Architectural exec Schellinger picked as president of IEDC

Gov. Mike Pence named former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Schellinger as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. on Wednesday afternoon.

Schellinger, chairman and CEO of Indianapolis-based CSO Architects Inc., was appointed to the IEDC's 12-member board by Pence, a Republican, in May 2013.

CSO is the city's second largest architectural firm, with annual billings of $18.1 million in 2014. Schellinger was named CEO of the firm in 1996.

The firm's projects include Circle Centre mall, the Indiana Historical Society museum, the Indianapolis International Airport, the Palladium and the JW Marriott.

The state said Schellinger will take a leave of absence from CSO starting Aug. 10.

“Since day one, our administration has prioritized establishing Indiana as the best state in the nation for job creation," Pence said in a written statement. "To do this, we need a top-notch team at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and Jim Schellinger is the right man at the right time to lead the organization.”

Schellinger, 55, ran for governor in 2007 but narrowly lost in the Democratic primary to Jill Long Thompson, who lost in the general election to Mitch Daniels.

The South Bend native and University of Notre Dame graduate will work with Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith at the IEDC, which is the state's primary agency responsible for job creation.

He will fill the position vacated May 1 by Eric Doden, who left to become CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

Schellinger has filled numerous civic and not-for-profit positions, including the Indiana Sports Corp. board, the Catholic Community Foundation Board, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Washington Township Schools Foundation and the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board.

“I greatly appreciate this opportunity to positively impact the economic progress in Indiana for years to come,” Schellinger said in a written statement. “I look forward to working with Gov. Pence, Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith and the IEDC team to support the growth of our Hoosier businesses and attract new companies to Indiana as we commit to ensuring quality employment for our residents across the state.”