Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee to Recognize Civic Leader Charles T. Richardson with the 2026 Charles L. Whistler Award
Mayor’s highest honor for civic leadership recognizes those dedicated to progress in Indianapolis through public-private partnerships and beyond

INDIANAPOLIS – The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett are pleased to announce civic leader Charles “Charlie” T. Richardson as the recipient of the 2026 Charles L. Whistler Award. The annual award, given by the Mayor of Indianapolis since 1983, recognizes individuals who, outside the regular duties of their chosen professions, have brought together the public and private sectors for civic improvement in Indianapolis.

“Charlie Richardson has made an extraordinary mark on Indianapolis through years of dedicated professional and volunteer service,” said Murray Clark, chair of the Whistler Award Selection Committee. “Whether working to strengthen our city’s civic infrastructure, preserve its history, or bring leaders together around important community priorities, Charlie has consistently stepped up when Indianapolis needed him. His impact can be seen across our community, and we are proud and honored to recognize the legacy of his leadership with the Whistler Award.”

Richardson practiced law with Baker & Daniels (now Faegre Drinker) for 45 years, building and leading the firm’s Insurance Practice Group and growing it from two professionals to more than 65. After retiring in 2018, he returned to Indianapolis from Washington D.C. and dedicated his time and expertise to civic leadership. Today, he continues to advance major community initiatives through roles with the Rethink Coalition, the Indianapolis-Marion County Building Authority, and Indiana Landmarks.

“Charlie Richardson is one of a kind, and Indianapolis is a great city because he has spent so much of his time and energy making it better,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “He has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, see what’s possible, and—let’s be honest—convince the rest of us to get on board. I’m especially pleased to see him receive the Whistler Award because Charlie embodies the same spirit of civic leadership, generosity, and love for Indianapolis that made Chuck Whistler such a remarkable force in this city.” “I am deeply honored to receive the Charles L. Whistler Award,” said Richardson.

“Chuck was not only an extraordinary civic leader but also a mentor at my law firm who had a profound influence on me. He taught us the importance of bringing people together, setting an inspiring vision, and centering our work around the improvement of Indianapolis. I love this city deeply, and it is incredibly meaningful to be recognized in the name of someone who devoted so much of his life to making Indianapolis a world class city.”

Mayor Hogsett will present the 2026 Charles L. Whistler Awards at a breakfast ceremony on Monday, December 7, 2026, at the Indiana State Museum. This year’s title sponsor is Faegre Drinker. For information on tickets, tables, and sponsorships, visit the 2026 Whistler Award registration site.
Last December, Mayor Hogsett presented the 2025 award to N. Clay Robbins, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of Lilly Endowment Inc.

About the Charles L. Whistler Award:
Charles L. Whistler understood working for the future. To ensure Whistler’s legacy lives on, GIPC instituted the Charles L. Whistler Award – the most prestigious award given annually to a community volunteer. The Charles L. Whistler Award continues to honor the legacy of Whistler, a lawyer and community leader in the grand tradition, who gave his time and extraordinary abilities to the Indianapolis community without asking for power or position in return.

The name of Charles L. Richardson will be added to a limestone and granite monument containing past award recipients’ names and located in the Charles L. Whistler Memorial Plaza at the City Market in downtown Indianapolis.

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Past Whistler Award Recipients:
1983: Thomas H. Lake
1984: Thomas W. Binford & David R. Frick
1985: Frank P. Lloyd
1986: Phillip R. Duke & Thomas W. Moses
1987: Mattie M. Coney
1988: Donald W. Tanselle
1989: Ramon L. Humke & Henry C. Ryder
1990: Richard O. Morris
1991: Eldon Campbell
1992: Michael A. Carroll
1993: William W. Mays & James T. Morris
1994: Fred C. Tucker, Jr.
1995: Robert H. Reynolds
1996: Thomas M. Miller & Sam H. Jones
1997: Dr. Gene Sease
1998: Jack Shaw & Dan & Lori Efroymson
1999: Andrew Paine & Yvonne Shaheen
2000: Rev. T. Garrott Benjamin & Michael Maurer
2001: Jerry Semler & Fay Williams
2003: Alex Carroll & Rev. Charles Williams
2004: Dr. Beurt Servaas & Gerald Bepko
2005: Joseph D. Barnette, Jr. & G. Frederick Glass
2007: P.E. MacAllister & Marge Tarplee
2008: Patrick J. Early
2009: John T. Neighbours & Sallie W. Rowland
2010: Michael G. Browning
2011: Samuel L. Odle
2012: David Shane
2013: John M. Mutz
2014: Martha Lamkin
2015: Thomas A. King
2016: Sarah & John Lechleiter
2017: Andre B. Lacy
2018: Marianne Glick
2019: Bill Shrewsberry
2020/2021: Milt Thompson & J. Murray Clark
2022: David L. Johnson
2023: J. Albert Smith Jr
2024: Tamika Catchings & Jeff Smulyan
2025: N. Clay Robbins