Indiana State University Newsroom

The Indiana State University Board of Trustees will welcome two new faces and be led by a new chair when the board convenes at its annual retreat Aug. 1-2 in Indianapolis.

Newly appointed by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb are alumnus Robert E. Casey Jr., '80, and student Casey J. Phillips, '21, an operations and supply chain management major. Trustee Jeff Taylor, '75, will lead the board as chair.

"I am honored to be named to this position on the ISU Board of Trustees -- not just because this is my alma mater of which I have fond memories, but also because I deeply believe in our mission and role in Indiana higher education," said Taylor of Carmel.

Casey of Westfield is a familiar face to many on campus, as the highly engaged alumnus has served as an advisor to the School of Criminology and Security Studies and has shared his expertise with students as a guest speaker.

"I'm looking forward to this new experience. I'm certain I will learn a lot and have a chance to contribute to the tremendous progress ISU has made for student outcomes in the past few years," Casey said. "I hope to use my experience as a senior leader in the federal government and the corporate world to partner with other board members and university leadership to enable ISU's success."

Phillips of Greenfield, Ind., is a President's Scholar, is participating the prestigious Networks Professional Development Program in the Scott College of Business and is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He is the son of Megan Hawsey and James Phillips and a graduate of Greenfield Central High School.

"I am incredibly honored to be chosen as the new student trustee. A student's voice and opinions matter a great deal if a student aspires to make them known," Phillips said. "The faculty and staff of this university treasure the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our student body. That's why I am so passionate about serving in the role of student trustee, because I know a student's input can have an impact. I can't wait to serve Indiana State University and aim to work tirelessly to build a better tomorrow for future generations of Sycamores."

A native of Anderson, Ind., Taylor graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He worked 12 years in public accounting for Arthur Andersen & Co. in Indianapolis and Minneapolis. Taylor then joined National Computer Systems Inc. (NCS) in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he was CFO until the company was acquired by London-based Pearson plc in 2000. Taylor was responsible for government and investor relations for Pearson in the U.S. until he retired in 2013. 

Taylor joined the ISU Foundation Board in 2012 and the ISU Board of Trustees two years later. He and his wife, Penny, a 1976 graduate of Indiana State, have three adult daughters living around the country.

"I was that typical Indiana first-generation college student, fortunate enough to have parents, who while not well-off, made college a priority," Taylor said. "ISU provided me a solid education, in and out of the classroom, which built a foundation for a successful career and family life. I am delighted to serve on the ISU Board of Trustees to lend my talents and efforts to ISU's continued success. I sincerely want others to realize the life-changing outcomes of an ISU degree experience."

Casey began his career as a police officer in Houston before joining the FBI in 1986. He spent 25 years as an FBI agent, serving in Phoenix, Chicago, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Dallas. His last assignments were in senior leadership positions as deputy assistant director for intelligence at the FBI headquarters in Washington and as the special agent in charge of the Dallas division. Casey retired from the FBI in 2012 and became the head of global security at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis.

Casey will serve on the board until June 30, 2023.

"My ISU experience and education paved the way for so many career and life experiences. I made friends for life there, many of whom I have re-connected with since I moved back to Indiana in 2012. I have enjoyed seeing ISU grow in many aspects since I left in 1980," Casey said. "A recent conversation with President (Deborah) Curtis gave me confidence that the next few years will be an exciting period of evolution for the school. Aside from my trustee responsibilities, I hope to continue support of the School of Criminology and Security Studies as I have throughout the years."

Phillips' term expires June 30, 2021. "To me, being a student at Indiana State means taking responsibility to serve our community and to ensure it grows and prospers," Phillips said. "At this university, I am surrounded by students and staff who have treated me like family and are constantly challenged me to improve. That's what being a Sycamore is really about -- having the support system to become the best version of oneself while working to make that same impact on others."

Holcomb also made two re-appointments to the board: Kathy Cabello, owner of Cabello Associates, and Kimberly O. Smith, president and CEO of Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. The term for both trustees, who are from Indianapolis, lasts until June 30, 2023.

In addition to Taylor, other officers include Cabello as vice chair, Smith as secretary and past chair Edward Pease as assistant secretary. Smith will chair the Finance Committee, with trustees Randall Minas and Taylor serving as members.

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Photos: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/n-hTK8X/QT-Headshot-Proofs/Taylor-Jeff/i-gqmHtVg/0/bffc5ea6/X3/09_06_13_Jeff_Taylor-6-X3.jpg -- Jeff Taylor

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Submitted-Photos/Staff-Uploads/i-JmW8CWT/0/1082154a/O/Robert%20Casey.jpg -- Robert Casey

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Publications/Publications-Viewbooks/Viewbook-Business-2014/Networks/i-LXTkng5/1/26c5ddd4/X4/Sept%2017%2C%202018_Networks%20Portraits-7197-X4.jpg -- Casey Phillips

Media contact: Libby Roerig, University Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or libby.roerig@indstate.edu