Chamber Honors Best in Business

Hershman's efforts over the years have focused on tax legislation and telecommunications reform.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce hosted more than 1,500 business, academic and community leaders Wednesday for its annual awards dinner. Fort Wayne-based Parkview Health Chief Executive Officer Mike Packnett won Business Leader of the Year and State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-70) was named Government Leader of the Year. Indianapolis-based TinderBox CEO Dustin Sapp won the first Indiana Vision 2025 Leader of the Year award.

The new award recognizes contributions to the chamber’s long-range economic development plan. The chamber says Sapp exemplifies what is needed to grow a culture of innovation in Indiana.

Packnett came to Fort Wayne less than a decade ago to take the helm at Parkview Health. The chamber says his leadership has helped address long-term needs in northeast Indiana, including population and wage growth.

Hershman is majority floor leader and chair of the Senate’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. His efforts over the years have focused on tax legislation and telecommunications reform.

As previously announced, Carmel was honored as Community of the Year.

Presidential strategists Karl Rove and James Carville were the featured speakers at this year’s event.