Staff & Board

Bill Walters

Executive Director

As a lifelong resident of East Central Indiana, William (Bill) Walters and his wife Alesia have raised 5 boys currently ranging in age from 26 to 37. Bill has an extensive history of volunteer work serving on two School Building Corporation Boards. Bill’s most cherished positions have included coaching both elementary and middle school basketball and baseball teams and serving as the President of the School Athletic Boosters. In addition to his volunteer work with the school system, Bill has served two terms on the Daleville Town Council. In his hometown of Daleville, Bill gained extensive experience in public administration by overseeing and managing the operations of the municipal Street and Garage Departments. After serving for four years as the Vice President of the ECI Regional Planning District, in 2016 Bill was unanimously selected by his peers to assume the Directorship of the organization. Through participating in the annual ECI lobbying trips to Washington DC, to leading numerous community visioning sessions, Bill has been able to identify and work towards addressing many areas of concern in East Central Indiana. Bill holds certifications as an Indiana Certified Grant Administrator and INDOT ERC Certificate, 2013 Graduate of Ball State University’s Indiana Economic Development Course, IEDC member with completion of Business Retention and Expansion as well as Workforce Development Strategies. As Director of the Planning District, Bill now focuses daily on improving the quality of life for all communities in the ECI Region.

Michelle Badders

Director of International Economic Development

As the Director of International Economic Development at ECI Regional Planning District, Michelle Badders stands out as an indispensable asset to our team. In addition to her professional role, Michelle has earned both Economic Development and Community Development certificates, showcasing her dedication to advancing local initiatives. She has been actively working with the Delaware County Economic Development team, assisting in their international efforts and contributing to the region’s growth. Michelle’s commitment to community development is further demonstrated by her recent appointment to the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission (DCRC) Board for a second consecutive year. Beyond her career achievements, Michelle is a devoted wife to her husband, Kevin, and together they are proud parents to four boys. An alumna of Wes-Del High School, she shares this alma mater pride with her husband. Raised on a family farm, Michelle’s roots in agriculture run deep, fueling her lifelong passion for farming and raising animals. Her early years were marked by active participation in 4-H, where she showcased her equestrian skills in Delaware County until the age of 18. Actively involved in Muncie’s Altrusa group, Michelle dedicates her time to making a positive impact on the local community. In her downtime, she cherishes moments with her family, particularly their annual retreat to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We feel fortunate to have Michelle as a valued and accomplished member of the ECI Regional Planning District team.

Jacob Thomas

Director of Economic Development
As Director of Economic Development for the ECI Regional Planning District, Jacob Thomas serves communities across Blackford, Delaware, Grant, and Jay counties. His work sits at the intersection of strategy, funding, and community impact. He manages state and federal grants, develops persuasive community-focused narratives, guides infrastructure initiatives, and helps local governments translate vision into fundable, buildable projects. From water and sewer improvements to economic development initiatives, Jacob works behind the scenes to move ideas from concept to construction. With a strong background in grant administration and compliance, he navigates complex state and federal requirements with clarity and precision. He supports funding research, reporting, and project development while ensuring communities remain competitive and positioned for long-term growth. His approach blends analytical rigor with storytelling because good data matters, but so does communicating why a project improves real lives. Outside of work, Jacob values time with his family and enjoys golfing, two pursuits that, in their own ways, reward patience, strategy, and a steady follow-through. He is driven by a simple principle: strong communities don’t happen by accident, they’re built through thoughtful planning, strategic investment, and persistent leadership.

Billi Keister

Executive Administrative Assistant

Billi Keister serves as the Executive Administrative Assistant for the ECI Regional Planning District, where she plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s mission to advance regional economic development and community improvement across Blackford, Delaware, Grant, and Jay Counties. She coordinates daily office operations, manages and organizes key documents, and prepares detailed meeting minutes that ensure transparency and accountability. Billi is also responsible for coding income and expenses, overseeing bookkeeping, and coordinating payroll. Her precision and consistency in financial management help safeguard public funds and maintain compliance with state and federal requirements, an essential foundation for ECIRPD’s grant administration and project work. Through her organization, reliability, and attention to detail, Billi provides the structure that allows leadership and staff to focus on delivering impactful projects throughout the region. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, spending time with family, and taking walks. Billi’s professionalism and dedication make her an indispensable part of ECIRPD’s continued success.

2026 Executive Committee

  • President: Randy Dunnuck

  • Vice President: Mayor Bill Rock, Jr.

  • Secretary: Ron Stewart

  • Treasurer: Kylene Swackhamer

  • Blackford County:  Vacant

  • Delaware County:  Shannon Henry

  • Jay County:  Chad Aker

  • Grant County:  Vacant

  • (Governor’s Appointment) Ex-officio:  Vacant

2026 Board of Directors

Blackford County Appointed by
Vacant County Commissioners
Vacant County Commissioners
Vacant County Commissioners
Vacant Mayor of Hartford City
Vacant Mayor of Montpelier
Delaware County Appointed by
Shannon Henry County Commissioners
Traci Lutton County Commissioners
Kylene Swackhamer County Commissioners
Tom Borchers County Surveyor or Appointee
Vacant Mayor of Muncie
Vacant Mayor of Muncie
Spencer Rutherford Town of Yorktown
Randy Dunnuck Town of Albany
Steven Brogan Town of Daleville
Meghan Deckman Town of Eaton
Brett Ellison Town of Gaston
Brent Devine Town of Selma
Grant County Appointed by
Beth Winters County Commissioners
Ron Stewart County Commissioners
Lois Jones County Surveyor or Appointee
Ronald D. Morrell Jr. Mayor of Marion
Bill Rock Mayor of Gas City
Jonathan Perez Town of Upland
Steve Hedrick Town of Fairmount
Bobby Goins Mayor of Jonesboro
Vacant Town of Swayzee
Vacant Town of Sweetser
Jay County Appointed by
Chad Aker County Commissioners
Ceann Bales County Commissioners
Vacant Mayor of Portland
Pamela Robbins Mayor of Dunkirk
Brenda Beaty Town of Redkey
Vacant Town of Pennville
Paul VanCise Town of Bryant
Governor of the State of Indiana Appointed by
Vacant Governor of Indiana