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.
Committed to Health of the Community
A few months before Larry Bailey took the helm at IU Health Morgan, it was announced that the hospital would be transitioning to an Outpatient Facility. Some didn’t notice that a new president was announced shortly thereafter, but zeroed in on the idea that IU Health Morgan would no longer be an inpatient hospital – taking that to mean that the hospital was closing.
Not Sitting On The Sidelines
There is a wooden sign on Mark Mathis’s desk at Mathis Real Estate. It simply states, “It is what it is.” That is a common sense statement that puts many things into perspective for sure. However, after talking with Mathis, there are a few other sentences that should follow it: It is what it is RIGHT NOW, but just envision what it could be – and then act on that.
Running Like a Well-Oiled Machine
“It tickles me to death that he’s got the fire, enthusiasm, and ability to keep it going,” said Brian DeFelice about his son, Matt, taking over the helm at DeFelice Engineering, Inc.
This IS rocket science!
Do you remember where you were on July 20, 1969? That was the day that Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon saying, “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”