FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — R. Mark Lawrance has been named director of the Indiana University Public Policy Institute. The appointment was announced today by IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz.
Lawrance replaces John Krauss, who is retiring.
“The Public Policy Institute is an Indiana asset, serving the people of Indiana by keeping policy makers informed without bias,” Bantz said. “Mark’s experience and commitment to Indiana make him the right person to lead the Public Policy Institute and put Indiana’s best interests first. “
Lawrance will assume his new duties in July.
“Though we had a number of qualified candidates, Mark’s enthusiasm for PPI and its mission really stood out,” said Randall Shepard, PPI executive in residence and former Indiana chief justice, who, along with IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs Executive Associate Dean David Reingold, co-chaired the search committee for the new director. “As a PPI client, he knows first-hand that PPI delivers data and insights that help communities and organizations make well-informed decisions. And he understands why it’s important that PPI continue to do so.”
Lawrance joins PPI after being part of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s senior management team since 2000, most recently as senior vice president, foundation and operations. He oversaw the efforts of the Indiana Chamber Foundation, which developed and is implementing the statewide, long-term economic development action plan Indiana Vision 2025. Lawrance also coordinated implementation of its predecessor, Economic Vision 2010, and led numerous studies to impact public policy on issues including workforce development, tax and fiscal policy, government efficiency and economic development. He has worked closely with the Indiana General Assembly and several gubernatorial administrations on public policy issues. Prior to joining the Chamber, Lawrance was vice president of the MCL, Inc. restaurant chain.
A lifelong Hoosier, Lawrance graduated from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a degree in public affairs and completed the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. He is a member of the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and serves on the board of the Council for the Advancement of Adult Literacy. An avid cyclist, he also serves as an advisor to the Marian University Cycling program.
“Like his predecessor John Krauss, Mark has well-established relationships all over the state,” said John Graham, dean of the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, which houses PPI. “Those relationships are valuable for understanding the problems that PPI’s work can help to solve, and for carrying those solutions to the people who can make change happen.”
Lawrance says he has long respected PPI and its work. “John Krauss is a difficult act to follow, but I look forward to continuing the outstanding work of the Institute. I am also eager to work more closely with the PPI team of experts,” Lawrance said. “I know firsthand about PPI’s quality and appreciate the opportunity to be part of a group that will make a lasting impact on our state.”
About PPI: The IU Public Policy Institute is a collaborative, multidisciplinary research institute within the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The Institute serves as an umbrella organization for research centers affiliated with SPEA, including the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment and the Center for Criminal Justice Research. The Institute also supports the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. For more information, visit http://policyinstitute.iu.edu/.