Q: As director, what changes and improvements have you seen go into effect at the center during your time there? A: There have been a number of notable achievements during my tenure as director:
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school? Where did you go to college, and what did you major in? A: I was born at Mercy Hospital and have called Elwood my home all of my life. I graduated from Elwood Community High School in 1980 and spent the next four years at Ball State University earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial education. In my first two years of teaching, I also earned a master’s of education degree in industrial education from Ball State. Q: When did you join the Chamber board of directors? A: I was appointed to the Chamber Board in January 2017. Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the board, and what do you hope to achieve? A: Being a Chamber Board member gives me the opportunity to contribute to the awesome events the Chamber is involved in. Giving back to a community that has supported your work feels great. I hope to continue to bring residents and business together to move Elwood forward. Q: What is your favorite Chamber event? A: There are parts of every event that are great. The Glass Festival parade, Run to Crush Hunger, and Chili Cook-off are my favorites because I can see the residents and businesses coming out to support one another. Q: What do you consider Elwood’s greatest untapped resource? A: I truly believe Elwood’s location at the intersection of three state highways is going to become more significant. Currently, business/commercial growth is concentrated along interstate corridors. Residential growth will come to those who can offer the most convenience to those interstates. Q: What do you predict for Elwood over the next five years? A: The success of the Bison Ridge development will be a key indicator. If it attracts new residents, it’ll be the beginning of sustainable new growth for the community. Q: Tell us a little about your family. A: I have a daughter, Anika, who turned 21 this past summer and is engaged to be married next fall. I’m also the youngest of five siblings (three sisters and a brother). I firmly believe the best was saved for last! Q: How do you like to spend your free time? A: Free time?! Unfortunately, the state of funding of public schools in Indiana has made educators do far more with much less, making free time a valuable commodity. Knowing that won’t be my situation forever, I’d like to spend some time traveling with a significant other. Q: Is there anything else we didn’t ask that you would like readers to know? A: I’ve completed three full terms on both the Leadership of Madison County Board and the St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation Board In addition to my position title, Director of Career-Technical and Adult Education, I also serve as the district’s certified school safety specialist, expulsion examiner, ADA Compliance Officer, High School Equivalency Examination coordinator, substitute teacher coordinator, and new employee intake processor.● The John H. Hinds Career Center is located at 1105 N. 19th Street, Elwood, Ind. 46036. You can learn more about the center by visiting its website at www.hindscareercenter.org and please like it on Facebook!
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