![](https://www.morgancountybusinessleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/untitled-2425-e1461702099247.jpg)
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.
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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.
![St. Francis Mooresville Expands to 24 / 7 ER Capabilities St. Francis Mooresville Expands to 24 / 7 ER Capabilities](https://www.morgancountybusinessleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/MC-Nov08-1.jpg)
St. Francis Mooresville Expands to 24 / 7 ER Capabilities St. Francis Mooresville Expands to 24 / 7 ER Capabilities
Back in 2000, when St. Francis first purchased the thriving campus of Kendrick Hospital, the corporation committed to expanding facilities into a full-service 24/7 hospital with ER capabilities. Eight years later–occasionally distinguished by major construction and parking lot detours as the infrastructure took shape–St. Francis Mooresville officially launched the expanded facilities October 1.
![Beasley Creek Farms offers a ‘glimpse of the country’](https://www.morgancountybusinessleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/MC-Oct08-1.jpg)
Beasley Creek Farms offers a ‘glimpse of the country’
Now entering its fourth year, Beasley Creek Farms has been organizing and renting the St. John family farm for group fall parties, tours, and special events for the young and old. “We provide group hayrides and bonfires space for group activities, and we have a pumpkin patch for kids,” said Lori St. John, a farmer’s wife who came up with the Beasley Creek Farms concept. “We reserve a lot of church groups, pre-school groups, and private gatherings.”
![‘Anew’ economic option for business advertising](https://www.morgancountybusinessleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/MC-Sep08-1.jpg)
‘Anew’ economic option for business advertising
Black Signs was establish in Minnesota in 1998, and quickly became a prominent, popular feature for Minnesota businesses. In fact, as the owner of the Ronneyby Bar in Minnesota, Glen Witham had rented Black Signs for his business on many occasions over the years. Shortly after moving to Martinsville, Witham realized the signs were nowhere in Indiana. Sensing an opportunity, he entered into a partnership with Black Signs to offer the same services in Indiana and Kentucky on an exclusive basis. Witham opened under the name Anew Blacksigns in May 2007.
![In the Spirit](https://www.morgancountybusinessleader.com/wp-content/uploads/0201/12/MC-Jan14-1.jpg)
In the Spirit
In the few short months since October, 2013 when Peter Murphy joined Franciscan St. Francis Health – Mooresville as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he has seen what he needed to see to know he fits there.