INDIANAPOLIS (February 22, 2005) ? Governor Mitch Daniels has filled two more leadership positions by naming an Indiana businessman as the new commissioner for the Indiana Department of Revenue, and naming the acting commissioner of the Department of Insurance as commissioner.

John Eckart, a Corydon native who has been president and chairman of the board for the Indiana American Water Company, Ohio American Water Company and Michigan American Water Company, will lead the revenue department. Jim Atterholt, who has led the Department of Insurance in an acting capacity since January 10, is the new commissioner.

?John is a mature leader whose management skills will help us bring efficiency to one of our highest profile departments. Indiana taxpayers will see that he understands the responsiveness needed to improve customer service,? said Daniels.

?Jim has impressed us with his capacity to reform his agency and to create the platform for more insurance jobs in Indiana. He?s already impressed us with his leadership and management of the department over the past month, and we?re looking for him to continue to push for change,? said the governor.

In 2000, Eckart oversaw the largest and most regionally diverse water utility merger in Indiana history when Indiana American added 17 operations and 155,000 customers through three acquisitions. He has served as president and chairman of the board for Indiana American Water Company since 1997 and became responsible for the Ohio and Michigan subsidiaries in 2000. He was vice president of finance for Indiana American Water from 1993 to 1997. He will report to Chuck Schalliol, director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Atterholt was a state representative (House District 86) from 1998 to 2002. Since 2002 he has worked as the director of state government affairs for AT&T Indiana, responsible for developing strategies that furthered the company?s business objectives in the state. He was district director for Congressman Dan Burton from 1992 to 2002.

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