Community Liaisons
Community Liaisons (CL) are strategically located throughout the state to assist communities in accomplishing the goals set forth by the local government. CL's proactively work to locate funding and other resources for community and economic development projects as well as facilitate the meeting of local officials, state, and federal agencies and other entities and provide information and access to the necessary resources. CL's also assist communities in meeting their community and economic development goals by providing technical assistance on all OCRA programs.
Northwest
Gerry White: (317) 694-8372, gewhite@ocra.in.gov
Benton, Cass, Carroll, Clinton, Fulton, Jasper, Lake, Porter, La Porte, Marshall, Newton, Pulaski, Starke, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, White, Warren counties.
Gerry joined OCRA in December 2006. During his time with the agency, he has represented the Northwest region. Before working at OCRA, Gerry spent 16 years in the administration at Purdue University, three years teaching in HS and three years in financial planning. The diversity of people, geography and opportunity in Indiana should be celebrated, encouraged, strengthened and experienced. Every day working with communities brings unique challenges making each day different.
“I really appreciate the diversity of the people and communities that I work with, which include the highly urbanized, as well as extremely isolated communities. This means that no two days are alike,” said White.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science/U.S. History/ Social Studies Education, a M.S. in Social Studies Education and is a dissertation shy of a Ph.D. in Educational Technology. Gerry lives in West Lafayette, with his wife Barbara. His extended family stretches across the state.
Northeast
Renea Salyer: (317) 741-2264, rsalyer@ocra.in.gov
Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Elkhart, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley counties.
Renea has accumulated over 14 years of experience working in various positions within non-profit organizations. She has previously served as the director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce and as member relations manager with the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, where she implemented placemaking opportunities and aided in the growth of small businesses. Her most recent role was as the director of a domestic violence shelter. In that capacity, she utilized substantial grants from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority to create a safe haven for victims to heal and become self-sufficient. Renea holds a certificate from the Purdue Extension as an American Citizen Planner, and recently acquired a certificate in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Tech in 2022. Additionally, she has attended courses in grant writing with the Grantsmanship Center.
Renea resides in Warsaw, Indiana with her husband, Jeff, and enjoys gardening, creating art and spending time with her family. She is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet with communities leaders in Northeast Indiana. Renea emphasizes that her mission is to see communities thrive and achieve prosperity - she's enthusiastic about serving as your Community Liaison to provide technical assistance and resources to your community.
East Central
Garrett Conway: 317-605-5816, gconway@ocra.in.gov
Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Howard, Madison, Marion (Lawrence, Warren, Washington Townships) Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tipton, Union, Wayne counties.
Garrett joined OCRA in August 2022. His time with IU’s Center for Rural Engagement and Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation provided Garrett the opportunity to see how communities can thrive when working in tandem with stakeholders and by channeling their inherent skillsets.
“Growing up in rural Delaware County translated into a passion for community sustainability through interconnection and development,” Conway said. “My collegiate studies in public policy and legal analysis provided the skills and resources to turn my passion into a reality where community needs can be addressed and fulfilled.”
Garrett holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University and a Master of Jurisprudence from Michigan State University College of Law. He resides in Muncie, Indiana.
Southeast
Jarrad Holbrook: 317-690-9736, jaholbrook@ocra.IN.gov
Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Dearborn, Decatur, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, Scott, Washington counties.
Growing up in a tiny southwest Georgia town, Jarrad knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing these communities. His love for global travel also serves as inspiration for projects and approaches back home in southeast Indiana.
With an undergraduate degree in theatre and a Master of Historic Preservation along with a Graduate Certificate in Historic Landscapes, all from the University of Georgia, he has a particular eye for the intersection of historic downtowns, placemaking and the arts.
He also has a special interest in telling more complete stories and amplifying voices of underrepresented communities.
Southwest
Jill Hahn: 317-760-5097, jihahn@ocra.in.gov
Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick counties.
Jill Hahn serves as the Southwest community liaison for OCRA. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs-Management, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in secondary administration from the University of Southern Indiana.
Jill previously served as the coordinator for the Randall T. Shepard Leadership and Law Academy for nine years. Prior to this, she taught in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation for 32 years.
“I strongly feel that everyone should find their own unique contribution to society. If everyone would have one act of service to others, we would have a much better community, state and world,” Jill said.
Jill lives in Vanderburgh County with her husband John. They have two adult sons together.West Central
Sarah Froderman: 317-504-6965, sfroderman@ocra.in.gov
Boone, Clay, Fountain, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion (Center, Decatur, Franklin, Perry, Pike, Wayne Townships) Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo counties.
Sarah Froderman serves as the West Central community liaison for OCRA. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Purdue University and her master’s degree at Indiana State University.
Previously, Sarah was the associate director of financial aid at ISU, where she also taught. She currently volunteers with the Clay County Youth Food Delivery Program, College Goal Sunday, Festival of Trees, Habitat for Humanity, the Brazil Lions Club and Junior Achievement.
“My passion is positively impacting those around me and helping others achieve their unique version of success. By being in this role, I am able to do just that, as well as help others navigate ways to empower their own communities.”
Sarah lives on her farm in Clay County and loves to travel and visit National Parks.
Community Affairs Director
Doug Hess: 317-460-6177, DoHess@ocra.in.gov
Doug joined OCRA in December 2023 as Community Affairs Director. Before working at OCRA, Doug spent 27 years working in higher education to help Hoosier families with financing their education at varies institutions in Indiana. He also served as the executive director of economic development for Vermillion County for two years.
“I've served Indiana in many different capacities over the years and I still have the fire to make sure we are striving to serve all communities with the heart of a teacher and servant,” Hess said.
Doug holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Human Resource Development, both from Indiana State University. He resides in Clinton with his wife, two sons and their Goldendoodle.