The River Ridge Development Authority is governed by a Board of Directors who are appointed by the political entities of Clark County, the City of Jeffersonville, the City of Charlestown, the Town of Utica, and the Indiana Port Commission. The Board governs the overall policies and procedures of River Ridge Commerce Center. The RRDA is operated by a professional staff led by Jerry Acy, Executive Director.
River Ridge Development Authority works to:
- Involve the community in the redevelopment planning process
- Keep the public informed about the progress
- Inquire about community wants and needs
- Solicit ideas for redevelopment
- Cultivate community interest and support
- Mitigate environmental concerns
- Demolish antiquated or dilapidated structures and facilities
- Develop road and utility infrastructure
- Protect wildlife habitats
- Adapt and incorporate best development practices
- Balance fiscal responsibility with economic impacts
- Review development proposals and capital investments that make efficient use of available land
- Foster a distinctive, attractive sense of place
- Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost-effective
- Foster collaboration among various legislative, administrative and regulatory agencies
- Establish and maintain the overall vision for the future of River Ridge
Meet the Board of Directors
Dr. Treva Hodges
President, Appointed by the City of Charlestown
Dr. Treva Hodges is the current Mayor of Charlestown, Indiana, serving her second term. She received her B.A. (2006) and M.A. (2008) in Communication Studies from the University of Alabama and completed her Ph.D. in Humanities at the University of Louisville in 2019.
Dr. Hodges began her professional career as a business analyst for a major southeastern mortgage banking company before transitioning to higher education where she obtained over a decade of teaching and administrative experience. She has served in a variety of educational and community youth mentor programs that connect economically and socially marginalized students with resources to improve academic performance and foster interest in higher education. Dr. Hodges has been recognized by her peers with several awards for service and research. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the River Hills Economic Development District and on the Accelerating Indiana Municipalities Board of Directors. In addition, Dr. Hodges volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana and the Youth Link Lunch Buddies program at local elementary schools. A self-described “Hoosier by choice,” Dr. Hodges loves living in Southern Indiana with her husband, Ed Byers, and an assortment of furry and feathered friends.
Edward “Ed” Meyer
Vice President, Appointed by the Town of Utica
EDWARD “ED” MEYER Secretary/Treasurer, appointed by the Town of Utica, Indiana, Mr. Meyer was a former Clark County commissioner for 12 years, and a member of the original Clark County team that helped pass federal legislation to acquire the roughly 6,000 acres from the U.S. Army to establish River Ridge. Mr. Meyer also worked with other government entities to develop the first interlocal agreement which set the framework for the River Ridge Development Authority that is still in place today. Mr. Meyer has a BS and master’s degree in education and retired after 40 years as a public school teacher. He also has extensive public service experience, in addition to being a commissioner, he was a member of the Clark County Council, President of the Clark County Building Authority, President of the Clark County Jail Authority, and many other civic organizations and youth programs
Brian Lenfert
Secretary/Treasurer, appointed by Clark County
Brian Lenfert has served on the Clark County Council for over a decade. A successful entrepreneur, Lenfert started his construction management career in Indianapolis, Indiana leading to him founding his own real estate development company (Lenfert Properties). He is an active member of the community, sitting on boards for the Floyd Memorial Foundation, German American Bank Advisory Board, and is President of the Clark County Jail Holding Corporation. Lenfert earned a B.S. in Building Construction Management from Purdue University. He resides in Sellersburg, Indiana with his wife and four children.
Eric Ballenger
Board Member, appointed by the City of Jeffersonville
Eric Ballenger is a graduate of Jeffersonville High School ’77 and Hanover College ’81 with a BS in Economics. After a ten-year stint in sales for the Colgate Palmolive Co., Eric embarked on a career in the financial services industry where he still works today. With an eye on community and civic involvement Eric has served on the Boards of the Clark Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Hanover College Alumni Board and was a founding member of the Greater Clark Schools Education Foundation serving on that Board for over 20 years. He coached countless youth sports teams and is currently a Board member of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau. Eric is married to Jeffersonville native, Leslie Ballenger, and together they reside in Jeffersonville where they have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
Dr. Charles “Tony” Bennett
Board Member, appointed by the Indiana Port Commission
Dr. Charles “Tony” Bennett holds a Doctor of Education degree from Spalding University, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Secondary Education from Indiana University Southeast. He is a prominent education leader with over 30 years of experience in school management and policy. Currently serving as President of Schools for Stride K12, he drives initiatives to enhance K-12 and postsecondary education. Beginning his career as a high school science teacher, Dr. Bennett rose to become Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2009 to 2013, where he achieved record graduation rates and improvements in Advanced Placement participation. He also served as Commissioner of Education in Florida and founded TBX2, Inc./Education Reform Strategies to consult on national education reform. His leadership extends to influential boards, including the Council of Chief State School Officers and Chiefs for Change, and he remains committed to driving meaningful change in schools nationwide.