Lou Belch
President – The Corydon Group and INCPAS Lobbyist
How did you find your way into lobbying and advocacy?
I had just graduated from IU with a degree in Public Health. I worked on Evan Bayh’s gubernatorial campaign. Eventually, I worked in his administration as the legislative liaison for the Health Professions Bureau. After 18 months there, I was hired by the Indiana State Medical Association. My original career goal was to become a hospital administrator — I can’t imagine what that would have been like!
What do you enjoy most about this work?
I get to do something different every day. Much of my practice is in the professional regulation and health care space. Work on those issues has impacted the lives and livelihoods of more Hoosiers than I would have in any other profession. Several years ago, I worked on a significant bill in the public health space. After it passed, the State Health Commissioner said we saved more lives than she ever would have as a physician. That kind of work keeps me inspired.
Lou’s famous tour of the Indiana Statehouse for INCPAS CPA Advocates
What is challenging about your job, and how do you navigate it?
When a client has a strong public policy position, but the “politics” prevent it from advancing. More than once, I have been told the client’s position is not consistent with that of the caucus. Those days are the most challenging, when all the policy arguments in the world will not move the needle.
Why do you think you have been successful in such a complex environment?
One of my mentors gave me a great piece of advice: All you have is your word. If you lie once in this process, you will lose the respect of the General Assembly. If it comes out of my mouth, I believe it to be true. I once had to ask a legislator not to move a bill I asked him to file on behalf of a client. It turns out the client did not give accurate information regarding the need for the bill. (It was not INCPAS!) To this day, that legislator is one of my go-tos.
How do you approach nuance? (e.g., advocating for the profession while balancing diverse viewpoints)
One of the reasons I enjoy this career so much is I get to meet people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. While the public-facing side of politics often emphasizes why people don’t get along, I can report the majority of Indiana General Assembly members are individuals who have been called to public service to make a difference. I have a great deal of respect for them. Members of the General Assembly do not get rich serving; in fact, many have sacrificed much to be here. I spend a great deal of time getting to know them. Once I have achieved that, communication is easy. The legislative process is not set up to be an adversarial process; it is designed to solve problems and create compromise.
What hobbies and passions do you care about outside of work?
I do not have children of my own, but I am the funcle (fun uncle) to 11 wonderful nieces and nephews. I have been a Disney annual passholder for two years and have spent about 40 park days there so far. I spent New Year’s Eve with a giant Mouse. I bet no one had that on their bingo card! If you know me, you know my passion for golf. I have been truly blessed to play some of the world’s finest golf courses, from Pebble Beach to St. Andrews. I also love to travel and am looking forward to a trip to Ireland this summer and to New Zealand in 2027. I also serve on my Parish Council at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis and live on Mass Ave.
Would you like to be featured as the next Member Spotlight in Connect? Contact Katie Kirkton, INCPAS Creative Director, at [email protected] for more information.
