Posted on December 15, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS – Ports of Indiana has hired Kent Ebbing to lead a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) initiative supporting the growth of global trade in Indiana. Ebbing joins Ports of Indiana as Foreign-Trade Zone Director, following a distinguished 27-year tenure as General Manager of the Greater Indianapolis Foreign-Trade Zone—also known as INzone—where he led one of the nation’s top-performing FTZ programs.
Ports of Indiana is the statewide grantee for FTZs and operates FTZs at its three ports while managing Alternative Site Framework (ASF) designations throughout the state. Ebbing joins Dexter Salenda, Director of Foreign Trade and Economic Development, in Ports of Indiana’s new foreign trade department, which supports Indiana companies involved in global trade through developing new FTZs and container shipping services.
“Kent’s arrival marks a strategic step forward in our mission to help Indiana companies better connect with world markets,” said Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “Indiana is a leader in FTZ operations, and Kent’s expertise enables us to expand our foreign trade initiatives beyond current port shipments and develop new services supporting ocean containers, rail, and all modes of cargo transportation.”
Created as federal programs to encourage domestic commerce, FTZs are secure areas that allow businesses to store or process goods and defer or reduce tariff payments until the products leave the zone. Ebbing previously helped grow INzone’s FTZ business by over 400% and partnered with Ports of Indiana to develop Indiana’s fast-track FTZ approval process for companies located anywhere in the state.
“I am delighted to join the Ports of Indiana team at this exciting time as they launch new global trade initiatives,” Ebbing said. “The level of interest in FTZs is at an all-time high, and I am eager to help Hoosier businesses throughout the state leverage the benefits of FTZs and better compete in global markets. Ports of Indiana offers a unique set of tools that support Indiana companies, and combining FTZs with the development of new container shipments creates tremendous economic potential.”
According to the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s 2024 annual report to Congress, Indiana ranks seventh in the nation for FTZ impacts. Indiana is also the only large state to offer the ASF designation for fast-track FTZ approvals in all counties, which significantly reduces the time it takes to activate an FTZ.
“I’ve known Kent for many years and am excited to bring him onto our team as we advance major initiatives focused on foreign trade, economic development, and global container shipping,” Salenda said. “Kent will be a great resource for companies all over the state looking to leverage the power of FTZs to deal with tariffs, reduce costs, and grow trade.”
A graduate of Indiana State University, Ebbing also held several key leadership roles at the Indianapolis Airport Authority – including Tenant Relations Manager and Business Manager of Reliever Airports – and was instrumental in developing Cargolux airfreight shipments to Indianapolis.
For information about Ports of Indiana’s FTZs, visit www.portsofindiana.com/FTZ.
Downloadable photo: Kent Ebbing
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About Ports of Indiana: Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, Ports of Indiana is a self-funded enterprise dedicated to growing Indiana’s economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system, and by serving as a statewide resource for maritime issues, international trade, and multimodal logistics.
More Information: www.portsofindiana.com
Media Contact: Paige Pell, (317) 232-9200 or via email: comms@portsofindiana.com
