Carolene Mays

Who is Carolene Mays?

Carolene R. Mays was appointed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as a Commissioner for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in February, 2010. From 1998, until the appointment, she was Publisher and President of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper and the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. Under Carolene’s leadership, the Recorder, which is the nation's fourth oldest African-American newspaper, grew in readership, prominence, and credibility. It is now ranked among the top Black newspapers nationwide. The Indiana Minority Business Magazine, which was acquired in 2007, also grew under her management, by more than 100% in circulation and revenues during the first year.

Carolene was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2002. She served three terms, winning elections with more than 70% of the vote. In the Legislature, she served on the Ways and Means, Public Health and Transportation committees, and as Vice-Chairman of the Small Business and Economic Development committees. She also served on committees with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Conference of State Legislators, and Women in Government. Carolene retired from her State Representative position in November, 2008.