Eric Powell Email & Phone Number

Carmel, In, Us

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

●Day-to-day frontline communications professional managing a variety of responsibilities:*Point of contact for all media inquiries to Ports of Indiana's Indianapolis headquarters and its three port facilities: Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon.*Collaborate with CEO and executive staff to develop and implement communications strategy and messaging across all media platforms. (News, website, social media, external/earned media.)*Prepare talking points and messaging for executive interviews and special events.*Branding and writing-style manager; company photographer. ●Assist Ports of Indiana’s grant-writing team in fine-tuning federal grant applications. *Created Letter of Support templates sent to federal, state and local officials, customers and trade organizations to maximize support for multiple grant applications to the U.S. DOT and EPA.*Managed outreach to Letter of Support constituents with customer service and education approach to maximize participation.●Managing complete reorganization of Ports of Indiana’s photo, audio, video and graphics assets.Learn more: https://www.portsofindiana.comX: @PortsofIndiana

•Widely published in railroad and transportation periodicals and books. Contributed feature articles and promotional copy to numerous Indianapolis Motor Speedway Official Programs (events) and commemorative publications. Contract photographer for Indiana Rail Road, 2021-2023.

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

●Led the Grade Crossing Fund state grant program supporting vital highway crossing safety investments statewide, and the Industrial Rail Service Fund for short line railroad infrastructure investments, maintenance and safety. *Inspected completed grade crossing and infrastructure investments funded by state grants. Upon inspection, released grants to railroads which totaled nearly $5 million in state funding.●Analyzed rail freight commodity movements to identify new opportunities for rail-related economic growth.●Led Multimodal Division’s internal communications and thought leadership to increase awareness of INDOT’s non-highway accomplishments. Placed three stories in internal comms in less than a year.●Managed early development of the 2025 Indiana State Rail Plan.

●Met regularly with county and city officials to discuss promotional opportunities; represented HCT at state tourism and governmental events.●Co-managed HCT’s relationship with contracted national public relations firm, Turner PR.●Created and implemented, on a daily basis, multi-channel social media messaging and follow-up engagement in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. Engaged audiences Mon-Fri plus ▪weekends to maximize awareness.●Built, edited and distributed news releases and internal topic talking points as needed. Pitched HCT partners and HCT-sponsored initiatives to local and regional media plus travel writers. *Created, scheduled and implemented a three-day FAM (Familiarization) tour highlighting the county’s certified arts and cultural districts (Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville) for national travel writers.

Speedway, Indiana

●Solo communications professional for the IMS Museum; chief writer and editor for press releases and feature stories published in the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 Official Programs. *Copywriter and fact-checker for all IMS Museum exhibit signboards, books and sponsor proposals.●Promoted and protected the IMS Museum brand across multiple media channels; day-to-day manager of the IMS Museum website, social media and news.●Created and implemented strategic marketing and advertising plans and budget for exhibits and events; developed IMSM executive leadership communications.*Organized and implemented press conferences and media events to promote new exhibits, vehicle acquisitions, fundraising, membership campaigns and special events.●Regular collaboration with Visit Indy, Indiana Destination Development Corp., Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR Marketing and Communications staffs, and peer museums to maximize marketing/comms impact.

Indianapolis, Chicago, Ohio Valley

●Led implementation of IRR’s trans-ocean containerized (“intermodal”) rail freight lane directly linking Indianapolis to overseas markets. *Led market research and pre-launch marketing (2011-12), property negotiations and acquisition, partner agreements (2012-13), inauguration, customer service, and brand awareness to accelerate growth (2013-18). *Business grew an average of 30 percent year over year during my tenure.●Directed IRR media and community relations – official spokesperson and frequent public speaker. *Successfully navigated two crisis communications incidents, one receiving global attention.*Writer and editor for news releases, the Mileposts quarterly newsletter, the company website, social media channels and annual calendar. ●Managed IRR economic development (2012-2018), collaborating in sales and marketing initiatives with Indiana Economic Development Corp., Indy Chamber, industrial real estate, and other state, national partners.*Public Policy Analyst, 2011-2013, engaging with government and private sector on policy matters.

Speedway, Indiana

●Part of a world-class PR team responsible for building, promoting and protecting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s global brand. ●Writer, editor for IMS online content, event publications and news. Designated writer and liaison for IMS sports business-related press releases, feature stories and media pitches. ●Company spokesperson and public speaker; media liaison and consultant for IMS President and CEO. Co-managed the PR dept. budget, full-time staff and more than 20 event staff in 2009-10.*Successfully managed media and public inquiries in crisis communications scenarios. *Created and managed numerous special events: Indy 500 Media Tour (1998-2001); Post-race winner’s media availabilities (2000-2010); U.S. Treasury Indiana Quarter Unveiling (2002); Centennial Era Balloon Festival events (2009-10). *IMS Media Center event operations manager for the Brickyard 400, ensuring 300-plus media (Race Day) experienced superior customer service. Required attention to detail, quick decision-making and strong interpersonal communications skills.

Clermont, Indiana

•Responsible for all media and community relations for the busiest multi-purpose motorsports complex in the United States.

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

•Public Information Officer for 18 Indiana state representatives and staff photographer.