Holcomb Announces Commissioner Peter Lacy to Step Down from Indiana BMV; Joe Hoage Named New Commissioner

Peter Lacy has notified Gov. Eric J. Holcomb that he is stepping down from his role as the commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) after more than six years. Gov. Holcomb today named Joe Hoage, the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor (DOL) and former BMV general counsel, as the new commissioner, effective May 28.

“Commissioner Lacy has delivered outstanding service to Hoosiers by investing in new technology and empowering employees to drive change,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The result is an agency that provides Hoosiers with great customer service and more choices about how they interact with the agency. Peter has prioritized efficiency in operations and always focused on quality.”

Lacy was appointed BMV commissioner in 2017 after serving as chief of staff for two years.

The BMV, under Lacy’s leadership, has:

• Maintained an average branch visit time under 20 minutes and a customer satisfaction rating over 98% across all transaction mediums
• Redesigned the Indiana Driver’s License and ID, bringing the most modern and strongest security features available to our state
• Increased BMV Connect kiosk transactions from 98,000 in 2016 to more than 850,000 in 2021
• Grown Real ID adoption from 23% to 70%
• Launched Indiana Driver Employee Link (IDEL), a CDL employer notification system designed to quickly inform employers of change in the status of their CDL drivers
• Prioritized modernization of process and technology, including expansion of how the agency notifies customers of an upcoming renewal to include email and text

“The focus during my time with the agency has been on driving the state forward and thinking beyond the traditional expectations of a motor vehicle agency,” Lacy said. “I am grateful to Governor Holcomb for the opportunity to serve our state and for his support of the agency’s goals, which has enabled us to keep providing efficient, exceptional service to Hoosiers.”

Lacy’s last day as commissioner is May 27.

Hoage was general counsel for the BMV from 2017 until 2020, when he was named commissioner at DOL. He has also served as the state’s public access counselor, general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, an attorney with the Indiana Gaming Commission and as a deputy prosecutor in Marion County.

“The Indiana BMV is one of the most innovative motor vehicle agencies in the nation, and I know that progress will continue under Joe’s leadership,” Gov Holcomb said. “He brings experience from across state government and is well respected. He has led the Department of Labor team through a challenging time during the pandemic.”

Under Hoage’s leadership, the agency has responded to more than eight times the normal volume of workplace concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The regulatory agency also launched the YES, or Youth Employment Services program, which modernized the way youth are registered for employment in the state. The new system has made it easy for thousands of employers and youth employees to register to work in Indiana.

“It’s been an honor to lead a hard-working group at the Department of Labor. I am humbled to be selected to serve as commissioner of the BMV and excited for the opportunity to build on the successes the agency has achieved under Gov. Holcomb’s leadership,” Hoage said.

Hoage earned his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Franklin College.

The new commissioner for the Department of Labor will be named at a later date.