Indy's best leaders

March 2, 2009
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Conseco has seen a string of leaders since the company began to stumble and co-founder Steve Hilbert stepped down nearly nine years ago. The insurer still doesn’t have its footing, saying today its auditors aren’t convinced it can stay afloat. Now Jim Prieur is trying to pull it up, and it remains to be seen whether he will succeed.

Top people are critical. You’ve no doubt seen places stocked with plenty of second-tier talent that never reach their potential. Some leaders cause organizations to thrive despite a lack of talent beneath them, and still others assemble great teams and thrive.

So this might be a good time to assess who’s the best in the Indianapolis area at the business of leadership.

Here are a couple of names to start the discussion. Exact Target is going gangbusters under Scott Dorsey. And David Simon has navigated Simon Property Group around much of the devastation in retailing.

Nominations, anyone? Other thoughts?

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  • Matt BrowningMarch 2, 2009 1:13 PM
    Scott Dorsey by far is Indianapolis's best leader in my opinion. A graceful, servant leadership style has guided ET into the success that it is today.
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  • Da HooeyMarch 3, 2009 3:51 AM
    Tony George has done an excellent job with Open Wheel Racing. :lol:
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  • DanielMarch 3, 2009 7:32 AM
    The retail devastation has just begun.
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  • AblerockMarch 3, 2009 9:16 AM
    Brian Payne
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  • NormMarch 3, 2009 9:21 AM
    Ablerock, do you mean the Brian Payne who oversees the Central Indiana Community Foundation?
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  • JeffMarch 3, 2009 9:50 AM
    I think an example of a low key, successful business leader is Morrie Maurer with the National Bank of Indianapolis. He has built a solid, hometown bank that appears to have stayed out of the risky mortgage business, and he quietly and generously contributes to his non-profit clients.
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  • AblerockMarch 3, 2009 11:49 AM
    Yes
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  • Indy SupporterMarch 3, 2009 2:16 PM
    Jim Pearson, NICO Corporation. After what he did with Suros Surgical in just a few years, his skills should be sought out by many.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • MaurineMarch 4, 2009 10:45 AM
    Jeff - I think you mean Micky Maurer.
    What about Ellen Annala, President & CEO of United Way?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Chris BaggottMarch 10, 2009 3:38 PM
    Scott Dorsey is well deserving of this recognition. Unappreciated in most leadership is the ability to assemble top notch teams. No story of ExactTarget is complete without recognition that Scott has brought together what is arguably the strongest Software as a service team in the country...right here in Indianapolis.

    I don't know the count, but I would guess that Scott is among the top importers of talent from around the country to come and work in this city.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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  1. So the Mayor adds another non value added layer to having a vehicle towed? Whereby the City Government RECIEVES AN ILLEGAL KICKBACK FROM A LGOISTICS COMPANY THAT SUBS THE WORK TO LOCAL TOW COMPANIES? What is the service the City performs for receiving the "tribute"? This is RICO!!!!! What a corrupt and unnecessary layer. What a dirtbag Mayor and his cronies.

  2. Owner occupied housing. Clear enough?

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