Braun names 3rd president of Indiana Economic Development Corp. in less than 2 years

Indiana’s state agency for business recruitment will soon have its third leader since Gov. Mike Braun took office early last year.

The governor’s office announced Thursday that Josh Richardson was stepping down after about 11 months as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. for a private sector position.

He’ll be replaced by business executive Mitch Frazier, effective Oct. 5.

Frazier is currently president of IBJ Media, which publishes the Indianapolis Business Journal and the Indiana Lawyer.

He previously was CEO of AgriNovus Indiana, which is a nonprofit group promoting the state’s agriculture industry, and CEO of Reynolds Farm Equipment. Frazier was the IEDC’s media relations director during the administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels.

“Mitch understands Indiana, he understands business, and he knows what it takes to turn ideas into results,” Braun said in the statement announcing Frazier’s appointment.

Frazier will report to state Commerce Secretary Chuck Goodrich, the CEO of Indianapolis-based Gaylor Electric whom Braun appointed to the commerce position in July. Goodrich oversees IEDC, along with the Indiana Destination Corp. and other agencies.

The IEDC, which promotes business investments and compiles financial incentive packages for companies, has undergone a shakeup since Braun became governor in January 2025.

Braun’s first commerce secretary, David Adams, was also the IEDC president until Braun picked Richardson for that role last October after he had been heading up the Department of Workforce Development. The General Assembly directed Braun to have two separate positions.

Adams stepped down as commerce secretary in June, setting up the appointment of Goodrich.

The governor’s office credited Richardson with helping lead IEDC “through a period of leadership transition and increased alignment across the state’s economic development and workforce efforts.”

“Josh stepped into this role at an important time for our organization and I’m grateful for his leadership and service to Indiana,” Goodrich said. “He has been a valued partner as we’ve established our direction for the Office of Commerce, and we wish him and his family nothing but success in his next role in the private sector.”