New Forge ECI leader named

An organization focused on regional economic development and marketing has a new leader.

Forge ECI announced Thursday that it has selected Caitlin Hancock as its new president and CEO.

“I’m beyond excited,” said Hancock. “I’ve been with the organization for over a decade now, and just being able to see the growth that’s happened in the region, to be in this position now to lead this organization, I’m very excited for the future.”

Forge ECI, formerly known as the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, serves Jay, Randolph, Blackford, Delaware, Henry, Wayne, Grant, Fayette and Rush counties.

Hancock served as the interim president and CEO since May following the departure of Trevor Friedeberg, who is now president and CEO of Greater Muskegon Economic Development in Michigan.

She was chosen following a nationwide search.

“Caitlin emerged as the clear choice among more than 20 candidates,” said Garrett Doan, chair of Forge ECI’s board of directors, in a press release. “Her decade of experience within the organization, her proven leadership, and her passion for East Central Indiana distinguished her throughout the process. 

“The Board is confident she will guide Forge ECI and our region to even greater success.”

In her new role, Hancock said she is looking forward to continuing existing initiatives, including leading regional strategy for the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). She also noted work toward developing a regional arts and culture strategy, which is expected to be completed in the next month.

She noted work on population decline and said she believes the region is getting to the point of stabilization and will soon be able to look toward driving growth.

“So there’s a lot of exciting things happening in our communities, from new housing opportunities to child care to quality-of-life projects,” Hancock said. “And I think it’s really about leveraging all of those things together … intentionally to really drive progress in the region.”

She also pointed out that the Forge ECI’s strategic plan expires at the end of the year. She’ll be looking toward developing a new plan to help guide the organization’s work moving forward.

A Van Wert, Ohio, native whose parents are both from Adams County, Hancock has been with Forge ECI since 2015. She discovered the economic development world while interning at Grant County Economic Growth Council during her senior year at Indiana Wesleyan University. As she was nearing completion of her degree in public relations, a mentor there suggested she apply for the director of administration and marketing role at what was then East Central Indiana Regional Partnership.

“Ten years later, here I am,” she said.

She later became the organization’s vice president of strategy and operations.

Hancock, who earned her economic development certificate from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute last year, said she found her months in the interim role rewarding because it allowed her to have a more forward-facing role with the communities Forge ECI serves.

With the announcement of her hiring as the president and CEO, she will get to continue in that leadership capacity.

“I am honored to lead Forge ECI at such an important moment for our region,” Hancock said. “Together with our partners, we are forging the future of East Central Indiana and growing our population by attracting new residents and supporting those who choose to build their businesses and lives here. This work is about creating opportunities that will strengthen our communities today and ensure a vibrant, thriving region for generations to come.”