Fort Wayne’s unified economic development organization is getting new leadership.
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. named Eric Doden its new chief executive officer this week, replacing former CEO Mark Becker, who resigned in January.
Doden is the outgoing president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the state agency that works to attract new business to Indiana. Governor Mike Pence appointed him to the position in 2013.
Doden is a Fort Wayne native who’s also a principle in Domo Ventures, a private equity firm whose parent organization bids on development work around Fort Wayne and elsewhere.
He also ran for mayor of Fort Wayne in the 2011 Republican primary.
GFW Executive Vice President John Urbahns says Doden is bringing a passion for Fort Wayne and Allen County to the job.
“He’s obviously been a business leader – so, working in the private sector in that business community – and his experience at the state level is very valuable," Urbahns said. "He has a lot of intangibles. Both his private sector leadership and his public sector involvement make him an excellent candidate for the job.”
Doden will take over the position July 1st.