Archer Elected
Archer Elected to Lead Indiana Rural Development Council
ANDERSON, Ind. – Beth Archer, Executive Director of the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Institute, was elected as President of the Indiana Rural Development Council, Inc. (IRDC) during the Indiana Rural Development Conference, December 6, in Anderson.
“It is an honor to be called upon to serve in this capacity. IRDC is an organization rich in heritage and culture of serving Indiana’s rural communities. This organization has been led by the most passionate and committed of rural advocates over its history. Because of this leadership, we are in a time of tremendous opportunity,” says Archer.
Archer follows long-time IRDC Chairman William Graham, Mayor of Scottsburg. Jeff Quyle, a Morgan County Commissioner, was elected Vice President. Graham steps into the Past President role, a new position resulting from the organization’s new governance structure.
“This election completes a major step in IRDC’s transition to an independent, non-profit organization,” added Governance Task Force Chairman, Kent Yeager, Director of Public Policy with Indiana Farm Bureau.
“With this new structure we are able to maintain the integrity of IRDC’s unique partnership of government, business, non-profits, academia, youth and philanthropic sectors, while creating a manageable board size.”
Fifteen directors were elected to the board with eleven additional directors filling designated roles, legislative, and congressional slots. In addition to the officers, four directors were elected to chair IRDC’s key program areas: Membership and Advocacy – Jim Rice, Hannum Wagle and Cline; Communities and Customers – William Shaw, U.S. Housing and Urban Development; Resource Partners – Susan Craig, Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission; and RISE 2020 – Sam Cordes, Purdue University Center for Regional Development.
At-Large Directors elected were: Steve Daily, Ivy Tech Community College-Kokomo; Joe DeHaven, Indiana Bankers Association; Shawna Girgis, Mayor-elect of Bedford; Jeff Lilly, Consulting Dynamics; Paul Neumann, USDA-Rural Development; Mike Schultz, Center Township Assessor-LaPorte County; Kim Self, Purdue University Student; and Kent Yeager, Indiana Farm Bureau.
“Never has there been time of greater opportunity and tremendous need. IRDC is positioned to move forward on endeavors that will strengthen the network of rural partnerships and add value to the furtherance of RISE 2020 across Indiana” added Archer. “We are committed to strengthening communities and enabling a stronger rural voice.”
The Indiana Rural Development Council helps local leaders and service providers convene, converse, collaborate, and celebrate in order to make rural communities great places to live, learn, work, and play.
For more information:
- Beth Archer, beth@iali.org 317-745-0947
- Kent Yeager, kyeager@infarmbureau.org 317-692-7855
- Phillip Anderson, panderson@ruralindiana.org 317-275-2245
Download this press release as a PDF.