Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler and the Indiana State Poultry Association recently recognized the generosity of Indiana’s poultry producers at the 75th annual Indiana state poultry recognition event at the Indiana Statehouse. Over the past year, Indiana poultry farmers have donated nearly 100 tons or 200,000 pounds of poultry products to Hoosiers in need.

For decades, Indiana’s poultry producers have been working to address food insecurity in their local communities by providing protein to food banks across the state. Some of the main products that were donated over the course of this year include eggs, chicken, duck and turkey.

The strength of Indiana’s poultry sector was also recognized during the ceremony as Indiana is one of the top poultry producing states in the country. According to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, Indiana ranks No. 1 in duck production, No. 2 in egg production, No. 4 in turkey production and is home to high quality broiler chicken production as well. 

Governor Appoints Lindsay Hyer As New Executive Director

INDIANAPOLIS- Deborah Frye has notified Governor Eric J. Holcomb that she will retire as the executive director of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) after serving for more than seven years. Gov. Holcomb today announced that Lindsay Hyer will serve as the new executive director.

“Deb has dedicated much of her professional life to serving others by delivering high-level customer service to all Hoosiers,” said Gov. Holcomb. “As executive director, she efficiently connected professionals with the appropriate licensing they need to practice their chosen profession. I thank her for her commitment to supporting Indiana’s professional workforce.”

Frye was named executive director in 2015. Under her leadership PLA has:

• Expanded online services for the 1 million citizens who rely on PLA every year for licensing. The agency offers user-friendly customer service for applications and renewals and provides easy access to the application process and online transactions
• Merged two divisions under the Division of Compliance and Enforcement that resulted in cross-training of staff and significant cost-savings for the agency
• Developed a PLA call center to answer licensing questions and assist applicants in receiving licensure at a faster rate

“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve the administration of two governors as the executive director of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency,” Frye said. “I recognize that both placed their faith and trust in my leadership and that of my team. Over the course of my tenure, we have overcome challenges and accomplished so many great things that support the professional workforce in Indiana. I am proud to say that forward planning has implemented changes that prepare the agency for the next several years. None of that would be possible without Governor Holcomb’s strong leadership, and vision for Indiana.”

Frye’s last day is Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.

Lindsay Hyer worked as the chief of staff for Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan where she served as the senior advisor and oversaw all financial and operating activities for the office. Hyer managed the growth of the customer-friendly portal, INBiz, Indiana’s one-stop resource for registering and managing businesses to ensure that they are compliant with state laws and regulations. In her role, she spearheaded the Secretary of State’s legislative agenda to put in place a law to ensure every Hoosier will cast a ballot on a voting machine with a paper audit trail.

“Lindsay leads with a Hoosier-first attitude that is focused on meeting the needs of customers by using the most effective and efficient path,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Lindsay will use her skills to truly make a positive impact in the workforce.”

Before her role with the Secretary of State’s office, Hyer worked for the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission (ATC) as general counsel, where she oversaw the licensing and regulation of Indiana’s alcohol permittees. In that role, she also served as legislative liaison and communications director for the ATC and the Indiana State Excise Police.

“I am extremely honored to be selected by Governor Holcomb to serve as executive director for PLA – an agency that touches the lives of so many Hoosiers in the workforce,” said Hyer. “I look forward to working with the dedicated team at PLA to ensure a customer-focused service for licensees.”

Hyer earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She will begin her new role on Dec. 12.