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INDOT Chief Karl Browning Abruptly Resigns

Bill Shaw
/
Indiana Public Broadcasting

The Indiana Department of Transportation has new leadership after Commissioner Karl Browning stepped down without any public warning Wednesday.

Browning has led INDOT since 2013, and previously served as Commissioner from 2006 to 2009. 

Browning submitted his resignation via email to the governor Wednesday morning, saying he was proud of his accomplishments but that it was, “time to move on.” 

Governor Mike Pence quickly appointed Brandye Hendrickson to replace him.  Pence notes Hendrickson – who briefly led the agency as it transitioned to Browning’s leadership in 2013 – has served as Deputy Commissioner since 2007.

“[She’s] taken on some of our most important projects and led them with great distinction and as I said, the fact that she served as interim commissioner I think just makes her uniquely qualified to step into this role and have a seamless transition,” Pence says.

The administration’s public statement makes no mention of Browning other than to note his resignation and Pence wouldn’t add much more.

“You know, we just don’t discuss personnel matters as a matter of course,” the governor says.

Pence did say he appreciates Browning’s service. 

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.