Here’s a glimpse into the life of Mitch Daniels, the former governor of Indiana.

Birth date: April 7, 1949

Birth place: Monongahela, Pennsylvania

Birth name: Mitchell Elias Daniels Jr.

Father: Mitchell Daniels Sr., a drug company salesman

Mother: Dorothy Mae (Wilkes) Daniels

Marriage: Cheri (Herman) Daniels (1997-present; previously married from May 20, 1978 to 1994, divorced)

Children: Margaret, Meredith, Melissa, and Meagan

Education: Princeton University, B.A., 1971; Georgetown University, J.D., 1979

Daniels enjoys riding motorcycles and is a Harley Davidson enthusiast.

He is recognized for his fiscal discipline, having balanced Indiana’s budget during his first term as governor, reducing expenses wherever feasible, and achieving surplus budgets for multiple years.

1971-1976 – Aide and later adviser to Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar.

1977-1983 – Chief of staff for Senator Lugar (R-Indiana).

1983-1984 – Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

1985-1987 – Senior adviser to President Reagan.

1987-1990 – CEO of Hudson Institute.

1990-2001 – Executive at Eli Lilly.

2001-2003 – Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

2004 – Elected as the 49th governor of Indiana.

June 21, 2012 – Purdue University announces the unanimous election of Daniels as the next president, starting January 15, 2013.

June 10, 2022 – Purdue announces that Dr. Mung Chiang will succeed Daniels as president on January 1, 2023.

March 28, 2023 – The Liberty Fund announces Daniels will join as a distinguished scholar and senior adviser starting April 1, with a board position beginning February 2025.

February 2025 – Indianapolis-based LDI, Ltd. announces that Daniels has joined as an executive partner.

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