Two years ago, a group of more than 30 executives came together to find ways to make it easier for companies to do business in Indianapolis.
The resulting effort led Mayor Joe Hogsett to create a nonprofit corporation called Indy Economic Development, Inc. The group acts as a go-between for city officials and developers looking to expand or relocate here.
Hogsett said at the time the organization is a “one-stop shop for businesses” that will “solely focus on economic development.” The nonprofit bills itself as “the official economic development organization for Indianapolis.”
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Indy Economic Development?
The organization was established in late 2024 to “catalyze and facilitate economic development” and “improve the economic welfare” of Indy residents, according to its articles of incorporation.
Its first president was Jim Schellinger, a Democrat, former chair of Indy-based CSO Architects and former Indiana secretary of commerce under Republican Govs. Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb. Schellinger retired in April.
During his tenure at Indy Economic Development, he was credited with helping the organization support several Indianapolis projects, including Roche Diagnostics’ $550 million expansion, the development of Arrow McLaren Racing’s $30 million headquarters, and Canadian-based manufacturer Romet Limited’s first U.S. expansion.
In 2025, Indy Economic Development supported 29 economic projects, which helped create more than 2,500 jobs and retain more than 6,500 jobs, according to the organization.
How is it funded?
The group is taxpayer-funded. The city’s Department of Metropolitan Development has allocated $4 million to the organization since its inception.
Donors to the Indianapolis Economic Development Foundation, a separate entity, are private and go toward the mission of the nonprofit. The private donations ensure that taxpayer dollars “are not used for speculative business development purposes,” IEDI spokesperson Hannah Thomas said.
“According to state law, we do not publicly identify donors unless they choose to do so or disclosure is legally required,” Thomas added.
Economic development organizations are not required to disclose their donors under Indiana law; however, a public agency can choose to release those records so long as the donor has not requested their gift remain private.
Who runs it?
The nonprofit has eight staff members, according to its website. Its president, Andrea Richter-Garry, previously held leadership roles for the state’s Indiana Economic Development Corp. Hogsett has compared the nonprofit to the Indiana Economic Development Corp., which serves a similar function for the state of Indiana.
Indy Economic Development’s 20-member board of directors, chaired by Hogsett, has complete power over the organization, according to its articles of incorporation.
When does the board meet?
The board meets on a quarterly basis based around the schedules of its officers.
The location often changes to accommodate the 20-member board. Past meetings have been held at the City-County Building, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the law offices of Faegre Drinker and Barnes & Thornburg.
The next meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 17, at the offices of Barnes & Thornburg, 11 S. Meridian St.
Are board meetings open to the public?
Board meetings are open to the public. Agendas are posted 48 hours in advance at the City-County Building.
Mirror Indy requested copies of past agendas and minutes but has not received them.
Board meeting agendas and minutes will eventually be posted online, but the organization is still in the process of rebuilding its website and determining the best way to make them accessible, Thomas said.
Who’s on the board?
Mirror Indy first requested a list of the organization’s board members back in March but did not receive a copy. The website was recently updated with the full roster.
Thomas said additions to the board were completed in the spring and that the organization is “actively solidifying our public-facing website.”
Its board includes people in the energy, construction and financial sectors, some of whom could stand to benefit from the deals the nonprofit helps strike, for instance, the development of data centers.
Here’s a list of board members, with additional information gleaned from public records.
Joe Hogsett
Mayor of Indianapolis, board chair
Hogsett is the Democratic mayor of Indianapolis serving his third term. He was elected in 2015 following stints as U.S. prosecutor and secretary of state.
Gordon Brooks
Eli Lilly & Co., board treasurer
Brooks is Lilly’s group vice president, controller and corporate strategy. He has served in several international roles with the pharmaceutical company, including financial management and CFO positions in Europe, Japan, Russia and South Africa.
Brandi Davis-Handy
AES Indiana, board secretary
Davis-Handy is president of AES Indiana, an electric utility providing power to more than 500,000 Indy residents. She previously worked at OneAmerica and Project Lead The Way.
Earl Goode
Goode is a longtime figure in Republican politics, having served as chief of staff to Govs. Eric Holcomb and Mitch Daniels.
Tim Bettington
Elanco Animal Health
Bettington is executive vice president of corporate strategy at Elanco Animal Health. He has more than 25 years of experience in the animal health industry. Prior to joining Elanco in 2023, he worked at animal health company Zoetis and led commercial operations for the North American region for Boehringer Ingelheim’s animal health business.
Michael Cline
Purdue University
Cline is chief operating officer for Purdue in Indianapolis. He is also senior vice president for administrative operations for the university, where he manages over 1,300 employees and a $200 million annual operating budget.
Kristin Mays-Corbitt
Mays Chemical
Mays-Corbitt is president of an Indianapolis-based chemical and ingredient distribution company started by her father, William Mays, in 1980. She was named its president in 2012 after serving multiple roles in the company.
Dennis Dye
Shiel Sexton
Dye is executive vice president of capital management at Shiel Sexton, an Indianapolis-based construction company and contractor. He is also a board member and chairs the company’s audit and finance committee.
Chris Gahl
Visit Indy
Gahl is executive vice president and chief business officer at Visit Indy, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the city’s tourism industry. He directs the organization’s sales, marketing and customer service operations and helps market Indy as a convention destination.
Jeff Hagerman
Hagerman construction
Hagerman is the fourth generation of the Hagerman family to lead the commercial construction company. He also serves on the board of directors at AGC of Indiana and The Sycamore School.
Jon Hooker
Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council
Hooker is executive director for the Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents 29,000 union construction workers in the region. He previously served as political director for IBEW 481 and as regional field director for John Gregg, the Democratic candidate for governor in 2016 and former speaker of the Indiana House.
Craig Jackson
Citizens Energy
Jackson joined Citizens Energy Group in 2021. As senior vice president and chief financial officer, he is responsible for the financial integrity of the organization, including strategic financial planning and execution.
Bill Kennedy
Kennedy Tank
Kennedy is president of Kennedy Tank, an Indianapolis-based company specializing in manufacturing, assembling large equipment on job sites and repairing large storage tanks.
Pat Kenney
Wilhelm Construction
Kenney is a fourth-generation leader and president of Wilhelm Construction. He has held multiple roles with the company since 2015.
Mel Raines
Indiana Pacers
Raines is president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Prior to joining the company, she served as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Susan W. Brooks of Indiana and, earlier, assistant to then Vice President Dick Cheney. A native of South Bend, she is on the board of directors of the Pacers Foundation, the Indianapolis Zoo, Visit Indy, and the Economic Club of Indiana.
Dr. Latha Ramchand
IU Indianapolis
Ramchand is chancellor of IU Indianapolis and has a history as a leader of academic institutions stretching back to the early 1990s, when she served as dean of the business school at University of Houston. She served as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri from 2018 to 2023. Ramchand joined IU Indianapolis as chancellor in 2024.
Rafael Sanchez
Old National Bank
Sanchez, an attorney, is chief government and corporate affairs officer for Old National Bank. He was the president and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light (now AES Indiana) from 2016 to 2018. He then joined Old National Bank, where he is the chief government and corporate affairs officer, according to his bio.
Alan Tucker
CSO Architects
Tucker joined CSO Architects in 1989. Since then, he held a variety of positions before becoming president of the firm in 2007. Projects his CSO has been involved with include the Westin Indianapolis Airport Hotel, IU Health’s downtown hospital, the JW Marriott and the Lacy School of Business at Butler University.
Pete Ward
Indianapolis Colts
Ward is chief operating officer of the Colts. He served as the lead liaison on the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium, according to a press release. He’s also served on a variety of boards, including the IU Simon Cancer Center, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association and Crossroads of America.
Jonathan Weinzapfel
Indianapolis Airport Authority
Before joining the Indianapolis Airport Authority as general counsel in 2022, Weinzapfel held leadership positions at Indiana United Ways and Ivy Tech Community College’s Evansville campus. He was mayor of Evansville from 2004 through 2011 and state representative for District 76 from 1999 to 2003.
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Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
Emily Hopkins is a senior reporter at Mirror Indy. You can reach them by phone or Signal at 317-790-5268 or email at emily.hopkins@mirrorindy.org. Follow them on most social media @indyemapolis or on Bluesky @emilyhopkins.bsky.social.
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