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Get IN. with Nate Spangle · Wednesday · 1 hr 15 min

Why One Indiana Leader Keeps Reinventing His Career | Ryan Vaughn, EXOS

On today's show I sat down with Ryan Vaughn, president and general counsel of EXOS, about his career from deputy prosecutor in Indianapolis to private civil litigation, politics, public affairs, Indiana Sports Corp, and joining the fast-growing cybersecurity, IT, and talent firm EXOS. Vaughn describes campaigning for prosecutor Carl Brizzi, serving on and later leading the Indianapolis City-County Council during Mayor Ballard's first term, and major initiatives like Broad Ripple redevelopment and selling city utilities to Citizens. He then served as Ballard's chief of staff, moved to lead Indiana Sports Corp, and highlighted Indy's collaborative edge in winning event bids, including the NBA All-Star bid delivered via IndyCar driven by Larry Bird, and hosting the entire 2021 NCAA men's tournament in a bubble. Vaughn explains his "listen, learn, lead" approach to culture with EXOS, and the company's focus on AI, automation, and public-sector efficiencies. He also shares why Indiana's people and opportunities keep him here. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - Ryan Vaughn's Career Trajectory to EXOS - Vaughn's Role with Indianapolis Mayor Ballard - Vaughn's Experiences with Indiana Sports Corp - What EXOS Does Thank you to our partners: Cowpokes Work & Western Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Fast Growth Mindset 01:31 Guest Introduction: Ryan Vaughn, EXOS 02:47 Becoming Prosecutor 04:46 Trial by Fire Cases 07:13 Why Public Service 08:58 Mental Toll Trials 12:03 Switch to Private Firm 14:14 Civil Litigation Reality 16:58 Campaign Politics Outlet 19:35 City Council Path 21:23 Unigov Explained 23:56 Council Majority Flip 25:00 Utilities Dig Indy 28:58 Chief of Staff Role 33:18 Mayor Term Limits 34:46 Sports Corp Opportunity 36:51 Sports Commission Legacy 37:31 AAU Roots and Pan Am 39:41 Sports Corp Mission 40:27 Winning Big Event Bids 42:00 Community Impact Pairing 43:58 March Madness Bubble 48:12 Leaving Sports Corp 50:54 What EXOS Does 53:52 Building Team Culture 54:57 Listen Learn Lead 59:15 Career Change Mindset 01:02:29 AI and Public Sector 01:05:34 Why Indiana Home 01:07:41 Rapid Fire Indiana Picks 01:08:57 Hidden Gems and Hoosiers Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

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On today's show I sat down with Ryan Vaughn, president and general counsel of EXOS, about his career from deputy prosecutor in Indianapolis to private civil litigation, politics, public affairs, Indiana Sports Corp, and joining the fast-growing cybersecurity, IT, and talent firm EXOS.

Vaughn describes campaigning for prosecutor Carl Brizzi, serving on and later leading the Indianapolis City-County Council during Mayor Ballard's first term, and major initiatives like Broad Ripple redevelopment and selling city utilities to Citizens.

He then served as Ballard's chief of staff, moved to lead Indiana Sports Corp, and highlighted Indy's collaborative edge in winning event bids, including the NBA All-Star bid delivered via IndyCar driven by Larry Bird, and hosting the entire 2021 NCAA men's tournament in a bubble.

Vaughn explains his "listen, learn, lead" approach to culture with EXOS, and the company's focus on AI, automation, and public-sector efficiencies. He also shares why Indiana's people and opportunities keep him here.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Ryan Vaughn's Career Trajectory to EXOS - Vaughn's Role with Indianapolis Mayor Ballard - Vaughn's Experiences with Indiana Sports Corp - What EXOS Does

Thank you to our partners: Cowpokes Work & Western

Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Fast Growth Mindset 01:31 Guest Introduction: Ryan Vaughn, EXOS 02:47 Becoming Prosecutor 04:46 Trial by Fire Cases 07:13 Why Public Service 08:58 Mental Toll Trials 12:03 Switch to Private Firm 14:14 Civil Litigation Reality 16:58 Campaign Politics Outlet 19:35 City Council Path 21:23 Unigov Explained 23:56 Council Majority Flip 25:00 Utilities Dig Indy 28:58 Chief of Staff Role 33:18 Mayor Term Limits 34:46 Sports Corp Opportunity 36:51 Sports Commission Legacy 37:31 AAU Roots and Pan Am 39:41 Sports Corp Mission 40:27 Winning Big Event Bids 42:00 Community Impact Pairing 43:58 March Madness Bubble 48:12 Leaving Sports Corp 50:54 What EXOS Does 53:52 Building Team Culture 54:57 Listen Learn Lead 59:15 Career Change Mindset 01:02:29 AI and Public Sector 01:05:34 Why Indiana Home 01:07:41 Rapid Fire Indiana Picks 01:08:57 Hidden Gems and Hoosiers

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

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