Taft is pleased to announce that John D. Papageorge will have the opportunity to advance his community leadership interests as a member of Class XXXV of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.

Papageorge is a partner in Taft’s Indianapolis office and a member of its litigation and environmental departments. He is one of 25 young professionals to be accepted into the series, a highly competitive program that seeks to expand the ranks of community leaders by teaching and motivating members to address the needs of central Indiana.

“I am honored to have been chosen to participate in SKL, which has helped many of central Indiana’s most prominent leaders become more effective community leaders,” Papageorge said. “It’s humbling to have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps and have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to our region.”

Class members are chosen because of their significant community involvement and professional achievement; their demonstrated interest in community issues; a record of participation and achievement in voluntary community activities; and their willingness to expand their leadership role in the community.

“Congratulations to John on his selection for the SKL Leadership Series,” said Roland Dorson, president of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, which operates the series. “As an SKL graduate, I know that it is an honor to be chosen, but also a responsibility and commitment to improve our community.”

Dorson, a graduate of the series’ Class XIX, is moderator for Class XXXV. To ensure that the series is timely and topical, each class’s moderator identifies aspects of broad economic and societal issues that are specific to central Indiana for the class to study.

Class XXXV will meet monthly from September through June. Participants will interact with local leaders, professional experts and community decision makers to discuss issues such as the region’s quality of life, education and economic development.

Papageorge received his B.A. from Indiana University in 1989 and his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1992.  He serves on the board of directors for the Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association and Susan G. Komen for the Cure and as President of the St. Richard’s School Parent Organization.

About the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series: Formed in 1976, SKL informs and motivates emerging leaders and raises their awareness of community issues and sense of community trusteeship through seminars, tours, reading and interaction with experts, leaders and decision makers. The series is named in honor of Stanley K. Lacy, an Indianapolis banker and active participant in civic projects, who died in a tragic automobile accident in 1973 at the age of 27.

About the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce: Founded in 1890 by Colonel Eli Lilly and a group of Indianapolis business leaders, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the central Indiana business community. Today, with a membership of more than 4,000 businesses, the Indianapolis Chamber is still a voice of progress and improvement, bringing together businesses for a thriving community. For more information on the Chamber, visit indychamber.com.

About Taft: At Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, delivering outstanding legal performance to help clients succeed is what drives and motivates its more than 300 attorneys and legal professionals every day. Taft has offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Northern Kentucky; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China. The firm practices across a wide range of industries, in virtually every area of law, including Business and Finance, Litigation, Labor and Employment, Intellectual Property, Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditor Rights, Environmental, Health and Life Sciences, Personal Services, Real Estate and Tax. With a proven track record of experience since 1885, Taft is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2010. The firm offers breadth and depth of legal expertise coupled with a trusted business perspective, helping its clients, big and small, regionally, nationally and internationally, in reaching their goals.