LINK TO JANUARY 2025 PRINTED PAPER
Joe J. Wallace, Author, and Columnist, Joins City County Observer Staff
Joe J. Wallace, Author, and Columnist, Joins City County Observer Staff
JANUARY 6, 2025
Joe J. Wallace, a distinguished retired CEO, and Chief Innovation Officer, is proud to accept the position of Columnist for the City County Observer. With an illustrious career spanning several decades in product development, executive leadership, and published authorship, Wallace brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role.
A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership
Joe Wallace’s career is a testament to his dedication and innovation in various industries. As the founding Managing Director of the Coachella Valley Innovation Hub and CEO of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP), Wallace has been a pivotal figure in economic development and technological advancement. His tenure in the electro-optics industry saw him involved in over ten start-up businesses, including a NASDAQ-listed public company that lead the exchange for percentage ROI in 1995.
A Stanford University alumnus with an MS in Mechanical Engineering, Wallace also completed all required coursework for a PhD at UC Santa Barbara, a BS from the University of Evansville and an AS from Hazard Community College in Appalachia. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his successful ventures in technology and business.
Pioneering Economic Development
Wallace’s journey into mentoring entrepreneurs began as the founding President and CEO of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville. He established Innovation Pointe, a technology business incubator, and the EnGAGE program to support small and medium businesses. Wallace also facilitated the Partnership Intermediary Agreement with the Crane Naval Weapons Center, providing access to federal intellectual property for Evansville businesses, thereby fostering innovation and growth. Over the course of his career Wallace has mentored over one hundred technology-based startup companies.
Broad Industry Experience
Throughout his 35-year career, Wallace has held senior executive roles across diverse industries, from developing cutting-edge technology like the erasable optical disc (CD ROM Burner) to professional home improvement services. His advisory roles span multiple businesses across the United States, reflecting his broad and deep understanding of technology, business, and commercialization.
Renowned Speaker and Author
An invited speaker at symposia in the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia, Wallace has delivered keynote speeches at numerous events, including the International Chief Innovation Officer Summit in San Francisco. He has authored over 1,000 columns in an online political blog and published papers in both trade and refereed journals. His book, “Living Outside the Box,” was published in 2019 and became a category #1 seller on Amazon. His kick-off book tour started at Union County High School, where Wallace graduated and included the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Conference in New York City.
Accolades and Honors
Wallace’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the SBEMP Leader of the Year (2016), the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award by CSU San Bernardino (2014), and the Clean Air Award by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. He was also a nominee for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2015) and named one of the Top 50 Economic Development Professionals in North America.
His businesses have garnered accolades such as the Photonics Spectra Circle of Excellence Award, the R&D 100 Award, and multiple Indiana Growth 100 Awards from the IU Kelley School of Business. As an undergraduate, Wallace was one of eleven National Finalists in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Old Guard competition. His presentation was about optimally designing a nuclear reactor core.
Community Engagement
As CEO of Priority One, Wallace secured $79 million for the expansion of the CSU San Bernardino Campus in Palm Desert, California. He has served as a trustee of the University of Evansville and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for which he has run fifteen marathons, raising over $100,000 for cancer research. In 2015, the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce awarded CVEP and Wallace the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy of Service Award.
A New Chapter in AI Consulting
Joe Wallace’s extensive background as a product development engineer, CEO, and prolific author positions him uniquely to add substantial value to organizations as an AI consultant. His recent credential from Vanderbilt University as a Prompt Engineer for large language models underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. Wallace is poised to leverage his expertise to guide businesses through the complexities of artificial intelligence and machine learning, driving innovation and growth in this dynamic field.
USI recognizes over 2,080 undergraduate students named to 2024 Fall Semester Dean’s List
In recognition of outstanding academic achievement, the University of Southern Indiana Dean’s List has been released for the 2024 Fall Semester. Dr. Shelly Blunt, USI Provost, announced a total of 2,088 undergraduate students were named to the Dean’s List.
Undergraduate students must achieve a 3.5 or better semester GPA (on a 4.0 system) to be named to the list. Students earning no incomplete (IN) or missing (Z) grades for the term and earning letter grades of computable point value (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and Pass/No Pass graded courses do not apply) in 12 or more semester hours, with a semester GPA between 3.5 and 4.0, are named to the list.
The list is arranged by state and city, according to the mailing address each student has provided to the University. A student’s name may be listed under Evansville if the student supplied an Evansville mailing address. The Dean’s List may be accessed by clicking the link below.
2024 Fall Semester Dean’s List
Note to students:
If you expected your name to be on the list and you cannot find it, use the search function in the PDF document. Type your name to search the entire list. If you still do not find your name, email Tracy Sinn in the Registrar’s Office using your myUSI email address (include your full name and student ID number). If it can be verified you did qualify for the Dean’s List, the Registrar’s Office will give University Strategic Communication your name and hometown.
Vanderburgh County Council Meeting JANUARY 8, 2025
JANUARY 8, 2025
AGENDA
| 1. | OPENING OF MEETING |
| 2. | ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL |
| 3. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE |
| 4. | INVOCATION |
| 5. | ELECTION OF PRESIDENT |
| 6. | ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT |
| 7. | APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY COUNCIL ATTORNEY |
| 8. | APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS (Personnel Chairman and Finance Chairman) |
| 9. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES: |
A. County Council Meeting – December 11, 2024
| 10. | ORDINANCE CO.01-25-002 To suspend the hiring of County Employees and establish procedures to fill vacancies |
| 11. | PERSONNEL REQUESTS: |
A. Superior Court
1. Request to fill vacancy for Court Administrator 10001370-137169 and resulting vacancy if filled internally.
2. Request to fill vacancy for Probation Officer – Juvenile (PT) 10001370-137192
B. Superior Court
1. Request to restructure funding for salaries paid from INDOC Grants, Project Income and Community Transition Programs
a. Community Corrections Project Income 11220000
1) Community Corrections Project Income – Electronic Home Detention 11222104
2) Community Corrections Project Income – Treatment Court 11222503
3) Community Corrections Project Income – Work Release 11222505
b. INDOC Work Release Grant 9304/93140000
c. INDOC Treatment Court Grant 9317/93180000
C. Circuit Court – Supplemental Adult Probation
1. Request to create Participant Advocate Stipend line 21010000-210158 and fill vacancy.
D. Veterans Treatment Court Grant / Circuit Court – Problem Solving Grant
1. Request to move (3) Home Verification Officers 93110000-199000 (Extra Help) to Circuit Court – Problem Solving Grant 93190000-199000 (Extra Help)
E. Prosecutor
1. Request to fill vacancy for Paralegal 10001080-108131
F. Prosecutor – Crime Gun Intelligence Center Grant
1. Request to fill vacancy for PT CGIC Analyst 82100000-821003
G. Prosecutor – Adult Protective Services State Grant
1. Request to fill vacancy for (2) Investigators 92010000-920111 and 920114
2. Request to fill vacancy for Director 92010000-920113
H. Veterans Services
1. Request to fill vacancy for Service Officer 10001270-127111
I. Sheriff – USI
1. Request to fill vacancies for (2) Deputy Sheriffs 49850000-498504 and 498505
J. Health Department
1. Request to fill vacancy for Administrative Support Professional I 11590000-115942
K. Health Dept – Immunization Grant
1. Request to retitle and reclassify Public Health Nurse I 84080000-840813
L. Health Dept – STD Prevention Program
1. Request to retitle and reclassify Disease Investigation Specialist I 84220000-842211
M. Health Dept – TANF Grant / Health Dept – FSSA Hoosier Family First Grant
1. Request to create Community Health Worker II 84420000-844208 and fill vacancy by transferring Community Health Worker II 94260000-942601
2. Request to create and fill vacancy for Community Health Worker II 84420000-844211
N. Health Dept – Early Learning Grant
1. Request to fill vacancy for Public Health Nurse I 94270000-942701
| 12. | PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION REVIEW REQUEST: |
A. Superior Court
1. Court Administrator 10001370-167169
| 13. | APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE – None |
| 14. | REPEALS: |
A. CCPI – Treatment Court
B. CCPI – Work Release
| 15. | TRANSFERS: |
A. Auditor
B. CCPI – Treatment Court
C. CCPI – Work Release
D. Circuit Court – Supplemental Adult Probation
| 16. | OLD BUSINESS – None |
| 17. | NEW BUSINESS: |
A. Resolution No. CO.R-01-25-001 Adopt an Investment Policy (Exhibit A) authorizing the investment of public funds of the political subdivision for more than two years and not more than five years
B. Ordinance No. CO.01-25-001 Ordinance authorizing its investing officer to make investments having a stated final maturity that is more than two years and not more than five years
C. Approval of 2025 Amended Salary Ordinance
D. Appointment of Liaisons
E. Appointment to ABC Board
F. PTABOA: Waiver of requirement regarding political affiliation and certified level II or III Indiana Assessor-Appraisers to serve on the PTABOA Board
G. Other County Council Appointments
H. Approval of 2025 Meeting Dates
| 18. | AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE |
| 19. | PUBLIC COMMENT |
| 20. | REMINDER OF UPCOMING MEETING DATES/TIMES: |
A. No P&F Meeting in January 2025
B. County Council Meeting – February 5, 2025 @3:00 PM
| 21. | ADJOURNMENT |
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
WINTER STORM BEGINS
A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE EVANSVILLE AREA.
As the winter precipitation begins, local officials remind you not to get out unless you have to. Roads are quickly turning slick and hazardous, making any travel risky.
The expectation is that areas north of I64 will receive 6-9 inches of snow and sleet with some freezing rain and ice. South of I69 will see less snow, 3-6 inches, but 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice.
The ice will be the culprit for creating power outages and deceivingly slippery roads.
Stay in if at all possible.
Jerome Stewart – The Word in 120
It was recently reported that Apple Computers, which was co-founded by billionaire Steven Jobs in 1976, is now a 4 trillion dollar company. Stevens Jobs died in 2011 of pancreatic cancer. However successful we are in life, we all must die. 1st Timothy 6, vs. 7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we will carry nothing out.” James 4 vs. 14 speaks to life’s brevity, saying, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.”
For what is your life? “It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” As to Steven Jobs, his last words are noteworthy and so sincere. He said quote; “At this moment time, lying on a sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the
recognition and wealth that I took much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death…You can employ someone to drive your car for you, to make money for you, but you cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost—Life!”
When Jesus hung bleed and died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, for those who know Jesus as Lord and Savoir, we will never be lost as long as there is a willingness to follow Him. Jesus says in John 10 vss. 27 and 28; “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone pluck them out of My hand.”
So the question is this. Do you know Jesus? If not you need to. Once there has been a transition from this life to the hereafter it will be too late to say yes to Jesus!
Yesteryear: This Date in 1937 the Ohio River Starts to Flood
On Jan. 5, 1937, water levels began to rise in the Ohio River Flood of 1937. Southern Indiana would be devastated. The flood left two-thirds of Evansville underwater, with martial law being declared for a few days and 90,000 people being forced from their homes. Flooding along the river turned the waterway into a 25-mile-wide lake stretching from Illinois to Pennsylvania, and a total of 385 people would die.
Watch for more pictures from the flood of ’37 this week in the City-County Observer.
The following video is raw footage taken by Ed Rech. Some footage is poor quality and you may want to leave the sound down because there is a buzz.