FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Gov. Braun Honors Life of Forrest Lucas with Sachem Award

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun on Thursday honored Lucas Oil founder Forrest Lucas with the 2025 Sachem Award, Indiana's highest honor.

The Sachem is reserved for individuals who have profoundly shaped Indiana through character, leadership, and service. Only one award is presented per year, chosen by Indiana's Governor.

The posthumous award was received by Lucas's wife Charlotte, son and current Lucas Oil CEO, Morgan Lucas, and his wife Katie Lucas, president of Lucas Oil.

"Forrest Lucas exemplified what it means to be a Hoosier. As a self-made entrepreneur, Lucas applied the work ethic he learned on the family farm to build an iconic American company, and left an indelible mark on the state of Indiana through his passion for sports and racing, philanthropy, and moral character. Today, we celebrate his legacy with Indiana's highest award." - Governor Mike Braun

About 2025 Sachem, Forrest Lucas

Raised on a small family farm in Elkinsville in 1942, Forrest Lucas pursued the American dream right here in Indiana.

He started his career as a truck driver, buying his first semi-truck at age 21. As an owner-operator, he began to build a fleet of trucks, ultimately becoming the first American to obtain full 48-state operating authority to haul anything anywhere in the country.

In 1989, Forrest and his wife Charlotte founded Lucas Oil, inspired by necessity and an entrepreneurial spirit to create a better oil for his trucks. Lucas Oil now sells more than 100 lubricants and has grown into an iconic international company.

Forrest Lucas also made his mark in Indiana racing, helping to cement Indiana as the Racing Capital of the World. Forrest Lucas was a major contributor to the development of the Indianapolis Colts' stadium, which today bears his company's name. As a philanthropist, Forrest Lucas distinguished himself as a major force for positive change in Indiana.

Lucas was a major supporter of local charities. Today, Lucas Oil carries on his legacy, supporting charities and initiatives such as Project Harvest, Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash, the Central Indiana Police Foundation, the Colts' Horseshoe Helpings events, Grit & Grace to encourage young female leaders, as well as hosting the Eric Medlen Memorial Golf Tournament, raising over $1.4 million for Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.

As a job creator, innovator, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader, Forrest Lucas exemplified the traits that all Hoosiers can aspire to emulate.

For photos of Governor Braun presenting the Sachem to the Lucas family, visit Governor Braun's official Flickr page, here.

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Griffin Reid
Office of Governor Mike Braun
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 317-391-9475