Throughout his career, Jeff Quyle has demonstrated a belief that communities are stronger when they work together.
For more than a decade, Quyle has served as president and CEO of Radius Indiana, helping unite communities, businesses, local leaders, and economic development partners around a shared vision for Southern Indiana.
For his commitment to collaboration, regionalism, and community prosperity, Quyle received the 2026 Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award during Regional Opportunity Initiatives’ Annual Report to the Region on Oct. 2.
Many know Quyle as an unassuming leader with keen insights, clear vision, and an easy laugh. He rarely seeks the spotlight and does not lead with his resume.
Because of that, some may be surprised to learn that Quyle is a published author with more than 40 titles to his credit and owner of his own publishing business. He also holds degrees from Wittenberg University, Indiana University, and the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.
Quyle once owned a chocolate company that operated out of a small storefront in downtown Bloomington. On weekends, visitors were often greeted by Quyle himself, wearing a white apron covered in chocolate.
Amid those pursuits, Quyle spent the past 11 years leading Radius Indiana. Under his leadership, the organization advanced initiatives focused on workforce attraction, downtown revitalization, business retention and expansion, and regional economic growth.
His work with Make My Move, a talent attraction program that encourages remote workers and other professionals to relocate to participating communities, has helped attract new residents and employees to Southern Indiana, including workers supporting the region’s growing defense sector.
Perhaps no project better reflects Quyle’s unwavering commitment to regionalism than the Monon South Trail.
What began as an idea to transform a former railroad corridor into a recreational trail has grown into one of the most transformative quality-of-place projects in Indiana.
Connecting communities across multiple counties, the trail represents far more than recreation. It reflects years of collaboration among local governments, state partners, community organizations, and residents working toward a common goal of building the state’s longest recreational trail. Eventually, the Monon South Trail will extend more than 60 miles, connecting Bedford to New Albany’s South Monon Freedom Trail.
Step by step and mile by mile, Quyle has been a steady advocate and connector for the Monon South Trail, helping bring people together, build consensus, and maintain momentum. His leadership has helped transform a regional vision into a regional asset that will benefit communities for generations to come.
Yet Quyle’s impact extends well beyond any single project. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a belief that communities are stronger when they work together. He has dedicated himself to building bridges, finding common ground, and creating opportunities that benefit the entire Indiana Uplands region.
In accepting the award, Quyle reflected on the importance of regional collaboration and the progress made across the Indiana Uplands during the past decade.
Quyle noted that the region has taken many steps, both incremental and significant, toward collaborating effectively.
“I have been exceptionally fortunate in my career to get to work among the folks of southern Indiana for several decades,” he said. “I want to thank all of you for your kindness, patience, and your commitment to working for the betterment of your communities.”
He also recognized the many local leaders, organizations, and partners who work every day to strengthen communities across the region.
“You all are the leaders on the ground, doing the chores and tasks, big and small, that help weave our citizens together into communities,” Quyle said.
Quyle also expressed gratitude to the Radius Indiana team.
“I owe enormous gratitude to the staff at Radius, who have done so much work over the years, living and working among our neighbors, helping to implement our vision for strengthening our communities and businesses,” Quyle said. “I cannot say enough about the depth of their devotion to regional success, and words cannot express my sincere appreciation and affection for my work family.”
Quyle also thanked ROI, community partners, and his wife, Judy, for their support over the years.
“She’s put up with a lot over the years, and she would emphasize ‘a lot’ in capital letters,” Quyle joked. “She’s really more deserving of an honor than I am, and I’m lucky to have her at my side.”
Reflecting on the work that has brought communities together across Southern Indiana, Quyle emphasized the importance of continuing to work toward shared success.
“Regionalism is a dynamic activity,” Quyle said. “It requires a lot of give and take, conversation and compromise, and willingness to support the success of neighbors as much as our own success.”
About the award
The Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown uncommon dedication to bringing the Indiana Uplands region together in pursuit of regional success and prosperity. The award honors those who lead with vision, foster collaboration, and inspire progress, just as its namesake, Becky Skillman, has done throughout her career.
Skillman, Indiana’s 49th lieutenant governor, is one of the seven founding partners of ROI. She was the first recipient of the Uplands Regional Leadership Award in 2017, and the award was subsequently renamed in her honor.