It’s been nearly two years since United Airlines introduced nonstop service between Indianapolis International Airport and San Francisco, a global magnet when it comes to attracting technology and those who drive innovation.

Hard to believe that before Jan. 7, 2014, many Hoosiers who sought to do business in ‘Frisco and nearby Silicon Valley had to first hop a flight to one of United’s hubs in such cities as  Chicago, Denver, Houston, or elsewhere — before connecting to SFO. The layover time often extended such excursions by several hours — and in some cases served to discourage decisions on whether or not to fly west to conduct face-to-face business.

This became apparent to Gov. Mike Pence soon after taking office in January 2013.

“The business community repeatedly identified the lack of access to San Francisco as an economic development barrier for Indiana, hindering our ability to compete for and win new jobs for Hoosiers,” Pence said when the route was announced in September 2013. “With a reputation as a state that collaboratively works to solve problems, through public and private sector partnership we spearheaded an effort to secure a non-stop route from Indianapolis to San Francisco.”

Without such efforts, Hoosiers probably wouldn’t encounter this man on this flight. It’s Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie, making a recent early morning trip to SFO from IND.