RECAP OF THREE 2015 CITY COUNTY OBSERVER 2015 “COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARD” WINNER

BRAD ELLSWORTH SELECTED CITY COUNTY OBSERVER 2015 “COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARD” WINNER

The City-County Observer is excited to announce that Brad Ellsworth the former Vanderburgh County Sheriff’, past member of the U.S. House of Representatives and President of Vectren- South. as our next “Outstanding Community Services Award” winner for 2015.

This years awards luncheon will be held at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. The registration begin at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon on October 26, 2015. Reservations for this event may be obtain by calling Mollie Drake Schreiber at 812-760-4233 or e-email her at mdarke07@yahoo.com. Deadline for registration is October 15, 2014. Last years event was a sellout.

So far the “Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2015 are: Vanderburgh County Commissioner Joe Kifer, well respected local Attorney Joe Harrison, Jr and Indiana State Auditor Suzanne Crouch .

ATTACHED IS THE PROFILE OF THE HONORABLE BRAD ELLSWORTH

Education

University of Southern Indiana, Bachelor’s Degree Sociology/Criminal Justice (81)

Indiana State University, Master’s Degree Criminology (93)

Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (95)

University of Southern Indiana Certificate in Management (98)

National Sheriffs Institute (99)

Law Enforcement Executive Development School, Washington D.C.

Professional Experiences

Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office

Served with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s office from April of 1982 until December of 2006. During this time I served in every merit rank and in every capacity. In 1998 I was elected as Sheriff of the County and served two terms (term limited)

Patrolman-1982-87 detention division, motor patrol

Corporal -1987-89 supervised detention division, narcotics investigator, K-9 handler

Sergeant-1989-93 supervised narcotics division, implemented DARE program county wide

Lieutenant-1993-95 shift commander in patrol division

Captain-1995-96 Field operations and Support Services Commander

Chief Deputy -1996-98 Executive Commander of the Administration and Detention Divisions

Sheriff-1999-2006 elected to 2 terms as Sheriff (Indiana is limited to 2 terms)

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to represent the 8th district of Indiana. Served two terms on the Armed Services, Agriculture and Small Business Committees.

In 2010 made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate, when then Senator Bayh chose not to run.

President of Vectren- South.working for Vectren Energy Delivery, a combined gas and electric utility, serving 1 million customers, based in Evansville, IN.

Awards/Accomplishments

Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Class President (82-71)

FBI Director’s Community Award

Sons of American Revolution Police Officer of the Year (96)

Sheriff’s Silver Merit Award-rescuing elderly woman from a burning house.

Sheriffs Silver Merit Award- physically preventing suicidal subject from driving vehicle into the Ohio River.

1999 Spirit of the Eagle Award- USI

2002 USI Alumni of the Year

2003 President of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association

Current Boards and Community Service

United Way of Southwest Indiana- Board Member

Statewide 211 Board Member

RADIUS Indiana Board Member

Battery Innovation Center (BIC) Board Member

BRIDGELINK Board Member

Evansville Brownfields Board Member

WNIN Board Member

Chamber of Commerce Board Member

G.A.G.E. Board Member

Association for the Blind

Youth First Advisory Board

JOE HARRISON JR. CCO SECOND “MOLE AWARD” WINNER

THIS YEARS SECOND OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICES (MOLE AWARD) WINNER is Vanderburgh County Commission Attorney Joe Harrison Jr.

EDUCATION:

* Reitz Memorial High School – Evansville, IN (1977)

* B.A., DePauw University, B.A. (1981)

* J.D., Indiana University School of Law, J.D. (1984)

LEGAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCES:

* Attorney/Of Counsel, Massey Law Offices, LLC (September 2010 to Present)

* Partner, Bowers Harrison, LLP (2000 – August 2010)

* Partner, Bowers Harrison, Kent & Miller (1993 – 2000)

* Associate, Bowers, Harrison, Kent & Miller (1985 – 1993)

BAR ADMISSION:

* Indiana Supreme Court (1985)

* United States District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana (1985)

* United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (1999)

PRACTICE AREA:

* Business and Corporate Matters

* Civil Litigation and

* Wills and Estates

* Personal Injury Law

* Zoning Matters

* Employment Law

* Governmental Law

COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL INVOlEMENT

* Attorney, Vanderburgh County (1997-2001, 2012 to Present)

* Attorney, Evansville – Vanderburgh County Building Authority (2002 to Present)

* Commissioner, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (2014 to Present)

* Attorney, Area Plan Commission of Evansville – Vanderburgh County (2002 to 2012)

* Attorney, Evansville – Vanderburgh County Building Authority (2002 to Present)

* Attorney, City of Evansville (2002 – 2009)

* Attorney, Vanderburgh County Election Board (2001- 2002)

* Attorney, Vanderburgh County Council (1991 – 1997)

* Chairman, Vanderburgh County Republican Central Committee (1993 – 1997)

PERSONAL:

Joe has one son, Joseph, III, a law student at Indiana University.

THE THIRD WINNER IS  TRACY ZELLER A GIA DIAMOND GRADUATE  AND OWNER OF TRACY ZELLER ENTERPRISES, INC.

Tracy Zeller is a lifelong Evansville resident. After graduating from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, Tracy completed her Diamond Graduate certification through the Gemological Institute of America. In 2004, with nearly two decades of experience she opened the Tracy Zeller Jewelry showroom, offering the Tri-State a unique jewelry shopping experience. With an unwavering commitment to the principles of trust, quality, value and integrity and by surrounding herself with a terrific team of people, Tracy has grown her business exponentially.

Tracy’s faith is an important part of her life. She is dedicated to a personal calling she describes as “live to give,” by fulfilling donation requests from numerous community and charitable organizations. In addition to financial contributions, Tracy gives generously of her time on various committees; specifically, she has served as President of Kiwanis and a Business Network International chapter, Board Member for Community Marriage Builders, Vice President and President of A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW), currently serves on the board of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana and is a member of USI’s Accounting Circle. She also supports many local organizations including Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County, Leadership Evansville, the Vanderburgh Humane Society and Keep Evansville Beautiful, just to name a few.

Along with many fundraising events and speaking engagements throughout the year, Tracy is a regular guest on WFIE’s Ask the Expert segment with Mike Blake. She is the jewelry spokesperson on Local 7’s Tri-State Professionals and Lifestyles programs. Evansville Living magazine readers have twice voted her among the Best of Evansville. Southwest Indiana Chamber recognized her three times in the last decade; as Entrepreneur of the Year, a finalist for the Small Business of the Year award, and most recently, as Businessperson of the Year. The ANEW organization hailed her as a Woman of Action. The University of Southern Indiana acknowledged her as an Alumnus in Residence and Distinguished Alumni; the Indiana Women’s Jewelry Association nominated her Entrepreneur of the Year. The Women’s Council of Realtors awarded her the Affiliate of the Year designation. Tracy was named one of the YWCA’s 100 Years / 100 Women and her business was nominated as an Indiana Small Businesses to Watch. In addition, in both 2012 and 2014 she was honored as an ATHENA Award finalist.

From the Courier & Press Readers’ Choice Awards, Tracy Zeller Jewelry was awarded Gold for Best Locally Owned Store in 2012, 2013 and 2014, Gold for Best Jewelry Store in 2012 and Platinum for Best Jewelry Store in 2013 and 2014. The store also received the 2013 Business of Integrity Torch Award given by the Better Business Bureau.

In January 2013, Tracy and her team launched a free Community Calendar, developed and funded by the company, as a gift to the Tri-State.  Also in 2013, Tracy Zeller Jewelry hosted and underwrote the first Tracy Zeller Open. The all female golf event collected over $51,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Evansville Women Build.

 This years awards luncheon is held at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. The registration begin at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon on October 26, 2015. Reservations for this event may be obtain by calling Mollie Drake Schreiber at 812-760-4233 or e-email her at mdarke07@yahoo.com. Deadline for registration is October 15, 2014. Last years event was a sellout.