Broad Ripple History
search menu
Pictures, Stories, Maps, and more
Brought to you by Broad Ripple Publishing

Broad Ripple Village Association
The Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) is a neighborhood association for Broad Ripple Village on the north side of the City of Indianapolis, Indiana. It represents an area bounded by Kessler Boulevard on the south, Meridian Street on the west, White River on the north, and Evanston Avenue on the east. The BRVA is a volunteer association, except for the executive director position. Annual dues are paid by residents and businesses. The BRVA currently has two public meetings per year, one in the spring and one in the fall, usually held at the Indianapolis Art Center. The fall public meeting includes an election for the open spots on the board of directors.

2023
2022 staff:
Jordan Dillon , Executive Director

Board of Directors:
Tom Drew, President
Matt Hornyak, Vice President
Joshua John, Treasurer
Rachel Hickey, Secretary
Sarah Myers
Mike Simmons
Casey Springer
Kate Stephens
Santina Sullivan
Kip Tew
Karen Valiquett
Jordan Williams

History of the organization
The first business association in Broad Ripple was the Broad Ripple Businessmen's Association, created before 1950. The BRVA was informally organized in 1969 by a group of local business owners and managers as The Broad Ripple Village Merchants Association. Sometime in the next few months, the organization was incorporated. It was registered with the Indiana Secretary of State in 1970. One of the persons behind the founding of the BRVA -- who became its first president -- was Linda (Arthur) Osborne. Linda's parents, Amos and Leola Arthur, were the owners of the Fountain Square store, Arthur's Music, and Linda managed their Broad Ripple "branch."

Past and Present Presidents of BRVA:
Tom Drew (2022)
Garrett Lawton (2020 - 2021)
Joshua John (2018 - 2019)
Mark Wolf (2017)
Kent Springer (2016)
Elizabeth Marshall (2015)
Justin McKeand (2014)
Jay Wetzel (2013)
Mark Wolf (2011 - 2012)
Elizabeth Marshall (2009 - 2010)
Ellen Morley Matthews (2005 - 2008)
Brad King (2003 - 2004)
Rob Sabatini (2002 - 2003)
Van Kirby (2000 - 2001)
Ed Cheikh (1997 - 2000)
Rick Rising-Moore (1992 - 1996)
Bill McLane (1988 - 1992)
Rush Williams (1988)
Tom Bardach (1987)
Rush Williams (1985 - 1986)
Bill Fatout (1984 - 1985)
Jean Adams (1982 - 1983)
John O'Hara (1981 - 1982)
Brenda Garvey (1980-1981)
Philip Slates (1979-1980)
Dayle Gravenstreter (1978-1979)
Wayne Moss (1975-1976)
Linda Osborne (1972 -1974)
Charles Giddens (1971-1972)
Linda (Arthur) Osborne (1969 - 1970)
(dates before 2002 were derived from various sources)

Past and Present Executive Directors & Administrative Coordinators:

Jordan Dillon (2022)
Kent Springer (interim 2021)
Summer Keown (2021)
Colleen Fanning (2018 - 2020)
Brooke Klejnot (2012 - 2018)
Sharon Butsch Freeland (2006 - 2012)
Brad Hopper (2004 - 2005)
Elaine Zukerman (1997 - 2006)

Past Presidents of previous Broad Ripple Village Merchants Association:
Bill Horin (1965-1970 est from Indy Star July 4, 1971)

Broad Ripple Chamber of Commerce
Past Presidents:
K.V. Ammerman (also BRHS principal) (1927)
George Armantrout (1925)
John Dawson (1923e)

Broad Ripple Chamber of Commerce
Members: Grover C. Parr - vice president (1925) H.Y. Tinch - secretary (1925) Claude Myers - treasurer (1925)