Indy Chamber Announces New Leadership Appointments to Strengthen Talent and Marketing Initiatives

Indy Chamber Welcomes Blaine Zimmerman as Chief Talent and Marketing Officer; Promotes Joe Pellman to Vice President of Talent & Image

The Indy Chamber is pleased to announce the appointment of Blaine Zimmerman as Chief Talent and Marketing Officer (CTMO) and the promotion of Joe Pellman to Vice President of Talent & Image.

Zimmerman joins the Indy Chamber with a diverse background in the start-up, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, complemented by a Butler MBA and 16 years of military leadership experience. As President and CEO of INvets, Zimmerman developed marketing strategies that attracted over 1,600 veterans and their families to Indiana, generating more than $30 million in economic impact. His leadership expanded INvets from a team of five with a $1 million budget to a team of 15 with a $2.4 million budget within two years.

"I am deeply committed to the success of our community and passionate about making the Indianapolis region a thriving place for all," said Zimmerman. "Joining the Indy Chamber allows me to further contribute to the community I care about and to work alongside a dedicated team focused on fostering a vibrant environment for talent and business."

Zimmerman is actively involved in the Indy region through his board membership at the Indiana War Memorial Foundation and his participation in the Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Series. His civic involvement demonstrates his deep commitment to honoring the community and fostering local leadership, underscoring his dedication to the success and growth of Central Indiana.

In his leadership position with the Indy Chamber, Zimmerman will lead the Chamber's regional talent and image initiatives, institutional marketing, and communications. He will focus on developing strategic plans, executing key talent attraction and retention programs, and enhancing the Chamber’s engagement with public and private stakeholders.

Joe Pellman, a dedicated member of the Indy Chamber team for more than 11 years, has been promoted to Vice President of Talent & Image. Pellman has played a pivotal role in several successful initiatives alongside numerous regional partners, including the Chamber’s Accelerate Indy economic development strategy, branding and messaging of the “Transit Drives Indy” campaign to help secure Indy’s first dedicated funding source for mass transit, and developing the Chamber’s Rapid Response Hub to support hundreds of local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pellman currently leads the Life in Indy initiative, transforming LifeinIndy .com into the top talent and livability platform among national peers, and is currently overseeing an Indy regional branding initiative to develop consistent, compelling messaging about the Indianapolis region and its offerings.

"Blaine’s demonstrated success attracting talent to the Hoosier state, and Joe’s decade-long stewardship of our marketing efforts make both the perfect fit to lead this critical area of focus for our organization in the coming years," said Matt Mindrum, President and CEO of the Indy Chamber. "Developing, retaining, and attracting talent is the heart of our strategy to further the Indy region’s position as the fastest growing and most attractive in the Midwest."

These leadership changes reflect the Indy Chamber’s commitment to strengthening its organizational capacity and enhancing its ability to support businesses and communities across the nine-county Indy region.