Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann

2014 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee

Education

B.S. '82, Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
M.S., Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Louisville

Professional Career

Upon earning her bachelor’s degree from Purdue, Ellspermann established a career in engineering and management at Michelin and Frito-Lay. While earning her master’s degree and doctorate in industrial
engineering at the University of Louisville, she established Ellspermann And Associates and began a 20-year consulting practice. She later became the founding director of the University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Applied Research and Economic Development.

In 2010, Ellspermann was elected to represent Dubois, Perry, Spencer, And Warrick counties in the Indiana House of Representatives before being elected in 2012 to serve as the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana with Governor Mike Pence.

As Lieutenant Governor, Ellspermann manages six state agencies that span the fields of agriculture, community development, tourism, and entrepreneurship. She also serves as President of the Indiana Senate and chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.

Co-op Alumna

Ellspermann worked as a co-op for General Motors while at Purdue. “I graduated during the recession in 1982,” she said. “It was the first in those years that engineers were going without job offers. However, as a co-op, I had multiple offers. Those two years of quality work experience provided me a significant competitive advantage over other graduates.”