Jenna Richardt is the new senior vice president of business development and engagement at the Ports of Indiana.
Richardt, who will be based in Mount Vernon, will lead statewide efforts to grow the value of all the ports, including Burns Harbor.
“We’re very excited to have someone of Jenna’s caliber join our team to help expand our business development efforts,” said Jody Peacock, CEO for the Ports of Indiana, in a press release. “She brings extensive experience in economic development and a vast knowledge of Southwest Indiana, where we see the largest growth opportunities in the next decade. Jenna will also be focused on expanding our partnerships with key stakeholders to further leverage Ports of Indiana’s economic development capabilities around the state.”
Richardt was the chief regional economic development officer and senior vice president for the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. Before that she was executive director for the Posey County Economic Development Partnership in Mount Vernon.
“It’s an honor to join a great team and such a wonderful success story at Ports of Indiana,” Richardt said. “Our state ports are powerful economic engines for Indiana, and I am eager to build on the past achievements in Southwest Indiana and at the ports to grow business throughout Indiana.”
Richardt also will oversee marketing and communications, cargo and real estate development, as well as government affairs for Ports of Indiana.
Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports consisting of 2,800 acres of land along the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. The ports have 1,000 acres available for development. The state’s three ports generate $8 billion in annual economic impact and support 50,000 jobs.
In June, the Indiana ports ranked first among inland ports and second among Great Lakes ports for cargo shipments, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Northern Indiana Port District handled 30.3 million tons, which was 2.2 million tons behind the first-ranked the Port of Duluth-Superior, which includes terminals in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
