INDIANAPOLIS  (November 8, 2007) -  Governor Mitch Daniels said today that two state agency leaders are leaving their posts, one for a position outside of state government and the other for another state agency.

Debra Minott, one of the governor's first cabinet appointments, is resigning from her position as director of the Indiana State Department of Personnel, effective at the end of this year. She was general counsel and corporate secretary for Guidant Corporation before joining the administration in November 2004, and is returning to the private sector. Minott has accepted a position with CarDon & Associates, Inc., a company based in Bloomington that provides senior housing and lifestyle support services. The governor will name a replacement soon.

Michael W. Cunegin II, executive director of the Criminal Justice Institute, is joining the Department of Correction (DOC) as deputy commissioner of administration, effective November 26.

"Deb's tenure should be remembered as a time of important reforms. We were lucky to have her. She led the transition to a streamlined, smaller, but better state workforce and where for the first time people are rewarded for exceptional performance," said Daniels. "Mike's promotion will give him a great opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business in Commissioner Donahue."

In 2006, the state implemented a pay-for-performance plan that rewards outstanding work with greater pay increases. The state now also has in place two bonus programs: the Governor's Public Service Achievement Award, which provides awards of $1,000 to employees who advance the governor's objectives to improve efficiency, provide better service and stretch tax dollars, and a spot bonus program that gives agency heads the flexibility to make monetary awards to employees who exhibit outstanding performance through a measurable outcome.

Cunegin, from Fort Wayne, has been the Criminal Justice Institute's (CJI) leader since June 2006. He will replace Julie Von Arx, who left the DOC in September. Jason Hutchens, CJI chief deputy director, will be assigned to the duties of executive director until the governor selects a replacement based on a recommendation from the CJI Board of Directors.

Cunegin will oversee the department's human resources services, staff development and training, inspection services, prison industry and farm operations (P.E.N. Products) and technology services.

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