INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — RJL Solutions announced today that Zach Smith Howard will join the firm as Vice President of External Relations, expanding the company’s statewide capacity in government relations, economic and community development, and public affairs as RJL Solutions prepares to enter its 10th year of operation.

Based in RJL Solutions’ Indianapolis office, Howard will serve clients across Indiana and work in close partnership with the firm’s government relations and external relations teams to advance client priorities at the Statehouse and beyond.

Howard joins RJL Solutions from Indiana University, where he serves as Director of State Relations and works with elected officials, legislative staff, university leadership, lobbyists and advocates on government relations and economic engagement issues. He also independently manages a portfolio of legislation before the Indiana General Assembly, including policy research and bill tracking related to university policy and funding.

His previous experience includes positions with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, U.S. Department of Commerce, IUPUI and Theta Chi Fraternity.

“Zach represents exactly the kind of strategic addition we want to make as RJL enters its 10th year,” said Rachel Leslie, CEO of RJL Solutions. “Our growth has always been driven by what our clients need next. Today, those needs span across public policy, economic development, community strategy and communications. Zach understands how those pieces work together, and his experience and relationships bring another level of capability to our team. Most importantly, that creates greater opportunity for the clients and communities we serve.”

As Vice President of External Relations, Howard’s work will extend beyond traditional advocacy and lobbying. He will help clients navigate complex public-sector initiatives, build partnerships, advance economic and community development priorities, develop

public affairs strategies and connect opportunities across state government, higher education, business and local communities.

“Zach brings a valuable combination of policy knowledge, Statehouse experience and an understanding of how government decisions translate into opportunities for organizations and communities,” said Ryan Ritchie, Chief External Relations Officer at RJL Solutions. “Our clients are increasingly working across sectors and across regions of Indiana. Adding Zach to our team strengthens our ability to think strategically about those challenges and then help clients move from an idea or priority to meaningful action.”

Howard also brings firsthand experience in public service. He has served on the Franklin Township Community School Corporation Board of Education in southeast Indianapolis since 2018 and has served as board president since 2021. He is also serves as the Region 8 Director on the Indiana School Boards Association Board of Directors and a member of the Leadership Council of the Central Indiana Chapter of the Indiana University Alumni Association.

“I’m excited to join RJL Solutions because of the way the firm approaches client service and the breadth of work happening across Indiana,” said Zach Smith Howard. “The most significant opportunities facing communities and organizations rarely fit neatly into one category. They require strong relationships, an understanding of public policy and the ability to bring the right partners together. I look forward to working alongside the RJL team and, most importantly, helping our clients turn their priorities into progress.”

Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Missouri State University and a Master of Public Affairs in Policy Analysis from Indiana University Indianapolis.

About RJL Solutions

Founded in Terre Haute, RJL Solutions has grown over nearly a decade to serve clients throughout Indiana through offices in Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Evansville and Washington, D.C., providing government relations, economic and community development, public affairs, strategic communications and association management services to organizations and communities throughout Indiana and beyond.

Media Contact:
Brooklynn Sibley
Director of Communications
bsibley@rjlsolutions.com
(812) 241-8016