Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – Radius Indiana’s Board of Directors announced new members as well as a new set of officers at its final meeting of the year on Dec. 13 at the French Lick Resort.
The board also ratified its 2024 budget that outlines opportunities for the organization and the region to maximize Radius’ current programs and initiatives that it currently supports.
These funding activities include ongoing strong support for tourism marketing through the Discover Southern Indiana brand, the development of multiple aspects of the Monon South Trail, Radius’ business retention and expansion program, the continued evolution of Choose Southern Indiana’s population attraction incentive program, and further support for Naval Support Activity Crane and the Crane Regional Defense Group.
“Radius is excited to dedicate its 2024 budget to continue to grow and support the wide array of programs we’ve developed to help expand our communities’ ecosystems throughout southern Indiana,” said Jeff Quyle, president and CEO of Radius Indiana. “We are looking forward to new opportunities in 2024, specifically in defense, tourism and workforce attraction.”
During the meeting, the board also elected a new slate of officers for 2024. The 2024 Radius Board officers includes:
● Chair Jeff Pipkin, Hoosier Energy
● Vice Chair Bryant Niehoff, Uplands Science and Technology Foundation
● Secretary Heather Setser, Lake Patoka Marina
● Treasurer Brent Sternberg, German American Bank
● Executive Committee members Shance Sizemore, Lawrence County Economic Growth Council; Sam Craig, Mayor of Bedford; and Paul Quick, Smithville.
Four Radius board members were recognized as retiring board members. Former Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, Justin Green (Mayor of Salem), Bryan Brackemyre (Indiana Municipal Power Agency), and Shanni Simmons (Vincennes University) were honored with a proclamation for their service on the board.
Special recognition was given to former Radius CEO and current board Chair, Becky Skillman, as she retires after more than 10 years of service to the organization. Quyle thanked Skillman for her passion and dedication to the region, and noted her immeasurable impact throughout her tenure.
“It’s been a true honor and my absolute pleasure to serve on the Radius Indiana board for the past decade,” said Skillman. “I have no doubt the organization is in great hands moving forward and will continue to lead the state in groundbreaking regional economic development achievements.”
The meeting also featured guest speaker Matthew W. Finn, chief economist at 1834, a division of Old National Bank. In his role, he is responsible for the company’s economic outlook, asset allocation guidance and portfolio management. Finn provided insight into the current state of the economy, future trends and areas of opportunity, emphasizing how labor markets have entered a new and persistent reality of tightness that does not appear to be headed toward loosening in the near future.
Radius will hold its annual stakeholder luncheon in February 2024. More details will be available early in the new year.