Cris Johnston assumed the role of director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget July 1, 2019, after joining the Holcomb Administration as deputy chief of staff May 2018. He previously served in Gov. Mitch Daniels’ Administration (2005 to 2013) as the executive director of the Office of Management and Budget’s division of government efficiency and later, as deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office.
In between these periods of service in state government, Johnston worked for two Indiana-based consulting firms. More recently he was a director for KSM Consulting, where he led the organizational improvement practice (2013 to 2018). Prior to serving in the Daniels Administration, Johnston worked in the municipal financial advisory practice at Crowe Horwath (1992 to 2005) rising to partner.
Johnston began his public service in the Indiana Treasurer of State’s Office (1988 to 1992), first as portfolio manager and eventually as chief deputy treasurer after starting his career as an internal auditor in the commercial banking industry. He has a bachelor's degree from Wabash College and a MBA from Butler University.