Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch last Friday announced that Bruce Kettler, an experienced member of the agriculture community, will serve as the new director of Indiana State Department of Agriculture effective Jan. 8.
Kettler most recently operated as the director of public relations for Beck's Hybrids, where he also was a field sales manager, area team leader and sales consultant over the course of the last 11 years. He began his career at Dow AgroSciences where he started out as a sales representative, and spanned his career through the company as a regional credit manager, advertising and communications manager and finished after being with the company for 17 years as a senior sales representative for pest management.
"Bruce has proven over the last few decades that he is committed to the agriculture industry, and knows what innovations and strides we can make to keep ensuring Indiana is at the forefront of the field," Crouch said. "His experience and dedication for agriculture development makes him an excellent choice as director of ISDA."
Crouch said Kettler will be a huge asset for the state of Indiana in his new role. Also bringing six sigma process improvement experience to the position, Kettler will ensure ISDA continues to provide good government service to partners and constituents.
"I look forward to seeing what Bruce does in maintaining food and agriculture as a driving force in Indiana's economy," Crouch said. "Agriculture leaders across the state developed the Indiana Agriculture Strategic Plan to take our state to the next level, and I am excited to work with him on bringing inventive ideas to further the plan."
Kettler holds a bachelor of science in agriculture from Ohio State University, resides in Westfield with his wife Tammy and has two grown children, Cory and Christy. He succeeds Ted McKinney, who was appointed by President Trump to serve as the new undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.