Jonathan Weinzapfel

Mayor of Evansville, Indiana

At the age of 46, Jonathan Weinzapfel has earned a reputation as a hard-working leader who values innovation, collaboration and citizen engagement.

A native of Southwestern Indiana and graduate of Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School, Jonathan earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Indiana University in 1988.  He worked as a sales representative for Eli Lilly and Company before moving to Washington, DC, in1990 to work as an aide to Congressman Frank McCloskey.  While in Washington, Jonathan earned a master’s degree from Georgetown University in 1993.  He returned to Evansville in that same year and joined Old National Bank. 

In 2003, Jonathan soundly beat an incumbent to become the 33rd Mayor of the City of Evansville.  He was re-elected in 2007 with an historic 85% of the vote.  Among Jonathan’s top priorities as Mayor were to streamline government; deliver more services while holding the line on City budgets; give the  people of Evansville more input in their government and greater access to City officials; revitalize Downtown Evansville and neighborhoods throughout the City; and create jobs and stimulate economic development. Mayor Weinzapful completed his second and final term as Mayor on December 31, 2011. 

Key accomplishments during Jonathan’s two terms as Mayor include the following:

  • Delivering balanced budgets each year of his administration;
  • Attracting and expanding several diverse entertainment and quality of life opportunities;
  • Constructing the Ford Center, Evansville’s new $127.5 million arena, to replace the City’s more than 50-year-old stadium without raising taxes;
  • Investing unprecedented amounts of money to address Evansville’s aging, oft-failing combined sewer system and address flooding issues;
  • Launching the Smart City Initiative to enhance Water and Sewer Utility operations, establish a City-wide fiber optic ring, enable free City-wide public Wi-Fi, conserve resources, and increase revenue;
  • Incepting the Downtown Loft Housing Program;
  • Creating the Front Door Pride neighborhood revitalization program;
  • Establishing the Evansville Arts District at Haynie’s Corner;
  • Working with local, regional and state partners to attract significant new investments at Berry Plastics, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Springleaf Financial, SS&C, Global Blade Technology, AT&T and others. 

Mayor Weinzapfel and his wife, Patricia, have three children, Nathaniel and twins Benjamin and Eleanor.