Press release from Eric Doden:
Eric Doden forms Mayoral Exploratory Committee
Eric Doden has spent his business career solving problems with innovative thinking and focused leadership. Now, he’s considering how those skills might be of service to his fellow Fort Wayne residents. Today, Doden announced the formation of an exploratory committee to fully evaluate his candidacy for the office of Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne. Through the committee, Doden, a northeast Indiana native and city resident, brings together a diverse coalition of leaders from the business, religious, government and nonprofit sectors to help guide him.
“This is a great community,” Doden said. “I’m proud to call it home, and I’m excited about our city’s future.
I’ve always taken a hands-on approach to my work in the business world, and I believe our city deserves a leader who takes the same entrepreneurial, innovative approach to government.”
Conversations with city residents during the past several months inspired Doden to make today’s announcement, he said.
“This is the result of a very thorough process,” he continued. “I’ve spent many hours during the past several months listening to city residents from all walks of life, and they have shared many of the same hopes and many of the same concerns. In working with my exploratory committee, I plan to discover how my unique perspective as a leader and a businessman would position the city to leverage its best opportunities and overcome its most
considerable challenges.”Doden also thanked his family for their encouragement, and said he looks forward to working closely with his exploratory committee in the coming months.
“I’ve had several heartfelt discussions with my wife, Maci, and our children, and their support has been unwavering,” he explained. “We moved back to Fort Wayne in 1997 to start our family and build our careers, and like many others, at certain points our careers could have led us to other cities. But we choose to live and work here, because we love Fort Wayne. The people of Fort Wayne are what makes it special and what make me believe so strongly in its future.”
Larry Weigand will serve as chair of the 16-member committee.
“I know Eric and his drive and determination well,” committee member Larry Weigand said. “We know the challenges Fort Wayne faces, especially when it comes to jobs, wages and our economic future. And we believe his private-sector experience and dedication to Fort Wayne can overcome those challenges and help grow a world-class, 21st-century city.”
Here is the full member list of the Eric Doden Exploratory Committee:
- Larry Weigand, chair
- Michael Erler, treasurer
- Chad Burch
- David Bobilya
- Thomas Borne
- Gary Furst
- M. James Johnston
- John McGauley
- Linda Pearson
- Rick Phillips
- Adam Probst
- Jamal Robinson
- Ace Rocke
- Dawn Rosemond
- Nancy Sholl
- Rev. Luther Whitfield
About Eric Doden
For the past two-plus years, Doden has served as the director of investments at Ambassador Enterprises, a Fort Wayne-based consulting, investment and private equity firm. Prior to joining Ambassador Enterprises, he led the distribution and fabrication arms of Ambassador Steel Corporation.Doden graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law and from Hillsdale College with majors in business finance and Christian Studies. He is a member of the Fort Wayne Chapter of Executive Forums, previously served on the board of his local church, and currently serves on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and his wife, Maci, a Fort Wayne attorney, have been married for 12 years and have 4 children.
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