Regional Partnership
Our region is led by ambitious people who are marked by ingenuity and positivity.
With hard work and determination, our region’s leaders are demonstrating that we can support and execute our big visions, with many catalytic projects developed in just the past few years alone. These developments are transforming the face of downtown Fort Wayne and are serving as regional amenities, allowing people to convene and experience the regional city.
You’ll find us at the forefront of innovation and progress—that’s always good for business.
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s governing board is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of our operations and fiscal matters. Our board members serve three-year terms and are elected by the Regional Opportunities Council (ROC), our investor board of more than 120 members. All 11 counties participate on the governing board: There must be more non-Allen county participants than Allen County participants, no fewer than 10 private-sector members, and no more than six elected official members.
Thanks to the guidance of our board members and regional collaborators, you’ll find us at the forefront of innovation and progress—that’s always good for business.
Meet Our Governing Board Members
Executive Committee
Board Chair
Sherilyn Emberton | Huntington University
Immediate Past Chair
Jeff Turner
Vice Chair
Mark Millett | Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Secretary
Tom Niezer | Barrett McNagny LLP
Treasurer
David Findlay | Lake City Bank
Regional Opportunities Council Chair
Raymond Kusisto | Ortho NorthEast
Public Representative
Mayor Joe Thallemer | City of Warsaw
LEDO Council Chair
Anton King | DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation
Governing Board
- Karl Bandemer | City of Fort Wayne
- Tamra Boucher | 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics
- Bill Bradley | LaGrange County Economic Development
- Mike Cahill | Ruoff Home Mortgage
- Jim Cook | JPMorgan Chase Bank
- Brian Emerick | Micropulse
- Commissioner Barry Eppley | Wabash County
- Arlan Friesen | Ambassador Enterprises
- Jeff Gery | Ash Brokerage
- Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe | City of Kendallville
- Isaac Lee | Steuben County Economic Development
- John Lefever | Retired from STAR Insurance
- Mark Leu | LaGrange County REMC
- Bob Marshall | Noble County Economic Development Corporation and Campbell & Fetter Bank
- David McFadden | Manchester University
- John Miller | Best-One Tire & Service
- Mike Packnett | Parkview Health
- Commissioner Nelson Peters | Allen County
- Kathleen Randolph | Northeast Indiana Works
Honorary Board Members
- Scott Glaze | Fort Wayne Metals
- Tim Haffner | Faegre Baker Daniels
- Jim Marcuccilli | STAR Financial Bank
- Maclyn Parker | Olive B. Cole Foundationx
- Joe Pierce | Retired from Farmers State Bank
- Bob Taylor | Retired from Do it Best Corp.
Ex-Officio Directors
- Linda Walczak | Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Region
- Bill Konyha | Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana
- John Sampson | Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
Advisory Directors
- Rachel Blakeman | Purdue Fort Wayne Community Research Institute (CRI)
- Gene Donaghy
- Savannah Robinson | Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI)
Are you ready to join in our collective success? From our low taxes to our affordable cost of living, we can find a fit for you. Give us a call today, and let’s chat about our future.
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