Innovate Central Indiana - Indianapolis
Honoree
2025 Michael A. Carroll Award Recipient
Dennis Bland
Bio
Dennis Bland is president of the Center for Leadership Development, an Indianapolis non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African American youth for the highest academic, college and career success. Founded in 1977, CLD offers fifteen curriculum-based youth development experiences and helps prepare 3000 youth and parents per year for academic, college and career achievement. Prior to joining CLD, Dennis spent seven years practicing law where he specialized in medical malpractice litigation and insurance law.
Dennis was appointed by Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and, in 2008 was reappointed to the commission by Governor Mitch Daniels.In 2014, Dennis was selected to serve as Chairman of the higher education commission. In 2007, Dennis was appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels to serve on the Indiana Education Roundtable. Dennis serves on the Citizens Energy Group Board of Trustees and serves on the executive committee of the Indiana Education Alliance.
In 2008, Ball State University awarded Dennis with its President’s Medal of Distinction. Dennis received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from DePauw University, the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University School of Law—Indianapolis, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Broad Ripple High School. He has been presented a Sagamore of the Wabash by two governors, Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb.
Dennis earned a bachelors degree in economics from DePauw University and was awarded a juris doctorate (JD) from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. Dennis has been awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Human Letters from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marian University, Martin University and Wabash College. A native of Indianapolis, he is a member of Christ Temple Apostolic Church where he serves as a deacon, trustee, and eighth grade Sunday school teacher.
Speaker / Moderator
Fireside Chat Speaker
Mike Braun
Moderator
Gerry Dick
Bio
In June 2000, broadcast news veteran Gerry Dick and technology entrepreneur Scott A. Jones formed Grow INdiana Media Ventures, LLC, a media company created to deliver Indiana business news and information through multiple media sources. Mr. Dick is president and managing editor of Inside INdiana Business, a division of IBJ Media.
GIMV properties include the EMMY-award-winning Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Indiana’s most-watched local business television program; InsideIndianaBusiness.com; Inside INdiana Business Radio, The INside Edge Morning Briefing and Midday e-newsletters and a variety of interactive and mobile media products.
Mr. Dick is also a frequent keynote speaker and moderator on issues related to the Indiana economy and serves as a business analyst for CBS4 & FOX 59 (Indianapolis) and 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis).
Mr. Dick's broadcast news background includes 14 years as a principal reporter and field anchor at WRTV (ABC) in Indianapolis. While at WRTV, he reported on issues facing communities throughout Indiana and neighboring states. His work received an Emmy nomination for a 1993 series on Indiana companies doing business along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also held reporter and anchor positions at television stations in Fort Wayne and Terre Haute.
Prior to the creation of Grow INdiana Media Ventures, Mr. Dick served as senior vice president of the Indianapolis Economic Development Corporation, where he was responsible for a broad range of initiatives, including marketing, communications, advertising and media relations.
Mr. Dick has three times been presented with the state’s top honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash, by Governors Kernan, Daniels and Pence. He has also received Ernst and Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award and been recognized by the Small Business Administration as its Journalist of the Year. Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick has received an EMMY five times for best interview/discussion program/series or special.
Mr. Dick is a native Hoosier, born and raised in the Vermillion County community of Clinton. He is a graduate of Indiana State University, which has recognized his professional accomplishments with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
He is a member of the board of directors of The International Center and past board member of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Board of Advisors at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Dean’s Executive Council at the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University and is a founding member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Indiana University School of Informatics. Mr. Dick also serves as chairman of the Scholarship Selection Committee for Vectren Corporation and is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.
Mr. Dick is married to the former Roz Redman of Dana, Indiana. Roz and Gerry are residents of Lawrence Township in Indianapolis and have three children.
Panelists
Panelist
Tamika Catchings
Panelist
Michael Huber
Panelist
Chris Jensen
Bio
As a proud Noblesville Miller, Mayor Chris Jensen is
honored to serve the community he has called home his
entire life.
Professionally, he has worked in business development for
a civil engineering firm, assisting cities and counties across
Indiana with infrastructure development. Before his current
role, Jensen served on the Noblesville Common Council
from 2016 to 2019 and was executive director of the 2016
Indiana Bicentennial Commission. He worked in the
administration of former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels,
serving as special assistant to Lieutenant Governor Becky
Skillman and director of Intergovernmental Affairs, where
he served as the key link between the Lt. Governor's office
and local government units. Mayor Jensen was elected to office in 2020, and he's currently
serving in his second term.
Jensen serves as the Vice Chair of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority,
Legislative Chair for Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM), and serves on the U.S.
Conference of Mayors Advisory Board. Governor Mike Braun selected Jensen to serve on his
Local Government Transition Council in November 2024. He also co-leads the Hazel Dell
Elementary All Pro Dad chapter.
Mayor Jensen and his wife, Julie, are active members in the community, both Butler
University graduates and the proud parents to CJ, Vivian, Hank, and Emmy Kate.
Panelist
Mel Raines
Panelist
Patrick Talty
Bio
Patrick Talty is the seventh president of the Indiana Sports Corp since the nation’s first sports commission was founded in 1979. Indiana Sports Corp’s mission is to create positive impact by hosting world-class sporting events that enhance vibrancy in the community, build civic pride, drive economic impact and media exposure, and encourage opportunities for youth.
Talty started his career in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome, traveled and worked all over the world, and is now back in the Circle City. Prior to being elected President, Talty served as the COO for Indiana Sports Corp, General Manager at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and Senior Vice President of Live Events for WWE.
Talty received his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and did post-graduate work at Ball State University. He and his wife, Becky, live in Fishers.