BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Coming Full Circle
USI nursing program to bear name of inaugural dean Nadine Coudret
By John Martin
Nadine Coudret’s legacy in the University of Southern Indiana’s Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions is secured, thanks to a $1 million endowed gift.
While dean of the program from 1988 to 2012, Coudret helped launch bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing. She also was instrumental in growing USI’s health professions programs. She received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from USI in 2020.
Two of Coudret’s children, Gayle and Carol, work in health care. Her son, Dave, owns Preferred Construction Services and says it was the business’s foundation that made the endowed gift. A portion of that gift will establish a scholarship honoring Coudret’s late mother, Christine Elliott.
“Being a part of the Evansville health care community and having the opportunity to start the nursing program were opportunities for which I am most grateful,” Coudret says. “The excellence of the USI nursing graduates is due to the efforts and hard work of faculty, students, and the support of the community.”
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Expanding Operations
Polyram USA ramps up local production lines
By John Martin
Polyram USA continues to expand in Evansville, with another 100,000-square-foot warehouse and 10th production line coming this year. The total expansion represents more than $12 million in investment, retaining 106 jobs and adding about nine more.
Two production lines launched the plastic compounds manufacturer’s local operations in 2017. Its site at Vanderburgh Industrial Park in north of Daylight, Indiana, now includes all three of Israel-based Polyram Group’s core divisions: engineering thermoplastic compounds, long-glass-fiber reinforced materials under the Polytron brand, and Bondyram coupling agents and tie-layer materials. Polyram Group supports the automotive and food packaging industries, among others. Of its nine facilities worldwide, Polyram’s only U.S. presence is in Evansville.
Vanderburgh County officials approved a seven-year, performance-based property tax incentive for the expansion. A partnership with Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc., and Woodward Development and Construction, Inc., advanced the real estate portion.
The Evansville expansion “allows us to increase production capacity, improve responsiveness and lead times for customers, and support future growth in the region,” Polyram USA Plant Manager Yuval Marmor says.
NEW HIRES/PROMOTIONS
Jackson Tucker joined Tucker Publishing Group, Inc., in April as an Account Executive. The 2020 Reitz Memorial High School graduate attended the University of Louisville, earning a Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration in 2024 and a Master of Business Administration in 2026.
The Evansville Philharmonic has extended Music Director Roger Kalia’s contract through the 2028-29 season. Kalia was appointed as the Philharmonic’s sixth music director in 2020 and has introduced the New Traditions Series, which champions underrepresented composers; free public performances in community venues; and the Young Artist Composition Competition.
Mayor Stephanie Terry appointed Brian Mundy as City Engineer effective April 6. Mundy has more than 30 years of experience managing public infrastructure projects and most recently was a senior project manager with the Lochmueller Group. Terry also named Anna Raben as the city’s new communications director. The graduate of Mater Dei High School and Purdue University most recently was employed by Easterseals Rehabilitation Center and Berry Group (now Amcor).
Escalade, Inc., has removed the “interim” from Patrick Griffin’s title as president and CEO. Before becoming interim president and CEO of the Evansville-based manufacturer and distributor of sports and recreation products, Griffin was an Escalade director and had been Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations since 2012. His time with the company dates to 2002.
Welborn Baptist Foundation has named Sara Miller its new Endowment Advancement Officer. Miller spent more than 25 years at Old National Bank in roles including Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Southern Region CEO, and Evansville Region President.
B.J. Watts, Executive Director of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s OptIN initiative, was appointed to a fourth term on the Indiana State Board of Education by Gov. Mike Braun. He’s served on the board since 2011.
The University of Evansville has invested Walayet Khan as Mead Johnson Nutrition Endowed Chair in Business on April 10. Khan joined UE in 1989 and is a professor of finance in UE’s Schroeder School of Business. He also directs the Purple Aces Student-Managed Investment Fund, which gives students experience in managing investments and applying financial theory.
Ben Wierzba also was named UE’s 12th women’s basketball coach on April 16. He was an assistant coach for the Purple Aces’ men’s team from 2007-10, and most recently was associate head coach for the Miami (Ohio) University women’s program. Wierzba succeeds Robyn Scherr, who served as UE’s head coach from April 2021 to March 2026.
Four University of Southern Indiana employees have been promoted within the office of Outreach and Engagement. Jaclyn Dumond is now the Director of K-12 Partnerships and Lifelong Learning; Paula Nurrenbern’s new role is Director of Corporate Partnerships and Career Success; Diane Sanders has taken over as Director of Historic New Harmony; and Leslie Townsend is Senior Director of Community Engagement. USI also promoted Dan McDonnell to Director of Athletic Communication following Ray Simmons’s retirement. McDonnell has been with USI since 2000, most recently as Associate Director of Athletic Communication.
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden named Leah McCormick its Director of Marketing. An Evansville native and USI alumna, McCormick was a founding member of the Franklin Street Events Association and served as Director of Marketing and Social Media for the former Tin Man Brewing Co. She has moved back to Evansville after working as the Sales and Branding Ambassador for Yazoo Brewing Company in Nashville, Tennessee.
Claire Meier has joined the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce, replacing the retiring Shari Sherman as Executive Director. Meier previously worked for Southern Indiana Resource Solutions as Employment Services Director and Outreach and Development Coordinator.
Vanderburgh Humane Society promoted Vanessa Brown to the new position of Pathway Coordinator, where she will monitor animals’ journeys through the shelter. She oversees daily rounds and interdepartmental collaboration in the hopes of reducing the length of stay and achieving positive outcomes for more animals. Her prior role was Foster Care Coordinator; she will continue to oversee that program.
RJL Solutions hired Luke Conner as Senior Director of Government and Industry Partnerships. Conner is based in the firm’s Evansville office but will have a full-time presence at the Indiana Statehouse during legislative sessions. RJL Solutions specializes in government relations, marketing and communications, community and economic development, and association management.
DEPARTURES
Sgt. Todd Ringle retired from the Indiana State Police on April 8 after a 42-year career, including the last 25 as Public Information Officer. The Fowler, Indiana, native and Warrick County resident spent his entire career with ISP’s Evansville-based District 35.
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
The City of Evansville received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its 2026 city budget. It’s the first time Evansville has received this national award, which evaluates how clearly a budget presents its priorities, revenues, expenditures, and long-term financial planning.
Steve Jordan was named the 2025 Green River Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year. Recently retired, Jordan’s career with the Evansville Fire Department spanned 30 years. The U.S. Marine Corps veteran rose to become a lieutenant and arson investigator at EFD, started a peer fitness program within the fire department, and was honored with the Indiana Fire Chief’s Association Instructor of the Year award in 2019.
The inaugural Mohammad K. Azarian Prize for Mathematical Reviews, named after the longtime University of Evansville Professor of Mathematics, was bestowed on Harvard University Assistant Professor of Mathematics Arnav Tripathy. The American Mathematical Society presented the award to Tripathy in January at the 2026 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington, D.C. The award carries a $5,000 prize and recognizes reviewers whose work demonstrates technical insight, clarity, and service to the global mathematical community.
Suresh Immanuel, UE’s Dean of the College of Business and Engineering and Associate Provost for Academic Partnerships, has been appointed as a commissioner on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology’s Engineering Accreditation Commission. His term begins Aug. 1.
The annual Veterans Day breakfast by the WIKY-104.1 FM Morning Show is being honored by the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation. The free event, which drew more than 600 veterans and their families in 2025, has earned the Service to Community Award for Radio – Small Market, as part of the foundation’s 2026 Celebration of Service to America awards.
The Shield, University of Southern Indiana’s student newspaper, won 11 awards at two statewide conferences in April. From the Society of Professional Journalists’ Indiana Pro Chapter, Photo Editor Izzy Hannon earned first place in the Feature Photo category; Managing Editor Aracely Chavez took home second place in Editorial; former Editor-in-Chief Ian Young placed second in Opinion Column; and The Shield Source, a weekly e-newsletter, earned second place for the Best Student Newsletter. From the Indiana Collegiate Press Association, News Editor Cade Smithson came in first for News Magazine News Story and second for Breaking News Reporting Online; Editor-in-Chief Alex Mendoza won second place for News Magazine Column/Essay and News Magazine News Story; former Visual Editor Kai Harris took home third place for News Magazine Illustration; and the Shield’s staff earned third place for News Magazine of The Year and Advertising Self-Promotion Campaign.
Local McDonald’s restaurants donated $6,152.25 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley as part of the franchise’s annual Shamrock Shake fundraiser.
At spring ceremonies commemorating the Princeton plant’s 30th anniversary, Toyota Indiana announced $330,000 in grants supporting youth development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Recipients included the University of Evansville and North Gibson School Corporation, to purchase vehicles for Toyota’s Driving Possibilities initiative; YMCA of Southwestern Indiana’s Camp Carson, for improvements to its 300-acre Gibson County site; and Mudpuppy Palace, for the first phase of a planned nature-based learning center in Mount Vernon, Indiana.
The Warrick Humane Society received a Rachael Ray No-Kill Excellence grant of $20,000 from national nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society. The dollars support the Fostering Hope: Expanding Support to Save More Lives program, which has a goal of saving 292 dogs and cats.
Recent donations by the D-Patrick family of automotive dealerships include two $1,000 checks from D-Patrick Boonville Ford to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library/Warrick Literacy & Educational Connections and Youth First, respectively; $1,500 from D-Patrick Motoplex to Scouting America and the Pinewood Derby; $1,500 each to United Methodist Youth Home and Newburgh Buddy Ball from D-Patrick Honda; $2,500 from D-Patrick Evansville Ford to Easterseals; and $2,500 from D-Patrick Ford Lincoln to the USI Baseball Dugout Club.
GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT
Evansville Regional Airport has introduced GoodMaps, an accessible indoor technology that helps travelers move through the terminal with greater independence and confidence. It provides step-by-step guidance via a mobile device for visually-impaired travelers or others who want additional assistance navigating the airport.
The Town of Newburgh and Newburgh Park Pals have reached their funding goal for a new inclusive and accessible playground at Lou Dennis Community Park, thanks to a $1 million READI grant, $500,000 from the Town, and $375,000 in private donations to Newburgh Park Pals. An April 24 groundbreaking was held for the playground. Additional parts of the park’s expansion include the Robert Emmett Griffin Obstacle and Fitness Course, safety surfacing, fencing, shade structures, and seating areas.
Ivy Tech Community College Evansville celebrated surpassing its $30,000 fundraising goal during its fourth-annual Ivy Tech Day, held April 21. Nearly 6,000 area high school students take dual credit courses through Ivy Tech’s Evansville campus, which graduates about 1,400 people a year.
Grow, a capacity-building platform that the Welborn Baptist Foundation supports, has partnered with global digital credentialing leader Credly to introduce verified digital badges for nonprofit professionals. This initiative aims to strengthen the nonprofit workforce and improve community outcomes. Participants in Grow training programs will earn credentials for skills in areas such as strategy, operations, marketing, and fundraising. These badges, issued through Credly, provide a transparent and verifiable way for nonprofit leaders to demonstrate expertise and commitment to organizational excellence.
Posh on Main, a boutique offering clothing, accessories, home decor, and more, has moved to 208 Main St. The locally owned shop opened in 2019 at 330B Main St.
REGIONAL NEWS
Daviess Community Hospital, a Deaconess-owned facility in Washington, Indiana, hosted a ribbon-cutting April 10 to celebrate its new Women’s Health Center, a one-stop shop for multiple health services.
Ports of Indiana has opened a bonded storage facility at its Mount Vernon port. The 20,000-square-foot warehouse expands the port’s ability to handle large barge shipments of aluminum. The site is operated by Indiana River & Rail Terminals.
Traylor Building is serving as Construction Manager for the 320,000-square-foot Mizkan America production expansion project in Owensboro, Kentucky. The project adds production space for Mizkan and Nakano rice vinegars, Holland House cooking wines, and other products while also expanding production capability for Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauces. The company produces more than 400 million jars of Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauces per year in Owensboro. Construction is expected to finish in February 2028.
