Engage West Central Indiana - Terre Haute
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
Roberto Bohrer
Bio
Roberto Bohrer is the Operations Manager at Steel Dynamics, Flat Roll Group, Heartland Division responsible the division operations. Roberto moved from Brazil South America with his family to US in 2007. Prior to that, Roberto worked in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro State, for 6 years.
Roberto has worked all his career of 41 years in the steel business and has visited many countries around the world.
He holds BE (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering), MBA degree from Fundacao Dom Cabral, Belo Horizonte, Brazil and Operations specialization with Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Roberto is married to his wife Elizabeth for 40 years, has a daughter Marcela, currently living in Denver and a son, Eduardo currently living in New York City, NY.
Panelist
Lori Danielson
Bio
As a seasoned business executive and community leader, Lori’s 35+ years in business have focused on building and driving strategic initiatives and managing people and operations to get results. Before launching her business and leadership consulting practice in 2015, she previously served as Vice President of Operations for Clabber Girl and Senior Vice President with Old National Bank working in marketing, sales and retail operations. She currently invests time in volunteer leadership roles serving on state and local boards including the Indiana Chamber’s Institute for Workforce Excellence, Ivy Tech Foundation, RiverScape, Art Spaces, Vigo County Education Foundation, Western Golf Association/Evans Scholar Foundation, Wabash Riverfront Planning Partnership and was recently appointed by Governor Holcomb to serve as an Indiana State University Board of Trustee.
Panelist
Jon Ford
Bio
Jon Ford is currently Chair of the Wabash River RDA. Jon Ford is a former member of the Indiana State Senate, representing District 38 (Terre Haute) from 2014 to 2023. He was the chair of the Senate Elections Committee and Senate Majority Campaign Committee. He worked on issues such as redistricting, gaming, appropriations, family and children services, and public policy. He worked as a small business owner and manufacturer before entering politics. He was the president of All State Manufacturing and Chairman of the Indiana Arts Commission, as well as a member of the Honey Creek Township board and President of the Indiana Leadership Forum.
Panelist
Mike Godard
Bio
Dr. Mike Godard proudly serves as the 13th President of Indiana State University, bringing over 25 years of higher education leadership. His distinguished career spans multiple pivotal roles, from dedicated faculty member to department chair, vice provost, and most recently, provost.
Leadership at Southeast Missouri State University
Before joining Indiana State University, Dr. Godard was the provost at Southeast Missouri State University since 2019. During his tenure, he:
- Forged Successful Public-Private Partnerships: These initiatives led to the creation of innovative academic programs tailored to meet regional workforce needs and support economic development.
- Strategic Resource Allocation: He reallocated resources efficiently to support new programs and initiatives.
- Guided Strategic Planning: Dr. Godard spearheaded a strategic planning process with measurable goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring the achievement of the university's objectives.
Past Roles and Achievements
Dr. Godard has also held several key positions including:
- Interim Provost and Chief Learning Officer
- Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Student Success: In this role, he achieved record enrollments and increased student retention rates while ensuring affordability and access for all students.
- Collaborations with the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference: He worked to closely align academic and athletic goals for the benefit of student-athletes.
Academic Background
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Godard holds a PhD in Human Bioenergetics from Ball State University, a master’s in Exercise Physiology from Adelphi University, and a bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Vermont State University - Castleton.
Personal Life
Dr. Mike Godard and his wife, Kathryn, reside in Terre Haute, Indiana, and are proud parents to their two adult sons, Grant and Lance.
Panelist
Brandon Sakbun
Bio
Brandon Sakbun, a native of Terre Haute, completed his secondary education at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. He then pursued higher education at Indiana University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and distinguished himself as a military graduate through the IU Army ROTC program. Furthering his academic achievements, Brandon obtained a master’s degree in public affairs from the Indiana University O’Neill School.
In 2018, Brandon began joined the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, eventually attaining the rank of Captain within the esteemed Army Rangers. He now serves in the Indiana National Guard.
Brandon's commitment to public service culminated in his recent election as the 43rd Mayor of Terre Haute, marking him as the youngest individual to ever hold this office in the city's history.
Panelist
Andy Volkl
Bio
Born and raised in Leoben, Austria, Andy followed his passion by attending trade school with a focus in industrial maintenance. After mastering trade school, Andy moved to Liechtenstein and started his career at thyssenkrupp steering. In 2003, Andy joined the team that established the thyssenkrupp steering plant in Terre Haute, Indiana. During his tenure of almost 20 years in automotive, Andy earned his bachelor’s degree in business and science and progressed through multiple positions to become the plant’s COO. At the end of 2021, Andy embraced an opportunity to use his manufacturing and leadership experience in a new startup. As the COO of saturn petcare inc., Andy is excited to continue his career in a different industry by growing saturn’s first North American plant. Having met his wife in Terre Haute, Andy has deep ties to the community. Andy is an active member on several community boards and enjoys seeing the Wabash Valley prosper. In his spare time, Andy enjoys spending time with his kids, cooking for his friends and family, playing golf, rooting for the home team, and volunteering at local events.