Roberts to Lead Innovation Efforts at IEDC

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The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has a new chief innovation officer. Dave Roberts, who previously served as president of the Battery Innovation Center at the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park, will oversee innovation and entrepreneurship efforts at the IEDC. He succeeds Ian Steff, who was appointed deputy assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing by the Trump Administration in March.

Roberts will be the second person to serve in the position. His responsibilities include supervising the Indiana Small Business Development Center, 21 fund, Launch Indiana and the IEDC’s relationship with Elevate Ventures. In a letter to economic development partners, the IEDC says his experience, which includes time at the helm of Indianapolis-based battery technology company Enerdel, "will be essential in advancing cross-collaboration in Indiana."

Roberts will report to IEDC Senior Vice President of Business Development Rollie Helmling, who was recently promoted from vice president of domestic business development and has been in various leadership roles with the organization since 2008.