BIO
ROLLIE HELMLING, PRINCIPAL
Rollie Helmling is a seasoned business leader with a distinguished career spanning retail, motorsports, economic development, and global industry recruitment. A graduate of Vincennes University and the Indiana University School of Business, Rollie built a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurial and executive leadership experience over several decades.
Rollie was the Owner and CEO of Harold’s Supermarkets, a highly successful regional supermarket chain headquartered in Vincennes, Indiana. In addition to retail grocery operations, his business interests included commercial property development, retail auto parts stores, auto racing teams, and banking. Deeply committed to his community, Rollie was actively involved in civic and charitable organizations throughout southwestern Indiana, serving in numerous leadership roles.
In 2001, he orchestrated the sale of Harold’s Supermarkets to The Kroger Company, the largest traditional grocery retailer in the United States.
Rollie Helmling
From 2002 to 2008, Rollie served as President and CEO of the United States Auto Club (USAC), headquartered in Indianapolis. USAC is one of America’s premier auto racing sanctioning bodies and automotive certification organizations. Prior to leading the organization, Rollie was one of USAC’s most accomplished team owners. His drivers included USAC National Champions Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, John Andretti, Mel Kenyon, and Ken Schrader, along with several others who competed in the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR. He also serves as the ARCA Racing Series Appeals Commissioner.
In 2008, at the request of Governor Mitch Daniels, Rollie joined the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to spearhead efforts to expand Indiana’s motorsports industry. His responsibilities quickly broadened to include business development across the automotive, aviation, aerospace, and motorsports sectors. In July 2016, he was appointed Senior Vice President for Global Industry and Trade Development.
Throughout his tenure at IEDC, Rollie has led successful efforts to attract and expand major global companies in Indiana, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Toyota, Dallara, General Motors, NTN Bearings, GE Aviation, Dow, and DuPont. Under his leadership, projects have generated more than $4.5 billion in new investment and created over 6,200 new jobs across the state. He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the IEDC for Motorsports, Automotive, Aerospace, and Associated Technologies.
Rollie has been honored with the Governor’s Distinguished Service Medal by Governor Mitch Daniels and the Sagamore of the Wabash Award by Governor Eric Holcomb.
Rollie and his wife, Carol, reside in Carmel, Indiana. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren.