The Conexus Indiana Board of Directors announced today the appointment of J. Mark Howell, former chief operating officer of Angie’s List and president of Brightpoint Americas, as its new president and CEO. Howell joins Conexus Indiana as the organization marks its 10^th anniversary and accelerates its work to build the advanced manufacturing and logistics talent pipeline and optimize these business sectors in Indiana.

Howell succeeds Steven Dwyer, who has served as president and CEO of Conexus Indiana for eight years and is retiring at year’s end. Under Dwyer’s leadership, Conexus Indiana tripled its staff, enrolled more than 8,000 high school and college students in its talent development programs and developed three industry-led councils that identify and deliver growth opportunities in the aerospace and defense, automotive and logistics sectors.

“Mark is well respected in the business community, and the board is excited that he will lead Conexus Indiana. He has the vision, enthusiasm, and expertise to build upon the Conexus Indiana team’s success to date and to amplify the organization’s mission” said Chip Edgington, chairman of the Conexus Indiana Board of Directors and executive vice president of operations at FULLBEAUTY Brands.

Howell, a Conexus Indiana Board of Directors member when the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) launched Conexus Indiana in 2007, was one of the early architects of Conexus Indiana’s mission and vision. He also was chairman of the Conexus Indiana Logistics Council since its inception to December 2012 and spearheaded the council’s first-ever statewide logistics report. The report, Phase 1: A Plan for Indiana’s Logistics Future, identified infrastructure, public policy and talent development priorities and served as the blueprint for many projects and initiatives that have been implemented to strengthen Indiana’s logistics advantage.

“Conexus Indiana has a tremendous history supporting an industry sector that employs one out of every five Hoosiers,” Howell said. “It’s an honor to be joining Conexus Indiana to continue its talent and business development programs and envision next-generation solutions for an industry so important to Indiana.”

Howell comes to Conexus Indiana after five years as chief operating officer at Angie’s List. Prior to Angie’s List, Howell served in various executive leadership roles with Brightpoint Inc. for nearly 20 years, during which time the company grew from a 25-employee operation to an international Fortune 500 company.

Howell serves as a board member of KAR Auction Services and as a board and executive committee member of Ascend Indiana. He most recently was asked to serve as chairman for the College Football Playoff Host Committee.

He is a distinguished advisor for The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, a member of the Jameson Camp Governance Committee and serves on the The Oaks Academy One Oaks Task Force. A CPA and graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he is a member of the university’s Sorin Society.