Staff
Jessica Love, Executive Director
Jessica joined RIPEA as Executive Director in February 2023. Prior to joining RIPEA, she was employed for more than 12 years by Prosperity Indiana, most recently as Executive Director since March 2018. Prior to Prosperity Indiana, the state association for community economic development, Jessica worked with units of local goverment and the Area Agency on Aging in a multi-county service territory in and around Montgomery, Alabama, for over eight years. In her roles at South Central Alabama Development Commission, she provided planning services and community and economic development project development and management for SCADC members. An Alabama native, Jessica has a journalism degree from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, and worked for The Selma Times-Journal in Selma, Alabama, upon graduation.
Dianna Casteel, Office Manager
Dianna has worked in industrial sales, purchasing agent as well as administrative assistant in several private companies. Dianna started with RIPEA as a part-time employee in June 1996. She started full time in June 2001.
Bethiah Casteel, Administrative Assistant
Bethiah joined RIPEA as a part-time administrative assistant in June 2018 and continues in that capacity today.
Donna Feller, Administrative Assistant
Donna has worked in banking for 12 years, been a substitute teacher and worked for many private companies. Donna started with RIPEA as part-time employee in October 2005. She started working full-time for RIPEA in July 2010.
Bill Murphy, Insurance Consultant
Bill was employed for 18 years with the Public Employees Retirement Fund. He was also an employee of the Bank One Investment Management Company for 19 years. While still an employee of Bank One, Bill became Director of RIPEA in 1979 and served in that capacity until February 2023. Following his retirement as Executive Director, Bill is now acting as a consultant for the Insurance Trustees.
Aaron Tellez, Engagement & Development Manager
Aaron was previously responsible for outreach and pipeline development for another member organization. He has also worked in compliance for a health insurance company, served as policy coordinator for legislation affecting Medicare, and acted as political campaign field organizer. Aaron earned both his BS in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management & Homeland Security and his MA in Political Science from Ball State University. He began in his role with RIPEA in May 2024.
Consultants
Joe Loftus, Lobbyist
Mr. Loftus served with the Legislative Services Agency and was Deputy Mayor of the City of Indianapolis. Mr. Loftus is currently the Manager of the Government Practice Unit at Barnes & Thornburg.