INDIANAPOLIS (October 27, 2006) – At its annual meeting this month Ivy Tech Foundation announced that Mike Harmless of Greencastle, Indiana, and Bill Grote of Madison, Indiana, have been appointed to the Ivy Tech Foundation Board of Directors.

Mike Harmless is an executive with the public accounting and consultant firm Crowe Chizek, where he assists communities with economic, development and planning needs. Mr. Harmless has had a long relationship with Ivy Tech Community College ; as mayor of Greencastle , Indiana from 1987 to 1995, he developed a partnership with the college that brought training in much needed occupations to the Greencastle community. Mr. Harmless also served the Boards of Directors of the Indiana Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Indiana Economic Development Association.

A former Ivy Tech Community College State Trustee, Mr. Harmless is looking forward to continuing his relationship with Ivy Tech. “I am thrilled to be on the Ivy Tech Foundation Board of Directors. I know personally what Ivy Tech brings to every community, and I am looking forward to finding ways to support the college as it meets the needs of students, faculty and staff in the next five to ten years.”

Bill Grote is the Chairman and CEO of Grote Industries, Inc. He has held a number of positions within the company including vice-president of sales and marketing, director of OEM sales, OEM sales manager and manager of marketing services. The Grote family and Grote Industries, Inc. have been supporters of Ivy Tech Community College for several years, through both financial and leadership support. Mr. Grote is the second member of the Grote family to sit on the Foundation Board; his brother Buzz Grote recently served.

“We are delighted to have both Mike and Bill joining the Foundation Board. They both have a sound understanding and first hand experience in what Ivy Tech Community College is doing for Indiana communities. Mike's experience and relationships through Crowe Chizek will help the Foundation broaden its planned giving efforts, and Bill's business to business management expertise will be instrumental to fulfilling the Foundation's development goals,” said Charles W. Harris, Ivy Tech Community College Vice President for Development.