Indiana 250 Off the Record IBJ Media

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Mickey Maurer, a distinguished member of the inaugural Indiana 250 class and a prominent figure in Indiana's business and philanthropic communities. They explore Mickey’s multifaceted career, from his beginnings in an entrepreneurial family in Indianapolis to his impactful roles in state government, media, and beyond. Mickey’s journey includes serving as the first president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under Governor Mitch Daniels, a successful stint in law, and his adventures in entrepreneurship which span various industries such as cable television, banking, filmmaking, books, and newspapers. He also shares insights into his failure at retirement, his passion for philanthropy exemplified by Mickey's Camp, and his noteworthy contributions to education and local communities.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Ersal Ozdemir, founder of the commercial real estate company Keystone Group and founder of the Indy Eleven professional soccer team. Ersal shares his journey from Turkey to Indiana, his path to Purdue University, and his decision to establish a life and business in Indianapolis. We discuss his involvement in some of the most significant real estate developments in central Indiana, including downtown office conversion to residential and mixed-use developments, how his passion for soccer led him to start the professional soccer franchise Indy Eleven, and his future plans, including Eleven Park which will include a world-class soccer stadium.  Finally, Ersal reflects on the vital role sports and quality living environments play in enhancing a city's attractiveness for attracting and retaining talent.
 

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Jim Morris, Vice Chair of Pacer Sports & Entertainment. Jim reflects on his influential leadership journey in Indianapolis and beyond and shares insights from his time as Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Lugar, highlighting Lugar's inclusive leadership and commitment to community building. He discusses the importance of a vibrant downtown and the success of Indianapolis' sports strategy in transforming the city's reputation and economy, his experience at the United Nations World Food Program, the significance of the separation of IUPUI into two distinct university campuses, and emphasizes the value of building relationships and bipartisanship for the collective advancement of Indianapolis.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Sue Ellspermann, former Indiana Lieutenant Governor and current President of Ivy Tech Community College, the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Sue shares her leadership journey, covering her experiences working with Fortune 500 companies, running her own consulting business, serving in politics, and later leading Ivy Tech. She emphasizes Ivy Tech's role in providing high-quality, affordable education and their commitment to meeting Indiana's workforce needs. They also touch on the Green to Gold partnership with Purdue, the Nursing Indiana Back to Health program, the importance of self-leadership, and the need for more initiatives like the Stellar Communities program for community development.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Rafael Sanchez, Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer, and Indianapolis Market President for Old National Bank. They discuss Rafael's journey from Puerto Rico to Indiana, his transition from law to business, and his role as co-chair of the 2024 NBA All Star Game taking place this weekend in Indianapolis. Rafael discusses the importance of community engagement, his leadership lessons, and his philosophy for seeking out new opportunities. 

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Paul Mitchell, President and CEO of the Energy Systems Network and head of the Indy Autonomous Challenge. In their discussion, Paul touches on his upbringing as well as his experiences as a lead singer in a rock band while attending college and grad school.  Paul discusses his work with Governor Mitch Daniels and the experiences and lessons learned that have served him well throughout his career.  The discussion also explores Paul’s interest and involvement in the future of energy and alternative energy sources, electronic vehicles, his insights on the convergence of technology in different sectors, and the Indy Autonomous Challenge.  Paul also shares his thoughts on what is needed for Indiana to continue to compete and thrive.