Indiana’s prison system has a new leader who hails from Clay County.
Rob Carter has been appointed commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction by Governor-elect Eric Holcomb.
Carter, whose career has included two-terms as Clay County Sheriff and director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will take office on Jan. 9.
“Rob has served Hoosiers as a sheriff, a valued member of the Ivy Tech staff, and the head of Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources,” Holcomb said Monday. “His unique experiences and capabilities give me every confidence that he will serve Indiana well in this role.”
Carter moves into the top DOC position recently vacated by Terre Haute native Bruce Lemmon, who retired in November after a 40-year career in Indiana’s prison system.
Carter has served as the executive director of statewide security and safety at Ivy Tech Community College since 2013.
Previously, he served as director of DNR, where he managed more than 1,000 full-time employees and was the main point of contact to the Indiana General Assembly, congressional delegation and the U.S. Department of Interior. He also worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Resources Conservation Services. Carter also served on the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.
Prior to leading the state conservation agency, Carter served as director of DNR’s law enforcement division. He was appointed to that position by then-Gov. Mitch Daniels.