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.
Ignite Your Passion For Barbeque!
The walls of the Squealers Award Winning Barbeque restaurant on High Street in Mooresville are lined with plaques, awards and trophies that tell the story of Jeff Yater and the restaurant he has built from the bottom up.
“Once I was driving around with my mom and dad and said,‘Wouldn’t it be great to have barbeque restaurants named Squealers?’”
The Path to Prosperity Starts Here
There’s a lot going on throughout Morgan County. “Our Board of Directors usually meets every-other month,” notes Joy Sessing, Executive Director of the Morgan County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “Recently we’ve beenconvening monthly.” She also observed. “As a two-person team, regular office hours aren’t working out in a practical way right now. It’s best to email or call to schedule a meeting with us to make sure we will be in the office.”
Martinsville business owner excited about hometown growth
Chip Keller opened Keller’s Office Supply in August of 1998, so far experiencing 13 “lucky years as a respected business owner with a reputation for providing outstanding service adn commitment to the economic growth of his hometown. “When I opened, I leased a spot on the square,” Chip recalled. “Then after three years, the opportunity came up to purchase this building and I’ve been here ever since.”
Serious about tradition, business, and commitment to community
Chris Branson says that being the youngest of five children stimulated the maturity that his business requires. He recognized this at the young age of 18-years-old when he decided what he wanted as his future career. He achieved that career as funeral director and owner of the Carlisle Branson Funeral Service and Crematory.