Shelly Towns, vice president of product for Angie’s List, is the newest member of the TechPoint board of directors.

TechPoint's Chairman Mark Hill and President and CEO Mike Langellier made Shelly's appointment official today, though she has been an active member of the IndyX talent initiative advisory committee for some time.

In a press release, Mark and Mike both thanked Shelly for her commitment to helping TechPoint be a catalyst for growth and a powerful voice for talent attraction, technology and entrepreneurship in Indiana.

“In providing its service via the web and mobile to more than 2 million members nationwide, Angie’s List is increasingly focusing on technology and expanding its tech talent base. Shelly understands the importance of the IndyX Initiative for attracting, retaining and developing talent and has a passion for advancing our city and state,” Mark said. “Furthermore, we welcome her experience and successes with Angie’s List on the national stage, as we strive to replicate those successes not only in TechPoint but also in dozens of other companies across the state.”

“Growing tech companies need talent, promotion and access to capital, mentors/influencers and customers. TechPoint is relentlessly focused on infusing more of those resources into the ecosystem here so that we can create more success stories like Angie’s List,” said Mike. “I look forward to having Shelly and Angie’s List involved.”

Late last year, TechPoint launched a new initiative  focused on attracting, retaining and developing tech company talent called IndyX, and Shelly served on the advisory committee for the initiative. Comprised of a one-of-a-kind summer internship experience (IndyXtern) and an events, jobs and news program for expats and out-of-towners (IndyXpat), IndyX complements the Orr Fellowship, an affiliated program for new grads which recruits and grooms the next generation of Indiana business leaders and entrepreneurs. 

In addition to IndyX, TechPoint also manages the HALO Capital group, which has invested more than $20 million into startups. It also connects the industry together through digital and offline platforms, including the blog at techpoint.org, social media, media relations, and approximately 50 events annually. Lastly, TechPoint catalyzes industry micro-clusters like marketing technology and health IT.

As vice president of product for Angie’s List, Shelly is charged with innovation and the end-to-end service experience for more than 2 million members, including mobile and web applications as well as the company’s data and content operations.

Before becoming vice president of product in April last year, Shelly worked in marketing for Angie’s List for five years and is credited with the creation and scale of its SEO program, which experienced triple digit new member sales increases each year under her leadership.

Shelly earned TechPoint’s 2013 Marketing Tech Mira Award for her team’s achievements in this area. As a marketing director, Shelly also lead the company’s rebranding effort in 2010, culminating in a national TV and print campaign which helped catapult Angie’s List into a household name. 

Before joining the marketing department in 2007, Shelly served as a Staff Writer for the Angie’s List Magazine from 2005-2006, where she earned multiple reporting awards from the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists.

Prior to joining Angie’s List, Shelly was an editor for Midwest Parenting Publications and the North American Retail Hardware Association. She earned her bachelor of science degree in journalism from Indiana University. Shelly lives in Indianapolis with her husband and two young daughters. She volunteers in the local community on behalf of several Angie’s List outreach programs and serves on the planning committee for the annual Jamie Blackwell Loveless golf outing, which raises money and awareness for H1N1.