Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today named the following individuals to the Purdue University Board of Trustees.

Purdue University Board of Trustees
Michael F. Klipsch (Hamilton County), is appointed to serve the remainder of an unexpired three-year term through June 30, 2017

· Michael Klipsch is the president of business development, executive vice president, and chief counsel of Klipsch Group, Inc. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1985, majoring in Industrial Management. Klipsch graduated with a Doctor of Law, Cum Laude with honors, from Indiana University in 1988. His community involvement includes fundraising for the United Way, Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Make-A-Wish, and the American Cancer Society.

Cameron S. Mann (Putnam County), is appointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017

· Cameron Mann is appointed as the student representative of the Purdue Board of Trustees and is completing her second year at Purdue. She served as the Indiana FFA State President from 2012-2013 and is pursuing majors in Ag Sales and Marketing, and Agriculture Communications. Her honors include Ag Ambassador for Purdue, Indiana Pork Producers Youth Ambassador, Cargill Global Scholar and Mentor Program, and the Purdue University Dean’s List.

Jo Ann Brouillette (Tippecanoe County), is reappointed to serve a three-year term through June 30, 2018

· JoAnn Brouillette was initially appointed to the Board of Trustees in July 2006. She is managing partner and president of Demeter LP, a privately owned grain and commercial warehouse business headquartered in Fowler, Indiana. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hanover College in 1983, majoring in business. Brouillette serves on the board of directors of Greater Lafayette Commerce and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the board of directors for Lafayette Bank and Trust, Indiana Sports Corporation, Midwest Ag Finance, and the National Grain and Feed Association.

Michael R. Berghoff (Marion County), is reappointed to serve a three-year term through June 30, 2018

· A 1985 graduate of Purdue with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management, Michael Berghoff was initially appointed to the Board of Trustees on July 1, 2009. He is founder and president of the Lenex Steel Corp. in Indianapolis. In addition, Berghoff is the former president of the Purdue Theta Chi alumni corporation, past president of the St. Simon the Apostle Parish, a member of the Cathedral High School Board of Directors, and Chairman of the board of directors for Young President’s Organization.

Every January, as snow covers the state, legislators return to the Statehouse, each bringing with them their own personal goals for session. As a member of the Public Health Committee and a respiratory therapist, my goals often center on improving the healthcare industry in Indiana.

However, each year, the House Republicans also establish a collective set of goals, known as our agenda. This year, our agenda included budget integrity, education funding, public safety and ethics reform, and I am pleased to report that we delivered on each of these priorities.

Every two years, the General Assembly is charged with crafting a budget to run the state for the next two fiscal years. The 2015 budget is honestly balanced and does not increase taxes on the hardworking Hoosiers we represent. It also protects future generations by maintaining healthy reserves and a structural surplus, both of which are critical to maintaining our state’s triple-A credit rating.

While holding firm to our commitment to fiscal integrity, we were also able to make the largest increase in K-12 funding in Indiana history. In fact, K-12 funding received an additional $474 million over the previous budget. As a result of this investment, I am happy to share with you that each and every school district in our community will receive an increase in per student funding over the biennium.

Another strategic priority which we strengthened our investment in is public safety. Indiana is facing several public safety concerns, including a high infant mortality rate and overcrowded domestic violence shelters, which is something we sought to address this session. Working towards this goal, we established the Safety P.I.N. (Protecting Indiana’s Newborns) grant program. This initiative will provide $13.5 million in grants for groups with innovative ideas on how to reduce infant mortality in Indiana. In addition, this year’s budget doubles funding for domestic violence prevention and treatment.

The General Assembly also passed ethics reform legislation that builds on our already rigorous transparency initiatives. Unlike some other states, Indiana has a part-time Legislature, which means that we are only in Indianapolis part-time, and the rest of our time is spent in our local communities. This provides us a better understanding of the needs of our district. By improving reporting requirements and disclosures of conflicts of interest, legislators will be better prepared to navigate the nuances of a part-time Legislature.

With another successful session in the books, I am thankful for the opportunity to be back in the district full-time. After nearly five months in Indianapolis, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, particularly my grandkids, and also working outside in my greenhouse. At the same time, I will continue to do all that I can to be a resource for our community.

Throughout session, hearing your thoughts and concerns helped me to make the best decisions for our district. Even though session has adjourned, I encourage you to continue to contact me anytime. I can be reached via email at h75@iga.in.gov.

Indianapolis – As Governor Mike Pence begins his five-day jobs and economic development mission in China, he is showcasing the work of Indiana’s artisans throughout the trip by practicing the East Asian ritual of gift giving.

“China’s ancient history was on display today during our visit to the Great Wall,” said Pence. “The rich history at the wall reminded me of Indiana’s history and the vital threads that make up the very fabric of Indiana culture. During our meetings this week with Chinese business and government leaders, we’ll be presenting these Hoosier-made pieces of art that tell our story and showcase our heritage as a state dedicated to quality and craftsmanship.”

Gift giving is important in Asian business protocol and emphasis is placed on this ritual. During the trip, the Governor is presenting high-ranking business leaders with wooden bowls produced by Madison-based Chapman Woodturning Inc., which feature a raw, bark edging and Indiana’s state seal laser-engraved on the bottom. Crafted by artisan Gary Chapman, who retired from the Madison Consolidated School District after 34 years of teaching art, the bowls are hand crafted from local fallen and discarded trees of the Indiana forests.

“Indiana’s natural beauty is already a work of art,” said Chapman. “It’s my passion to transform wood from fallen trees in our state’s forests into bowls and other wood creations. It is an honor to have my bowls given as gifts on the Governor’s trip to China and an honor to represent Indiana’s artist community to leaders half way around the globe. I hope Chinese government and business officials treasure these bowls as a reminder of all that Indiana has to offer.”

Amish wall-hanging quilts from Shipshewana-based Little Helpers Quilt Shop are also among the gifts being given to high-ranking Chinese business leaders and government officials. Comprised of 40,000-50,000 hand-sewn stitches, Amish quilts from Indiana are a craft and tradition that date back more than a hundred years, originating with European Amish families moving to the Hoosier State in the mid-1800s.

The Governor is also presenting Kokomo-based Kokomo Opalescent Glass hand-blown glass vessels, which feature an etching of the company’s name and the Indiana state seal.

First Lady Karen Pence is presenting silk scarves with a watercolor print of Indiana’s official state flower, the Peony, to company and culture officials in China. The First Lady painted the original watercolor that is used as the design for the scarf.

Gifts including a greeting card set featuring photographs of Indiana’s state parks, neckties in state colors and pens featuring the Governor’s signature will also be given to officials in attendance at the meetings.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation purchased the gifts using private contributions from the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.

The Governor also kicked off his week in Beijing by meeting with the Haier Group, the largest Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliances company, to thank them for choosing Evansville, Indiana for its tech center last fall.

A photo of Gary Chapman Bowls’ hand-crafted wooden bowl can be viewed here. Photos of Little Helpers Quilt Shop hand-sewn Amish quilts can be viewed here and here

Updates from the Governor’s trade mission to China this week, including video clips and photos, will be posted throughout the trip here: http://in.gov/gov/China2015.htm.