MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center honored Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Deputy Commissioner Leigh E. Morris with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual E-Day Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards program on October 29.  Morris currently serves as INDOT's Deputy Commissioner for Toll Road Oversight and Chairman of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

"I am honored the Northwest Indiana SBDC chose to highlight my work in promoting the region's economic vitality," Morris said. "With all of the state's new initiatives, however, I feel as if my life's work is not yet finished."

Prior to joining INDOT in 2008, Morris served 21 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the La Porte Regional Health System and then as Mayor of the City of La Porte.  Morris is a former chairman of many organizations, including the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission, the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation and the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce.  He also served on the Boards of Trustees for the American Hospital Association and Ball State University.  Gov. Frank O'Bannon named Morris a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1999.

Most recently, Gov. Mitch Daniels named Morris as Indiana's representative on the Midwest High Speed Rail Steering Group.  The group is a coalition of eight states pursuing Recovery Act funds to build and launch high-speed passenger rail service in the Midwest.

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