Governor Braun Named New Indiana DNR Law Director
Max C. Winchell will lead the division following the scheduled retirement of current director Steve Hunter.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People
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Governor Mike Braun has appointed veteran conservation officer Max C. Winchell to lead the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement. Winchell will officially transition into the role on December 1, 2026, as the agency sees a change in leadership.
Why it matters
The appointment brings a long-tenured professional to the state's top natural resource law enforcement position. Winchell’s background is rooted in decades of field experience spanning emergency response and tactical operations.
Winchell began his career in 1995 and has logged 28 years on the ICO Scuba Team. His operational record includes 12 national wildland fire incidents and three hurricane and flood deployments.
The players
Max C. Winchell
He is a veteran Indiana Conservation Officer who has served the state since 1995 and led various tactical operations.
Mike Braun
He is the Governor of Indiana responsible for making key appointments to state agency leadership roles.
Steve Hunter
He is the outgoing director of the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement who is set to retire in late 2026.
The details
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced the selection on their official social media platform. Winchell brings extensive expertise from his multi-decade history with the state's conservation forces.
Timeline
Max C. Winchell began his tenure as an Indiana Conservation Officer in 1995.
Max C. Winchell will assume the director role on December 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition aligns with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources mandate that prioritizes seasoned field expertise for executive oversight. It reinforces a trend of internal succession planning within state natural resource agencies.
Residents across Indiana can expect continuity in DNR operations as the leadership shift occurs in late 2026. The department's focus on conservation and emergency response remains the primary concern for the public under the incoming director.
The takeaway
Effective transitions in state agencies are often built on deep institutional knowledge developed over decades of service. Ensuring leadership has direct experience in emergency operations helps maintain public safety and environmental protection standards.
Further reading
For more information on administrative transitions, visit Indiana People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WIMS.
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