Carolene R. Mays was appointed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as a Commissioner for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in February, 2010. From 1998, until the appointment, she was Publisher and President of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper and the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. Under Carolene’s leadership, the Recorder, which is the nation's fourth oldest African-American newspaper, grew in readership, prominence, and credibility. It is now ranked among the top Black newspapers nationwide. The Indiana Minority Business Magazine, which was acquired in 2007, also grew under her management, by more than 100% in circulation and revenues during the first year.
Carolene was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2002. She served three terms, winning elections with more than 70% of the vote. In the Legislature, she served on the Ways and Means, Public Health and Transportation committees, and as Vice-Chairman of the Small Business and Economic Development committees. She also served on committees with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Conference of State Legislators, and Women in Government. Carolene retired from her State Representative position in November, 2008.
Additionally, Carolene was the host of the "Recorder On Air Report Television Show" (ROAR) on Central Indiana cable networks, as well as the co-host of a weekly television news segment, "Community Link," on the Central Indiana's CBS affiliate, WISH-TV.
State of Indiana, April 2016, Executive Director, White River State Park Development Commission appointed by Governor Mike Pence
Previous Employment
State of Indiana, February 2010 - April 2016, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2010. Reappointed by Governor Mike Pence in 2014 as Commissioner and named Vice-Chairman
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, 1998–2010, Publisher & President, also serving as President of Indianapolis Recorder Charities (a 501c3)
Indiana Minority Business Magazine, 2007–2010, Publisher & President
Recorder On Air Report (ROAR), 1998–2008, Host and Producer of the ROAR, a public affairs and community news television talk show, airing weekly on Central Indiana cable networks
Community Link, 2000–2008, Co-host of weekly television news segment on the local CBS affiliate disseminating news from the African-American and Hispanic communities to a broader audience
Mays Chemical Company, 1991–1998, Manager of Customer Service and National Accounts
Occidental Chemical Company, Inc., 1985–1991, Various positions in Sales and Corporate Account Management throughout the nation
Community Service - Boards of Directors
2011 NCAA Women’s Final Four, Chairperson
2012 NFL Super Bowl Committee, Division Chairperson
