Indiana 250 Off the Record

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Bob Vitoux, CEO of OrthoWorx, an organization aimed at maintaining Warsaw, Indiana's status as the Orthopedic Capital of the World. They delve into Bob's extensive background in the orthopedics industry, his journey from public accounting to leading OrthoWorx, and the history and significance of the orthopedic sector in Warsaw. They discuss the origins of the industry in the late 1800s, the impact of key figures like Dane Miller, and the role of OrthoWorx in fostering innovation and talent retention within the industry.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Mickey Maurer, a distinguished member of the inaugural Indiana 250 class and a prominent figure in Indiana's business and philanthropic communities. They explore Mickey’s multifaceted career, from his beginnings in an entrepreneurial family in Indianapolis to his impactful roles in state government, media, and beyond. Mickey’s journey includes serving as the first president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under Governor Mitch Daniels, a successful stint in law, and his adventures in entrepreneurship which span various industries such as cable television, banking, filmmaking, books, and newspapers. He also shares insights into his failure at retirement, his passion for philanthropy exemplified by Mickey's Camp, and his noteworthy contributions to education and local communities.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Ersal Ozdemir, founder of the commercial real estate company Keystone Group and founder of the Indy Eleven professional soccer team. Ersal shares his journey from Turkey to Indiana, his path to Purdue University, and his decision to establish a life and business in Indianapolis. We discuss his involvement in some of the most significant real estate developments in central Indiana, including downtown office conversion to residential and mixed-use developments, how his passion for soccer led him to start the professional soccer franchise Indy Eleven, and his future plans, including Eleven Park which will include a world-class soccer stadium. Finally, Ersal reflects on the vital role sports and quality living environments play in enhancing a city's attractiveness for attracting and retaining talent.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Jim Morris, Vice Chair of Pacer Sports & Entertainment. Jim reflects on his influential leadership journey in Indianapolis and beyond and shares insights from his time as Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Lugar, highlighting Lugar's inclusive leadership and commitment to community building. He discusses the importance of a vibrant downtown and the success of Indianapolis' sports strategy in transforming the city's reputation and economy, his experience at the United Nations World Food Program, the significance of the separation of IUPUI into two distinct university campuses, and emphasizes the value of building relationships and bipartisanship for the collective advancement of Indianapolis.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Sue Ellspermann, former Indiana Lieutenant Governor and current President of Ivy Tech Community College, the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Sue shares her leadership journey, covering her experiences working with Fortune 500 companies, running her own consulting business, serving in politics, and later leading Ivy Tech. She emphasizes Ivy Tech's role in providing high-quality, affordable education and their commitment to meeting Indiana's workforce needs. They also touch on the Green to Gold partnership with Purdue, the Nursing Indiana Back to Health program, the importance of self-leadership, and the need for more initiatives like the Stellar Communities program for community development.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Rafael Sanchez, Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer, and Indianapolis Market President for Old National Bank. They discuss Rafael's journey from Puerto Rico to Indiana, his transition from law to business, and his role as co-chair of the 2024 NBA All Star Game taking place this weekend in Indianapolis. Rafael discusses the importance of community engagement, his leadership lessons, and his philosophy for seeking out new opportunities.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Paul Mitchell, President and CEO of the Energy Systems Network and head of the Indy Autonomous Challenge. In their discussion, Paul touches on his upbringing as well as his experiences as a lead singer in a rock band while attending college and grad school. Paul discusses his work with Governor Mitch Daniels and the experiences and lessons learned that have served him well throughout his career. The discussion also explores Paul’s interest and involvement in the future of energy and alternative energy sources, electronic vehicles, his insights on the convergence of technology in different sectors, and the Indy Autonomous Challenge. Paul also shares his thoughts on what is needed for Indiana to continue to compete and thrive.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Allison Melangton, Senior Vice President at Penske Entertainment. In their discussion, Allison shares stories of her upbringing, the opportunity, vision, and passion that led her to pick up and move to Indiana without ever having visited the state previously, as well as her thoughts on what sets Indianapolis and Indiana apart from anywhere else in the country. Allison takes a deep dive into various major sporting events in Indianapolis over the last three decades, including the 100th running of the Indy 500 and the 2012 Super Bowl. She also covers her civic involvement in community service projects, her philosophy on volunteerism and philanthropy, as well as the importance of leadership alignment and partnership in the sports industry.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with the Dean of the Notre Dame Law School, Marcus Cole. In their discussion, Marcus shares personal stories as a son of immigrants growing up in Pittsburgh, how lawyers have “super powers,” his journey to becoming a law professor, and his work on religious liberty and international initiatives at Notre Dame. Their discussion also touches on important topics such as freedom of speech on college campuses, Marcus’ philosophy of having an impact on the world, his personal perspective on leadership, underscoring the importance of doing what’s right rather than what’s popular.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Kevin Brinegar, the outgoing CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. They discuss Kevin's 31-year-long journey with the Chamber and his key contributions to improving the state's business and economic climate. Kevin shares his insights about the evolution of Indiana’s political landscape, highlighting the major policy changes he helped drive, and emphasizing the crucial issue of workforce development. They also touch upon strategic governmental reforms, the challenges posed by rapid technological change and the importance of realizing the goals set forth in the Chamber’s 'Indiana Prosperity 2035' plan.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University. In their discussion, Chiang discusses his path to Purdue, the university’s impressive commitment to controlling tuition, and the many initiatives that are unfolding under his leadership, including plans for the Indianapolis campus. They delve into the institution's expansion plans, its impressive rankings, and how Purdue’s expertise in tech development and research are assets in Indiana’s economic development efforts. They also touch upon Indiana’s many attributes, including being ranked as the best state to start a business.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with former Indiana Governor and Purdue University President Mitch Daniels. The discussion revolves around Daniels’ illustrious career, including his roles with Senator Richard Lugar, Chief Political Advisor to President Ronald Reagan and Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. Daniels discusses his work as Indiana's Governor, his transformative tenure at Purdue University, and his insights on the future of Indiana. The conversation also touches on ideas to further Indiana’s economic development and Daniels’ post-Purdue retirement activities.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Dennis Murphy, CEO of IU Health, the largest health system in our state. During the conversation, Dennis shares about his upbringing, the journey that led him to become a healthcare leader, and talks through his experience in a leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dennis gives a detailed update on the transformational IU Health building project downtown as well as long term plans to aid in improving the neighborhood, ultimately leading to a healthier city. The conversation also touches on the role IU Health plays in the health of all Hoosiers, as well as his personal passion for service, and the common thread of a notion of purpose that runs through the IU Health community. Dennis gives his thoughts on what sets Indianapolis, and Indiana, apart from other places he has lived and why he and his family are Hoosiers for life.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Earl Goode, chief of staff to Governor Eric Holcomb, and former chief of staff to Governor Mitch Daniels. In only his 2nd interview in his 15 years of public service, Earl opens up about his title as the longest-serving chief of staff in Indiana history as well as the significant role he has played in lasting statewide initiatives. The conversation also touches on Earl’s personal journey from Kentucky to Indiana, the decisions that led to his career in public service following 39 years in the private sector, and his thoughts and involvement in promoting and supporting next-generation leaders.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Karrah Herring, Indiana's very first Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity Officer, appointed in Nov 2020. Karrah takes a deep dive into her role, discusses her team’s accomplishments, and lays out her vision and what she hopes to accomplish in the remaining 14 months of the Holcomb administration. Karrah talks about the importance of systemic change, discusses her interest in education reform, and shares personal anecdotes that help explain her leadership style and core values. The conversation reveals her aspirations for creating an infrastructure that will continue to make Indiana a more inclusive state for years to come.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Emil Ekiyor, founder and CEO of InnoPower, Inc. In their discussion, Emil shares his experience moving from Nigeria to the United States alone as a 15-year-old boy and the opportunities that followed, including a college football scholarship and six years playing in the NFL. Emil reflects on the skills he learned through sports that played a key role in starting several businesses and talks about people who helped him develop his leadership style and work ethic. Emil also discusses InnoPower's mission to drive innovation and economic growth in predominantly Black communities and its partnership with TechPoint to increase minority representation in the tech sector. Emil touches on life as a parent and what led him to decide to make Indiana his permanent home following his NFL career.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Rick Fuson, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Anticipating his upcoming 40th anniversary with the Pacers, Rick discusses his most influential mentors and their impact on his leadership style. Rick touches on downtown Indianapolis developments, including Gainbridge Fieldhouse upgrades and the transformative Bicentennial Unity Plaza, as well as the upcoming 2024 NBA All-Star Game as a global showcase and the positive impacts on the city. Rick also shares some of his encounters with notable figures throughout his career, including Magic Johnson, the Dalai Lama, Harrison Ford, and others. Reflecting on the incredible development of our city and state over the years, Rick gives his thoughts on what is needed to continue to drive us forward as a great place to live and work.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Melissa Proffitt, partner in charge of client relations at Ice Miller. As a prominent community leader, Melissa discusses her extensive involvement in community organizations, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership and political engagement. Melissa also talks about growing up in Indiana, why she will never move out of the state, and the impact that her alma mater, Indiana University, had on the trajectory of her career. She also gives a preview of what’s coming for the Indy Chamber and the important work that is taking place this very week.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Pamela Whitten, the 19th president of Indiana University. She discusses her unlikely journey to becoming a university president, her belief that everyone should have the opportunity to attend college and her core values as a leader, which include doing what's right, being innovative and embracing non-traditional ways of thinking. She also talks about IU’s plans to develop its Indianapolis campus now that the school is decoupling from Purdue University and making the school an economic driver for Indianapolis. And she explains how she became a big sports fan.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Brad Chambers about his more than two years as Indiana’s secretary of commerce and his decision to run for office for the first time. Chambers highlights the state's record-setting job creation and investment numbers, which he credits to a focus on quality jobs over quantity, a commitment to telling Indiana's story and an updated economic development toolkit. He also discusses his decision to step down from his role and his plans to run for governor of Indiana.