Carolene Mays

Carolene R. Mays
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 94th district
In office 2002 - 2008
Succeeded by	Cherrish Pryor
Personal details
Born	July 21, 1961 Evansville, Indiana
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Fred Medley Children- Jada Benedict
Residence	Indianapolis, Indiana
Alma mater	Indiana State University
Religion	Christian

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.

Early in her career, her Business Management and Marketing degree led her into leadership roles at Occidental Chemical Company and Mays Chemical Company, where she held various positions in sales and corporate account management.

Education

Indiana State University, B.S. Degree, 1985
Major - Business Management; Minor - Marketing
Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana

Political

Indiana State Legislature – State Representative, November, 2002 – November, 2008
State Committees: Vice-Chairman – Small Business and Economic Development; Ways and Means; and Public Health
National Black Caucus of State Legislators: Health; and Vice Chair – Small Business
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, Treasurer
National Caucus of State Legislators: Business and Commerce
Women in Government

Current Employment

State of Indiana, since February 2010, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Water Committee

Previous Employment

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), 1995–2008, 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
Indiana Sports Corporation Board, Vice-Chairman
Peyton Manning’s PeyBack Foundation Board
Press Club of Indiana
Former Colts Player Tarik Glenn’s D.R.E.A.M. Alive Foundation
Ivy Tech State College – President’s Diversity Council
Capital Improvement Board, appointed by Mayor Greg Ballard

Organization Affiliations

Eastern Star Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Indianapolis Chapter of Links; N.A.A.C.P.