IBJ Media has named John T. Phair, Chairman, Holladay Hospitality, to its third annual Indiana 250, a list of the state’s most influential and impactful business and community leaders, representing public and private companies, law firms, universities, not-for-profits, government and community organizations. Phair was included in the real estate category for his work in real estate, economic development, and philanthropy.
Executives and leaders at IBJ Media and its three news brands — Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and Indiana Lawyer – compiled the list during a months-long process that included reviewing nominations, researching Indiana organizations and interviewing community leaders across the state.
The names were released July 17 at Indiana250.com and in a magazine highlighting profiles of the honorees.
“Creating this list is always inspiring because the people on it have so much passion for our communities and our state,” said IBJ Media CEO Nate Feltman. “One of our goals with the list is to make sure that we recognize people from across Indiana and from diverse industries and then make connections among them for the betterment of all Hoosiers.”
John T. Phair joined Holladay Properties, a commercial real estate firm that has been in business since 1952, in 1978 after spending seven years in the mortgage-banking field in Denver, CO and South Bend, IN. He is the former chairman of Trustcorp Mortgage Company, a former board member of 1st Source Bank, and an investor in several small businesses. In 1999, he acquired a controlling interest of Holladay Properties’ Midwest operations and was CEO until 2020.
John has been involved with numerous civic organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County, Family & Children’s Center, WNIT Public Television, the South Bend Civic Theatre, the Alliance of Indiana (IU Kelley School of Business), Junior Achievement and the Villages of Indiana. John and his wife, Barb, are the proud parents of four children and currently have more than 12 grandchildren.
“For over forty years John T. Phair has been the driving force behind some of Indiana’s finest developments and business parks. His vision, investment, and passion for recruiting businesses to Indiana is nothing short of remarkable. It is very rewarding to see John receive recognition for his outstanding contributions to Indiana,” said Tim Healy, CEO of Holladay Properties.
Phair and others in the third annual Indiana 250 list were celebrated at a reception featuring Mike Pence on July 17 in downtown Indianapolis. IBJ Media launched the Indiana 250 program in 2022, with plans to update it annually. The publication is part of the company’s larger effort to help foster statewide economic vitality and collaboration through its publications and events, including an Engage Indiana series of programs it is co-hosting with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. in cities throughout Indiana.