Bruce Schumacher was named the Indianapolis Indians' chairman of the board and chief executive officer in November 2016 to signal a new era of leadership for the Tribe. Now in his 35th year with the organization, he enters his fifth on the Indians Board of Directors after his election in February 2012.
Schumacher joined the organization as ticket manager in January of 1983 and served in that role until 1986 when he was promoted to director of special projects.
Under Schumacher's leadership as director of special projects, which spanned 25 years, the Indians made the move from Bush Stadium to Victory Field in 1996, hosted the 2001 Triple-A All-Star game, and established themselves as one of the premier franchises in Minor League baseball.
In 2012, Schumacher transitioned to the position of vice president of corporate affairs in addition to being elected to the Indians Board of Directors. Since 2012, the Indians have drawn nearly two million fans, including leading all of Minor League baseball in attendance in 2013 and establishing a new Victory Field record of 660,289 fans in 2014. During the 2016 season, Victory Field ushered in its 12 millionth fan as the Indians led all of Minor League Baseball in attendance with 636,888.
During his time with the Indians, Schumacher also served as the in-park "Voice of the Tribe" working as public address announcer from 1987 to 2009.
Schumacher is active in the community, having volunteered at IPS as part of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Winning Team program and the Washington Township School system, while also serving on the Board of the Delaware Trails Neighborhood Association and as a member of Indianapolis' Abandoned Housing Task Force.
He currently serves on the Metropolitan Development Commission, the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, the Mapleton Fall Creek Community Development Corporation Housing Committee and is a member of the Stadium Village Business Association.
Born in Indianapolis, Schumacher attended North Central High School and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Business Management and Administration in 1982. He and his wife, the former Jo Kussmaul, who works as a nurse at IU Health, have three daughters, Rachel and twins Grace and Sara.