(INDIANAPOLIS) — A soon-to-be former state representative will be joining the government affairs division of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Mike Ripley, who since 1996 has served the 79th district and the citizens of Adams, Allen and Wells counties, will become the Chamber’s vice president of health care policy on November 5.

Ripley, who had announced his intention in February of this year to return to the private sector full time, was a natural fit once this particular position became available in June, offers Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar.

“Mike has over a decade worth of experience in the insurance industry, plus he’s been heavily involved in the health care arena while in the Legislature, even serving as the chairman of the House Insurance Committee.

“With the rising cost of health care coverage being a major issue for many Hoosier businesses, we are thrilled to have someone with Mike’s knowledge join our organization as the health care expert.”

Ripley’s professional career also includes the last two years as a project coordinator with an engineering firm. Prior to that, he spent seven years as the Adams County economic development director.

A graduate of Ball State University, Ripley was the Insurance Institute of Indiana’s Legislator of the Year in 2005 and 2008. In 1999, the Indiana Chamber tapped him as a Small Business Champion for his legislative work on behalf of the small business community.

Ripley says, “I’m honored, after completion of my legislative term, to join the Indiana Chamber in representing the health care interests of the business community and its employees. I look forward to working with others, both members and advocacy partners, on these important issues.”

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state’s largest broad-based business advocacy organization for 86 years. The more than 4,800 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.