Mayor-elect Sue Finkam announced on Tuesday the formation of Elevate Carmel, Inc., an Indiana non-profit organization that will oversee all transition and inaugural activities in the City of Carmel.
“Our goal with the transition is to find opportunities for service enhancement, process improvement, cost reduction and increased transparency to better serve our amazing community,” Finkam said. “By recruiting a diverse and talented group of subject-matter experts to lead our transition efforts, we will lay a strong foundation to build an administration that will accelerate and elevate Carmel’s success for years to come.”
Laura Campbell, current Carmel city councilor and Sue Finkam for Mayor campaign co-chair, and Kory Wood, partner at Ascent Strategic and general consultant to the Sue Finkam for Mayor campaign, will lead Elevate Carmel, Inc. and serve as its senior advisors managing all operations.
Craig Dunn will serve on the Board of Directors for the non-profit. Lisa Brandt will serve as the executive director. Brad Rateike from BAR Communications will handle all communications. Marilee Springer from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath will provide legal counsel. Marty Obst from MO Strategies will serve as an advisor and fundraising consultant.
Elevate Carmel, Inc. also includes two committees that are advising the transition and planning inaugural activities. The members of both committees are announced below:
Transition Committee
- Co-Chairs: Katie Lucas, Bill Stephan
- Economic Development: Larry Gigerich
- Legal: Marilee Springer
- Redevelopment: Adam Collins
- Finance: Chuck Schalliol
- Information Technology: Jason Sondhi
- Fire/EMS: Dr. Michael Kaufmann
- Police: Doug Carter
- Marketing and Community Relations: Rebecca Carl
- Utilities: Kevin Hetrick
- Engineering: Steve Fleming
- Planning and Zoning: Jamie Ford-Bowers and Chris Hamm
- Administration: Jennifer Pavlik
- Infrastructure: Michael Rowe
- Carmel Mayor’s Youth Council: Liam Hansen
- Bond Bank: Loren Matthes
- Talent Acquisition: Kent Burns
Inaugural Committee
- Co-chairs: Carrie Holle, Jeff McDermott
- Johnica Bibeau, Carmel City Councilor Dr. Tim Hannon, Craig Dunn, Lou Gerig, Magdelan Bergeron, Marsha Millikan, Stephanie Carlson, Jill Stafford Zaniker