NEWS

HAMILTON COUNTY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 2025 AWARDS WINNERS

NOBLESVILLE, IN – Each year, Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) recognizes HCLA alumni and community partners for their commitment and service to HCLA and their impact in Hamilton County. This year HCLA is thrilled to announce Karen Radcliff as the 2025 HCLA Distinguished Alumni and Lawrence “Sonny” Beck as the 2025 HCLA Honorary Alumni.

HCLA will recognize Karen Radcliff and Sonny Beck as the 2025 awards recipients during the HCLA Leadership Summit which will take place on Tuesday, June 24th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Noblesville.

2025 Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus from the HCLA program who has made a difference in the HCLA network and Hamilton County through their service to the community and leadership efforts. They have utilized the knowledge gained from the program to leave a mark in the community where they reside and work. The 2025 HCLA Distinguished Alumni is Karen Radcliff, HCLA Class of 2004.

Karen has worked for Hamilton County Tourism for 30 years and currently serves as their President & CEO. In her work, she successfully built tourism markets for golf, weddings, youth sports, weekend leisure, and small meetings. She identified expansion opportunities through a vision master planning effort and guided the organization’s strategic growth for the past 10 years.

Karen pioneered a $2M marketing and advertising program that consistently achieved higher than industry average ROI. She developed the strategic partnerships and research that led to building Grand Park Sports Campus—the nation’s most visited multi-sports venue. She created what has become a cult favorite among foodies, Hamilton County’s Tenderloin Tuesdays. Most recently she guided the county’s effort to build a tourism capital fund called BEST that will influence and support new tourism development for years to come. Karen calls Westfield, Indiana home and enjoys yoga, hiking, live music, summer Jeep rides, and adventure travel with her two sons.

Karen has supported HCLA in a variety of capacities from class speaker to program ambassador, but most notable Karen served HCLA as the Class of 2023 Dean.

2025 HCLA Honorary Alumni

The HCLA Honorary Alumni Award recognizes a Hamilton County leader for their investment, advocacy, and partnership with HCLA. Honorees are not alumnus of the program but have a deep belief in the mission and vision of HCLA and the impact graduates can make in the community. The 2025 HCLA Honorary Alumni is Lawrence “Sonny” Beck.

Lawrence “Sonny” Beck is CEO of Beck’s Hybrids in Atlanta, Indiana, where his business philosophy emphasizes quality, service, and the importance of agronomic research to the future well-being of the American farmer. Under his leadership, Beck’s Hybrids has become the largest family-owned retail seed company and the third largest seed brand in the United States, serving farmers in 19 states throughout the Midwest and Mid-South. Sonny earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and Plant Breeding and a Master of Arts Degree in Agricultural Economics, both from Purdue University. When he graduated in 1962, he became the first College of Agriculture student to receive Purdue’s G. A. Ross Award, presented annually to the overall outstanding graduating senior man. Sonny was also awarded the Purdue University Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award in 1992, and he received an Honorary Doctorate of Agriculture from Purdue University in 2007.

Since 2013, Sonny has served on Purdue University’s Board of Trustees. He has also been named the Indiana Historical Society’s Living Legend in 2023; Indiana Chamber’s Business Leader of the Year in 2016; NAMA Agribusiness Leader of the Year in 2014; and FarmHouse Master Builder of Men in 2014.

Sonny and his wife, Glendia, enjoy spending time with their three children, thirteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. They are deeply passionate in supporting many charities through both personal giving and providing grants through the Beck Foundation.

Celebrate the HCLA 2024 Award Winners by making a gift to HCLA in their honor or attending the HCLA Leadership Summit.

HAMILTON COUNTY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ANNOUNCES ANGELA FRAZIER AS DEAN OF CLASS OF 2026

Noblesville, IN – Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) is thrilled to announce that Angela Frazier will serve as dean for the Class of 2026. Applications for HCLA’s 35th cohort of community leaders will open on Friday, February 28.

“I am truly honored to be selected as Hamilton County Leadership Academy’s next class dean,” said Frazier, business development director at American Structurepoint. “My 2020 HCLA classmates and many other alumni have become like family to me. I am fortunate to be part of such an outstanding group of leaders, and I look forward to helping the next class foster education, leadership, philanthropy, and collaboration to better serve the Hamilton County community.”

HCLA has been educating leaders and cultivating community networks for over 30 years. Since its inception in 1991, more than 900 community leaders have graduated from HCLA. The organization is anchored by its mission to inspire and empower participants and alumni to drive and amplify community impact through unique access to knowledge, leaders, and organizations.

The dean plays a critical role in shaping class culture and connectivity while providing meaningful insight throughout the HCLA experience. Deans also serve as ambassadors for the program, working closely with the executive director and board to create an engaging and thought-provoking learning environment. “HCLA is fortunate to have a legacy of deans who model community leadership and impact,” said Diana Coyle, HCLA executive director. “Angela is a perfect addition to that legacy. As an HCLA volunteer and class day speaker, she consistently brings connectivity, wisdom, and passion for Hamilton County and we are excited to see her share those gifts with the Class of 2026.

With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Frazier is passionate about connecting with others to make a difference in Hamilton County. She currently serves on the Hamilton County Community Corrections Advisory Board, Fishers Arts and Culture Commission, Fishers Advisory Plan Commission, and the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Corporate Member Advisory Council. She is also a current Hamilton County Connector through the HCLA and Invest Hamilton County partnership.

In her role at American Structurepoint, Frazier serves as a liaison between the company’s technical professionals and local governments and public service providers in Indiana. She frequently collaborates with elected and appointed officials, advising on planning, engineering, and architectural services to help communities achieve economic development, capital improvement, and quality-of-life goals.

Before joining American Structurepoint, Frazier gained leadership experience working for Mayor Andy Cook in the City of Westfield as director of Westfield Welcome and assistant director of the Westfield Public Works Department and Grand Park Sports Campus. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Management from Indiana University Kokomo.

Angela resides in Fishers and enjoys traveling, trail running, studying history and politics, and spending time with family and friends.

Applications for the HCLA Class of 2026 will close on April 1, 2025, and the cohort will be announced in June.

HCLA will also host meet-ups for prospective applicants to learn more about the program and application process. Meet-ups include:

Tuesday, March 11 from 5:00-6:30 pm | Songbird Social House (Carmel)
Tuesday, March 18 from 3:30-5:00 pm | Collaboration Hub (Fishers)
Wednesday, March 26 from 8:30-10:00 am | Westfield Washington Township (Westfield)

If you are interested in attending, please register here.

HAMILTON COUNTY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ANNOUNCES THE CLASS OF 2025

Noblesville, IN – The Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) has selected 35 individuals who reside or work in Hamilton County to participate in its 10-month community leadership program.

HCLA Executive Director Diana Coyle, shared, “There is such excitement each year as the buzz begins on who will be a part of the next cohort. HCLA leadership is thrilled to welcome this phenomenal group into our legacy. We can’t wait to see their competency and connections grow as they interact with one another, Dean Megan Wiles, class speakers, and community partners.”

HCLA is pleased to officially announce the Class of 2025 and welcome them into the folds of HCLA’s over 30-year legacy in Hamilton County:

Gabe Amick | Hamilton County Sports Authority
McKenzie Barbknecht | Duke Energy\
Kari Berger | Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation
Renee Butts | Carmel Fire Department
Jeremy Coons | Edward Jones
Heather Fisher | ThriveVista
Marc Griffith | The Veridus Group Inc.
Scott Hazel | Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office & Dedicated Shield
James Hellmann | City of Noblesville
Matt Husband | State Farm Insurance
Joshua Icenogle | Gaylor Electric
Rachel Kartz | Ivy Tech Community College – Hamilton County Campus
Alicia Klingerman | Family Promise of Hamilton County
Ashley Knott | Westfield Washington Schools & Westfield Education Foundation
Steve Latour | The Farmers Bank
Melissa Lawson | Citizens Energy Group
Chandler Lawson Flynn | Church Church Hittle + Antrim
Michele Leach | Moisture Management
Thomas McClelland | CarDon & Associates
Dustin Mikesell | Riverview Health
Jessica Minor | accessABILITY
Molly Mrozowski | Hamilton East Public Library
Amanda Mumphrey | Bondry Consulting
Beth Myers | Delaware Township
Ashanti Ordone | Gifted & Talented Academy Inc.
Catherine Pallotta | American Structurepoint
Bob Rice | Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Todd Roberts | Beck’s Hybrids
Michelle Schmidt | Noblesville Youth Assistance
Justin Schuhmacher | Indiana Estate & Elder Law
Hadleigh Smith | Invest Hamilton County
Danielle Stiles-Polk | Hamilton County Community Foundation
Pooja Thakkar | Bankable, Powered by Flagship
Sloane Thompson | Recovery Cafe Hamilton County
Jeff Worrell | City of Carmel

Each year, HCLA selects participants through a highly competitive application process. Class members are selected based on their community engagement, desire to learn and grow through the HCLA program, passion for making an impact through leading and serving in Hamilton County, and unique perspectives and knowledge they will bring to the learning environment.

Earlier this year, HCLA announced that Megan Wiles would serve HCLA as the Class of 2025 Dean. HCLA will kick off its Class of 2025 cohort experience in mid-August with a two-day opening retreat.

HAMILTON COUNTY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 2024 AWARD WINNERS

NOBLESVILLE, IN –Each year, Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) recognizes HCLA alumni and community partners for their commitment and service to HCLA and their impact in Hamilton County. This year HCLA is thrilled to announce Andrea Davis as the 2024 HCLA Distinguished Alumni and Brenda Myers as the 2024 HCLA Honorary Alumni.

HCLA will recognize Andrea Davis and Brenda Myers as the 2024 awards recipients during the HCLA Leadership Summit which will take place on Tuesday, June 18th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Noblesville.

2024 Distinguished Alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus from the HCLA program who has made a difference in the HCLA network and Hamilton County through their service to the community and leadership efforts. They have utilized the knowledge gained from the program to leave a mark in the community where they reside and work. The 2024 HCLA Distinguished Alumni is Andrea Davis, HCLA Class of 2014.

Andrea Davis is executive director of nonprofit housing developer HAND Inc. and a resident of Fishers. Andrea joined HAND in 2016 after more than 20 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, most recently for the Indianapolis Business Journal. She is a proud graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy (#BCE2014) and the Fishers City Government Academy.

When she’s not working, napping, or exploring the local dining scene, Andrea can probably be found at a poker table. She and her high school sweetheart, Bob, celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary in June.

2024 HCLA Honorary Alumni

Brenda Myers is president and CEO of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc., where she oversees destination and tourism economic development for one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Myers has more than 35 years of experience in tourism development, working in cultural attractions management as well as in tourism development for the state of Indiana. She began her career as a journalist, and that curiosity laid the foundation for her passion to seek information to make informed decisions.

She helped lead Hamilton County’s work on the White River Vision Plan and collaborated with her team and local leadership to create the Business of Entertainment, Sport & Tourism Fund under the care of Karen Radcliff. During her tenure, Hamilton County Tourism has given more than $15 million to the community in the form of grants and research support and now gives back under the Inspire Hamilton County arm of tourism’s work, supporting People, Place, Planet, & Prosperity.

Celebrate the HCLA 2024 Award Winners by making a gift to HCLA in their honor or attending the HCLA Leadership Summit.