The IDOL Management Team
Joseph B. Hoage
Commissioner
Joe Hoage serves the Indiana Department of Labor as Commissioner of Labor, overseeing the regulatory agency. Prior to joining the agency, Joe served as the General Counsel for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Before that, he was General Counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He has also served as the State’s Public Access Counselor, worked as an attorney with the Indiana Gaming Commission, and as a deputy prosecutor in Marion County.
Joe earned his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2006 and his bachelor’s degree from Franklin College in 1997. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife and sons.
Michelle L. Ellison
Deputy Commissioner of Labor
IOSHA
(317) 232-2655, Option 1
iosha@dol.in.gov
Michelle rejoined the IDOL in January 2019 to serve as Deputy Commissioner of IOSHA following Tim Maley's retirement. From May 2018 to January 2019, Michelle served within the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) as Statewide Safety Director. Michelle previously served the IDOL for 13 years as Assistant Commissioner of Labor and Director of INSafe. During this time, Michelle oversaw the INSafe program. Michelle also provided communications and marketing services and support.
Michelle is a graduate of Indiana University (Columbus) with a bachelor of science degree in business.
Kenneth R. Boucher II
Deputy Commissioner of Labor
INSafe
(317) 232-2688
insafe@dol.in.gov
Kenneth R. Boucher II is the Deputy Commissioner of Labor for the State of Indiana, managing the OSHA consultation and training division, INSafe.
Kenneth began his tenure with the Indiana Department of Labor in 2006 as a Common Construction Wage Hearing Officer. From 2009 to 2013, Kenneth served as the Director of the Bureau of Youth Employment, Training and Education. He is a 2011 recipient of the Governor’s Public Service Achievement Award for his work in improving the Indiana Department of Labor’s wage claim process. In 2014, he continued his service with the Indiana Department of Labor serving as the Executive Director of Quality, Metrics and Statistics, assuming the role of Deputy Commissioner in May 2018.
Kenneth is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Criminal Justice and a minor in French. He also holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Purdue University.
Michael Myers
Director of Wage and Hour / Youth Employment
(317) 232-2655, Option 3
wagehour@dol.in.gov
youthemployment@dol.in.gov
Michael (Mike) Myers serves the State of Indiana as director of the Youth Employment and Wage & Hour divisions' efforts to promote good and effective labor practices across the state through fair and equitable compliance.
Mike comes to state government after a significant background in human resource management; including labor experience in the high-tech industry for Fortune 50 corporations and in the medical education field. This background, which includes specialization in compensation and benefits along with a number of generalist Human Resource management assignments, transfers admirably to his state emphasis in youth employment and wage and hour matters. Mike completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in Human Resources/Labor Economics and Theology.
Brian Lett
Deputy Commissioner
Bureau of Mines and Mine Safety
(812) 888-4514
mines@dol.in.gov
Brian has worked in the mining industry for more than 25 years. He started as an equipment operator and worked his way up to foreman. For almost two decades, Brian served as operations manager before beginning his role as Assistant Commissioner of Mines.
Brian is certified in mining safety in both Indiana and Illinois. He is a graduate of Vincennes University with a degree in Robotics and Industrial Maintenance.
Ambat V. Babu
Controller and Chief Financial Officer
(317) 232-2655
Babu has served in many capacities within the Indiana Department of Labor, before becoming the Controller and Chief Financial Officer, he was the Lead Auditor and Field Auditor in the Wage and Hour division. Prior to his responsibilities with the Department of Labor, he worked as a Senior Reconciler for Bank One Services Corporation and Manager/Auditor for the Indian Overseas Bank in Chennai, India. Babu holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Distribution from Indiana University, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Institute of Delhi, India and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Kerala, India.
Babu was a recipient of the Governor’s Public Service Achievement Award in 2006.