Secretary Blair Milo

BA 2004, Political Science
MPS 2010, George Washington University

Secretary of Career Connections and Talent, State of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN

Blair Milo currently serves as the State of Indiana’s first Secretary for Career Connections and Talent. Appointed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb into the position created by Executive Order in August of 2017, Secretary Milo serves as the state’s Chief Talent Officer as Indiana works to fill an estimated one million job openings over the next ten years. She also serves on the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, a body dedicated to shaping education and workforce training for a 21st Century workforce.

Prior to her appointment to Governor Holcomb’s Cabinet, Secretary Milo served as Mayor of La Porte, Indiana after being first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2015. During her time in office, Mayor Milo focused her administration on building the most conducive climate for economic development growth, providing for sustainable infrastructure needs and fostering a community dedication toward positive lifestyle choices.

During her time as Mayor, Secretary Milo was appointed by then Indiana Governor Mike Pence to the State Workforce Innovation Council where she chaired the Career Counseling Task Force. She serves on the Indiana Advisory Alliance for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the Board of Governors for the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.

Prior to her roles in public service, Secretary Milo served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, completing two Persian Gulf deployments aboard the USS Mason, a third to Bahrain and Iraq on the staff of Destroy Squadron 50, and completing her active duty service at the Pentagon. She also served in Navy Reserve with assignments to the Office of Naval Intelligence and NATO Warfare Development Group.

Secretary Milo was born and raised in La Porte, Indiana and graduated from La Porte High School. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University. An avid runner, she has completed a 5k in all of Indiana’s 92 counties and continues to enjoy exploring new routes, meeting new running partners and encouraging active lifestyles in her regular travels across the state.