Bloomington, Indiana – Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is set to host a special event this October, welcoming John Bender, co-founder of Pizza Hut and chairman at Bender Lumber Co., as the featured speaker for the Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship’s 15th annual fundraising event. The Fireside Chat will take place on October 15 at 4:30 p.m., offering students, alumni, and community members a unique opportunity to gain insight from one of Indiana’s most accomplished entrepreneurs.
“We are honored to welcome Mr. John Bender to Ivy Tech Bloomington as our featured speaker,” said Steve Bryant, executive director of the Cook Center for Entrepreneurship. “Mr. Bender’s history of building successful ventures offers valuable lessons for our students and community, and we look forward to hearing his expertise on what it takes to launch and grow a business.”
Bender brings more than five decades of experience to the conversation. Over the years, he has helped shape Indiana’s entrepreneurial landscape, founding and managing a variety of successful ventures. His track record demonstrates the process of taking ideas from concept to full-scale commercialization, a journey that promises to offer practical lessons to aspiring business leaders.
Bender’s entrepreneurial journey began in the food industry, where he was one of the founders of the original Pizza Hut. After moving on from the initial venture, he became one of Pizza Hut’s largest franchisees in the Midwest, eventually overseeing a 25-store chain throughout Indiana. This early experience in scaling operations and managing multiple locations set the stage for a career marked by growth, innovation, and leadership.
Today, Bender serves as chairman of Bender Lumber, an eight-store retail building materials chain based in southern Indiana. In addition, he holds leadership roles as chief marketing officer and chairman at First Capital Group. Bender also co-founded Sentry Bio Pharma Services, a company operating for 20 years with locations in Indianapolis, Columbus, and Denmark, further showcasing his versatility across industries and markets.
Beyond his business ventures, Bender is deeply involved in regional economic development. He serves on the boards of several local companies and has contributed to national initiatives, including serving as vice chairman of the White House Conference on Small Business and participating in the Federal Reserve Small Business Committee. His insights are expected to provide attendees with a comprehensive view of both entrepreneurship and the broader economic landscape.
The event will also highlight Ivy Tech Bloomington’s own entrepreneurship students and alumni. Guests will have the chance to visit a pop-up shop showcasing student ventures, offering an interactive look at the value of an Ivy Tech entrepreneurship education. This component of the event emphasizes the college’s mission to cultivate the next generation of business leaders and innovators in Indiana.
For those interested in attending, tickets and sponsorship tables are available through Ivy Tech Bloomington’s website. The Fireside Chat promises to be an engaging evening, combining the experience of a seasoned entrepreneur with the energy of emerging local talent.
With John Bender’s decades of expertise and hands-on experience, the event offers a rare glimpse into the realities of building and managing successful ventures. Attendees can expect to leave with insights into leadership, scaling operations, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, all within the supportive environment of the Cook Center for Entrepreneurship.
For more information and to secure tickets, visit ivytech.edu/cookevent. The evening promises not only inspiration but also practical takeaways for anyone interested in business, innovation, and community development.
