New CEO for Northeast Indiana Partnership
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — After a five-month national search, the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership has named Stephane Frijia its next president and chief executive officer. Frijia most recently served as senior vice president of strategy for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. He succeeds the organization’s founding CEO, John Sampson, who stepped down at the end of March after 15 years.
A native Italian, Frijia has spent nearly the last 20 years in the Phoenix area. In his most recent role, the partnership says he led efforts to boost investment in new advanced industrial parks in the region, as well as the development of data science capabilities in support of domestic and international business attraction and marketing.
“As technology drives global access and opportunity without boundaries, leaders in economic development must have a proven record in data intelligence and international marketability,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, chair of the partnership’s board of directors. “Stephane brings experience and a record of success in both. His background in building strategies that supported the diverse growth of the Greater Phoenix area will complement the incredible work already being done in Northeast Indiana.”
The partnership says Frijia is in the process of relocating to northeast Indiana and will begin his new role Oct. 11.
“Stephane has the background, experience and energy to elevate Northeast Indiana’s outward facing national sales and business development program,” said Ellen Cutter, member of the search committee and vice president of economic development for Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “Fort Wayne is the fastest-growing metro area in the Great Lakes region, and the opportunity for Northeast Indiana to capitalize on the momentum, together, has never been stronger.”
We’ll have more on the appointment in Thursday afternoon’s INside Edge e-newsletter. Frijia will also appear this weekend on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, which airs Sunday at 10 a.m. on WISH-TV.