Darrow named vice president for human resources

Denny Darrow
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Denny Darrow has been named Purdue University’s vice president for human resources, effective Oct. 17.

Darrow, a 1992 Purdue graduate, has been director of the Indiana State Personnel Department (SPD) since 2014, and joined SPD in 2010, serving previously as the agency’s deputy director and chief of staff. He replaces Trent Klingerman, who is taking on the role of chief deputy counsel in the university’s Office of Legal Counsel.

“Denny brings great experience to this position,” said Bill Sullivan, treasurer and chief financial officer. “In his current position, he oversees all of the human resources services for approximately 28,000 state employees, which gives him tremendous insight into today’s HR challenges and opportunities.

“Trent is excited to return more directly to a position that utilizes his passion for the law. While I’m happy for him, we will greatly miss the leadership, energy and innovation he brought during his tenure.”

Darrow has more than 18 years of human resources leadership. Prior to joining the state Personnel Department, he held human resources positions with Thomson Consumer Electronics and Flashpoint HR and was director of human resources for the Indiana Department of Correction. He also has spoken to national groups on the topics of health and well-being, health-care transparency, and human resources leadership. As SPD’s chief of staff, Darrow spearheaded several projects for state employees, including the “Invest in Your Health” initiative; planning and implementing the state’s first employee health clinic; and negotiating the implementation of Castlight, a health benefits platform.

“The energy to achieve great things is palpable among the faculty and staff I have had the pleasure of meeting over the past several weeks,” Darrow said. “I am extremely excited to be a part of the Purdue team.”

As vice president, Darrow will oversee human resource activities for the entire Purdue University system, including benefits, employment, compensation, training and development, employee relations, and HR information systems.

Sources:  Bill Sullivan, 765-494-9705, sully1976@purdue.edu

Denny Darrow, dennydarrow@gmail.com