Pence elevates revenue chief of staff to commissioner

An attorney who once served as Indiana's public access counselor has been tapped as the new commissioner for the state Department of Revenue.

Gov. Mike Pence announced the appointment of Andrew Kossack on Monday.

Kossack currently serves as chief of staff for the revenue department, where he oversees human resources, public relations, technology and project management. He's also worked as policy director and general counsel for the Office of Management and Budget and as Pence's education and workforce policy director.

He was the state public access counselor under former Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Kossack earned his undergraduate degree from Butler University and his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Kossack's appointment will take effect July 17. He will succeed retiring commissioner Mike Alley.

Alley, a former banking executive, took the job in early 2012 after the department suffered high-profile problems involving revenue routing.    

“I am thankful for the years Mike Alley has served the people of Indiana as Commissioner of the Department of Revenue,” Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said in a written statement. “He has led the Department with great integrity and dedication, and the Department has become better for it. We wish him the best in his upcoming retirement.”