The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership announced today that executive recruiting firm Waverly Partners has been selected to aid in the organization’s search for its next president and chief executive officer. Waverly Partners is a nationally recognized recruiting firm with offices in Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Kansas City, Kansas and Charlottesville, Virginia. The firm has significant experience working with economic development organizations like the Regional Partnership, as well as Fortune 500 manufacturing and service corporations, nonprofits, privately held entrepreneurial growth companies and professional service firms across the country.

The Regional Partnership has also chosen an eight-member committee of regional stakeholders that will lead the search for the organization’s next president and CEO. The search committee is working to finalize the position description and timeline and plans to begin the recruiting process immediately.

“Over the past 15 years, the Regional Partnership has built a collaborative 11 county region focused on competing in the global economy. The organization is now recognized as a leader in the state and nation, and it’s crucial to select the right leader to carry forward the mission and vision of the organization,” said Sherilyn Emberton, Regional Partnership Governing Board chair and president of Huntington University.

The president and CEO search committee members represent a diverse group of community and business leadership and include representation from local economic development organizations, elected officials and key business partners. The committee includes representatives from 5 of the 11 counties included in the Regional Partnership. Listed beside each committee member’s business organization is the county where its principal office is located or material business interest is associated or the individual’s primary county of residence.

• Mark Millett, Steel Dynamics Inc., search committee chair and Governing Board vice chair, DeKalb County
• Bill Bradley, LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, LaGrange County
• Ellen Cutter, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Allen County
• Brian Emerick, Micropulse, Whitley County
• David Findlay, Lake City Bank, Kosciusko County
• Kristin Marcuccilli, STAR Financial Bank, Allen County
• Mayor Steve McMichael, City of New Haven, Allen County
• Edmond O’Neal, Northeast Indiana Works, Allen County

“The Governing Board knew it was critical to select a group with diverse perspectives, broad geographic representation and a mix of economic development, public and private-sector representation. I am confident that the combination of Waverly Partners and this search committee provides the skills, expertise and perspectives to find the ideal candidate,” said Mark Millett, search committee chair, Regional Partnership vice chair and CEO of Steel Dynamics Inc.

CEO of Northeast Indiana Works Edmond O’Neal acknowledged that the committee has a great deal of work ahead and noted the members’ commitment to following a proven process.

“Each search committee member is invested in the success of Northeast Indiana and the Regional Partnership. We know this leadership role is critical, and we look forward to launching the national search and seeking a diverse candidate pool,” O’Neal said.

To learn more about the position or share confidential nominations or suggestions, contact Eric Peterson at neirp@waverly-partners.com.

Visit the Regional Partnership’s website for a full list of Governing Board members. To learn more, visit the website at www.neindiana.com/news.