A Message from the President
Our Journey from Vision to Impact in Community Development
Civitas Strategies is a proud member of the Veridus Group, Inc. family. Veridus Group, Inc. was founded in 2011 to deliver exceptional owner’s technical representative services and quickly expanded in 2014 to include engineering services. In 2017, the company further grew to offer community and economic development services as well.
As Veridus Group, Inc. grew and our expertise expanded, 2024 marked the evolution of Civitas Strategies as our dedicated community and economic development brand. Though our name has evolved, our commitment to building strong relationships and leveraging our team's unmatched experience remains the same. From day one, we’ve been driven by a passion for fostering meaningful connections and delivering impactful results.
My team and I welcome the opportunity to meet you and discuss your community or organization’s needs.
Tim Jensen
President
A Member of the Veridus Group Inc., family of Businesses
Learn more about Veridus Group, Inc. and the multidisciplinary services their businesses offer.
Serving Clients Nationwide
We are proudly based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and serve clients across the country.
Meet Our
Leadership Team
Our team of experienced professionals is ready to help you understand your community needs and create a plan to achieve your vision. No matter the size of your community or your challenge, Civitas Strategies is on your side.
Tim Jensen, PE, LEED AP, CPTED
Being a broker, developer, and contractor, Tim has an experienced background that provides a deep knowledge in seeing projects come to life. In 2011, Tim founded Veridus Group, Inc. and has been the Owner's Representative on over $1 billion of public and private work. His passion to serve provides high-level leadership to the Veridus team and clients throughout every project.
Marc Griffith, LEED GA
As Vice President, Marc’s focus on corporate development provides the team with the necessary processes, resources, and opportunities to grow their ability to serve the company’s Vision to develop healthy, vibrant, and active individuals and communities who collaborate to create a better world.
Kerry Sell
Leading finance, HR, and business operations for more than 25 years, Kerry leads Veridus’ Administrative Team. His transparent, relational approach nurtures the unique culture at the Veridus Group's.
Meet Our
Community and Economic Development Team
Jack Woods
Jack brings over a decade of experience in community and economic development, offering a broad perspective on the unique challenges communities face. With expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis, he helps clients interpret economic trends and develop actionable strategies that foster growth and resilience.
Pete Olson, MPA, ICMA-CM
Pete is dedicated to fostering positive outcomes through strong, impactful relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, residents, and stakeholders. With over two decades of experience in local government and a passion for building successful communities, he applies his expertise to envision, implement, and manage projects and services that deliver meaningful results. Drawing on his background as a veteran high school football official, Pete skillfully navigates conflicts with a balanced perspective, ensuring collaborative and effective solutions.
Kody Leach
A graduate of Butler University's College of Communication and a former collegiate football player, Kody brings a strong work ethic, teamwork, and a commitment to growth to his role. In addition to his work at Civitas Strategies, Kody serves as a high school football coach, which provides him with valuable insight into seeing the big picture and understanding how individual components come together to achieve success. His experience in community and economic development reflects his passion for fostering strategic progress and creating meaningful impact.
Abby Hanson
As an IU Master’s of Public Affairs graduate, Abby brings research-backed strategies in problem-solving, placemaking, and engagement to the Civitas team. Originally from Noblesville, Indiana, she went to the University of Vermont as an undergraduate, where she first developed her passion for community-building. She is looking forward to drawing on previous internship experience at the state level, where—like at Civitas—she worked to improve economic development across Indiana.
Meet Our
Client Relations Team
Joe Bennett
Coming soon
Nicole Marques
Coming soon
Alex Oleson
Alex is a relationship-driven professional who values the unique strengths communities can harness to enhance quality of life for their citizens. He has collaborated with community development corporations, government entities, and capital markets to drive meaningful progress. His work includes strengthening small businesses, contributing to municipal planning efforts, and providing policy recommendations to state and federal legislators.
Lauren Belt
After graduating from DePaul University, Lauren spent nearly seven years in elementary education in New York City and Indianapolis, during which she gained valuable organization, problem-solving, and communication skills. Lauren is applying these skills and utilizing her passion for design to assist the team in her role as Marketing Specialist.
Work with passionate professionals dedicated to your community’s growth.
We’d love to get to know you and your vision. Take the first step to start the conversation. No obligation, no sales tactics.