Keynote Speaker: Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller competed in two Olympic Games, earning 7 Olympic medals! (2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze) She is the only female athlete to be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame – Twice! (Individual (2006) and Team (2008))

Her tally of five medals (2 silver, 3 bronze) at the 1992 Olympics was the most medals won by a US athlete in any sport. At the ’96 Games, she led the “Magnificent Seven” to the US Women’s first ever Team Gold and for the first time for any American gymnast, she captured Gold on the Balance Beam.

In January of 2011, Shannon was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Shannon has remained open and public about her diagnosis and treatment and continues to empower women to make their health a priority. She is currently cancer-free and continues to be a strong advocate for early detection, awareness, research and survivorship.

Shannon is now a mother of two, cancer survivor, author and sports analyst but she will forever be remembered for her focus, determination and as leader of the Magnificent Seven!

Adam Alson

Adam Alson is a third-generation farmer from Rensselaer and president of the nonprofit Appleseed Childhood Education. He holds an economics degree from the University of Chicago and worked as a bond trader for Bank of America in New York City before returning home to run the family farm.

In 2020, Adam and his wife, Carlee Tressel Alson, founded Appleseed to address the lack of accessible child care options in Jasper County. Driven by the work of a volunteer board of professionals and the support of Jasper County, Appleseed will open its first project, a 72-seat, high-quality early learning center, in Rensselaer later this year.

SCOTT BOWERS

Scott Bowers serves as Hoosier Energy’s Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations, directing and managing Public Policy, Strategic Planning and Economic Development.

Bowers joined Hoosier in 2019, bringing extensive experience within both the electric industry and public policy arenas. The Indiana University graduate previously served Indiana Electric Cooperatives as Vice President of Government Relations and the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office as Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Staff. These roles followed various positions of increasing responsibility in government and the private sector.

Bowers is currently based at Hoosier Energy’s headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana.

Tony Denhart

Tony Denhart joined the Indiana Economic Development Corporation as the executive vice president of talent and workforce on Jan. 3, 2022. Prior, Denhart most recently served as the University Relations Director for GE Corporate.

In his role, Denhart reports to Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers to help connect Hoosier businesses and talent resources including universities, government agencies and resources, as well as community and education stakeholders. The goal to make it as easy as possible for employers to develop robust talent pipelines, meet hiring goals and implement training and development programs. He also represents the IEDC as a member of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet.

Denhart joins the IEDC with more than 30 years of developing early career talent attraction strategies and engaging with university recruiting and student relations. Most recently, he led the strategy and implementation of university relations, full-time and internship university hiring needs, military, diversity and campus recruitment initiatives, branding strategy and execution, and research collaboration at GE. Denhart began his career in 1989 as a GE field engineer, in the Field Engineering Program. After several roles of increasing responsibility at GE Power, in 2007, he was promoted to the role of senior services leader where he was responsible for the Midwest region, all client success, field operations and full profit and loss.

Denhart was also involved in his alma mater Purdue University, serving as the Campus Relations Leader (CRL) for six years. As the CRL, he oversaw the recruiting cycle, relationships with the deans, faculty, administration, student organizations and research collaboration. Denhart drove the partnership to new levels where student interaction increased, hiring increased and collaborative research increased by ten times.

ADenhart@iedc.IN.gov

Erin Emerson

Erin Emerson serves as the Executive Director of the Perry County Development Corporation. In this role, Erin leads a variety of economic development initiatives focused on business attraction, business retention & expansion, entrepreneurship & small business development, community & workforce development, and quality of life.

With a fierce passion for growing her hometown, Erin was integrally involved in the development of a re-branding and marketing campaign for Perry County, known as Pick Perry. The campaign has received national attention and numerous honors including a Gold Award in the Talent Development & Retention Category from the International Economic Development Council in 2020.

Erin’s passion for addressing barriers to community growth also led to her involvement with Perry Preschool & Childcare, the county’s only licensed child care center. She has been involved since the initiative’s inception in 2013 and currently serves as the organization’s board president.

Erin also serves on several local and regional boards including the Perry County Mental Health Coalition, the Southwest Indiana Development Council, and Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission’s Economic Recovery & Resiliency Plan Task Force. She lives in Tell City with her family.

Roberto Gallardo

Roberto Gallardo is Director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development and an Agricultural Economics associate professor. He holds an electronics engineering undergraduate degree, a master's in economic development, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. Gallardo has worked with rural communities over the past seventeen years conducting local & regional community economic development, including use of technology for development.

He has authored more than 100 articles and reports including peer-reviewed and news-related regarding rural trends, socioeconomic analysis, industrial clusters, the digital divide, and leveraging broadband applications for community economic development. He also has assisted the state of Indiana implement their broadband programs acting as their Next Level Broadband Connections Director for six months. He is also the author of the book “Responsive Countryside: The Digital Age & Rural Communities”, which highlights a 21st century community development model that helps rural communities transition to, plan for, and prosper in the digital age. Dr. Gallardo is a TEDx speaker and his work has been featured in a WIRED magazine article, a MIC.com documentary, and a RFDTV documentary.

Email: robertog@purdue.edu
Phone: (765) 494-3525

Jodi Golden

Jodi Golden was appointed State Infrastructure Coordinator in March of 2022. Prior to this Jodi served as Co-Chief of Staff/Chief of Agency Operations for Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch.

In her newly appointed role Jodi identifies, analyzes and assists in prioritizing the types of funds available through the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). She also serves a dual role as Chief Broadband Officer for the state, working closely with internal and external stakeholders on broadband policy, financing and grant administration.

In her work as Chief of Agency Operations, Jodi oversaw the agencies within the Lt. Governor’s portfolio. These consist of the Indiana Department of Agriculture, Office of Community & Rural Affairs, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Indiana Housing & Community Development Association & the Indiana Broadband Office.

Before being appointed to Co-Chief of Staff, she previously served as Executive Director of the Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs, the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Indiana Education Savings Authority. While at the IESA, the college savings plans saw an over 1200% increase in both Hoosier accounts and assets, managing over $2.8 billion in college funds. In addition, she served as a Trustee of the Indiana Public Retirement System and as Deputy Finance Director of the Indiana Republican Party. Golden began her career in the Illinois General Assembly, first as a Policy Analyst for the Illinois House of Representatives and then Legislative Assistant for the Illinois Senate.

Golden has been involved in community and leadership organizations including the MPA Advisory Board at SIUC, The Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the College of Business at SIUC, President of the Kennedy-King Neighborhood Association, Board member at FACE Animal Clinic, Mentor at Starfish Initiative and the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. In 2021 Golden was named to the Howey Politics “Power 50” list.

A native of Danville, Illinois, Jodi holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication: Public Relations and a Master of Public Administration from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and lives with her 10 year old toothless pug, Snoop Dog.

Email: Jgolden@gov.in.gov
Phone: (317) 618-0961

Ryan Hadley

Ryan Hadley was appointed as the Executive Director for the Indiana Office of Energy Development in early 2022. Prior to that he lead the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s legislative, media and stakeholder management strategies and advised the Commission on related issues. He also oversaw the Consumer Affairs Division, which provides dispute resolution services to customers and utilities. Additionally, he directed the disbursement strategy of the Underground Plant Protection Account fund, intended to raise awareness of Indiana’s 811 law and provide education on safe digging practices. He joined the Commission staff in May 2015. Hadley earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Indiana.

Email: rhadley@oed.in.gov

J. Brock Herr

Brock currently serves as Sr. Vice President of Business Retention, Expansion & Attraction for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), responsible for managing all the Corporation’s retention, expansion, attraction, and lead generation business development and project management activities by coordinating all aspects of the Business Development Team, including its regional directors, project managers, and support staff. In addition to developing and maintaining partnerships with businesses and community organizations, local officials, consultants and utility partners, Herr facilitates the delivery of IEDC strategic initiative development, services and programs, including traditional incentives, the Strategic Sites Inventory (SSI) Initiative, and Infrastructure & Redevelopment programs. Prior to becoming Sr. Vice President, Brock served the IEDC as VP of Business Development most recently and Director of Account Management & Counsel prior to that, leading the IEDC’s Account Management and Compliance teams.

Prior to his arrival at IEDC, Brock most recently was Counsel & IP Clearances Executive at CMG Worldwide, Inc. During his time there, Herr oversaw the development and implementation of intellectual property portfolio management and monetization strategies for stakeholders, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Jackie Robinson Foundation, Lou Gehrig Society and Purdue Research Foundation.

In addition to his responsibilities at the IEDC, Brock has been active in a variety of community activities, including sitting on the Indiana Economic Development Association Board of Directors and serving as a volunteer youth sports coach. Herr earned dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and International Affairs from The University of Dayton, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Email: BHerr@IEDC.in.gov
Phone: (317) 503-6631

Todd Hurst

Todd Hurst, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Excellence, leading the organization’s team focused on talent attraction, development, and retention strategies for the state of Indiana. Most recently, he served as a senior consultant for the Indianapolis-based consulting firm, Resultant, where he led workforce strategy development and program oversight for the organization’s public sector clients. Todd has been heavily involved with workforce and education in Indiana for many years, serving as the Vice President of Education and Workforce for Regional Opportunity Initiatives as well as the Director of Education and Workforce Innovation with CELL at the University of Indianapolis. Todd holds a Ph.D. in educational studies from the University of Kentucky, as well as a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Indianapolis and an undergraduate degree from Ball State University.

Email: THurst@indianachamber.com
Phone: (317) 264-6862

Danielle McGrath

Danielle McGrath currently serves as President of the Indiana Energy Association, which represents 14 investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, as well as a public charitable trust.

Prior to joining the IEA, she was the chief strategy officer and senior vice president for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which is an organization committed to attracting and supporting business investment, creating new jobs for Hoosiers, and positioning Indiana as one of the top states in the nation for doing business. McGrath also served in other various public service roles, including deputy chief of staff for former Governor Michael R. Pence and executive director of external affairs at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

McGrath earned her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University, where she graduated with honors, and her master’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington.

As for her civic endeavors, McGrath has served as a board member for the FBI Indianapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association and vice president of the DePauw University GOLD Council. She is an alumna of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and a member of the Public Relations Society of America, as well as the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. In 2022, she was recognized as an IBJ Forty under 40 recipient, and in 2016 she received a Sagamore of the Wabash.

McGrath and her husband live in Fishers with their two children.

Email: dmcgrath@indianaenergy.org

Ashley Savieo

Ashley Savieo is a graduate of Purdue University with a graduate degree from Indiana University and is also a certified Economic Development Professional. She has been working in economic and business development since 2005 with local government and private economic development organizations in northeast Indiana. In those roles, she has assisted hundreds of local businesses with their growth goals including General Motors and BAE Systems. While taking a year-long sabbatical from economic development, Ashley led VOSS Automotive’s marketing and communications for its North American business unit, a Germany-based Tier 1 auto supplier. Ashley is currently the director of economic development for American Electric Power leading a team of economic development professionals growing its customer base across six states. She led the AEP team’s negotiations with Intel leading up to the selection of New Albany, Ohio for their newest chip fab facility.

Ashley and her husband Brian give back to their community in many ways but most importantly, by raising a future productive member of society – their son Wyatt.

Denny Spinner

Denny Spinner was appointed by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch to serve as the executive director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs in November of 2020.

Spinner was elected as mayor of Huntingburg in 2011 and served as mayor until his appointment. He is also a former president of the executive board for Accelerate Indiana Municipalities.

He previously served on the Executive Committee for Dubois Strong, as the chief elected officer for Dubois County on the Region 11 Workforce Investment Board, and chaired the Huntingburg Stellar committee, which earned the city the Stellar Community designation in 2014.

Spinner is a graduate of Indiana State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in career and technical education, and Vincennes University, where he earned an associate’s degree in broadcast production technology.

Spinner and his wife Shari have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Email: dspinner@ocra.in.gov

Phone: 317-409-9475