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CONTAINS AUDIO OF GOV. PENCE & AUDITOR SAWYER AND REACTION FROM INDIANA’S TOP POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS: In an historic first, Indiana Governor Mike Pence made history by naming an African-American Republican to hold one of Indiana’s statewide, constitutionally mandated offices.  Gov. Pence chose Dwayne Sawyer to be the next State Auditor, replacing Tim Berry who resigned to become Chairman of the Indiana Republican Party.  Sawyer, 43, is currently President of the Town Board of Brownsburg, Indiana, the Hendricks County suburb that’s seen a huge explosion of African-American residents in the past decade.  In naming Dwayne Sawyer, Gov. Pence said , “Dwayne’s professional background, experience in public service, strong character, and involvement with the Republican Party make him the best choice to serve as Auditor for the people of Indiana. I am honored to appoint him, and I know Dwayne Sawyer will serve all the people of Indiana with professionalism and integrity as our new Auditor.”  Speaking of his appointment, Dwayne Sawyer thanked the Governor saying, “for this truly monumental opportunity to serve the Hoosier State and our fellow Hoosiers.” Sawyer also reflected on his new position saying, “I am here to serve. That has been and continues to be my personal motto.”

Dwayne Sawyer becomes the fourth African-American, and first Republican, to hold a statewide elected office.  The other three were Democrats. Dwayne Brown elected Clerk of Courts in 1990, Pam Carter elected Attorney General in 1992 and Karen Freeman-Wilson appointed Attorney General in 2000. Under Indiana’s Constitution, State Auditor is Indiana’s Chief Financial Officer, responsible for accounting for all of the state’s funds; overseeing and disbursing county, city, town and school tax distributions; paying the state’s bills and paying the state’s employees.  The State Auditor is also responsible for administering the state’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

Dwayne Sawyer brings experience in financial systems, information technology and project management to this position. He most recently worked in software development for Positron. Sawyer also worked on financial management solutions while employed by Roche Diagnostics, Dow AgroSciences and Eli Lilly and Company. Sawyer has been a member of the Brownsburg Town Board for over five years having first been appointed to the Board in December 2008. Sawyer was then elected to a full term on the Board in 2011. As town council president, Sawyer led his community through a period of unprecedented growth while managing a budget in excess of $40 million. Sawyer has been active in Republican politics in Brownsburg and Hendricks County for a number of years. He serves as Secretary of the 4th District Republican Committee and is a member of the Hendricks County Republican Party’s Executive Committee and serves on the Board of the Indiana GOP Leadership Forum.  Sawyer also sits on the Board of Directors for the Hendricks County Regional Health YMCA and was chosen to serve on the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. Sawyer was like many African-Americans who moved to the Hendricks County suburb in the past decade having grown up as an “Air Force brat” and lived in several communities across the country.  A Purdue University graduate, Sawyer is married to Melissa and they have three children, Cassandra, Grace and Garrett. Dwayne Sawyer will take the oath as State Auditor on Monday, August 19th.  Click the Arrow Below to Hear Gov. Pence’s Remarks On Appointing Dwayne Sawyer and Sawyer’s Reamrks. Runs 15 Minutes.  Click Arrow To Hear Indiana GOP Chair Tim Berry & Democratic Chair John Zody’s Reaction To Dwayne Sawyer’s Appointment. Runs 17 Minutes ©2013 WTLC/Radio One.