Franklin College Board of Trustees Appoints New Member
Richard M. “Rich” Ellery is the newest appointment to the Franklin College Board of Trustees. A highly respected legal and business leader, Ellery has nearly three decades of experience at OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc., in Indianapolis, where he currently serves as general counsel and secretary.
Since beginning his career as a OneAmerica intern in 1996, Ellery has steadily advanced through the organization, serving in roles including President of OneAmerica Securities and leading the company’s legal, compliance and legislative affairs. Ellery’s educational background includes degrees from Purdue University and the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, as well as executive training through Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program. He is a past participant in the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series and was named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” list of up-and-coming business leaders.
Franklin College President Kerry Prather said, “I am very excited to welcome Rich to our board of trustees. With his breadth of experience and knowledge, he brings valuable insights to help us advance the College’s strategic priorities. We look forward to Rich’s leadership as we work together to ensure a prosperous future for Franklin College.”
Active in his community, Ellery currently serves on several nonprofit and education-focused boards, including the Indianapolis Public Safety Foundation and Guerin Catholic High School.
Ellery’s commitment to professional excellence and his passion for community engagement make him a natural fit for the Franklin College Board of Trustees. He views the opportunity as a meaningful way to contribute his expertise while supporting the next generation of leaders.
“My nearly 30-year experience practicing corporate law, focusing on strategic initiatives, risk management, board governance and fiscal matters will allow me to serve the board in many respects. The portion of the college mission focusing not just on education, but on students leading meaningful lives resonates with me. The older I get, the more I appreciate that a focus on pure education is not a recipe for success in a career or in life, so producing well-rounded graduates with the ability to think critically is an important role of Franklin College,” Ellery said.
He also acknowledged the evolving challenges students face today and expressed optimism about the College’s role in addressing them.
“The pace of change in society continues to accelerate. The issues that students face are more complex and nuanced than those of their predecessors. I believe that Franklin College, given its history of producing accomplished graduates as well as its geographic location, is well positioned to positively impact our community. As a trustee, I'm very excited about participating in the creation of the framework for future success,” Ellery shared.
He and his wife, Kari, have been married for 24 years and have two children. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, spending time with family and relaxing at the lakeside.