DEC. 29, 2023-JAN. 4, 2024
IBJ's year-end issue introduces our 2023 newsmakers and is packaged with The Book, our annual compilation of industry top-25 lists and a look back at the year in news. It should be no surprise that David Ricks, CEO of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co., is IBJ's newsmaker of the year. As you'll read in reporter John Russell's story below, Lilly this year became the world's most valuable publicly traded drug company. Our other eight newsmakers for 2023 come from higher education, politics, sports and industry, and all made a big impact on central Indiana.
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2023 Newsmaker: Ricks leads Lilly to new heights
David Ricks led Eli Lilly and Co. to milestone after milestone in 2023, with a slew of product launches for diseases from obesity to inflammatory bowel disease. And when Lilly wasn’t scoring wins in the laboratory, it was issuing a series of head-turning announcements,
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Cummins CEO Jennifer Rumsey assumes role as company’s board chair
The company has notched several noteworthy accomplishments this year under Rumsey’s leadership.
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Purdue president has action-packed 1st year
Mung Chiang took over as president of Purdue University on Jan. 1—following the decade-long tenure of Mitch Daniels—and less than four months later signed off on the agreement that will formally separate IUPUI into two operations.
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Finkam wins Carmel mayoral election to succeed Brainard
Sue Finkam, a three-term member of the Carmel City Council, will succeed Republican Mayor Jim Brainard, who reshaped the Hamilton County city over his seven terms in office.
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Hogsett wins third term as Indy mayor
The Democratic incumbent beat a self-funded opponent in a reelection bid where he focused on the administration’s fiscal accomplishments and unfinished business leftover from the pandemic.
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Irsay secures talent, donates to Farm Aid
In February, the Colts hired Shane Steichen as head coach, ending Irsay’s unconventional experiment that placed Jeff Saturday in the role for eight games of the 2022 season.
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Former Kokomo union worker leads strikes against automakers
Shawn Fain, a union firebrand from Kokomo, first shocked organized labor in March by being elected the United Auto Workers’ national president. Then he surprised the Big Three automakers by organizing a strategic strike.
Read More2023 Newsmaker: Jonathan Taylor nabs $42M, 3-year deal after dispute
He missed all of the team’s offseason workouts and all of training camp while rehabbing.
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2023 Year in Review: LEAP District stirs debate in Indiana communities
The LEAP Research and Innovation District under development near Lebanon represents a shift in the way the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the public-private state agency overseeing the project, is working to attract companies and create jobs.
Read More2023 Year in Review: Lilly had a ‘big-deal’ year
Among other big dealmakers in 2023 was Hillenbrand Inc., Jasper-based Kimball International Inc. and Noblesville-based Helmer Scientific Inc.
Read More2023 Year in Review: Hogsett wins third term, Finkam to succeed Brainard
The status-quo wins dashed Democratic hopes of making inroads in Hamilton County and Republican hopes of more influence in
Marion County.
2023 Year in Review: City takes over Signia after Kite fails to secure financing
Indianapolis-based developer Kite Realty Group Trust handed reins to the project over to the city after the firm was unable to secure favorable enough interest rates on the private market to justify financing the hotel.
Read More2023 Year in Review: Cities look to attract smaller-scale events at new arenas
While central Indiana has its share of large arenas and stadiums, the region has long been short on venues for events that draw only a few thousand spectators.
Read More2023 Year in Review: Coffee concepts put jolt into food and beverage landscape
Coffee shops flowed into central Indiana this year, highlighted by 10 companies that launched new locations. Plus, there were a slew of restaurant openings and closings.
Read More2023 Year in Review
Here’s a month-by-month review of some of the biggest stories in 2023.
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