Engage Greater Lafayette - West Lafayette
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
Erin R. Easter
Bio
Erin Easter is the newly elected Mayor for the City of West Lafayette. Her new four-year term began January 1, 2024. Prior to being Mayor, Erin was the Director of Development for the City of West Lafayette. She joined the City of West Lafayette in 2018. Her role included economic and community development and redevelopment of the community.
Erin relocated to the Greater Lafayette area in 1997. She graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School and earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Purdue University. In 2008 Erin joined the Obama for America campaign in Northeast Ohio, working through the general election on county-wide campaign operations. In 2009 she began a nine-year career with Greater Lafayette Commerce, departing as the Vice President of Chamber & Quality of Life.
Erin and her family live in the New Chauncey Historic Neighborhood of West Lafayette.
Panelist
Roberto Gallardo, Ph.D.
Bio
Roberto Gallardo is the Vice President for Engagement at Purdue University. The Office of Engagement fosters reciprocal relationships with external partners to address societal challenges by leveraging University resources in teaching, research, and engagement. He is an Agricultural Economics associate professor and holds an electronic and communications engineering undergraduate degree, a master's in economic development, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. Gallardo has worked with regions and communities—relying on bidirectional engagement—for 20 years conducting local & regional community economic development.
He has authored more than 100 articles and reports regarding regional, community, and economic development including peer-reviewed and news-related on socioeconomic trends and analysis, industrial clusters, and the digital divide. He assisted the state of Indiana implement their broadband programs acting as their Next Level Broadband Connections Director for six months and his team played a critical role in developing Indiana’s first digital equity plan. Dr. Gallardo is also working with his team to evaluate the impact of the Economic Development Administration $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge program and is partnering with the Indiana University Public Policy Institute to evaluate the impact of Indiana’s Economic Development Corporation regional economic acceleration and development $500 million program (READI). His team has also partnered with the National Science Foundation to develop and implement a regional impact evaluation framework for the agency’s Engines program.
He is the principal investigator of the Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration grant, currently serves on the Federal Reserve Board Community Advisory Council, and is the author of the book “Responsive Countryside: The Digital Age & Rural Communities”, which highlights a 21st century community development model that helps rural communities transition to, plan for, and prosper in the digital age. Dr. Gallardo is a TEDx speaker.
Panelist
Evan Rocheford
Bio
Evan Rocheford is the Co-Founder and CEO of NutraMaize, a Purdue-affiliated AgBioScience company on a mission to transform the world’s largest staple crop – corn – into a platform for delivering better nutrition on a population-wide scale. NutraMaize specializes in the development of orange corn hybrids, which get their vibrant color from significantly enhanced levels of antioxidant carotenoids. To date, NutraMaize has secured over $3 million in non-dilutive federal grant funding (SBIR/STTR) and is in the process of scaling its first commercial F1 hybrid to supply feed to organic egg producers.
Panelist
Steve Schreckengast
Panelist
Robert Ulibarri
Bio
Saab’s presence in West Lafayette, IN has been cemented with the hiring of Indiana native, Robert Ulibarrí, as General Manager and Vice President, Aerospace Systems. Robert assumed the position on March 16, 2020, leading Saab’s facility for advanced manufacturing and production for aerospace systems. The facility brings in a new era of U.S.-based advanced manufacturing and innovation through a research partnership with Purdue’s world-leading aerospace engineering program.
“As Saab builds this state-of-the-art facility in West Lafayette in partnership with Purdue University, we knew we needed to hire an experienced, forward-thinking General Manager with an ingrained understanding of the community. Robert’s background and profile are a perfect match to lead and grow Saab’s Indiana operations,” said Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab in the U.S.
In the new facility, Saab will manufacture the rear section of the T-7A Red Hawk military trainer aircraft for the United States Air Force in partnership with Boeing Defense. When at full capacity by 2027, Saab will employ over 200 employees in the West Lafayette facility across management, administration, and manufacturing roles. The new flagship facility will utilize advanced manufacturing techniques and leverage research and development to support Saab’s broad product portfolio.
Robert most recently served as General Manager for industrial automation at Eckhart, an Industry 4.0 technology provider, leading the innovation of advanced manufacturing with solutions such as robotics, flexible automation, and autonomous material handling.
Previously, Robert held leadership roles in general management, operations, supply chain, engineering, facilities management, and project management with Fortune 500 companies Oshkosh Defense Corporation and Lennox International.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Technology and a Master of Business Administration, both from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Robert also helped launch Saab, Inc’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) council at Saab, Inc.
He has a successful record of accomplishments in advanced manufacturing and Greenfield facility design, operational strategy development, and new product launches.
Robert is originally from Indiana and grew up on Grissom Airforce Base just 45 minutes outside West Lafayette.He and his wife, Zeina, met while attending Purdue and now live in West Lafayette with their four kids.
Panelist
Scott Walker
Bio
Experience and Expertise:
Scott Walker joined Greater Lafayette Commerce in 2015, and has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, commercial, and economic development positions. A degreed engineer and Six Sigma Black Belt by training, Scott has a passion for high tech companies and manufacturers, married with a deep admiration for small businesses and their owners, garnered from years of experience as a certified small business counselor and economic gardener.
In his current position, Scott leads Greater Lafayette Commerce’s efforts to grow Greater Layette by creating platforms for community engagement in Economic Development, Workforce Development, and Chamber of Commerce initiatives. GLC’s overarching goals are 212,000 people by 2026, increasing the Median Household Income beyond the US Median, and attracting projects that create 5,000 new economic base jobs.
Board Appointments:
United Way of Greater Lafayette and the Community Commitment to Education, Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association, and the Economic Development Commission of the City of Lafayette.
Personal:
Scott and his family live in Greater Lafayette. He and Jill, his wife, have a Junior and Sophomore at Purdue University and enjoy many of the cultural and athletic events at Purdue. If not there, he and Jill, his wife an Interior Designer, are often working on improving their 1947 home in Lafayette, or Scott may be in the back garage turning wrenches and getting grease under his fingernails.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering; Kettering (GMI) Engineering and Management Institute
- Master of Business Administration; Michigan State University
Professional Development:
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Certified Economic Gardener National Center for Economic Gardening Edward Lowe Foundation, member of the International Economic Development Council; Certified Small Business Counselor, Six Sigma® Black Belt, Karass Negotiation Training, Dale Carnegie Sales Advantage, Fast Track Technology Venture Training.
Contact: linkedin.com/in/scott-walker-5692b22 , email swalker@greaterlafayettecommerce.com
About Greater Lafayette Commerce. Headquartered at 337 Columbia St. in Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Commerce, whose roots go back more than 95 years, is a nonprofit membership organization supported by local businesses, industries and governments. Its Vision is “Greater Lafayette is a vibrant community, where People, Industry, and Businesses come to thrive and be greater.” And its Mission is “To Advance Economic and Community Prosperity for a Superior Quality of Life.”