Meet Your Neighbor: Gerry Dick of Inside Indiana Business
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Just about anyone in business, talking business or starting a business in Indiana probably knows of Gerry Dick— host and creator of Inside Indiana Business (Sundays, 11 a.m. on WISH-TV 8). He’s also heard on WIBC 1070 radio as a business analyst. Why? Because
Gerry Dick is the man who talks business in this state, and people listen.
Gerry Dick is also a fellow Geist resident, and he is celebrating the completion of his 500th episode of Inside Indiana Business (the show aired Sunday, Nov. 4th). The company and show he created is in its 10th season—a good milestone for any business.
Gerry arrived on the scence at WRTV-6 (ABC) in 1983 and spent the next 14 years talking to business executives, entrepreneurs and politicians before branching out to start his own show.
“I always enjoyed talking to leaders in business and thought a show devoted entirely to the business climate of the Hoosier state would work,” says Gerry. And it did.
In 1997 the show “Indiana Business This Week” was born while he was working as VP and Director of Marketing at the Indianapolis Economic Development Corporation (now Indy Partnership). But when he met Technology entrepreneur Scott Jones, his career path took another leap forward.
“I wanted Jones to sponsor a technology segment on the show,” explains Gerry. “But Jones had bigger ideas. He challenged me to come up with a plan to create a company—and Grow Indiana Media Ventures LLC was formed in June 2000.”
Today, Gerry Dick’s “Inside Indiana Business” continues to cover hot topics in the state, such as Daylight Savings Time and its impact on Indiana’s business. His 500th episode made history as three leaders in education came together with Gerry for the first time–Michael McRobbie of IU, Jo Ann Gora of Ball State University and France Cordova of Purdue — for a conversation about their institutions’ impact on Indiana business.
Gerry and his family moved to Geist in 1987. “What I like most about this area is that despite all of the growth, there remains a strong sense of community here,” says Gerry.
“It is really a great neighborhood that offers a nice break from the grind of the work week!”
On the subject of the heated debate over annexation, Gerry says it is all part of the growing pains of a community.
“No matter what side of the fence you are on, you have to appreciate the grass roots efforts out there as people band together on the fight,” Gerry adds.
Gerry and his wife, Roz, have three children: 23-year-old Mary-Rachel, a Purdue graduate now working as a reporter for the Big Ten Network; 20-year-old “Spud” (whose real name is Gerry), an economics major and quarterback of the football team at DePauw University; and 15-year-old Reese, a freshman at Lawrence Central who plays baseball and football.
Gerry is looking forward to the holidays with family and friends and 500 more Inside Indiana Business Shows in the years ahead. So if you pass Gerry in the neighborhood, wish him luck, but remember: If you strike up a conversation with Gerry Dick by asking, “How’s business?” you may get a whole lot more than you bargained for!
