Governor Braun Overhauls Indiana Economic Development Corporation Board

Indiana Governor Mike Braun has overhauled the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Board of Directors, appointing nine new members. The move comes after Braun called for an independent audit into IEDC due to its relationship with Indianapolis-based venture capital firm Elevate Ventures.

"These appointments to the IEDC Board embody the Freedom and Opportunity agenda for IEDC: they hail from communities all around our state, bring experience from across the range of Indiana's key industries, and each of them knows the importance of growing wages and creating job opportunities for Hoosiers because they've done it in their own communities," Braun wrote.

The former board members will end their tenure at the IEDC with the appointment of the new members. The new appointees are:

• Gus Olympidis, owner of Family Express Convenience Stores and director on several boards dedicated to regional and community development in northwest Indiana throughout his career.
• John Gregg, former Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives.
• George Thomas, entrepreneur and executive of Adorn, Duo-Form, Lakota Trailers, Misty Harbor Pontoons, Viaggio Pontoon Boats.
• Billie Dragoo, founder and CEO of RepuCare.
• David Fagan, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.
• Greg Gibson, entrepreneur in commercial real estate development, hospitality and food service industry, trucking, excavation, coal, solid waste landfill development and waste industry advisory services.
• Richard Waterfield, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Waterfield Enterprises and Waterfield Asset Management, Founder and Managing Principal of Waterfield Private Equity Funds.
• Chris King, Executive Vice President of Runnebohm Construction, professional engineer specializing in infrastructure design and construction, land entitlement, and project execution.
• Don Lamb, farmer and Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.