Josh Armstrong currently serves as President of the Downtown Evansville Indiana Economic Improvement District (EID), a non-profit special benefit district created during a 2017 petition process that he oversaw in his efforts as the Downtown Alliance Director for the Southwest Indiana Chamber. The EID was the primary recommendation of the 2016 Downtown Evansville Master Plan; Josh coordinated all aspects of the Master Plan through his work at the Chamber. The EID builds a more active and inclusive Downtown Evansville, in its 100 blocks, and contains uses including Indiana’s first land-based casino, local and federal governmental buildings, multiple corporate headquarters and facilities, the region’s primary arts and recreational facilities, mixed use developments, apartments, and condominiums. Current efforts under his leadership include a mini-dog park, Indiana’s largest art-light installation project, and a region-wide riverfront development plan which includes an emphasis on Downtown Evansville. In 2019, Josh worked with local CEOs and foundations to form the Downtown Evansville Development Corp., a 501(c)3 real estate development firm created to accelerate real estate development in the city’s core. It’s first project was acquisition and demolition of a dilapidated and nearly vacant tower in the very center of downtown, working with a regional developer and a group of local equity investors. Prior to his career in urban place management, Josh enjoyed long-term success in the restaurant industry including owning two Evansville restaurants, and leading multiple locations of the Cheesecake Factory restaurants in the Los Angeles area. He is originally from the Pasadena, California area, and a graduate of UCLA with a degree in political science. Josh’s volunteer activities have included officer-level commitments with the Evansville Land Bank Corporation, The Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Arts Council of Southwest Indiana, among other board and volunteer efforts. When he has free time and cooperative weather, he enjoys cycling; so far in 2023 he’s biked just under 1,500 miles.

Recognized as a visionary leader in the community and economic development profession, Clarence Hulse is known for his passion and talent in implementing and executing a community’s vision. Clarence brings a long and proven history of success, particularly being a change agent, a connector and collaborator. His diverse employment background includes both the public and private sector arena in Community Development, Inclusive Economic Development, Redevelopment, Affordable Housing, International Trade, Municipal Management, Real Estate Development. Workforce Development and building community partnerships. Clarence journey included stops in Florida and North Carolina and is credited with creating over 30,000+ jobs and $5+ billion in direct capital investment over the past 25 years. In his current role as the Director of the Economic Development for Michigan City IN, he is spearheading the revitalization the downtown through retail and art related initiatives, (ArtSpace $13 million) and numerous multi-million dollar QOL/TOD projects (e.g. New Hospital $240 million, Double Track NWI $500 million, Mixed Use Train Station $100 million, Mixed Use waterfront hotel/condo $240 million and business parks improvements) that will enhance the community’s workforce and business vitality. His private sector experience includes employment at Intrawest Placemaking, a premier international resort developer where he managed $150 million development portfolio. He has won both state and national awards for his work in the community and economic development arena including International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 1999 award “Outstanding New Developer of the Year,” Indiana Planning Association 2011 Outstanding Community Initiative Award, 2019 NWI SBDC Small Business Advocate Award, 2019 Indiana Economic Development Association first Shining Star Award and was inducted into Purdue University NW Society of Innovators in 2020. He was recently awarded Fellow Member (FM) status by the IEDC for his significant contributions to the profession by serving through the IEDC as well as academic endeavors.

John Urbahns joined GFW Inc. in 2014. Prior to his appointment as CEO in 2019, he served as executive VP of economic development. During his time at GFW Inc., John has led an economic development team that has assisted with more than 200 business expansions and relocations in Allen County, resulting in more than 13,500 new jobs and $600 million in new annual payroll. Prior to joining GFW Inc., John served as the director of community development for the City of Fort Wayne, where he managed the City’s strategic planning, redevelopment, housing, economic development, and neighborhoods services team dedicated to excellence in public service. John has managed and negotiated aspects of several transformational community investments including The Landing, Electric Works, and The Bradley boutique hotel. He has also facilitated comprehensive, downtown, and neighborhood planning processes. John has spent much of his career engaging with residents, neighborhood groups, elected officials, and business leaders to cast a visionary future for Allen County’s communities. John graduated from Ball State University with degrees in urban planning and environmental design and is an AICP-certified urban planner. He received an Outstanding Alumni award in 2020 from Ball State’s College of Architecture and Planning. He is a proud dad to three great kids and a lifelong Hoosier.

Amandula Anderson is the Director of Real Estate Solutions for IFF in the Indiana market. Amandula has nearly 20 years-experience in the nonprofit sector where she has led two community-based organizations – Irvington Development Organization and United Northeast CDC; convened a Quality of Life initiative on the northeast side of Indianapolis; directed a program to facilitate a two-generational approach to supporting families within 5 Indianapolis communities; and spent a few years supporting affordable housing through a tax credit syndicator. She is a graduate of Arlington High School, received her BS in Public Affairs from IUPUI and received her Masters in Real Estate Development at University of Indianapolis. In her role at IFF, she is supporting schools and nonprofits in their desire to build/move/expand in spaces that meet the needs of their clients and brings dignity to all. Amandula enjoys spending time with her husband and five children/young adults. They like to watch movies, play video games, read and travel.