LaGrange selected as Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel

Zach LaGrange has been named Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel at the University of Southern Indiana, effective Monday, October 27. LaGrange will report to Steven J. Bridges, USI President, and will serve as a member of the USI President’s Cabinet.

In this role, LaGrange will serve as USI’s primary liaison to local, state and federal government, fostering strong, collaborative relationships with policymakers. This includes members and staff of the Indiana General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, and other key associations and organizations across Indiana and beyond. USI’s Institutional Equity Office will also report to LaGrange.

LaGrange will provide legal counsel and guidance to President Bridges, the USI Board of Trustees and other members of the University community on a broad range of legal matters relevant to the institution including compliance, contracts and grant management; employment; general business law policies and procedures; laws pertaining to students; real estate transactions; and other laws and regulations.

“Mr. LaGrange brings a wealth of legal and strategic experience that will be invaluable to the University of Southern Indiana as we continue to maintain compliance, mitigate risk and strengthen local and statewide partnerships,” Bridges says. “His proven leadership, deep ties to the Evansville community and commitment to collaboration make him an outstanding addition to our strong leadership team.”

With over 16 years of experience, LaGrange has extensive experience guiding organizations through complex legal, regulatory and governance matters. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Senior Assistant General Counsel at Old National Bank in Evansville, where he led an experienced team of attorneys and a paralegal. In the role, he also partnered closely with business leaders on strategic issues ranging from real estate and labor and employment to executive compensation, benefits and vendor relationships.

Prior to Old National Bank, LaGrange served as General Counsel for Flanders Electric Motor Service, Inc., a multinational company with operations in five countries, where he oversaw contracts, compliance and risk management.

“USI represents the very best of public higher education—innovative, student-focused and community-driven,” said LaGrange. “I’m excited and honored to serve as Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel and look forward to helping advance USI’s mission with integrity and collaboration.”

Beyond his professional achievements, LaGrange is passionate about community leadership and service. He currently chairs the Board of Joshua Academy Charter School and serves on the Board of Forefront Community Therapy. He has also held leadership roles with the Evansville Bar Association, Legal Aid and the Evansville Trails Coalition.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Evansville in 2002, a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2007 and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2008.