Greater Lafayette Commerce CEO to Retire
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGreater Lafayette Commerce has formed a search committee to find its next president and chief executive officer The organization says Joe Seaman will retire at the end of the year. He has led the group and its predecessor since 2007. March 3, 2013
News Release
Lafayette, Ind. – March 3, 2014 – Joseph Seaman, who has served since June 2007 as president and chief executive officer of Greater Lafayette Commerce and its predecessor organization, has announced he will retire from that post at year end.
A 13-member search committee has been named. It will begin meeting in early March under the leadership of Gary Lehman, chairman of the board of Oerlikon Fairfield and president of Oerlikon USA Holdings Inc. Currently vice chair of the Greater Lafayette Commerce board, he chaired a similar committee when Seaman was chosen to lead the local economic development organization.
“Joe has been a terrific leader, bringing our people together on focused goals, uniting us in consensus, and landing some impressive economic development wins,” Lehman said. “He’ll continue to do this the rest of the year and help us achieve a smooth transition as we continue our positive momentum.”
Members of the search committee from the business community include: JoAnn Brouillette, managing partner and president of Demeter LP; Lisa Decker, vice president of marketing and business development, Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health; Al Gatmaitan, chief executive officer of Indiana University Health Arnett; Gary Henriott, chairman, Henriott Group; Jan Mills, director of economic development, Purdue Research Foundation; and Tim Powers, president of School Datebooks.
Government representatives serving on the site selection committee are: Tom Murtaugh, Tippecanoe County Commissioner; Lafayette mayor Tony Roswarski and economic development director Dennis Carson; West Lafayette mayor John Dennis and director of development Chandler Poole. They will be joined by Luis Lewin, vice president for human resources at Purdue University.
“We purposely included a cross section of industry, business and government representatives so that a variety of interests are at the table,” Lehman said.
The committee will formalize a job description and seek applicants nationally, said Powers, Greater Lafayette Commerce board chair.
“We’ll be looking for the best of the best,” Powers said. “We want a strong leader with an understanding of global opportunities, someone with bold, new ideas who will lead our community as we further our high-tech, life science, advanced manufacturing, medical, professional and other business sectors.”
As president and CEO, Seaman, 66, oversaw the merger of several local organizations into one and adoption of the organization’s new name, Greater Lafayette Commerce. He’s currently overseeing implementation of the “From Good to Great” plan of community action and all economic development and quality-of-life activities.
“This community is dynamic, forward-thinking and always ready to move forward in securing our economic health,” said Seaman, who has called Lafayette home for more than 25 years. “My family and I have enjoyed abundant personal and professional opportunities here. I’ve been honored to serve Greater Lafayette Commerce, and by year end, I’ll be ready for the next step in my life.”
About Greater Lafayette Commerce. Headquartered at 337 Columbia St. in Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Commerce (www.greaterlafayettecommerce.com), whose roots go back more than 85 years, is a nonprofit membership organization supported by local businesses, industries and governments. Its mission is to advance economic and community prosperity for a superior quality of life.
Source: Greater Lafayette Commerce