Hanna leaving Northwest Indiana RDA
CROWN POINT, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The president and chief executive officer of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is stepping down. Bill Hanna, who has led the organization for 10 years, says he is leaving to become executive director of the Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation in Merrillville.
During his tenure at the RDA, Hanna helped lead efforts on major regional infrastructure and transportation efforts, including the South Shore West Lake Corridor rail extension and South Shore Double Track projects. He also was a leader on initiatives that leveraged more than $1 billion in shoreline development projects, including Wolf Lake Park in Hammond, East Chicago North Harbor redevelopment as shoreline, Whiting Lake Front Park, Marquette Park in Gary and Gateway to the Indiana Dunes in Porter County.
“The recently announced federal funding for the South Shore double track project is a tremendous accomplishment for Indiana and the culmination of our efforts to take full advantage of Northwest Indiana’s proximity to Chicago,” said Hanna in a news release. “However, I am most proud of the partnerships between local communities and government entities, all of which are required to successfully complete large initiatives. It is my hope the last 10 years demonstrates great things are possible for Northwest Indiana when we work together.”
The RDA did not provide any details on a search to find Hanna’s successor.