E-REP Announces the Promotion of Key Operations and Economic Development Leaders

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (01/31/2023) – The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) is pleased to announce the promotion of Audrie Burkett to Chief Operations Officer, Executive Vice President, and Jenna Richardt to Chief Regional Economic Development Officer, Senior Vice President.

“I have been thrilled with the energy and success of our team since E-REP formed through a strategic partnership in 2021, said Tara Barney, CEO of E-REP. Both Audrie and Jenna have been instrumental in not only the complex details of bringing together multiple organizations but also in leading the future strategic vision. I am confident in both Audrie and Jenna’s abilities to move the Evansville Region forward and excited to see the continued evolution through their leadership.”

Burkett and Richardt have been key leaders driving the $50 million Regional Economic Development + Acceleration Initiative (READI) on behalf of the Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) and E-REP. In addition to elevating their roles, E-REP’s organizational updates include further aligning the team to meet its mission of cultivating a dynamic and strong Evansville Region for all.

In her expanded role, Burkett will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of E-REP while strategically aligning priorities to the organization’s mission. Burkett is a Purdue graduate and joined E-REP and its predecessor in 2015. In addition to overseeing the internal successful alignment of the organizations that now comprise E-REP, she has provided administrative oversight and led two significant initiatives: Southwest Indiana’s Regional Cities Initiative dispersing $42 million for quality-of-place initiatives and public policy work championing increased internet access for those living in rural areas.

In her expanded role, Richardt will serve as the go-to resource in regional economic development and building quality of place. Before joining E-REP in 2021, Richard was the executive director of the Posey County Economic Development Partnership. While leading the county’s economic development efforts, she helped Posey become a broadband-ready community, completed a Duke Energy site readiness grant for site development, and secured private property land options for more development. Richardt graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management and then attained a Masters of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix.