Stafford returns to research institute
By Linda Lipp | KPC News
Fort Wayne-
The former director of the Community Research Institute, John Stafford, is coming back to head the center on an interim basis.
The research institute at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne lost both its director, Ellen Cutter, and its chief researcher, Valerie Richardson, late last year. Stafford, who headed the institute before Cutter, is coming out of semi-retirement to keep it going until a permanent replacement can be found.
“He will help us in many ways bridge this transition period, maintain continuity of our existing contracts and I think be a really great resource in helping us recruit the next full-time director,” Vice Chancellor Carl Drummond said.
CRI derives much of its income from research-related contracts with entities such as the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.
Drummond said the search for a new director will move forward as quickly as possible. Whether or not Richardson’s position will be filled has not yet been determined.
Cutter took a job with Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and Richardson took an early retirement.
“I am happy to be assisting the IPFW Community Research Institute in an interim capacity while the search for a new director takes place,” Stafford said. “The institute means a great deal to me both professionally and personally, and it is a pleasure to again play a part in its contributions to the community.”
Although Stafford retired as CRI’s director in summer 2013, he continued to serve as a lecturer in IPFW’s department of public policy. He also remained active in the study of local and state government finance, primarily through work with the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute.
Prior to his 10 years at CRI, Stafford served in several positions in local government with the city of Fort Wayne and Allen County, including work in public policy, economic development, municipal finance and urban planning.
