INDIANAPOLIS -- Three new representatives will join Indiana University’s Council for Regional Engagement and Economic Development, or CREED, when its next meeting convenes Aug. 24 on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.

Established in 2010 by IU’s Office of the Vice President for Engagement, CREED serves as a university-wide forum to address regional economic development issues. The ongoing dialogue among CREED members identifies ways that IU might bring its resources and expertise to bear to advance the state’s economy.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="296.0"] Greg Knudson, director, Center for Business and Economic Development, IUPUC[/caption]

One of CREED’s main resources is its Regional Economic Development Fund. The RED Fund provides cost-share grants of up to $2,500 for qualifying proposals submitted through regional campuses.

Each IU campus is represented on the council, with appointees approved by their respective chancellor or provost. CREED meets on a quarterly basis. Its newest members are:

• IU East: Robert Mulligan, incoming dean, School of Business and Economics
• IU South Bend: P.N. Saksena, interim dean, Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics
• Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus: Greg Knudson, director, Center for Business and Economic Development

“Each of our three new members brings considerable talents and background to the council,” said David Gard, IU’s assistant vice president for economic development and CREED’s vice chair. “Their expertise will enhance our efforts to promote economic development statewide, as well as collaborate with local and regional partners who share those same goals.”

Mulligan joined IU East’s School of Business and Economics on July 1. He succeeds David Frantz, who served as dean since 2006, in that position as well as IU East’s CREED representative. Mulligan was previously acting associate dean for graduate studies at Western Carolina University. A former Air Force officer, he also served as assistant dean for the Gabelli School of Business at Roger Williams University.

Saksena became interim dean at Leighton on April 1. He replaces Rob Ducoffe, who was named provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, as IUSB’s CREED representative. Saksena also serves as Leighton’s associate dean of graduate programs and accreditation, and he chairs its accounting department. He has been at IUSB since 1995.

Knudson has directed IUPUC’s Center for Business and Economic Development since February 2014. He succeeds Matt Souza, who is special assistant to IUPUC’s vice chancellor and dean. Prior to joining IUPUC, Knudson was vice president of sales and marketing at Nextronex Inc., an Ohio-based solar inverter and power electronics company. Knudson has also served as president and CEO of TecnoSun Solar USA and managing director of Rocket Ventures, both based in Ohio.

“IU is strongly committed to its role as a unique and vital contributor to Indiana’s economy, with CREED serving as one of those vehicles,” said IU Vice President for Engagement and CREED Chair Bill Stephan.

“We look forward to the contributions of CREED’s incoming members as we continue to expand collaboration between IU and Indiana’s business community, along with promoting a statewide spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Stephan. “We are also grateful for the service of CREED’s departing members and the valuable contributions that David, Rob and Matt provided throughout their tenure on the council.”

Additional CREED representatives within Stephan’s office include Tony Armstrong, president and CEO of the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., and Rebecca Carl, associate vice president and chief of staff. CREED’s other representatives are:

• IU Bloomington: Kirk White, assistant vice president for strategic partnerships
• IU Kokomo: Cathy Valcke, director of alumni relations and public affairs
• IU Northwest: Subir Bandyopadhyay, marketing professor, School of Business and Economics
• Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne: Sean Ryan, director of university engagement
• Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis: Amy Conrad-Warner, vice chancellor for external affairs
• IU Southeast: Uric Dufrene, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs