Engage Southern Indiana - New Albany
Speaker / Moderator
Speaker
David Rosenberg
Bio
David Rosenberg has served as Secretary of Commerce for the state of Indiana and a member of Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s cabinet since his appointment in August 2023. In his role, Sec. Rosenberg leads the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), guiding the strategy and growth of the state’s economy and its related economic development efforts. Rosenberg joined the IEDC in August 2021. Prior to becoming secretary of commerce, he served as the IEDC’s chief operating officer and chief of staff.
As chief operating officer and chief of staff for the IEDC, Rosenberg oversaw the agency’s operations, cultural and young professional development team, as well as several strategic IEDC initiatives, including the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), and the LEAP Innovation and Research District in Boone County. Rosenberg helped build and lead the IEDC’s 100+ person international team that, under the leadership of Gov. Holcomb, has achieved unprecedented success for Indiana’s economy. This includes record-breaking committed capital from companies at $28.7 billion in 2023 and securing historic economic funding from the state legislature.
Rosenberg is a proven leader within the state, boasting an impressive track record that includes a significant role as Deputy Chief of Staff under Mayor Greg Ballard where he oversaw the management of substantial development projects worth billions of dollars, optimizing operations across the enterprise, and represented the city in both the City-County Council and within the Statehouse.
His previous experience also extended to the education sector, where he served as the Operations Officer for Indianapolis Public Schools, the largest school district in the state. Rosenberg spearheaded the reorganization and modernization of transportation services, effectively directed the management of over 9 million square feet of real estate assets, and also led the sale and development of the Bottleworks District.
Rosenberg also served previously as a consultant for a versatile, multi-client firm, advising and advocating for clients across various levels of government. His areas of focus included K-12 education, facility financing, and operations enhancement. He currently serves on boards for Visit Indy and KIPP Indy Public Schools.
Rosenberg was recently recognized as one of Howey Politics Indiana’s Power 50 and one of Indiana’s 250 Most Influential Leaders by Indiana Business Journal (IBJ). He is also a recipient of the IBJ’s ‘Forty under 40’ recognition. He is a graduate of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and resides in Zionsville with his wife, Ali, and their children Will, Lily and Jack.
Moderator
Gerry Dick
Bio
In June 2000, broadcast news veteran Gerry Dick and technology entrepreneur Scott A. Jones formed Grow INdiana Media Ventures, LLC, a media company created to deliver Indiana business news and information through multiple media sources. Mr. Dick is president and managing editor of Inside INdiana Business, a division of IBJ Media.
GIMV properties include the EMMY-award-winning Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Indiana’s most-watched local business television program; InsideIndianaBusiness.com; Inside INdiana Business Radio, The INside Edge Morning Briefing and Midday e-newsletters and a variety of interactive and mobile media products.
Mr. Dick is also a frequent keynote speaker and moderator on issues related to the Indiana economy and serves as a business analyst for CBS4 & FOX 59 (Indianapolis) and 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis).
Mr. Dick's broadcast news background includes 14 years as a principal reporter and field anchor at WRTV (ABC) in Indianapolis. While at WRTV, he reported on issues facing communities throughout Indiana and neighboring states. His work received an Emmy nomination for a 1993 series on Indiana companies doing business along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also held reporter and anchor positions at television stations in Fort Wayne and Terre Haute.
Prior to the creation of Grow INdiana Media Ventures, Mr. Dick served as senior vice president of the Indianapolis Economic Development Corporation, where he was responsible for a broad range of initiatives, including marketing, communications, advertising and media relations.
Mr. Dick has three times been presented with the state’s top honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash, by Governors Kernan, Daniels and Pence. He has also received Ernst and Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award and been recognized by the Small Business Administration as its Journalist of the Year. Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick has received an EMMY five times for best interview/discussion program/series or special.
Mr. Dick is a native Hoosier, born and raised in the Vermillion County community of Clinton. He is a graduate of Indiana State University, which has recognized his professional accomplishments with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
He is a member of the board of directors of The International Center and past board member of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Board of Advisors at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Dean’s Executive Council at the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University and is a founding member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Indiana University School of Informatics. Mr. Dick also serves as chairman of the Scholarship Selection Committee for Vectren Corporation and is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.
Mr. Dick is married to the former Roz Redman of Dana, Indiana. Roz and Gerry are residents of Lawrence Township in Indianapolis and have three children.
Panelists
Panelist
Lance Allison
Bio
Lance Allison began his career in small business first as a photographer and then owner/photographer of Allison Photography. After 20 years, Lance retired from Photography and became President/CEO of the Murray-Calloway County (KY) Chamber of Commerce in 2008. In 2013, Allison assumed the role as President/CEO of the Panama City Beach (FL) Chamber of Commerce. In 2016 Lance joined Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing as a Director of Business Development. In March of 2024, Lance became the President/CEO of One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.
Panelist
Dr. Debbie Ford
Bio
Dr. Debbie Ford became Chancellor of IU Southeast in July 2023, becoming the sixth chancellor and second woman chancellor to serve the campus. An Indiana University alumna with deep experience in supporting student success and community engagement, Dr. Ford will oversee all aspects of the academic and operational dimensions of the campus, in collaboration with the university administration and the other Indiana University regional campuses.
A strong proponent of community engagement, she has been appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Directors for One Southern Indiana (1si). Dr. Ford also serves on the Advisory Board of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and will serve as the executive sponsor representing the five regional IU campuses for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Student Success Equity Intensive.
Before joining the learning community at IU Southeast, Dr. Ford served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for 14 years. Prior to UW-Parkside, Dr. Ford served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of West Florida, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dr. Ford holds her B.S. from the University of Louisville, her Master of Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University, and her Doctor of Education from the University of Louisville.
Panelist
Treva Hodges
Bio
Dr. Treva Hodges is the current Mayor of Charlestown, Indiana, serving her second term. She received her B.A. (2006) and M.A. (2008) in Communication Studies from the University of Alabama and completed her Ph.D. in Humanities at the University of Louisville in 2019.
Dr. Hodges began her professional career as a business analyst for a major southeastern mortgage banking company before transitioning to higher education where she obtained over a decade of teaching and administrative experience. She has served in a variety of educational and community youth mentor programs that connect economically and socially marginalized students with resources to improve academic performance and foster interest in higher education. Dr. Hodges has been recognized by her peers with several awards for service and research. She currently serves as President of the River Ridge Development Authority, on the Executive Board of the River Hills Economic Development District, and on the Accelerating Indiana Municipalities Board of Directors. In addition, Dr. Hodges volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana and the Youth Link Lunch Buddies program at local elementary schools. A self-described “Hoosier by choice,” Dr. Hodges loves living in Southern Indiana with her husband, Ed Byers, and an assortment of furry and feathered friends.
Panelist
Paul Perkins
Bio
PAUL PERKINS
President and Co-Founder of Amatrol, Inc. and CEO of DAC Worldwide, LLC
Amatrol is an Indiana-based manufacturer of technical learning systems and online interactive multimedia software, which prepare individuals for occupations in Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, energy, and logistics. DAC Worldwide is a New Jersey-based manufacturer of engineering and industrial skills training products.
Paul holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Paul is the author of over 20 texts on industrial automation.
Paul served as a consultant on workforce development to various Fortune 500 organizations, multiple US governmental agencies, and foreign governments.
Paul is a past chairman of Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Paul is a board member of Indiana Manufacturers Association.
Paul is a past Chair of the National Governors Association State Workforce Board Chairs Association, Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet.
Panelist
Ned Pfau
Bio
Since 1965, Norman E. (Ned) Pfau, Jr. has been President and CEO of Geo. Pfau’s Sons Company.Geo. Pfau is an international manufacturer of specialty fats and oils.Pfau is a native Hoosier, and attended Culver Summer Naval School and Jeffersonville High School.He is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, earning a B.S. in Finance.
Pfau’s present and past directorships include River Ridge Commerce Authority (26 years); Paul Ogle Foundation; Indiana University Foundation; Indiana University Varsity Club (Past President); Indiana Manufacturers Association (Past Chairman); Ivy Tech Community College (Former Trustee); Indiana State Chamber of Commerce; Jeffersonville Enterprise Association; Indiana Port Commission (20 years); Bank One Kentucky (27 years); Wesbanco Bank (8 years); Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Louisville Branch (Past Chairman); Bridgepoint Goodwill and Easter Seals (Past Chairman); and Clark County Metro United Way (Past Chairman and President).
Pfau was inducted into the Kentuckiana Business Hall of Fame in 2012.Pfau is an Honorary I-Man Indiana University, Past Recipient Red Cross Humanitarian Award, and Ivy Tech Legacy Award.