Jim Hess
Jim Hess has been owner and publisher of the Morgan County Business Leader since 2011 and owner and publisher of the Town Planner Community Calendar since 2008. In both businesses Jim aspires to connect, promote and support the local small business community. As a successful small business owner himself, he knows the challenges entrepreneurs face, the thrill of achievements reached, and the appreciation felt for support and encouragement. That understanding, along with his mission of building relationships, is reflected in the purpose and pages of his publications. Jim’s success began when he graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and embarked on a career with Northwest Airlines. While there, he received numerous awards for his work including the 2003 President’s Award for Employee Support and Inspiration. Several years later, he accepted a position in the manufacturing industry where he was tasked to manage corporate relationships with many different entities ranging from the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. to employee relations. Jim continually strives to contribute to the business community through his participation in civic organizations such as the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce where he has served as both vice president and president. Jim can be reached at jim@morgancountybusinessleader.com.
Elaine Whitesides
Elaine Whitesides brings a unique perspective to her position as writer for the Morgan County Business Leader. With an extensive background in real estate finance and the restaurant industries, she understands the corporate and business perspective of small business owners and entrepreneurs. As an elementary school educator, she has the skills to take the complex and make it simple and clear. As a writer, she loves nothing more than to tie all the information about an enterprise up into a story that reflects not only the business, but the business owner as well. Elaine held management positions for First Financial Savings and Loan and Inland Mortgage Corporation, a division of Inland Real Estate, before obtaining her teaching credentials. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, both from National Louis University. After leaving the education field in 2003, Elaine pursued her interest in writing. It evolved into a business, Whitesides Words, LLC, which she has owned and operated since 2009.
Paving smooth
In 1972, Richard Wallace married his high school sweetheart, Debbi, and took a job in construction. That began a career in the industry for Richard, and, in 1986, following a “failure to retire,” Richard formed Wallace Construction along with Debbi and business partner Roger Huff. Over the next few years, Richard turned Wallace Construction into a successful road-building, concrete laying multi-county operation.
Veteran Attorneys
Roger and Patty, co-owners of Coffin, Coffin, and Blackman, are attorneys who specialize in Medicaid planning, before or after entering a nursing home. Primarily, they help seniors and disabled persons plan their care as they transition to a nursing home or extended hospital stay, and assist the client in protecting their assets during this time.
Mooresville Learning Center
Enhancing a relationship with Morgan County that goes back 30 years, Ivy Tech Community College opened a new dedicated Mooresville Learning Center in January 2013. The new facility is part of the rapidly re-developing Southbridge Shops, where Mooresville Movies (see MCBL June 2013 Cover Story) and A1 Japanese Steakhouse both opened within the past year.
Fundraising Success
Tom Zoss was appointed Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Morgan County (CFMC) six years ago, with a business and law degree from IU, a Masters of Communications from Notre Dame, and 15 years consulting in marketing and communications. Looking back, he admits he knew little about the true duties the position would require when he accepted it.