Davis to lead OCRA

Bill Davis will continue to serve Jay County. But he’ll be representing the rest of the state as well.
Davis (R-Portland) announced this morning his resignation from the Indiana House of Representatives in order to become executive director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work at a different level,” said Davis this morning in a phone interview from Florida, where he was on vacation with family. “I’ll be serving the entire state now. … It’s a state-wide job, but it’s still working with the groups I’ve had the most interest in — rural Indiana and rural communities.
“I think it’s going to be exciting and interesting, and I certainly look forward to working with the lieutenant governor.”
He takes over for Dax Norton, who resigned from his post leading OCRA on Aug. 29 after less than nine months on the job. The organization is tasked with promoting prosperity and economic growth in Indiana’s rural communities.
Davis’ last official day as a state representative will be Nov. 3. He will take over as the executive director of OCRA on Nov. 4.
“Bill Davis has deep experience in rural community and economic development,” said Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann in a press release. “His leadership in Jay County and as a state representative will make Bill a great servant leader for the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. We are excited to have him at the helm helping our OCRA team to work effectively with Indiana’s smaller communities and rural counties to grow jobs, improve their quality of place and attract talent.”
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Davis has 14 months remaining on the two-year term representing District 33 he was elected to in November.
County chairpersons and precinct committee representatives will be responsible for choosing his replacement.
Ellspermann approached Davis about the possibility of leading OCRA during her Oct. 1 visit to Jay County as part of her Listen & Learn Tour.
“It was pretty quick moving,” Davis said. “They wanted to get someone in place.
“I’ve been involved with economic development for a number of years in one capacity or another,” he added, noting his work with Jay County Chamber of Commerce and Jay County Development Corporation. “I’ve had a real interest in economic development, especially in our community.”
During his nine years as a member of the legislature, Davis served as chairman of the Committee on Public Policy and was also a member of the Ways and Means Committee. This year he co-sponsored a bill to help bring relief to farmers following the 2012 drought.
“Bill is a man of strong integrity, which is precisely why I chose him to lead Public Policy throughout these years,” said House Speaker Brian Bosma in a press release. “He had my full confidence as a leader within the General Assembly, and my confidence continues in him as he takes this new position. I have no doubt that he will continue to serve with honor and integrity.”
Davis, who owns Limestone Products Inc. in Portland, was first elected to the House representing District 33, which includes all of Jay and Randolph counties and part of Delaware County, when he defeated Democrat incumbent Ron Liggett in 2004. He took office in January of 2005.
He has since won reelection bids over challenges from Andy Schemenaur (2008 and ’12) and Liggett (2006 and ’10).
“To be able to serve with Gov. (Mitch) Daniels and now with Gov. (Mike) Pence and to see what all has happened and how far we’ve come,” said Davis. “It’s just been exciting. It’s just been interesting. People have been very supportive through the district … and I really appreciate that.”
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Davis has 14 months remaining on the two-year term representing District 33 he was elected to in November.
County chairpersons and precinct committee representatives will be responsible for choosing his replacement.
Ellspermann approached Davis about the possibility of leading OCRA during her Oct. 1 visit to Jay County as part of her Listen & Learn Tour.
“It was pretty quick moving,” Davis said. “They wanted to get someone in place.
“I’ve been involved with economic development for a number of years in one capacity or another,” he added, noting his work with Jay County Chamber of Commerce and Jay County Development Corporation. “I’ve had a real interest in economic development, especially in our community.”
During his nine years as a member of the legislature, Davis served as chairman of the Committee on Public Policy and was also a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
This year he co-sponsored a bill to help bring relief to farmers following the 2012 drought.
“Bill is a man of strong integrity, which is precisely why I chose him to lead Public Policy throughout these years,” said House Speaker Brian Bosma in a press release. “He had my full confidence as a leader within the General Assembly, and my confidence continues in him as he takes this new position. I have no doubt that he will continue to serve with honor and integrity.”
Davis, who owns Limestone Products Inc. in Portland, was first elected to the House representing District 33, which includes all of Jay and Randolph counties and part of Delaware County, when he defeated Democrat incumbent Ron Liggett in 2004. He took office in January of 2005.
He has since won reelection bids over challenges from Andy Schemenaur (2008 and ’12) and Liggett (2006 and ’10).
“To be able to serve with Gov. (Mitch) Daniels and now with Gov. (Mike) Pence and to see what all has happened and how far we’ve come,” said Davis. “It’s just been exciting. It’s just been interesting.
“People have been very supportive through the district … and I really appreciate that.”

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