INDIANAPOLIS (July 17, 2006) ? Governor Mitch Daniels today announced the appointment of Bloomfield native Erik ?Chip?Allen as Greene Circuit Court Judge. He succeeds Judge David Johnson, who resigned on June 30 to accept an appointment as vice chairman of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.

Allen currently serves as chief deputy prosecutor of Clay County and has previously served as child support deputy prosecutor. He has also worked in private practice and was a partner in the general practice law firm Rowe & Allen, LLC in Linton.

?Erik is a man of great integrity who will further the interests of fairness and justice on the bench,? said Daniels. ?He has deep roots in Greene County and I?m confident he will treat his fellow citizens with dignity and respect.?

Allen earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University ? Bloomington and his law degree from Indiana University ? Indianapolis.

The appointment is effective July 31.