Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has named 22 business leaders from a diverse array of industries to its board of directors, and the group includes two appointees from the local region.
Among the names on the list released Dec. 21 are Cheryl Hamilton, executive director of Linton/Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and Cory Menke, vice president of operations of OFS Brands of Huntingburg.
Other appointees
- Katie Argus, CFO of BCforward (Indianapolis)
- Mike Ash, regional president of Fifth Third Bank (Indianapolis)
- Steve Baker, president and COO of Indiana Michigan Power (Fort Wayne)
- Melvin Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center Inc. (Terre Haute)
- John Eggleton, president of Kirby Risk Corporation (Lafayette)
- Larry Geise, senior vice president – plant lead of Honda’s Indiana Auto Plant (Greensburg)
- Rick Henvey, president, healthcare operations of Parkview Health (Fort Wayne)
- Steven Jones, dean for professional development of Wabash College (Crawfordsville)
- Matt Koscal, senior vice president and chief administrative officer of Republic Airways (Indianapolis)
- Randy Kron, president of Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. (Indianapolis)
- Staci Kroon, president and CEO of BraunAbility (Carmel)
- Kristina Lund, president and CEO of AES Indiana (Indianapolis)
- Rachel Osting, chief legal officer of Fort Wayne Metals (Fort Wayne)
- Rebekah Payne, partner, Indianapolis location leader of MCM CPAs & Advisors LLP (Indianapolis)
- Josh Plank, partner at WestPoint Financial Group (Indianapolis)
- Mike Ryan, president and CEO of USIC LLC (Indianapolis)
- Casey Stanley, president of Boyce Systems (Daleville)
- Rupal Thanawala, managing director of Trident Systems (Fishers)
- Trent Torrance, COO and executive vice president, international division of United Animal Health Inc. (Sheridan); an
- Jake Vogel, president of Polaris Boats (Elkhart)
More than 150 individuals from member companies make up the Indiana Chamber Board. They are presidents, CEOs and high-level executives from organizations throughout the state. All new board members will serve three-year terms through fall 2024.
“Our board is integral to helping us shape public policy that promotes economic prosperity in Indiana,” said Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “Members are able to apply their specific knowledge and talents to committees to further hone their impact. We look forward to all their contributions.”
John Thompson named chair
Additionally, the Indiana Chamber welcomed John Thompson as its board chair for 2022.
Thompson made his way from the tough housing projects of Baltimore to find great success in Indianapolis as the chairman and CEO of four businesses – including Thompson Distribution and First Electric Supply – and as an investor in a variety of endeavors.
Thompson joined the Indiana Chamber’s board in 2014 and engages on various committees, as well as its Membership Ambassadors initiative. He will serve a one-year term as board chairman through November 2022.
“John embodies all of the qualities of a vibrant and forward-thinking entrepreneur, and he’s been highly engaged on public policy initiatives that impact the state’s prosperity and future,” remarks Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “We are well positioned as an organization and also excited to see where John’s leadership can take us in the next year.”
Thompson also seeks to make his larger community better. He helps attract businesses to the state by serving on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Additionally, he’s a member of the Business Equity for Indy initiative, which focuses on growing a more inclusive business climate.