Batesville Native Named Government Leader of the Year

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner took place on Wednesday.

Elaine Bedel. Photo by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation. 

INDIANAPOLIS – A Batesville native has been named the winner of a prestigious award from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber celebrated their 100th anniversary at their 33rd Annual Awards Dinner was held on Wednesday.

Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) CEO and Secretary Elaine Bedel was named the Birch-Bayh-Richard Lugar Government Leader of the Year.

Bedel was appointed by Governor Holcomb in 2019 to serve as the first Secretary and CEO of the IDDC, an agency focused on making Indiana a great place to live and visit and to learn and earn.

In her current role, Bedel works to attract and retain talent, graduates, and visitors.

“Elaine is a successful Hoosier businesswoman who has now dedicated herself to this new role leading the IDDC,” praises Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “She’s passionately putting Indiana’s best foot forward to recruit visitors and new residents to help meet Indiana’s talent needs of today and tomorrow.”

“I never expected to be recognized in this manner,” Bedel says of the Indiana Chamber honor. “I appreciate it and it’s reassurance that we’re making progress – and together we can do something very good for the state.”

She adds, “I want Indiana to be seen as one of the best states in the country. I think we can achieve that, and the award helps me feel good about other people thinking it’s important as well; it’s not just me talking in the wilderness. That’s very gratifying.”