LaPorte’s loss is Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb‘s gain.

Mayor Blair Milo has been appointed to a newly-created cabinet-level position. As secretary of career connections and talent, she will serve as the chief executive officer for the State Personnel Department.

Her role will also put her at the forefront of connecting Hoosiers with employers and “fillling the estimated one million job openings” that are expected in the next decade.

“Our state’s unemployment rate has reached historically low levels. That means more Hoosiers are working, but it also presents talent challenges for our state’s employers, who need skilled and ready workers to keep their businesses thriving,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This new position will provide the urgent and focused attention required to position Indiana well long-term and ensure our state’s workforce is keeping pace with our economy as it grows and becomes more diverse. I can think of no one better suited than Blair Milo to lead this charge.”

Milo has been Mayor of LaPorte since 2011. Before that, she served as an intern for Sen. Dick Luger and spent five years in the U.S. Navy.

“I’m honored to join Governor Holcomb’s team to take on this important role. Connecting business leaders and employees has been at the forefront of both challenges and opportunities for all Hoosier communities as we continue to grow new numbers and types of jobs across the state,” Blair Milo said. “We want to connect Hoosiers with a job they’re passionate about, and we want our employers to know they can draw from a deep pool of talented, dedicated workers in every corner of the state. Collaborating with businesses, public officials, colleges and universities to assess, fill and preempt our workforce needs will be a critical step in taking Indiana to the next level.”

Milo will start her new role on August 14.