been named the Champion of Small Business by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business/Indiana. The Indiana Minority Business Magazine gave her the Champion of Diversity Award, and the Indianapolis Business Journal named her one of 2007's Influential Women.
Becky leads the State Department of Agriculture, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Office of Energy Development, the Office of Defense Development, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and the Office of Tourism Development. She also chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council and serves as the President of the Indiana Senate.
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