First Lady Janet Holcomb grew up on a horse farm near Muncie, Indiana, where horses and ponies were her first passion in life.  Janet rode horses competitively and loved participating in regional shows and 4-H.

Janet also developed a love of the arts, particularly drawing, early in life. She went on to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Fine Arts at Ball State University. Janet was active in a number of campus organizations and was a member of a sorority. As a master’s candidate at Ball State, Janet held a graduate assistantship with the David Owsley Museum of Art.

The daughter and granddaughter of small business owners, Janet often shares that some of her most valuable lessons were learned at the family dinner table. Beginning in 2009, Janet served as vice president of her family’s manufacturing business, R&R Engineering, which has been producing and distributing bolts and fasteners across the United States and Canada for nearly 50 years. For a decade prior to joining the business, Janet led many record-setting political fundraising efforts at the federal, state, and local level. She put her fundraising experience to work for many causes, including veterans groups, social service providers, arts organizations, animal welfare and scouting programs, and she is a member of the Riley Children’s Foundation Board of Directors.

Janet and Gov. Holcomb support the 2nd Amendment and are lifetime members of the NRA. Janet is a certified pistol instructor. She has led training classes throughout the state, often partnering with the Indiana National Guard and members of law enforcement. She particularly enjoys sharing her passion for shooting sports and personal protection with other women. She also enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, equestrian and bicycle riding, hunting and anything that involves being outdoors.

Janet and Eric live in the Indiana Governor’s Residence with their Miniature Schnauzer, First Dog Henry. It should be noted that Henry is more popular than both of his humans.