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.