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.
Tools, Materials and Know-How for Quality Quilting
A lifelong resident of Bargersville, Lydia Stout opened Ady’s Fabrics and Notions in 2001, in the storefront next door to her current location. “We moved here [the current location] February 2009, and gained about threetimes the floor space of the original,” Lydia noted.
The Dream Continues
Core Fitness Club, a full-service health and fitness facility that offers personal training programs, a comprehensive free weight center, machine weights, cardio equipment, monthly fitness classes, daily childcare, massage therapy and tanning services, began as a dream of two long-time friends, Aaron Molin and Jacob Stroud.
It’s back!
Scott Benko, owner of Haltom Equipment of Mooresville since 1996, locked the doors on the building apparently for the last time three years ago, the result of a corporate-directed merger.
Renowned entertainers come to Morgan County
“It amazes me how many people in Morgan County have never seen a live performance before attending one of our shows,” said Janice Lindboe, President of the Board of Premier Performances of Morgan County.