NIIC Names New Chief Executive Officer
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The executive committee of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center in Fort Wayne has named Mike Fritsch president and chief executive officer, succeeding Ted Baker, who held the role on an interim basis.
Baker stepped in following the April resignation of Karl LaPan, who accepted a position with the University of Florida. LaPan was the organization’s first CEO, starting in 2000.
This is a promotion for Fritsch, who has worked for NIIC for nine years serving in business development for the nonprofit, business incubator.
“Mike is uniquely qualified with intimate knowledge of The NIIC from several perspectives,” said Larry Rowland, NIIC board chair. “Mike’s business development leadership brought increased funding for programs and initiatives to serve small businesses in the past few years. He has extensive expertise as a business coach and trainer.”
Rowland says Fritsch is a former client and a NIIC founding board member.
“We envision a collaborative, community-supported, entrepreneurial ecosystem, where we work together with key organizations and individuals across Northeast Indiana and beyond to advance small business formation and growth,” said Fritsch. “Doing so will help create cohesion and community for business builders.”