Dorson on leave amid fallout with executive committee

Roland Dorson, president of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, has had a falling out with the group’s executive committee and has gone on leave from the organization.

Both Dorson and the committee have enlisted legal counsel.

The reason for the leave or why Dorson’s relationship with the executive committee has grown contentious was not clear. On Wednesday, a chamber employee confirmed the leave. John Neighbours, a Baker & Daniels attorney who became chairman of the executive committee at the beginning of the year, could not be reached.

Dorson has been a chamber executive for 20 years and has held the top post since 2006.

Dorson

The organization has a huge board, with more than 100 members, but is governed by the executive committee.

Board members reached by IBJ said the initial notification they received of Dorson’s leave left the impression it was health-related.

However, later chamber e-mails indicated acrimony between Dorson and the executive committee.

Dorson has hired Michael Blickman of Ice Miller as his attorney.

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1890 by Col. Eli Lilly and other businessmen. The organization has more than 3,800 members.