Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has appointed the chief financial officer of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education as the city's new controller, the city announced Thursday afternoon.<br /><br />Jason Dudich, a veteran of government finance, is already familiar with the financial workings of the city. He was Ballard's budget director and deputy controller from February 2008 to August 2010.<br /><br />Dudich will succeed Jeff Spalding, who is leaving May 11 for the locally-based Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, where he will be director of fiscal policy and analysis.<br /><br />Prior to 2008, Dudich served in positions including director of strategic finance for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, budget analyst at the State Budget Agency, and senior budget analyst with the Illinois Bureau of the Budget.<br /><br />“Jason’s experience in crafting budgets for the city and at the state level makes him the perfect choice for this position,” said Ballard in a prepared statement. “His experience in municipal finance and government operations will be crucial as we confront the ongoing challenge of increased operational costs and flat revenue growth.”