Leonard Hoops leads a team of 58 professionals who are charged with growing central Indiana’s nearly $6 billion convention, tourism and event business. During his tenure, Indianapolis has been named the No. 1 convention city in America by USA Today and a top visitor destination by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler and Time magazine. He has helped develop the Indy Destination Vision travel and tourism plan, which includes a planned new hotel downtown, and the planning vision for the White River. He sits on the board of business events organization PCMA, among other national and local boards.
On leadership: “Just about anyone can have short-term success. But to deliver sustained success, you must build a great organizational culture.”
Something surprising: “I’ve been doing stand-up comedy for a variety of charitable causes (and an occasional industry roast or two) for about eight years.”
Worry: “Social issues legislation at the Statehouse. Underserved and marginalized communities, particularly people with disabilities.”
Before completing an MBA at Indiana University South Bend in 2000, Isaac Torres founded InterCambio Express Inc.—an international money transfer service provider. The Elkhart-based company now operates in 48 states and sends money to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. Torres subsequently launched the companies InterCambio Realty LLC and InterLoans. In 2019, he established the Isaac P. Torres Family School of Business and Economics Scholarship on IU’s South Bend campus. He serves on the boards of 1st Source Bank, IU Foundation, Women’s Care Center Elkhart and Community Foundation of Elkhart.
Job swap: PGA professional
Love about Indiana: “Welcoming community, pro-business environment and small-town feel.”
Indiana change: “Create better infrastructure designed to facilitate the growth of the Latino generations to come.”
As vice president of communications for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Quinn Buckner is the organization’s liaison to the corporate community, leads the Pacers Youth Basketball Program, and is the analyst for Indiana Pacers television games. He serves on the board for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. Before joining the Pacers, he was an analyst with the Cleveland Cavaliers, coached the Dallas Mavericks and played 10 seasons in the NBA. He was captain of Indiana University’s 1976 NCAA Championship team and the 1976 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team. He chairs the Indiana University board.
First job: “I worked for a janitor at my elementary school, as well as for Head Start delivering supplies (around 10-12 years old). It taught responsibility.”
Something surprising: “I’ve always had an interest in
NHRA racing.”
Toughest challenge: “I grew up shy, so being in front of an audience is the toughest. I am private and shy, but people don’t necessarily see me that way. I overcome in order to give my best.”
As partner at Ground Game Ventures, Aman Brar invests in startup and growing technology companies. The Wabash College alum has an extensive background in leading technology companies through periods of high growth, M&A and integration. He launched Canvas, the world’s first text-based interviewing software, in 2017. The startup was acquired by Jobvite 16 months after launch. As former president of Apparatus, Brar helped lead the company through a strategic acquisition by Virtusa where he subsequently led the global infrastructure business unit. The son of parents who emigrated from India serves on the boards of Wabash College, Indiana University Health Foundation, Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, TechPoint, Orr Fellowship and several other companies and organizations.
Job swap: stand-up comedian
Toughest challenge: “Learning to love everyone including those that taunted me for my race and ethnicity.”
Worry: “Our lack of new business starts. We need thousands of people founding companies in Indiana.”
Alice Watson became president and CEO of the Indiana Black Expo, which has 12 chapters throughout the state and hosts the Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic, at the start of the year. She had served as the organization’s senior vice president of operations—in which she oversaw all of the organization’s departments—for 11 years. Before joining the expo, she served as deputy commissioner of the Indiana Department of Administration.
Favorite part of being a leader: “Seeing those currently and formerly under my leadership thrive and succeed.”
Favorite device: “My phone, because it allows me to read
at night.”
Toughest challenge: “Being passed over for a promotion on my first career job as a manager trainee when all my team members were promoted simultaneously. I had a mentor and sponsor who told me to be patient, greater opportunities were around the corner.”
Alan Bacon co-founded cultural not-for-profit GangGang with partner Mali Jeffers. He’s also co-curator for fine arts fair Butter and for the “We. The Culture” exhibit at Newfields. GangGang was among the groups that produced SWISH—an arts festival during the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis—and curated more than 263 performances over four weeks. GangGang is also working with the host committee of the NBA All-Star Game for 2024. Bacon was previously president of Harrison College’s northwest campus and worked as senior director of social innovation at United Way of Central Indiana.
Biggest challenge: “Launching a successful startup during
the pandemic.”
Advice for a young person: “I would share the importance of networking and relationship building. This has proven to be critical. I would also help them understand the power of the youth.”
Walk-up song: “Dream on,” by Aerosmith
In May 2021, Darrianne Christian became the first Black woman to chair the Newfields board of trustees. Christian started her career with the Central Intelligence Agency after being recruited into the Stokes Scholar program while still a high school student. She spent the remainder of her career working in information technology as a program manager and consultant before leaving the workforce to care for her children. She currently serves on the boards of Lake City Bank and the Eskenazi Health Foundation. She has been a member of the Newfields board since 2016.
First job: “Babysitter. I learned that babies are not only cute but a lot of work. It taught me to be patient and attentive.”
Toughest challenge: “Raising teenage girls. Not sure I have overcome it yet.”
Sabbatical topic: “Minimizing the wealth gap.”
Herb Simon is governor (the NBA term for owner) of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. He bought the Indiana Pacers with his brother Mel in 1983 and acquired full ownership of the team before Mel died in 2009. Simon has a long history in real estate. In 1960, he and his brothers founded Melvin Simon & Associates, which became retail real estate powerhouse Simon Property Group. Herb Simon previously served as CEO of Simon Property Group and remains chair emeritus.
Craig Huse is leading the family business as it transitions from an organization centered around its highly regarded downtown Indianapolis restaurant, St. Elmo Steak House, into a regional restaurant operator and specialty food and beverage retailer. Its third 1933 Lounge is under development, joining three Indianapolis Harry & Izzy locations and the HC in Fishers as other restaurant endeavors. Expansion into other states is planned. Further expansion also is expected in the company's retail division, which includes its cocktail sauce, seasoning blend, condiments and alcoholic beverages. Total company sales now reach $70 million annually.
Toughest challenge: "The COVID-19 pandemic. With restaurant dining shut down for two to three months, depending on the county, followed by slow reopenings while still keeping all staff members paid throughout, [the pandemic] provided stress like never before in the hospitality industry. I was proud of how our leadership team guided the organization and treated the 800 employees during that challenging time.
Jim Dora Jr. leads Indianapolis-based General Hotels Corp., which his father, the late Jim Dora Sr., founded in 1962. The younger Dora earned a degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management, then worked various jobs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Memphis, Tennessee, along with Germany and Singapore, before returning to Indianapolis. Dora is active in numerous organizations, including the Capital Improvement Board of Managers, Visit Indy and the Indy Chamber. He also serves as a police lieutenant in the reserve division of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
First job: “Dishwasher. In the hotel industry, dishwasher and room attendant are the two hardest jobs in a hotel. They are also the two most important jobs, as the hotel cannot run without either position.”
Sabbatical topic: “Touring every national park in the country.”
Pets: “My wife and I have a pit mix named Fern. Fern is hilarious and provides lots of entertainment.”
