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A high school junior in Clinton, Iowa.
When you graduated from high school, what did you think you wanted to be as an adult?
Head coach of the Iowa Hawkeye basketball team.
Was there an event in the last 20 years that had a great impact on your aspirations and/or career path?
Simple conversations with my Dad. He taught me to expect great things from myself and instilled in me the belief that, with hard work, I could achieve those expectations.
Where/what do you want to be 20 years from now?
I believe God has a plan for each of our lives. I hope to be living out that plan.
Partner, Ice Miller LLP
Age: 37
Aaron Dixon specializes in commercial real estate law at Ice Miller LLP.
“Every day I learn something new,” said Dixon, who grew up near the Mississippi River in Clinton, Iowa. “One day I’ll work on a hotel development transaction, another day office-retail,”
Some of his better known clients include the state of Indiana, which he represented for its part in the Lucas Oil Stadium construction project, and the owner of the JW Marriott Hotel.
He made partner at Ice Miller in six years, and appreciates the benefits of working in a sizable firm. “You have the entrepreneurial component of trying to grow your own practice,” while also having the support network and structure of a decent size firm behind you.
He attended the University of Iowa, where he earned his undergrad in political science as well as his law degree. He also met his wife, Jennifer, there. He was hired at Ice Miller right out of school and didn’t know a soul when he arrived here in 1999.
“Everything that they sell Indy on—lifestyle, family-friendly, easy to get acclimated—we found to be true and never left,” he said.
He recently finished a year serving as general counsel to the board of the Indiana Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the bar association.
In 2004 and 2008 he coordinated Gov. Mitch Daniels’ summer “student ambassador” program, which sent enthusiastic college students to take candidate Daniels’ message to people who traditionally had not been reached. What Dixon likes most about political activities, he said, is the opportunity to contribute to public policy.
He is also on the board of the Indy Parks Foundation, which supports the city’s parks system.
“When you live in an urban setting, the parks are your backyard,” said Dixon. He and his wife live in Meridian-Kessler with their three children. Some of the projects the foundation is involved with include establishing a sizable urban garden on the east side, and the summer food program for children who qualify for free lunches during the school year.
“For me, it’s just been a natural fit to lend a hand,” he said.•
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