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The Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s executive director, Jeff Blade, is exiting the agency after less than a year as part of what Commerce Secretary David Adams called the “evolution” of the organization.
Adams wrote in an email to IEDC employees that Blade will be “leaving our organization at the end of this week.”
Gov. Mike Braun’s office provided the email to IBJ after IBJ requested it Thursday morning.
“Jeff joined our organization early this year to support the evolution of the IEDC as we evolved the commerce vertical,” Adams’ email said in part. “I am very grateful for his contributions to restructure the IEDC in support of our agenda and helping us to meet the state’s budget constraints. We are stronger as a result of his contributions and wish him all the best as he pursues other professional interests.”
The Governor’s Office described Blade’s departure as a resignation, saying that Blade officially gave his notice this week. Blade had previously expressed to Adams his desire to return to the private sector, the Governor’s Office said.
As governor, Braun serves as chair of the IEDC’s board of directors. In June, Braun dismissed the IEDC’s entire board and appointed new members.
Mike Daniel, the IEDC’s chief operating officer, will be “increasing his responsibilities” after Blade’s departure, Adams’ email says.
“Mike will manage all of the functions previously overseen by Jeff and there should be no loss in continuity. His strong leadership will continue to help us evolve as we focus on growing our state economically,” Adams wrote.
Molly Craft, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for communications, said no one will officially hold hte title of executive director of the IEDC at this time. But, she added, “the work still continues uninterrupted.”
Blade, who joined the IEDC in January, previously served as CEO of Indianapolis-based Herff-Jones, which sells class rings, yearbooks and graduation supplies. Before that, he was CEO at Fort Wayne-based Matilda Jane Clothing. He also served as chief financial officer at Fort Wayne-based Vera Bradley Designs and led that company through the process of going public.
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