Business & Beyond with Gerry Dick

Mayor Sharon Tucker: “Always fighting for the underdog”

She grew up in Fort Wayne and dreamed of one day breaking barriers and leading her hometown.  And while it didn’t happen in the way in which she would have liked, Sharon Tucker is relishing her new role. The city’s first Black female mayor talks about her inspiration to lead, the importance of neighborhoods and what’s next for Indiana’s second-largest city.

David Rosenberg: Going on the offensive for jobs

Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce is leading an economic development strategy that represents a sea change for the state. Aggressively going after the investment and jobs the state wants rather than waiting for the phone to ring. It is an approach that is yielding record results. In this episode, David Rosenberg talks opportunities and critical challenges for the state and how his Hoosier roots serve as motivation to make things happen.

Julie Roe Lach: Leading from the front

From her days as an All-America student-athlete to leading enforcement at the NCAA to now leading a Division I athletic conference, Julie Roe Lach has never shied away from a challenge. In this episode, the commissioner of the Horizon League talks about challenges and opportunities for mid-major conferences, the chaotic landscape of collegiate sports, and playing pick-up basketball in Pinckneyville, Illinois.

Mitch Frazier: Planting the seeds of growth

He didn’t grow up on a farm, but his small-town upbringing has helped shape his leadership style and vision for Indiana’s agbioscience sector. Meet Agrinovus Indiana CEO Mitch Frazier: military veteran, tech entrepreneur and a firm believer in what could be Indiana’s next big thing.

Stephanie Terry: Trailblazing mayor on a mission

As a child growing up in Evansville, Stephanie Terry dreamed of one day being a doctor. But instead of serving patients, she is now serving the residents of Evansville as the city’s first woman and first African American mayor. In this episode, she talks about priorities, her call to service and what makes Evansville and southwest Indiana special.  

Claire Fiddian-Green: Serendipitous Journey Secures a Hoosier for Life

She began her career as a management consultant in Boston, but a summer internship would launch a difference-making career in Indianapolis.  Fairbanks Foundation CEO Claire Fiddian-Green has led the Indianapolis-based organization since 2015 and is embarking on ambitious initiative to help redefine the workforce in Indiana. In this episode, she talks about the potential of apprenticeships and how they could be game changers for the Hoosier economy.

Ting Gootee: Big changes for ‘Oscars of Tech’

The Mira Awards, the annual celebration of technology and innovation in Indiana,  is turning 25 this year and marking the occasion with some big changes. Techpoint’s “Oscars of Tech” is moving to Old National Centre in downtown Indy. CEO Ting Gootee explains the reasons for the move, the importance of the event and offers her take on Indiana’s tech community.

Pam Whitten: “We’re on our way.”

“We are very, very clear about it. We are going to be the best urban public research university in the country. Bar none.” Indiana University President Pam Whitten does not hold back when asked about expectations for the new IU Indianapolis. In this episode, she talks about the idea behind the breakup of IUPUI, the important role of the business community and the ambitious vision for IU 2030.

Paul Okeson: Construction exec building community

Paul Okeson grew up around the construction business, but never thought he’d make a career of it. But today, the Fort Wayne native is leading Garmong Construction, a 100-year-old Indiana firm with an expanding footprint. In this episode, he talks construction, politics and why community service is part of his DNA.
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Don Lamb: Rooted in tradition with an eye to the future

Don Lamb is winding up his first year as director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture with a renewed optimism about the state’s role in the global ag space. The second-generation Boone County farmer talks about his passion for the family farm, the critical role of precision agriculture and an eye-opening trip to Cuba.