Central Committee
The Vanderburgh County Republican Party is governed by the Rules of the Indiana Republican State Committee (pdf). Vanderburgh County is made up of 144 precincts, each with its own precinct committeeman. On the first Saturday in March 2007 and 2009, and every fourth year thereafter, the precinct committeemen convene to elect a Central Committee.
Wayne Parke, Chairman of the VCRP, is a retired executive with Peabody Energy/Black Beauty Coal Company, where he served as Director of Administration and Senior Vice President. Prior to his work with Peabody and Black Beauty Coal Company, Wayne served as President and Owner of Kindill Mining, Inc., was President/CEO of Old Ben Coal Company, and has worked in various other capacities in the coal industry since 1967.
Wayne has long been active in the community as well. He is the Board Chairman of the Southwestern Indiana Red Cross Chapter, past School Board President of the East Gibson School Corporation, and is a member of the Green River Kiwanis Club. Wayne resides on Evansville’s East Side with his wife, Ms. Karen Parke. The couple have two grown children, Andrea and Timothy. Click here to email Wayne.
Joyce Perry, Vice-Chairwoman of the VCRP, is a former teacher and has substitute taught in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation. She and her husband Al perry are long-time residents of Vanderburgh County’s Northside.
Joyce also serves as President of the Vanderburgh County Federated Republican Women’s (VCFRW) club. VCFRW strengthens the Republican Party by recruiting, training and electing candidates; advocating the Party’s philosophy and initiatives; and, empowering women of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds in the political process. Anyone interested in membership in VCFRW is invited to contact Ms. Perry.
Click here to email Ms. Perry.
Christine Keck, Vice-Chair of Development of the VCRP, is Director of Strategy and Business Development for Energy Systems Group, a Vectren subsidiary, as part of their Utility Services team, focusing on Federal and Renewable energy projects throughout the U.S. An Evansville native, she has been an active participant in the community both professionally and personally.
Christine currently serves as a Commissioner for the City of Evansville’s Historic Preservation Commission, and on the Board of Directors of the Southwestern Indiana Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary’s Foundation, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, the Evansville Museum and is the past President of the Evansville Country Club Board of Directors. In 2009, Christine was appointed to the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications and Nominations and is a 2007 graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.
Joshua Claybourn, Secretary of the VCRP, is an attorney serving as corporate counsel to an energy-holding company. In 2007, Indiana Lawyer named him one of fifteen “Up and Coming Lawyers” in the state of Indiana.
Among other civic and political activities, Joshua is on the Board of Directors of the Museum of Arts, History and Science, the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Foundation, and the Mulberry Center, Inc.
He earned his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law with a concentration in health law. Prior to law school he earned a B.S. degree in Business Economics and Public Policy from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, and graduated from Evansville North High School. Click here to email Mr. Claybourn.
Bob Musgrave, Treasurer of the VCRP, currently serves as Trustee to the United States Bankruptcy Court, and previously practiced law privately in a number of capacities.
Musgrave has long been active in local and state Republican activities. He is married to Cheryl Musgrave, former Vanderburgh County Commissioner and current candidate for State Representative for District 77.
Among other community activities, Musgrave chairs the downtown branch of the YMCA and is a member of its Board and Executive Committee. He also serves as a member of the Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission and the Rotary Club of Evansville.