Speakers

Please welcome Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick, who will share information about the role of our county commissioners.

What do the County Commissioners Do?
Elkhart County is governed by a board of three county commissioners. The commissioners are elected from separate commissioner districts by vote of the county as a whole. The Board of Commissioners constitutes the legislative body of the county for ordinance purposes and is the executive branch of the County. The board is responsible for county buildings, lands and property; purchasing and authorizing payments; signing contracts; supervising and directing County departments; and performing many other governing functions.

Meet Our Elkhart County Commissioners

• Bob Barnes; Member, District 1 - representing townships of Concord and Washington plus liaison to Drainage Board, St. Joseph River Basin, Affirmative Action (EEOC).
• Brad Rogers; President, District 2 - representing townships of Benton, Clinton, Elkhart, Jackson, Jefferson, Middlebury and York plus liaison to Plan Commission, Oaklawn, Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB), CCPC - Personnel Liaison, Public Defender Board.
• Suzanne Weirick; Vice-President, District 3 - representing townships of Baugo, Cleveland, Harrison, Locke, Olive, Osolo and Union plus liaison to MACOG, Emergency Management Board, Justice Reinvestment Advisory Committee.

Meetings
The Commissioners meet at 9:00 a.m. every Monday, excluding holidays, in Room 104 of the Administrative Office Building, 117 North Second Street, Goshen, Indiana. . Links to the current year's schedule, agenda, and meeting minutes/roll call votes can be viewed on their website: https://elkhartcounty.com/en/government/elkhart-county-government-officials/elkhart-county-commissioners/

Please welcome Marie Blunt, presenting the History of Lighthouses and their Architecture: Explore what happens when towers fall down, how the federal government often recycles lighthouse "parts” and the surprising effects of erosion. 

Marie A. Blunt, M.Min. - A retired executive director of a local counseling center, Marie passionately shares her wide range of interests with students. In addition to her Master of Ministry degree from Bethel College, she is the author of The Lighthouse Primer, an archery instructor at a local summer camp, a published paper crafter, a St Joseph North Pier Lighthouse docent, and a clarinetist. She is a certified instructor for several nationally recognized curricula, including the Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Program and the AARP Smart Driver Course.

Please welcome Heart City Health CEO, Esleen Fultz

Congressman Rudy Yakym is a fourth generation Hoosier who is proud to represent the people of Indiana’s Second District. A Christian, family man, and conservative, Rudy is working tirelessly to bring common sense, Hoosier values to Washington, D.C.

Born and raised in South Bend, Rudy received a bachelor’s degree in business finance and administration from Indiana University South Bend. He later went on to earn an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rudy served as Director of Growth Initiatives at Kem Krest, a company that specializes in removing friction from supply chains. Throughout his career in business, Rudy has held senior positions at various companies, helping them to develop effective growth strategies.

Rudy and his wife Sallyann currently live in Granger, where they are raising their three wonderful children; Elle, Rudy IV, and Eliza. They worship at New Life Baptist Church, where Rudy serves the congregation as Head Usher.

Jason Lippert, President & CEO, Lippert 
Having held various titles within the company, Jason Lippert, a third-generation leader, assumed the role of CEO in 2003. Throughout his career, he has skillfully diversified Lippert’s brand portfolio while also playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's structure and fostering a positive corporate culture. Emphasizing team play with trust and community improvement remain central to his approach.

Tim Tahara will share about Japanese interment facilities. During World War II, the United States government incarcerated Japanese Americans in camps known as "relocation centers". President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 in February 1942, which authorized the forced relocation of Japanese Americans. The camps were located in remote areas across the western United States.

Tom Kavanagh, Northern Indiana Workforce Board President & CEO
Tom Kavanagh has more than 25 years of experience in the workforce industry, previously served as COO for Job Works, Inc., a Fort Wayne, Indiana based organization that specializes in the operation of workforce services programs, training programs, and consulting services focused on workforce system design strategic planning, and fiscal services.

Described as a performance, process, and results driven individual who maintains a commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and integrity, Kavanagh has extensive experience in leadership and collaboration with workforce development systems while focusing on board governance and the development of strategies to meet business and employer needs. He has worked with numerous Workforce Development Boards through strategic planning, local and regional WIOA plan development, system design and redesign efforts.

Kavanagh has facilitated and presented at several local, state, and national conferences. He also previously directed a team as it worked to perform operations involving nine different government funded programs including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker, Ex-Offender Re-entry, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Kavanagh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Hillsdale College and is a long-time member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. He resides in Elkhart, Indiana with his wife, Melissa, and their three children Ethan, Andrew, and Elizabeth.

In his spare time, when he isn’t with family and friends, Kavanagh volunteers with the Concord Dollars for Scholars Board. For the last six years he has served as the President of the Concord Development Basketball League.

Cien O Asoera, AAMS, will present information about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an independent agency of the United States federal government, created in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash of 1929. Its primary purpose is to enforce laws against market manipulation.

Biography:

As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, my primary goal is to understand what’s important to you and to help develop personal strategies geared toward your unique long-term goals. My practice has been built over the last 20 years by focusing on the needs of my clients. Whether it be paying for their children’s education, reducing their tax burden or planning for a fulfilling retirement, we work tirelessly to help make it happen for them.

I became a financial advisor with Edward Jones in 2002. My branch office administrator, Jana Matthias, joined me in 2005. As a team, we pride ourselves on providing our clients the most ideal client experience. We are blessed to be able to serve the Elkhart community.

I received my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1994 and my Master of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend in 2000.

My wife, Kimberly, and I live in Elkhart where we both were born and raised. We have three children, two of which still call Elkhart their home.

In addition to working with clients, I am very active volunteering my time in various leadership capacities within Edward Jones. I have served as a mentor, a visiting veteran for training classes, recruiting leader and currently, I am responsible for inclusion for the state of Indiana.

It is extremely important to me to give back to the community that has given me so much. That’s why I serve on the board of trustees for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. In addition to serving on the board, I also serve on the executive committee.

As an immigrant to this country, my father taught me that with thought and planning you can achieve whatever you put your mind to. My passion is helping others organize and set goals in order to live the life they want.

Please welcome Mark Evans—Extension Educator-ANR-Plant & Soil Science. Mark will discuss Purdue Extension Elkhart County's role and share information about nvasive species in our area.

(From The Farmer's Exchange-Online Edition, Published November 15, 2024)

Mark Evans Joins Elkhart Co. Extension

A change of season also brings a new staff member to the Elkhart County Extension office in the role of plant science Extension educator. Mark Evans started on Nov. 4, transferring from Putnam County Extension where he served nearly 16 years as county Extension director and 4-H youth development educator.

Evans has nearly 32 years of service to Purdue Extension with his initial 11 years in Purdue Agronomy in the role of Extension soil conservation specialist, followed by five years as county Extension director in Owen County and serving as agriculture and natural resource educator in both Owen and Clay counties.

When asked what he was most excited about with the position, Evans said, "Elkhart County has a rich and diverse agricultural heritage, ranking second in number of farms, though farm size is small ranking 88 out of 92 counties in farm size. There is a lot of opportunity to teach about soil health and plant science. I hope to work with producers to increase the use of cover crops particularly on green chop silage fields where no cover exists two thirds of the year. These fields are losing in terms of soil health relative to a field with plant roots and more microbial activity."

Evans also expects to offer numerous programs including topics on vegetables, cropping systems, soil health and woodland programs. He plans frequently to have news releases and updates for local farm, horticulture and lawn topics relative to the season.

Though he grew up in Union County in southeastern Indiana, he was married in Elkhart County to Beth who grew up in nearly St. Joseph County. They have two sons; Justin is in the workforce as a welder while younger son Cody is a junior at Penn High School in Mishawaka. Mark enjoys Purdue basketball, the outdoors, attending his son's school events and serving the community in various aspects, especially through faith-based activities. 

Please welcome Chris Mahlmann, Founder of GreatNews.Life. GreatNews.Life is a forward-thinking, fast-moving media network founded on the power of good news. Our professional, adaptable, and ethical staff thrives on spreading positive client and community news throughout Northern Indiana and beyond.

For details visit: https://greatnews.life/

Please welcome South Bend Rotarian, Founder and Principal of J2 Marketing, and co-owner of Black Squirrel Golf Club, discussing:

"Black Squirrel Golf Club Acquires Bent Oak Golf Club"

Elkhart, IN — Bent Oak Golf Club is proud to announce its acquisition by Black Squirrel Golf Club, effective at the turn of the year, marking an exciting new chapter as the club enters its 40th season in business. This milestone coincides with a significant transition, as the current owners, who saved Bent Oak from potential closure four years ago, pass the baton to a team dedicated to preserving and enhancing the course’s legacy.

The new owners—Kyle Johnson, Grant Sassaman, Nathan Martin, Erik Johnson, Marion Schrock, and Hugh Johnson—bring with them a shared vision and passion for golf. Committed to retaining all existing staff, they plan to continue the club’s tradition of high-quality service while investing in improvements and growth to elevate the golfing experience for all members and visitors.

Kyle Johnson, a member of the new ownership group, shared, “We’re excited to make this happen. We think the marriage between the two courses will be beneficial for everyone. We can’t thank Greg, Tom, Ron, and Jeff enough for the work they’ve done to save the course and carry it to its 40th year. We’re committed to golf excellence through every experience on the course.”

The current owners will remain involved as mentors and supporters, ensuring a seamless transition and continued success for the club. This dedication underscores their lasting commitment to Bent Oak and its valued community of players and supporters.

With deep gratitude for the current leadership’s contributions over the past four years, the new ownership is excited to build on this strong foundation and lead Bent Oak Golf Club into a future of continued excellence and opportunity.

2025 memberships are now available, inviting both new and returning members to join in celebrating the club’s milestone 40th season under new ownership.