Orr Fellowship Hires First Evansville Region Director

Evansville City Council President Ben Trockman to lead the curriculum for the inaugural Evansville cohort and embed Fellows into local companies and the community.

INDIANAPOLIS (April 17, 2025) – Orr Fellowship, an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana, has hired Ben Trockman as its first regional director in Evansville. Trockman is serving his second term representing the city's First Ward and was elected Evansville City Council President for 2025 in January.

“A connector, doer and passionate community champion, Ben comes to Orr Fellowship with a strong background in communications and community development as well as an enthusiasm for developing early career talent,” said Steven Emch, President of Orr Fellowship. “We feel fortunate that Ben has stepped into the role of Evansville Region Director for Orr Fellowship and believe he will drive this chapter to new heights.”

Orr Fellowship recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses. Together, Orr Fellowship and partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers.

In partnership with the Evansville Regional Business Committee (ERBC), Orr Fellowship made a significant move toward deepening its impact across the state of Indiana by expanding to the Southwest Indiana region in 2024. More than a dozen companies comprise the first Evansville cohort of Orr Fellowship partner companies, including some of the city's most prominent employers, such as Old National Bank, United Companies, Koch Industries and many more.

“Orr Fellowship offers an incredible opportunity for young professionals to grow both professionally and personally,” said Old National Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan. “The program is helping to shape the future leaders of the Evansville and Southwest Indiana region. I’m excited about the continued growth of Orr Fellowship in our community, and I’m confident that Ben is the perfect person to lead the charge in Evansville.”

Trockman has advocated for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in public projects and private corporations for nearly two decades. Prior to serving on the Evansville City Council, Trockman was a local and national ambassador for Easterseals and helped implement disability inclusion initiatives at Old National Bank. Today, he uses this extensive experience to improve the quality of life across Evansville.

“To say I’m delighted at the opportunity to lead the expansion of Orr Fellowship in Evansville is an understatement. Truly, it’s the honor of a lifetime,” said Trockman. “I’ve had the privilege to spend time with each of the Orr Fellows in the inaugural Evansville cohort. While they are all different, they all share one important characteristic: drive. Our community will be the benefactor as we embed the Fellows in our local companies and our favorite city.”

Trockman will use his insights into the future of Evansville to create unique opportunities for Orr Fellows to plug into the local community. His responsibilities include planning the curriculum for the inaugural Evansville cohort, meeting with Orr Fellows, and connecting with the organization’s partner companies.

To learn more about Orr Fellowship and the economic impact study, visit orrfellowship.org.

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About Orr Fellowship
Founded in 2001, Orr Fellowship is an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana. The organization recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses. Together, Orr Fellowship and partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers in business and positively impact Indiana. Learn more about Orr Fellowship here.

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