After a national search, the Indiana Supreme Court has named Henry Circuit Court 1 Judge Mary Willis as its first Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush said, “Mary is a tremendous leader with legal and administrative skills who will be a great asset to the Supreme Court.”
Willis began work in July. The Supreme Court appointed a temporary judge to hear cases in Henry County. Division of State Court Administration Executive Director Lilia Judson is serving as Interim CAO. She will retire in September after facilitating a smooth transition to Willis.
Willis was elected judge in Henry County in 2003. She is a graduate of Ball State and the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. She is President of the Indiana Judges Association, a member of the Court’s Strategic Planning Committee, and the Indiana Judicial Conference Board of Directors.
In February, the Court announced an internal restructuring plan which created an Office of Judicial Administration (OJA). The goal is to enhance communication, clarify staff responsibilities, document institutional knowledge, plan for personnel succession, and continue to move the judiciary forward. In addition to Willis, the OJA includes 200 employees led by directors in the following departments:
- Boards & Commissions: Terry Harrell, Bradley Skolnik, G. Michael Witte
- Clerk: Greg Pachmayr
- Communication, Education & Outreach: Kathryn Dolan
- Fiscal: Aaron Hood
- Indiana Office of Court Services: Jane Seigel
- Personnel Management & Operations: Brenda Rodeheffer
- Supreme Court Services: Jason Bennett
- Trial & Appellate Court Technology: Mary DePrez and Robert Rath