Community Liaisons
Community Liaisons (CL) are strategically located throughout the state to assist communities in accomplishing the goals set forth by the local government. CL's proactively work to locate funding and other resources for community and economic development projects as well as facilitate the meeting of local officials, state, and federal agencies and other entities and provide information and access to the necessary resources. CL's also assist communities in meeting their community and economic development goals by providing technical assistance on all OCRA programs.
Download the Community Liaison map with contact information here.
Northwest
Gerry White, Team Lead: 317-694-8372, gewhite@ocra.in.gov
Benton, Cass, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Fulton, Jasper, Lake, Porter, La Porte, Marshall, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Starke, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, White, Warren counties.
Gerry joined OCRA in December 2006. During his time with the agency, he has represented the Northwest region. Before working at OCRA, Gerry spent 16 years in the administration at Purdue University, three years teaching in HS and three years in financial planning. The diversity of people, geography and opportunity in Indiana should be celebrated, encouraged, strengthened and experienced. Every day working with communities brings unique challenges making each day different.
“I really appreciate the diversity of the people and communities that I work with, which include the highly urbanized, as well as extremely isolated communities. This means that no two days are alike,” said White.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science/U.S. History/ Social Studies Education, a M.S. in Social Studies Education and is a dissertation shy of a Ph.D. in Educational Technology. Gerry lives in West Lafayette, with his wife Barbara. His extended family stretches across the state.
Northeast
Lindsey Hammond: 317-741-2264,lhammond@ocra.in.gov
Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Elkhart, Grant, Howard, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Miami, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley counties.
Lindsey is a proud resident of rural Indiana with deep roots in small-town values and understands the unique challenges and extraordinary contributions of rural communities. She holds a bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Trine University and spent over a decade in the private sector, before dedicating the last fourteen years to raising and homeschooling her five children.
Now serving Northeast Indiana through OCRA, Lindsey applies her expertise and passion to empower and uplift rural communities and their families. She champions sustainable growth, collaboration and resilience while preserving the rich character of small towns.
"My vision is rooted in creating a future where rural communities not only survive, but thrive - maintaining their uniqueness, while embracing innovation and opportunity.”
Lindsey lives on her family’s homestead in Harlan, where faith, family and community are central to her life. Her values inspire her to lead with integrity and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she serves.
Central
Teresa Ayers: 317-605-5816, teayers@ocra.in.gov
Boone, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tipton, Vermillion, Wayne counties.
Teresa joins OCRA with experience from both the state and federal government. She provides a strong background in public service, and is committed to fostering growth and improving the quality of life for Hoosiers. Previously, Teresa served as the community outreach representative for an Indiana Congress member. Prior to that, she worked as an outreach representative for the Office of the Attorney General. She currently serves on Carmel City Council.
"I will continue to focus on leveraging my extensive government experience to advocate for policies and programs that benefit the communities in Central Indiana. I look forward to seeing how our communities will continue to make an impact throughout the region."
Teresa received her bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Virginia Intermont College and lives in Carmel where she was born and raised.
Southeast
Taten Arnold: 317-690-9736, TatArnold@ocra.in.gov
Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, Scott, Union, Washington counties.
Taten Arnold joined OCRA in March 2025 and serves as the Southeast community liaison. He earned two bachelor's degrees from Hanover College in business and communications. His previous experience includes working in the Office of the Lt. Governor, where he managed schedules and helped coordinate events with key partners and state agencies. He has also worked seasonal jobs at O’Bannon Woods State Park and Meyer Distributing.
“Being close to Madison during my time in college, I have seen the positive effect the OCRA programs, especially through Main Street, can have in building and growing communities. Growing up in rural Leavenworth, Indiana, with a population fewer than 300 people, I understand firsthand the struggles rural communities go through. I am excited to push OCRA’s vision forward in working with communities to build relevant and economically thriving places.”
Taten’s attention to detail and understanding of state government should give community leaders and organizations confidence that they will receive clear and effective communication to help them accomplish their goals.
Southwest
Johnny Kincaid: 317-760-5097, jkincaid1@ocra.in.gov
Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Perry, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Warrick counties.
Many people in Southwest Indiana know the name and voice of Johnny Kincaid from the 35 years he spent in the area as a morning radio personality, but his experience is varied. He was a regional director for Smokefree Indiana, administered grants through the University of Evansville and tapped by Vincennes University to teach job skills to incarcerated individuals at Branchville Correctional Facility.
"I was impacted at an early age by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, 'To succeed is to leave the world a better place...' So I do what I can to leave the world a better place. I'm excited by the opportunity that I have now to do exactly that, one community at a time."
Johnny loves to travel and has visited 48 of the 50 states. He lives in Evansville with his wife, Jill.