Hendry Replacement Likely To Be Local

The person who replaces Gordon Hendry at the helm of Indy Partnership likely will be from the Indianapolis area, said Mark Miles, who is president of the economic development marketing group’s oversight organization, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.

Without divulging names, Miles said he has three or four possibilities in mind: “We will have superb choices among local candidates.”

Miles’ comments came a day after Hendry said he would resign his post as interim president. He has held the position for 18 months following the resignation of Greg Schenkel, who now is vice president of corporate relations for the Indiana Pacers.

Hendry, 37, said he resigned because he wanted to pursue other opportunities in the private sector.

Hendry is an attorney who practiced at Ice Miller before heading economic development for Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and ultimately leading Indy Partnership.

Jeb Conrad, who heads Indianapolis Economic Development, one of the groups that belong to Indy Partnership, said Hendry might have faced modest opposition from his peers and politicians in nearby counties who suspected he would funnel prospective companies to Marion County.

However, Conrad added, Hendry proved he wasn’t partisan in how the organization forwarded leads on prospects.

“Gordon took the bull by the horns and focused the organization on external sales and marketing,” Conrad said.

Hendry also took over the organization at a time its board was considering merging with Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. That merger occurred in April.

Hendry has agreed to remain in the position until a replacement can be found.

Miles said that while Indy Partnership intends to look nationally, it will favor candidates with deep local contacts. The job likely will pay $150,000 to $200,000 a year, Miles said.