Adam RollinsIndiana Gov. Mike Braun has made nine appointments to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Board of Directors. These appointments are part of a complete overhaul of the board, replacing every member.
The IEDC oversees initiatives to grow the state’s economy, implementing innovative methods to drive economic development and attract new businesses to Indiana.
Gus Olympidis has been the founder, president and CEO of a chain of convenience stores and fuel stations for nearly five decades. He has held several directorships throughout his career, including with the NW Regional Development Authority, Valparaiso Community Development Corporation, Valparaiso University’s College of Business Administration Advisory Council and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
John Gregg previously served as the Democratic House Speaker of the Indiana General Assembly. Following his legislative career, he briefly served as president of Vincennes University. He currently works as an attorney. He graduated from the Indiana School of Law in Indianapolis with a law degree; Indiana State University with a master of public administration; Indiana University Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history; and Vincennes University with an associate degree.
George Thomas is the current CEO of a pontoon construction business. He has an extensive career as an entrepreneur and executive, associated with several organizations across multiple sectors. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Indiana University Bloomington.
Billie Dragoo founded and serves as CEO of a workforce solutions provider, a role held for the past three decades. She is also the co-founder of the Indiana Conference for Women. She previously served as chair and CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners as well as president and emeritus board advisor of the association’s Indianapolis chapter. Dragoo is a board member of The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the Indiana State Chamber, the Indianapolis Chamber and the Department of Workforce Development.
David Fagan currently works with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, serving as a financial secretary. Fagan has been with the labor union for decades, starting as an organizer before being promoted to an officer role. He has also served in other capacities with the Indiana Port Commission, the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board, an appointee by the Porter County Commissioners for the Gary International Airport and as a member of the Portage City Council.
Greg Gibson is an entrepreneur and business executive spanning multiple industries and companies. Gibson is a commercial real estate developer and has previously been connected to industries including hospitality and food service, trucking, excavation, coal, solid waste landfill development and waste industry advisory services. He co-founded an entertainment company and launched a second entertainment company later.
Richard Waterfield is the sitting CEO and board chairman of an investment holding company. He has also held numerous executive positions across several Waterfield subsidiary companies over the past 15 years. Waterfield earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Columbia University.
Chris King is the executive vice president of a construction company. King previously served as president of the Shelby County Development Corporation and as president of the board of directors for the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. He started his career as a project engineer in 2002. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Don Lamb is the final appointment to the IEDC board. He serves as director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, recently reappointed to the role in 2024. He previously served as the vice president of Boone County Council and as a member of the Western Boone School Board, the Purdue Dean of Agriculture Advisory Council, the Boone Company Farm Bureau and the Recycling and Market Development Board for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Lamb has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
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