Innovate West Central Indiana - Terre Haute

Gregory L. Gibson resides in Terre Haute, Indiana and is known for his strong track record of entrepreneurial success in a variety of business ventures located throughout the United States, with business operations including commercial real estate development, the hospitality and food service industry, trucking, excavation, the coal industry, solid waste landfill development and waste industry advisory services.

Gibson has owned and developed several privately held companies which were later sold to publicly owned companies located throughout the United States. In particular, over the past 30 years, Gibson has obtained extensive experience in the successful development and operation of waste management companies, including both integrated and non-integrated business operations. He has owned and operated landfill, hauling and transfer station operations in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona and Texas. He is highly knowledgeable of the waste management industry as demonstrated by his ongoing role as a consultant to several major publicly held waste management companies. Gibson’s background has enabled him to develop critical political and regulatory expertise, which has resulted in a good working relationship with many local and state regulatory agencies.

Gibson serves his community and state in many capacities. He was appointed to the Indiana Judicial Commission, by the Governor of the State of Indiana, which is responsible for the nomination of judiciary candidates for the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals. He currently serves on the Indiana Port Commission by appointment of former Governor Mike Pence and reappointment by Governor Eric Holcomb. The Indiana Port Commission oversees operations at the Ports of Indiana in Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville and Mt. Vernon. The Port Commission is involved in assisting economic development projects throughout the State. He also served on the Nominating Board for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission at the request of Governor Mitch Daniels. Currently, he serves as chairman of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In addition to his waste management, political and regulatory backgrounds, Gibson has a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he serves on the Board of Trustees. In 2017, his Alma Mater awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for First Financial Bank and its holding company, First Financial Corporation. He is involved in several charitable organizations which include the Methodist Health Foundation, the Bird-Gibson Sports Center, Hospice of the Wabash Valley, Visiting Nurse Association and the Weatherby Foundation. He serves as Board Chairman for the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of the Wabash Valley. He was formerly affiliated with the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, Salvation Army, Sheldon Swope Art Museum, Family Service Association, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and was a founding member of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board.

Greg was born and raised in Terre Haute. He is married to Amy (Zwerner) Gibson, who also grew up in Terre Haute. They have two children, Jack and Lucy.

He is an avid sportsman and has hunted all over the world. His hunting activities include 30 trips to Africa. He is a member of several hunting and fishing organizations, including Safari Club International and the Shikar Safari Club.

Dr. Mike Godard proudly serves as the 13th President of Indiana State University, bringing over 25 years of higher education leadership. His distinguished career spans multiple pivotal roles, from dedicated faculty member to department chair, vice provost, provost and most recently as president.

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Godard holds a PhD in Human Bioenergetics from Ball State University, a master’s in Exercise Physiology from Adelphi University, and a bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Vermont State University.

Dr. Godard has led initiatives that boosted student retention, improved graduation rates, and expanded academic programs to align with workforce demands. His leadership style prioritizes transparency and data-driven decision-making, earning him a reputation as a visionary and approachable leader.

Since arriving at Indiana State University, Dr. Godard has concentrated on enhancing the university’s mission of delivering outstanding education grounded in experiential learning and community engagement.

Dr. Godard’s commitment to education goes beyond campus. He actively engages in community development initiatives and champions the importance of higher education. His leadership is transforming Indiana State University into a model of innovation and impact, ensuring its ongoing success as a foundational opportunity for students and the state of Indiana.

Ryan Keller is the CEO of Thrive West Central, a nonprofit organization serving West Central Indiana. Ryan and his team repositioned Thrive West Central in 2020 as an innovative regional driver. Thrive connects individuals, business, and communities to resources.  Thrive's services and programs focus on building age-friendly communities, improving the quality of life, promoting population growth, and increasing the per capita personal income throughout West Central Indiana. 

Ryan has a background in nonprofit organizational development, K-16 education, instructional design, marketing, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and leadership development. Prior to West Central, Ryan was the Chief Operating Officer at Certell, a worldwide nonprofit focused on free market and good citizenship educational programs.  

Before Certell, Ryan worked for major and minor league baseball teams, the NFL, agriculture cooperatives, and as a high school and college instructor.  He earned a master’s degree in Leadership Development with a focus on nonprofit organizations from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Plant Science and Agronomy, with an emphasis in turf science. 

Ryan lives outside Brazil, a small West Central town, with his wife and three children. Ryan is a recent Indiana Leadership Forum (ILF) graduate in 2024. He serves on several nonprofit boards and volunteers his time creating a better quality of life for members of his community.

Shelley Klingerman is the founder of Stiletto Agency. She is an entrepreneur, author, marketing professional, film producer, and mother of three. She graduated from Indiana State University and lives in Terre Haute, Indiana.

During her research and two decades of working for a large global firm, Shelley began to understand the need to be vigilant and aware of her surroundings in everyday situations. This sparked a passion to help others learn what they should be aware of while living their day-to-day lives and how they can prepare and protect themselves.