Lawrence Executive Named IMA Vice President
May 11, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2026
CITY OF LAWRENCE EXECUTIVE TAPPED FOR STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP POST
Mayor Deb Whitfield celebrates staff accomplishments and the power of partnerships
LAWRENCE, Ind. — Mayor Deb Whitfield announced today that Executive Assistant Nikia Simmons has been elected Vice President of the Indiana Mayors Assistants (IMA) for the 2026–2027 term.
IMA is a division of Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM), which represents Indiana cities and towns on state policy issues and supports professional development for municipal leaders statewide.
The election took place during the 2026 IMA Annual Conference held last month in Madison, Indiana. The organization is committed to advancing the role of mayoral assistants in local government while encouraging collaboration, professional growth, and information sharing among members.
The newly elected 2026–2027 IMA officers are:
· Shelley Hipskind of Wabash, President
· Nikia Simmons of Lawrence, Vice President
· Mendy Asselin of Logansport, Secretary/Treasurer
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected by my peers across the state for this leadership role,” said Simmons. “I have learned so much through my involvement with IMA, and the opportunity to collaborate and network with municipal professionals from around Indiana has been invaluable.”
As mayors, we rely heavily on the professionalism, organization, and commitment of our executive assistants to help move our communities forward each day,” said Mayor Deb Whitfield. “Nikia’s election to this statewide leadership role reflects her hard work and the respect she has earned among her colleagues. We are incredibly proud of her.”
Media Contact:
Denise Herd, Herd Strategies
c: 317-796-0514
e: denise@herdstrategies.com
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About the City of Lawrence, Indiana
Located northeast of Indianapolis, the City of Lawrence is Indiana’s 20th largest city and home to approximately 50,000 residents. While its military base was decommissioned in 1996, Lawrence has grown into a vibrant community that blends rich history with modern amenities. Under the leadership of Mayor Deb Whitfield, the city continues to thrive as a welcoming place to live, work, and play. Learn more at cityoflawrence.org.
