In Memoriam

Indianapolis, IN—BDPA’s Indy Chapter was founded in 1980 with vision, faith, fervent prayer, and a commitment to strengthen diverse information technology talent and opportunities in the Indianapolis community. Mr. Harding served as co-founder and one of the early BDPA Indy presidents who established the firm foundation on which the chapter continues to grow and continues to serve its community.

It is with sadness we inform you of the passing of R. Keith Harding on July 12, 2023, after a long battle with health issues. Keith was the President and Founder of RYAN Consulting Group (RYAN) in Indianapolis. In the early years of BDPA Indy, he provided the facilities, equipment, and other resources for the chapter and its High School Computer Competition (HSCC) coding programs. He also sponsored several chapter initiatives throughout the years, while BDPA Indy continued to grow corporate sponsorships and new partners.

Mr. Harding was an established and well-respected IT industry veteran as one of the founders of RYAN. He brought to RYAN a proven track record of leadership at Cognos, IBM, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS – US Department of Defense), and the U.S. Marine Corps as well as over 14 years of IT consulting and management expertise.

Before joining RYAN, Mr. Harding was the Enterprise Manager for several business intelligence initiatives in Cognos global consulting. He was extensively involved in the Business Intelligence System development and deployment at DFAS (DoD). RYAN held multi-million dollar federal government contract vehicles with the FAA, GSA, and NIH.

Mr. Harding was a very strong leader with a heart for giving and creating opportunities in business and the community. He was a role model, mentor, friend, and inspiration for many. He will truly be missed, yet always remembered for his famous words and actions – “Just tell me what you need, and we can make that happen.”

Please continue to keep his family and friends in your prayers. The information for his celebration of life service was provided. In addition, the current and past BDPA Indy Chapter Presidents are working with Tim Coleman, BDPA Indy co-founder, to establish plans to honor Mr. Harding’s memory. Updates will soon be provided.

Lastly, BDPA Indy is establishing a scholarship in honor of R. Keith Harding’s Legacy. The Chapter seeks donations from local chapter members or anyone who wants to contribute. Please visit https://bdpa-indy.org.

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