Indiana Ports: Governor appoints former Congressman Messer to Ports Commission, reappoints Chairman Vincent and Commissioners Pfau Estes, Fagan

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb has appointed Luke Messer, a former Indiana Congressman, to the Ports of Indiana Commission and reappointed Chairman Micah Vincent along with Commissioners Kari Pfau Estes and David Fagan.

Messer was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and served three terms as Indiana’s 6^th District Congressman, serving on House Committees for Financial Services, Education and the Workforce, Budget and Foreign Affairs. Prior to that, Messer served as a member of the Indiana House from 2003 to 2006. A native of Evansville, Ind., Messer earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from Wabash College and a juris doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University. He is a partner in the Business Services, Labor and Employment and Financial Services Groups at the law firm Bose McKinney & Evans in Indianapolis.

“I’m very honored that Governor Holcomb has called on me to join the Ports team and I am excited to help support one of Indiana’s most powerful economic engines,” said Messer. “Indiana’s port system faces unprecedented opportunities, and I look forward to collaborating with my fellow commissioners and staff to help grow our ports and increase their value to the state.”

Messer replaces Dr. Robert Bowen, founder and chairman of Bowen Engineering, who recently retired after serving six years on the Ports of Indiana Commission. Messer’s term on the Commission runs through Sept. 30, 2026.

Ports of Indiana is governed by a bipartisan board of seven Governor-appointed commissioners who serve staggered four-year terms. With their reappointments, Vincent, Fagan and Pfau Estes will continue to serve through March 31, 2028.

Vincent serves as Commission Chairman and was first appointed to the Ports Commission by Gov. Holcomb in 2020. He was recently appointed Chief Financial Officer at Teays River Investments after five years in executive strategy and finance positions for The Heritage Group. Vincent previously served in state government as the Director of the Indiana Office of Management & Budget and a variety of leadership roles with Governors Holcomb, Pence and Daniels.

Fagan, who was also appointed by the Governor in 2020, is the Financial Secretary of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 in northwest Indiana. He has served the state and community in multiple capacities, including Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board and Portage City Council. Fagan and his wife have also served as foster parents for many years.

Pfau Estes is a community leader in Jeffersonville, Ind., and part of the Commission since her appointed by Gov. Holcomb in 2018. She is a pediatric physical therapist and has focused on treating children with developmental delays, neurologic, genetic and orthopedic issues. Pfau Estes is also part of the fifth generation of leadership for her family’s business, George Pfau Son’s, Co., founded in 1869.

“We are extremely grateful to Governor Holcomb for appointing such a strong leadership team to guide the growth and development of our statewide port authority,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “We thank Bob Bowen for his many contributions and guidance during his time on the Commission and we look forward to building on our past successes with this tremendous group of leaders we now have in place.”