Engage East Central Indiana - Muncie

Trevor Friedeberg has served as President and CEO of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership (ECIRP) since March of 2022. He came to the partnership after 13 years at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where he was the Director of Business Development Projects, leading his team focused on securing business attraction and expansions across the state. He is passionate about strengthening communities through economic development that leads to greater opportunities for all residents. The ECIRP is the lead organization on the region’s READI applications, which through 2 rounds have resulted in $50 million of support for the East Central region. He is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional through Grow America (fka the National Development Council), serves on the Eastern Indiana Works workforce board, and is also a board member of the Indiana Economic Developers Association (IEDA). He earned a B.S. in Environmental Economics and Policy from Michigan State University as well as his MBA from the Eli Broad College of Business.

Mark K. Hardwick currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank.

Mark joined First Merchants in November of 1997 as corporate controller and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in April of 2002. In June of 2007, Hardwick also assumed all leadership responsibilities related to operations, technology, and risk management for the corporation. In 2016, Mark’s title expanded to include Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the leadership responsibilities for finance, operations, technology, risk, legal, and facilities for the corporation. In 2021, Mark was promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining First Merchants Corporation, Mark served as a senior accountant with BKD, LLP in Indianapolis.

Mark is a graduate of Ball State University with a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is also a certified public accountant and a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking.

Mark is a trustee for Ball State University, serving as the chair for the Audit Committee. Mark is also a member of Next Muncie. Mark was inducted into the Ball State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also the recipient of the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “CFO of the Year” in 2012.

Mark and his wife, Cathy, live in Carmel and have two children, Halie and Bryce.

President Geoffrey S. Mearns serves as the 17th president of Ball State University.

After joining the University in May 2017, President Mearns helped to develop a new strategic plan. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes a long-range vision for the University that sets priorities across five key areas: undergraduate excellence, graduate education and lifetime learning, community engagement and impact, scholarship and societal impact, and institutional and inclusive excellence.

During his tenure, President Mearns has pursued initiatives that have produced the largest freshman class in history and increased alumni engagement and fundraising. President Mearns has also strengthened the University’s relationship with the community, most notably through its innovative partnership with Muncie Community Schools.

President Mearns earned his undergraduate degree in English from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. After a legal career that included serving as a federal prosecutor, President Mearns held academic and administrative roles at Cleveland State University, and then he served as president of Northern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Jennifer, have five children.

Ronald, driven by a calling to ministry, business, and servant leadership since an early age, has emerged as a multifaceted professional encompassing the roles of a minister, entrepreneur, community leader, and motivational speaker. His diverse skill set allows him to seamlessly navigate and excel in these distinct avenues, each contributing to the enrichment of the others.

Through his extensive involvement in ministry, Ronald has had the privilege of traversing the globe, engaging in both performance and instructional capacities. This global exposure has equipped him with the knowledge necessary to not only successfully manage businesses but also to become a significant influencer within the community. Ronald firmly believes that the principles embedded in each facet of his professional journey mutually reinforce one another.

In October 2019, Ronald embarked on his inaugural solo business venture, Morrell's Scooters, diving into the rapidly expanding realm of ride-sharing micromobility. Subsequently, he introduced Elevated Events, a premier event center situated in downtown Marion (IN).

In 2021, Ronald assumed the role of Executive Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Grant County, orchestrating remarkable growth from a $0 budget to $500k in just two years.

A proud husband and father of two daughters, Ronald draws inspiration from his family. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2017, he possesses a diverse portfolio tailored to resonate with a broad spectrum of individuals, congregations, and businesses.

Ronald has etched his name in history as the first black Republican Mayor in Indiana and the inaugural black Mayor of Marion (IN). Fueled by a passion for serving his community, he looks forward to leveraging his honed skills to steer the city toward a new and prosperous trajectory.

Lathay R. Pegues was born in Muncie, IN, attending Muncie Community Schools. He graduated from Muncie Central High School, where he was co-captain of the celebrated Bearcat basketball team. Lathay furthered his education at Indiana University-Bloomington with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. During his undergraduate studies he served as president of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Incorporated, Alpha Chapter. 

Considered a dream career since he was in high school, Lathay landed his first broadcasting job as a producer/general assignment reporter with WGEM News, a NBC affiliate in Quincy, IL. He quickly worked his way up to the “lead anchor” position for WGEM News Weekend Edition, during which he won a Regional Emmy Award for excellence in Journalism. After spending five years reporting in the Tri-State area, Lathay moved on to a reporting/anchor position at Milwaukee’s WVTV-TV. After nearly two years with that station, the company shut down its news operation, leaving employees scattering for jobs. It was at this time Lathay decided to put his career on hold and chase another dream, launching JohnTom’s Barbecue Sauce company, inspired by his grandfather’s secret sauce recipe. 

Lathay moved his family to Muncie and successfully started the business before landing another reporting job at the Muncie Star Press. After seven years of juggling a career and small business, Lathay decided it was time to permanently leave the journalism world and focus solely on his own company. In 2014, he left the Star Press and went full time for JohnTom’s. Since then, the company has grown exponentially, landing accounts with Kroger, Target, Fresh Thyme, Ball State University, and Indiana University, to name a few. The sauce also was awarded “Best Sauce in Indiana” from Indianapolis Monthly Magazine. 

In his off time, Lathay volunteers throughout the Muncie community, serving as Commissioner for Delaware County Housing Authority, 2nd Vice President of Muncie-Delaware County Black Chamber of Commerce, and Committeeman for Delaware County Community Development. In his spare time, he enjoys playing drums, grilling, walking the Muncie trails, golfing, and creating memories with his family. 

State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray was elected to serve House District 35 in 2020. Born and raised in Delaware County, she graduated from Muncie Burris High School before attending Ball State University.

After working as a legislative director for former U.S. Congressman Mark Souder of Indiana in Washington, D.C., Rowray worked at the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance and served as a Yorktown school board member. She now consults in the non-profit sector.

Rowray lives in Yorktown with her husband and three children.