Indiana 250: Off the Record with Nate Feltman

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Scott Dolson, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics at Indiana University. Dolson traces his path from Michigan City and Bob Knight’s basketball camps to four years as an IU student manager, including the 1987 national championship, and reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped his career. He discusses taking over IU Athletics during the pandemic, the strategic plan that elevated football as a university priority, the coaching search that led to Curt Cignetti and what IU’s football success has meant for fundraising, ticket sales and confidence across the university. Dolson also weighs in on name, image and likeness, the transfer portal, revenue sharing, the financial pressure on Olympic and women’s sports, plans to modernize Memorial Stadium, IU basketball under Darian DeVries and why college athletics needs more stability and enforceable rules.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with David Rosenberg, founding president and CEO of the Indiana University Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) and president and CEO of IU Inc. Rosenberg discusses IU LAB’s plans to turn more university research into bioscience companies, partnerships and jobs, as well as Indiana’s broader opportunity to strengthen its life sciences and innovation economy. He also shares insights from his career in public service and economic development and what Indiana needs to do next to compete for talent, investment and innovation.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Ryan Vaughn, president and general counsel of Exos. Vaughn traces his career from growing up on Indianapolis’ west side to law, local government, the Indianapolis City-County Council, the mayor’s office, Indiana Sports Corp and now Exos, where he has helped guide the company’s growth across 18 states. He reflects on how Indianapolis became the center of college basketball during the COVID-19 pandemic by hosting the entire 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and what that effort revealed about the city’s sports strategy, civic coordination and ability to execute major events. Vaughn also discusses the rising competition for sports events, the pressures facing downtown Indianapolis, his move into business leadership, the mentors who shaped him and whether public service could be part of his next act.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Paul Thrift, CEO of Thompson Thrift Development and co-founder of Thompson Thrift. Thrift traces the company’s path from a $3,000 Terre Haute house he bought with John Thompson into a national real estate firm with more than $7 billion in ground-up development, 650 employees and projects in 24 states. He discusses early student housing projects near Indiana State University, the firm’s work in downtown Terre Haute and Fishers District, and why he believes Indiana and the nation still face a structural housing shortage. Thrift also reflects on TT Serve, servant leadership, his 40-year partnership with Thompson and the advice he gives aspiring leaders: do not wait until you feel ready to get involved.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Chuck Goodrich, Indiana’s secretary of commerce, owner and CEO of Gaylor Electric, and a former state lawmaker from Noblesville. Goodrich traces his path from growing up in Roann, Indiana, to Vincennes University, Purdue University and an internship at Gaylor that launched his career. He discusses Gaylor’s growth from about 400 employees a decade ago to about 4,000 across seven states, the company’s focus on internships and apprenticeships, and why applied learning is central to Indiana’s workforce future. Goodrich also reflects on his time in the Indiana House, his 2024 congressional campaign and his new role leading the state’s economic development strategy under Gov. Mike Braun, with a focus on high-wage jobs, regional growth, advanced manufacturing, energy and keeping Indiana open for business.

In this episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Katie Lucas, president of Lucas Oil Products. Lucas discusses her path from Noblesville High School and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business to the Indianapolis Colts, where she first met Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, to Lucas Oil in 2012 where she later became president in 2024. She reflects on the company’s move from California to Indianapolis, the impact of Lucas Oil Stadium on the brand, new partnerships with the Indiana Pacers and Colts, and how the company has grown while remaining family-led, American-made and community-focused. Lucas also shares how her parents shaped her views on business, service and leadership, and discusses the company’s philanthropic work with Ascension St. Vincent, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and organizations supporting women and girls.

In this episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Ron Romain, executive chairman of Evansville-based United Companies. Romain traces the company’s evolution beginning first with his father, Robert Romain, in 1964 as a small vehicle leasing business and its growth into a multi-faceted finance and transportation organization operating in 40 states with more than 6,400 employees. He discusses the company’s expansion into equipment financing, rail transportation and air services, as well as the 2023 transition that made his daughter, Amy Romain Barron, the third generation to lead the family business. Romain also shares his perspective on Evansville’s future, including Talent EVV, the future of the riverfront area, the completion of the I-69 corridor and why he believes Indiana remains one of the country’s most business-friendly states.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Geoffrey Mearns, the 17th president of Ball State University. Mearns reflects on his path from federal prosecutor to university president, including his work on organized crime cases involving the Gambino crime family and the prosecution of Terry Nichols after the Oklahoma City bombing. Now in his ninth year at Ball State, Mearns discusses the university’s role in Muncie, its partnership with Muncie Community Schools, the revitalization of The Village and why Ball State is the only public university in Indiana recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as an Opportunity College and University. He also weighs in on the enrollment challenges facing higher education, the value of a college degree and why he believes the current college sports financial model is unsustainable.

Interim President of Purdue University and former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels joins IBJ Media CEO and Publisher Nate Feltman for a special conversation recorded at last week’s IBJ Education Power Breakfast. Daniels talks about the value and values of higher education, including why skepticism about the cost and value of college is justified and why students should consider multiple paths after high school. Drawing on record of freezing Purdue tuition after decades of increases, Daniels talks about affordability, student debt and workforce readiness. He also talks about the need for civic education and the impact of artificial Intelligence on higher ed.

In this special episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks on stage with Huse Culinary CEO Craig Huse, winner of the third annual Mickey Maurer Entrepreneur Award at IBJ’s Fast 25 event. Huse reflects on his path from washing dishes in Bloomington at age 14 to leading a hospitality company with nine restaurants, including the iconic downtown St. Elmo Steak House, Harry & Izzy’s and the 1933 Lounge, along with a consumer products business now sold in 40 states. He discusses growing an 84-year-old brand without compromising its standards, the decision to bottle St. Elmo’s famous cocktail sauce, why Harry & Izzy’s first location outside Indiana is opening in Scottsdale, Arizona and what it means to steward a brand he sees as part of Indianapolis.

Tiffany Sauder, founder of Element Three and creator of Life of And, joins host Nate Feltman to discuss growing up in an entrepreneurial family in a small town in northwest Indiana, going into business with her father at a young age and navigating the 2008 recession, and then launching what has become a nationally recognized marketing agency. Sauder takes a deep dive into Life of And’s focus, the difficult lessons on risk and leadership she learned along the way, as well as key themes of balance, alignment and negotiation for busy, professional women juggling a career and family.

Jeff Harrison, president and CEO of Citizens Energy Group, joins Nate Feltman on Off the Record to discuss the organization's unique public charitable trust model, the completed 28-mile Dig Indy Deep Tunnel project, the landmark deal to supply 25 million gallons of water per day to Lebanon for Eli Lilly and the LEAP District, and his 50-year planning philosophy aimed at making central Indiana drought-proof. Jeff also traces his path from Jeffersonville, where he grew up as the son of a bricklayer, to becoming the first African American to lead an Indianapolis-based utility.

Jeff Smulyan joins Nate Feltman on Off the Record to discuss growing up in Indianapolis, studying at USC and returning home to build Emmis Communications into a national media company. He recounts buying his first stations, hiring David Letterman at WNTS and helping create major radio brands including Power 106 in Los Angeles, Hot 97 in New York, Q101 in Chicago and KSHE in St. Louis. Smulyan also explains why he pushed for sports talk radio at WFAN, what he learned from owning the Seattle Mariners and how he approached disruption in radio, television and publishing. He closes with lessons from his memoir, “Never Ride a Rollercoaster Upside Down,” and his views on risk, resilience, leadership, culture and civic engagement in Indianapolis.

Brad Benbow, chairman and CEO of Prolific, joins IBJ Media CEO Nate Feltman on Off the Record, featuring leaders from IBJ Media’s Indiana 250 list. Benbow discusses his journey from growing up in Muncie to building a career in communications and consulting, including leadership roles at Ackerman McQueen, Rudder Communications Network and JDA Worldwide before launching Prolific. He also shares how faith shapes his leadership, highlights from his book Spiritual Graphics, the Prolific Growth Summit, partnerships with Israeli tech leaders and the Benbow Family Legacy Grant supporting families in Eaton, Indiana.

University of Indianapolis President Tanuja Singh joins IBJ Media CEO Nate Feltman on Off the Record to discuss her path from growing up in India studying physics to banking, business education and university leadership. She highlights UIndy’s expanding options for learners through UIndy Online, stackable certificates and employer-focused programs for post-traditional students. Singh takes a deep dive into the Women’s Leadership Institute, including skill areas such as negotiation and financial strategy. The discussion also highlights recent gifts supporting the university’s business school, honors college and engineering programs as well as a Lilly Endowment-backed innovation center partnership with Perry Township Schools and a partnership with Indiana Sports Corp tied to student internships.

On this episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman sits down with Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. The discussion takes a deep dive into Raines’ unexpected career journey as she traces her upbringing in South Bend to studying telecommunications Indiana University leading to an unanticipated entry into politics, including work for U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, multiple Republican National Conventions, and the White House under Vice President Dick Cheney. Raines reflects on returning to Indiana to help deliver Super Bowl XLVI, her leadership experience in Washington, and her transition into professional sports. She also shares insights from leading the $400 million Gainbridge Fieldhouse renovation and discusses plans for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center now under construction downtown.

In this episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Dennis Bland, president of the Center for Leadership Development in Indianapolis. Bland reflects on his journey from growing up in a family of eight, raised by a single father, to becoming a standout student and attorney before returning to CLD as a volunteer, board member and ultimately its president. He explains how CLD has expanded from one program to 21 offerings beginning in fourth grade, along with a College Prep Institute that serves thousands of students and parents each year. Bland outlines CLD’s “no assumptions” approach to teaching youth core skills such as studying, leadership and understanding the value of education. He also discusses his focus on service, the example set by his father and what it means to receive IBJ Media’s Michael A. Carroll Award for his long-standing commitment to empowering Indianapolis youth.

Pete Ward, chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Colts, joins host Nate Feltman for a deep dive into his 45 seasons with the franchise. In this episode of Off the Record, Ward recounts how an unpaid internship turned into a lifelong career and what it was like to experience the team’s midnight move from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984. He shares behind-the-scenes details of working with Jim Irsay, building Lucas Oil Stadium, and helping bring the 2012 Super Bowl to Indy. Ward also reflects on the Colts’ civic impact, the growth of Indianapolis, the rise of the NFL, and the transition to new ownership under the Irsay daughters. Get a rare insider look at four decades of football, leadership, and community-building in Indiana.

On this episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman sits down with Peter Dunn, better known as Pete the Planner, one of America’s most trusted voices on personal finance. Dunn shares how a sixth-grade stock market contest launched his career, how he blends comedy and financial coaching to help people build better habits, and why the psychology of money matters more than math. He opens up about building Your Money Line, a fast-growing financial technology company using AI to deliver personalized advice to more than 800,000 people, and how leading a startup taught him hard-earned lessons about leadership, responsibility and giving back. A former columnist for USA Today and author of 10 books, Dunn discusses his national media presence, his roots in Indianapolis, and why financial wellness is critical in today’s workplace.

In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Al Hubbard, president of E&A Industries and a veteran of two presidential administrations. Hubbard shares how a sixth-grade classroom sparked his lifelong interest in public policy, leading to high-level roles with Vice Presidents Dan Quayle and Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush. He discusses his experience running businesses across diverse industries, his work on education reform—including Indiana’s charter and voucher expansion—and his efforts to lower hospital costs through Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare. Hubbard also reflects on leadership, legacy, and why he passed on a role in the Trump administration.