Indianapolis-based Interactive Intelligence Group Inc. announced this week that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels honored the company’s founder and CEO, Dr. Donald Brown, with the 2012 Sagamore of the Wabash award.
The Sagamore of the Wabash is an honorary award created by the state of Indiana in the 1940s during the term of Governor Ralph F. Gates. The award is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the state of Indiana or to its governor. Among those who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and citizens who have contributed greatly to "Hoosier" heritage. The term "sagamore" is a Native American word for a wise man or lesser chief, and the Wabash is Indiana’s state river.
The award was presented to Dr. Brown based on his job creation efforts, according to the governor’s office. Interactive Intelligence, a provider of unified IP business communications software and services, has added more than 600 employees over the past 24 months. Founded in 1994, Interactive Intelligence has since grown it from a dozen-person start-up, to a publicly traded global company generating more than $230 million in annual revenue and employing more than 1,400 people.
"Indiana needs more Don Browns," said Governor Daniels in a statement. "He develops companies that become wildly successful and then comes up with more ideas using Indiana as his base of operations. We couldn't be more proud of Dr. Brown's accomplishments."
Gov. Daniels honored Dr. Brown with the Sagamore of the Wabash award at a special economic development event in December. The governor and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation have worked with Interactive Intelligence on several projects over the past eight years.
Interactive Intelligence is a platinum sponsor of ITEXPO East, happening next week in Miami, Fla. Brent Morgan, Solutions Engineer at ININ will present during two sessions, “The Real Business Value of an Optimal Customer Experience” and “Customer Service: The Organizational Imperative” at the event.