Executive Committee

Chair

Eldon Robison

Vice Chair

Amy Clifford

Secretary

Amanda Bolbecker

Tresurer

Lisa Dykoff

 Board of Directors

Scott Alber

Dennis Avery

Karen Biernacki

Chris Coyle

Kathy Davis

Sue Errington

Jeffrey Fites

Phil Hoy

Chaim Julian

Lettie Oliver

Eldon Robison

Vi Simpson

Wayne Thompson

Robin Winston

 Board of Directors

Robin Winston - Robin is considered one of the best political strategists in Indiana and has been an advisor to Indiana Progressives since 2005. He is principal owner of the Winston/Terrell Group a public relations and campaign management firm that is the largest minority owned company of its kind in Indiana. He was deputy director of Frank O'Bannon's successful campaign to become Governor in 1996 and went on to become political director of the Indiana Democratic Party and later its Chairman in 1999. Robin believes the politics of exclusion leads to the politics of defeat and brings that philosophy as well as his years of political experience to our board.

Vi Simpson - State Senator Vi Simpson is one Indiana's most effective and respected leaders. She was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and currently serves as the ranking Democrat on the Senate's Homeland Security, Transportation & Veterans Affairs Committee and is a member of the Health & Provider Services; Commerce, Public Policy & Interstate Cooperation; Insurance & Financial Institutions; and Rules and Legislative Procedure standing committees. She was author of the legislation that created the Indiana Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which has become a national model for delivering cost-effective health services to uninsured children. Sen. Simpson has won numerous state and national awards as a legislator and lends her expertise to Indiana Progressives.

Wayne Townsend - Wayne has a long and distinguished career in both agriculture and politics. A Purdue classmate of Sen. Birch Bayh, Wayne has been an advocate of Progressive causes and candidates for his entire adult life. In1984 he ran for governor of Indiana. He is now a trustee of Purdue University and continues to run a large family farm near Hartford City. He was recently honored with the 2007 Frank O'Bannon Public Service Award. Wayne was an early supporter of both Howard Dean and Indiana Progressives. Wayne brings a wealth of political knowledge and experience to the board.

Lettie Oliver - Lettie is Associate Director of AFSCME Council 62 and was appointed by Mayor Bart Peterson to the Indianapolis Private Industry Council. She has served on many labor boards and panels and is an active supporter of the Indiana Democratic Party. Lettie brings her years of experience as a community and labor organizer as well as a grandmother to the Indiana Progressives board

Chaim Julian - Chaim is one of the most active supporters and promoters of Democracy for America (DFA) in Indiana. In 2003 he was key in organizing support for Howard Dean in Monroe County and throughout District 9. He was one of the founders of Democracy for Monroe County, an active DFA group. Chaim has been an active member of the Monroe County Democratic Party for many years and has been a successful campaign manager for local candidates. He brings this political experience to the board of directors and emphasize the importance of working with local DFA groups and other progressive organizations.

Phil Hoy - State Representative Phil Hoy is a tireless advocate of the underprivileged. He was one of our Elect Six in '06 candidates and was successfully reelected to a 2nd term for District 77. Phil is an Ordained Minister, former Exec Director of Tri-State Food Bank and President of Evansville Area Community Churches. As State Rep he serves on the Local Gov, Roads and Transportation and Environmental Affairs committee.

"My approach to public service is simple: government should help those who cannot help themselves. Whether the issue is education, justice or taxes, government has to serve the people." Phil Hoy

Jeffery Fites - Jeff serves as the Democratic 4th district chair and works with Indiana House of Representatives in media relations. Jeff also works with House Democratic Caucus where he writes speeches and press releases. Jeff has a BA in Political Science from Purdue and MS in Journalism from Northwestern. He was elected delegate to Democratic National Convention in 1992 and 2000 and served on the Dem National Platform Cmte in 1996. He has been a proud member of Indiana Progressive since its formation and believes it can be instrumental in changing the politics and policies in Indiana.

Sue Errington - First elected to the State Senate in November of 2006, Sue has long record of public service and fighting for women's' rights. In the State Senate, she is a leading proponent of adequately funding Indiana's schools, making college more affordable, increasing the state's minimum wage and making health care more accessible and affordable for all Hoosiers. She is the ranking Democrat on the Senate's Utility and Reg. Affairs Committee and a member of the Health & Provider Services, Ed. and Career Dev. and Energy and Environmental standing cmtes. Sue was pleased to have the support Indiana Progressives gave her in her '06 campaign.

Kathy Davis - Former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis has experience in both the private and public sectors. She received her BA from M.I.T. and M.B.A. from Harvard. She has been successful at whatever she has undertaken, which includes working as an engineer for Cummins Engines, as Deputy Commissioner for the Indiana Dept of Transportation, the Budget Director for the State, Indianapolis City Controller, and CEO of Global Access Point. Her recent association with Indiana Progressives is partly driven by her interest in developing a policy arm of the organization that offers progressive solutions to some of Indiana's most difficult problems.

Chris Coyle - Chris is one of the youngest members of Indiana Progressives and also one of the most active. He served as Political Director during our successful Elect Six in 06 campaign and acted as liaison with many other Progressive groups. Chris has many contacts within the Indiana Democratic Party and especially in Evansville and Indianapolis areas. Chris currently works as an EMT with Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis.

Karen Biernacki - As executive director of Harmony House/Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in LaPorte County Karen has a unique understanding of how legislation can effect children and families. She serves as Chairman for the Public Relations and Legislation Committees for GAL/CASA Advisory Commission to the Indiana Supreme Court.

 Dennis Avery - State Rep. Dennis Avery is the model for a progressive legislator and has won numerous awards as such. Before becoming a legislator he received a business degree from the University of Evansville and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. In1974 he was elected to the House in district 75 and continues to serve today. As a respected member of the House he has served on a variety of legislative committees and panels and has chaired the panels on Correction Reform and Child Abuse and Neglect. He is currently a member of the key budget-developing body, the House Ways and Means Committee. Dennis is also on the Boards of The Beacon Group and of Sustainable Communities, and has been a vital advisor to Indiana Progressives since its inception.

Scott Alber - Scott is one of the founders of Indiana Progressives. In 2003 he joined Howard Dean's Indiana presidential campaign as a volunteer organizer and fundraiser and was later appointed deputy coordinator for the state. In 2005 he helped launch Indiana Progressives PAC and currently serves as its treasurer. Scott is semi-retired from a 15 year career of stock and mutual fund trading. Besides his work with Indiana Progressives, he is also President of a St. Vincent de Paul Society conference in Bloomington that provides help to low and no income families. He is married to Barb Hatton and has one child Ruth who is 7.

"I believe in evidence over ideology and dialogue over dvision."

Executive Committee

Chair 

Eldon Robison - Eldon is one of the founders of Indiana Progressives. In 2003 he joined Howard Dean's Indiana presidential campaign as a volunteer organizer and fundraiser and was later appointed deputy coordinator for the state. In 2005 he helped launch Indiana Progressives PAC and currently serves as vice-chair. Eldon has been a partner since 1994 in Heartland Communications, a company specializing in telecommunication services, and lives in Bloomington, Indiana. Eldon was educated at Indiana University and majored in Political Science and Philosophy.

"For me, as for many, the policies and actions of the current presidential administration proved to be something of a watershed. It was apparent as never before that a number of pernicious trends in our society had reached a position of such ascendancy that they would increasingly threaten our future unless large numbers of people fought back. Here in Indiana, there are sadly still too many in positions of responsibility, able to affect the lives of their fellow citizens, who do not recognize the destructive folly of these policies; I feel it is important to work for the creation of a public hue and cry that will drive such politicians from office and replace them with new office holders who can embrace a sane and sound approach to government."

Vice Chair

Amy Clifford

- Amy was the Vice Chair for St Joseph County Young Democrats 1992-96 and has worked on all of Joe Kernan's elections.  She has also been a delegate to the state convention three times and an alternate for the Chicago Democratic National Convention in 1996. She is also a former League of Women Voters president. Amy is active in the local DFA group and recently worked for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.  Amy's work with Indiana Progressives includes the 2006 radio spots that now allow us to say, "Hello Speaker Bauer", once again.  Amy was the former tobacco control director for St Joseph Co and now works in medical sales. Her organizational skills, political and media experience and her dedication to Indiana Progressive make her a natural choice for Vice Chair.

Secretary

Amanda Bolbecker – Mandi is the Director of Clinical Research and Policy at Mental Health America of Indiana where she conducts mental health policy research and is a lobbyist for mental health care issues at the state level. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Indiana Psychological Association. She has a Masters and PhD from Purdue University in Psychobiology and continues to do research into the underlying causes of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as an Associate Research Scientist at Indiana University. Mandi was heavily involved in the Indiana Progressives "Six in ‘06" campaign, especially in the reelection of her own representative David Orentlicher. We are pleased she has volunteered to be our organization's secretary.

 Treasurer

Lisa Dykoff - As president of the Perfect Circle Credit Union in Hagerstown and strong supporter of Indiana Progressives Lisa is a perfect choice to be the organization's treasurer. She received her B.S. in Accounting from Ball State in 1981. She was a very active in the campaigns of Indiana Progressive endorsed candidates Sue Errington for State Senate and Lee Ann Mengelt for State Representative. Lisa is married to David and has 2 adult daughters Joanna and Jillian and 1 grandson Bryce.