SOUTH BEND, Ind. (July 15, 2025) – The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership (Regional Partnership) recently appointed the following individuals as members of its Board of Directors.

      
· Stan Klotz, Marshall County Commission

      . · Natalie Tucker, Marian University Ancilla College

          · Mattthew Wesaw, Pokagon Band Tribal Council

Stan Klotz is the President of the Marshall County Commission, representing District 1. His dedication to Marshall County continues with his roles as the President of the County Planning Commission and Vice Chair of the Drainage Boards. He previously served
as the President of the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals, as well as a Bremen Public Schools Board Member.

Dr. Natalie Tucker is the Vice President and Dean of Marian University’s Ancilla College. A lifelong Hoosier, she previously served as the college’s Dean of Academics, as well as Agriculture Department Head and Assistant Professor. Tucker brings deep experience in academics, student support, and community engagement, with prior roles at Purdue University as an Extension Director and 4-H Youth Development Educator.

Matthew Wesaw is the longest-serving Chairman of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council. A retired Michigan State Police Trooper and
former Director of Government Relations for the Troopers Association, he has dedicated his career to public service and Native American advocacy. In 2013, he became the first Native American to serve in a Michigan Governor’s cabinet as Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Wesaw also leads the Board of Trustees at Great Lakes Christian College.

“We are honored to welcome Natalie, Matthew, and Stan to the board,” said Pete McCown, Chair of the Regional Partnership Board. “Each brings a wealth of experience, deep regional ties, and a strong commitment to education, leadership, and community service. Their collective insights will strengthen our work and advance our mission across northern Indiana and beyond. I look forward to the impact we will make together.”

Susan Ford was named Co-Vice Chair of the Board, sharing the title with South Bend Regional Chamber’s President and CEO Jeff Rea. Ford is Managing Partner at Quarterline & Rock. With a background spanning operational leadership, executive consulting, and global talent strategy, she brings a wealth of experience from her long tenure with Graham Allen Partners and previous roles at Russell Reynolds Associates and Citi. First named to the Regional Partnership Board in 2022, she also advises INVANTI, and mentors women navigating career transitions and growth.

“Susan’s steadfast commitment to this region and her passion for cultivating meaningful, inclusive growth make her an exceptional
choice for Vice-Chair,” said Bethany Hartley, President and CEO of the Regional Partnership. “Her global perspective, combined with deep local engagement, continues to elevate our work and challenge us to think bigger. She is truly a Midwest Maverick.”

The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership catalyzes economic growth across the South Bend – Elkhart region by improving wages and livability to attract and grow the best industries and workers. This is the shared vision of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s Board of Directors, who provide strategic leadership to the organization.

The slate of Board members currently serving on the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s Board of Directors is listed below:

·       Carl Baxmeyer, St. Joseph County Commissioner

·       Shannon Cullinan, University of Notre Dame*

·       Michael Daigle, South Bend International Airport*

·       Susan Ford, Quarterline & Rock*

·       Larry Garatoni, Garatoni Family Office

·       Greg Hildebrand, Marshall County Economic Development Corp.*

·       Jon Hunsberger, Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau

·       Levon Johnson, Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce

·       Susan King, Beacon Health System Foundation

·       Stan Klotz, Marshall County Commissioner

·       Pete McCown, Community Foundation of Elkhart County*

·       Rose Meissner, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

·       Gary Neidig, ITAMCO

·       Jeff Rea, South Bend Regional Chamber*

·       Amish Shah, Kem Krest

·       Andrea Short, 1^st Source Bank

·       Chris Stager, EDC of Elkhart County

·       Natalie Tucker, Marian University Ancilla College

·       James Turnwald, Michiana Area Council of Governments

·       Suzanne Weirick, Elkhart County Commissioner*

·       Matthew Wesaw, Pokagon Band Tribal Council

·       Andrew Wiand, enFocus

·       Linda Yoder, Marshall County Community Foundation

*Denotes Executive Committee

About South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership seeks to unify and collaborate so that together, communities across the region can work collectively to achieve what cannot be done individually. For more information about the Regional Partnership, visit SouthBendElkhart.org.

Media Contact

Liz Folkerts

South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

lfolkerts@southbendelkhart.org