Terre Haute mayor to lead OCRA
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The outgoing mayor of Terre Haute is ready to make his next move. Duke Bennett, who is finishing his fourth term as mayor, will become the new executive director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs next month.
Bennett will succeed Denny Spinner, who announced last month he is stepping down to become interim executive director of the Center for Rural Engagement at Indiana University in Bloomington.
“The next chapter in Indiana’s history is quality of life, in large and small communities around the state, and Mayor Bennett understands this,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said in a news release. “As communities and cities strive to build economically thriving places where people want to live, work and grow, Mayor Bennett will spread the collaborative spirit he cultivated in Vigo County around the state.”
Bennett was first elected mayor of Terre Haute in 2007 and is tied for the second-longest serving mayor in the city’s history. He was defeated in the November election by 27-year-old Brandon Sakbun.
In addition to his role as mayor, Bennett sits on the board for Accelerate Indiana Municipalities, which serves more than 460 member cities and towns.
“As a four-term mayor, it’s obvious I love the city of Terre Haute,” Bennett said. “But, I am equally passionate about the state of Indiana, and I am excited I have the opportunity to work with mayors, township boards and local officials all around that state who all share a common goal of making their communities–and Indiana–the best it can be.”
Bennett will begin his new role at OCRA in Indianapolis on Jan. 8.