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LWC Alumni Spotlight: Carrie Ebersole, Micropulse, Inc.
LWC Alum and Micropulse employee Carrie Ebersole is pictured with a variety of quality medical devices produced by the Whitley County based company and long time supporter of LWC
When Carrie Ebersole graduated from the seventh class of Leadership Whitley County in 2008, she selected B.A.B.E. as her board internship assignment hoping to learn more about the program that serves the youngest members of our community. Ebersole’s internship quickly turned into the role of board member, and today she serves as the Vice-Chair of a program that successfully promotes healthy families. As the Lead Expeditor at Micropulse, Ebersole was anxious to apply for the LWC program after hearing the positive experiences from her fellow co-workers who had participated.
“The thing I took away most from the program was understanding people’s personalities,” said Ebersole. “LWC definitely helps with supervisory skills. It opened a shell.” Ebersole added the skills she acquired during the program have helped her be a productive B.A.B.E. board member and serve as an integral part of helping the program grow. “LWC made me look for an organization to be a part of and find what volunteer opportunities are a good fit.”
Ebersole added she had no specific expectations coming into the program, so it was a pleasant surprise when the learning experience offered her to make new acquaintances and broaden her connections with people in the community. She’s also been able to discuss program experiences with other coworkers who have participated in LWC.
A mother of three kids ages 7 -12, Carrie has been with Micropulse for 18 years since starting as an ICE student at Columbia City High School. It’s a family affair with the Whitley County based business as her husband Jeff is also employed with the company. Ebersole’s passion for service is evident as she talks about her experiences with B.A.B.E.
“It’s been exciting to be a part of something where the strength of everyone is involved,” she said. “There are motivated people wanting to make a difference in the community and children are our future. Leadership Whitley County makes you ask “What do I want to do?” and without the program I would never have been connected to B.A.B.E.”
Applications are now being accepted for the tenth class of Leadership Whitley County. Tuition to the monthly program that runs September –April is $600 and includes all expenses. For more information, go to www.leadershipwc.org or contact LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss at 799-4045 or 3dsheiss@gmail.com. ###
Tags: alumni, Carrie Ebersole, LWC, Micropulse
Micropulse supports servant leadership
Since the inception of the Leadership Whitley County program in 2001, Micropulse has been instrumental in supporting the community-based servant leadership program through sponsorship and employee participation. As LWC prepares for the tenth year of its unique program, Micropulse is the first Whitley County-based business to sign on as a corporate sponsor, supporting the program at a level of $1500. The newly designed corporate level allows a company to support the program at a set level and enroll an employee from their company at no additional cost. Another Micropulse employee will be participating in the program this year, bringing the total number of participants from the company to eleven.
Micropulse CFO Brian More said Leadership Whitley County helps connect their employees with the community and also enhances their leadership soft skills in the workplace. Leadership Whitley County greatly appreciates the support of companies such as Micropulse who believe in LWC’s mission of building better leaders for business and community. Applications are currently being accepted through June 30 for the tenth class which begins in September.
Pictured are Micropulse employees who have graduated from the program: Front Row (l to r): Dan Stauffer, Brian More, Diana Smith, Larry Sutton, Carrie Ebersole Back Row (l to r): Brian Emerick, Micropulse CEO, Wes Stahl, Josh Monesmith, Steven Dittmer, Zach Beard
Tags: LWC, Micropulse, sponsor
LWC Alumni Spotlight – Terry Eberly
As Leadership Whitley County prepares to embark on its tenth season, the program is celebrating the achievements of past graduates, both personally and professionally. The alums featured have been empowered by their LWC experience and continue to utilize their servant leadership skills in their daily lives.
Shortly after graduating from Class 7 of LWC in 2008, Terry Eberly made the decision to leave the “corporate” world and embark on the dream of starting his own business. Today, Eberly Photography is a thriving business adding to the economic development of downtown South Whitley. In addition to his entrepreneurial initiative, Eberly also chose to run for a seat on the Whitko School Board of Trustees.
“LWC gets people excited about making our community a better place. The other dynamic is what you take away from it years later. Having gone through LWC, it created a spark in me to get involved and pursue a school board position.”
Eberly noted certain skills garnered from his LWC experience, including personality types and personal mission, were very powerful and continue to be useful on a regular basis. He added the interaction with other areas of discipline and a diverse group of individuals as a peer group all learning together on how to be a serve agent for the community combined to offer a very positive experience. Upon graduation, Eberly said the monthly networking gatherings of alumni helped him connect to others, including Star Financial Bank’s David Smith. Eberly would later interact with Smith as he started his photography business in a downtown South Whitley location owned by the financial institution. Eberly also met 2009 graduate Jorell Tucker when he talked with the class about school board roles and responsibilities. Now, Eberly and Tucker will serve together on the school board, making them the first two graduates of the program to successfully run for school board positions. Eberly complimented LWC for its ability to create awareness of community interconnections and offer valuable networking tools for participants.
“The networking opportunity was a good return on investment for me,” he said. “My participation in LWC may have an impact in ways I never realize. It’s important to be a giver and give back to the community. Some can’t give as much, but everybody gives what they can.”
Since his graduation, Terry Eberly continues to make a difference in the Whitley County community, both as a servant leader for education and as a business owner in South Whitley. Eberly Photography is located on State Street and specializes in portraits, senior pictures, weddings, video and commercial photography.
LWC alum and South Whitley business owner Terry Eberly is surrounded by captivating senior portraits in his downtown studio.
“Leadership Whitley County helps you step back and investigate yourself. It’s great to see the vision as a community, and it also helps you as an individual,” said Eberly.
LWC Class “hops” into servant leadership
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, nineteen outstanding individuals celebrated their achievements as the ninth class of Leadership Whitley County graduated from the county’s unique, eight month servant leadership program.
Participants and their local employers and organizations who supported staff participation in the program this year included: Zach Beard, Micropulse; John Black, United Way of Whitley County; Megan Burr, C & A Tool; Mike Cook, City of Columbia City; Kyle Egolf, The Center for Whitley County Youth; Robin Elsner, Passages; Carrie Garrison, Warner Electric; Angela Green, Great Batch Medical; Belinda Hawn, Habitat for Humanity of Whitley County; Carrie Hoffman, Huntington University EXCEL; Jim Landrum, Star Financial Bank; Michelle Linn, Americorps; Angela Maley, Whitley County Historical Museum; Betty Mishler, Whitley County Economic Development Corporation; Michael Peterson, City of Columbia City; Sherry Sausaman, Parkview Whitley Hospital; Diana Smith, Micropulse; Robert Sollazzo, MAHLE Clevite, Inc.; Patty Weybright, South Whitley Library/Whitko High School.
Leadership class marks program midpoint with teamwork session
Leadership Whitley County class members John Black of the United Way, Carrie Hoffman of Huntington University and Mike Cook of Columbia City's water pollution control facility try to figure out the best use of teamwork while blindfolded at the December session of LWC.
The December session of Leadership Whitley County convened at Whitko Café in South Whitley with WHS Student Council members welcoming class participants to their school. The morning kicked off with an informative awareness session featuring a panel of local non-profit organizations. Panel members included: Shawn Ellis of Beds and Britches, Etc., Tania Keirn of Interfaith Mission, Mark Green of the Columbia City Parks Department, John Slavich of Count Me In! and Jacie Worrick, board member for the United Way of Whitley County. Each panel member had the opportunity to provide an overview of their organization, detail its benefits to the community, and highlight areas for possible volunteer involvement. LWC class members then had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel members.
The main topic for the day was “Team Building,” presented by Dr. Rick Upchurch of Huntington University. The session began with a lively and enlightening activity on teambuilding in the school’s gymnasium. Principal Parrish Kruger joined the group on this activity, which used blindfolds and focused on communication as a critical tool of teamwork. Upchurch then worked with the group to overview the principles of effective teams and touched briefly on handling conflict as a part of effective teamwork. More emphasis on conflict management and facilitation will be addressed during the group’s February session.
As the LWC program heads into the 2010, class members will experience programs focusing on public speaking, conflict management and personal mission. A celebration graduation will be held, recognizing all class members on Thursday, April 15 at the Eagles Nest Event Center. For more information on applying for the 2010/11Leadership Whitley County class, supporting the program, or having an informational presentation made to your business or organization, contact Kelley Sheiss at 799-4045 or 3dsheiss@gmail.com
The support of local business, industry and organizations is key to the success of Leadership Whitley County. Sponsors for the 2009-10 year include: CenturyLink, NIPSCO, Old Settler’s Day Association, J & J Insurance, Northeastern REMC Operation Round-Up, Star Financial Bank & Star Insurance, ABCM Enterprises Inc., Pro Fed Credit Union and LWC Alumni June Keiser, Ava Lillmars, Tam Parker, Tom Rethlake, Janet Scank, R.D. Schrader, John Slavich, Esther Smith, Jeff Walker, Melinda Woll. This support, financial and/or in-kind, serves as a key to success for offering quality programs that compose the core of Leadership Whitley County.
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2009 Food and Wine Event a Spectacular Success
Current LWC class member Betty Mishler listens intently as one of the wine vendors details the offerings to sample
LWC alums Tom Rethlake and Dennis Warnick
It’s a night anticipated by many, known for its fine wines, delicious food and support of a worthy cause. This year’s Food and Wine Spectacular was no exception, offering over 80 diverse wine varieties, an array of food options and delicious chocolate. Adding to the ambience was entertainment courtesy of the Lake Effect Jazz Band and an artist gallery showcasing four local crafter’s talents. The annual event is hosted by Leadership Whitley County and proceeds help to support the county’s unique servant leadership program.
For the first time, a VIP hour was held, with special ticket holders gaining access to the event an hour early. Over 165 people attended the event, and a special wine stopper raffle was held, with Mark Espich taking home the coveted prize of a pair of diamond earrings for his wife. The earrings were donated by J & J Insurance.
“This is a signature event for our community that people have come to look forward to every year,” said LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss. “We greatly appreciate those who attend as well as The Dock, who is instrumental in securing the wine vendors for the evening.” Sheiss also said the generous support of sponsors is key to the event. This year’s sponsors included J & J Insurance, Star Financial Bank and Star Insurance, J & K Communications, The Dock, Espich Printing, R & R Signs and Talk of the Town.
Plans are already underway for next year’s wine tasting, tentatively planned for the first Thursday in November.
LWC Alumni David Smith of Star Financial Bank samples one of the many wines available at the eventLWC alums Tom Rethlake and Dennis WarnickCurrent LWC class member Betty Mishler listens intently as one of the wine vendors details the offerings to sample
Food and Wine Spectacular – November 5, 2009
Tickets are on sale now for a fine evening of food and wine. This year’s Food and Wine Spectacular is slated for Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. at the Eagles Nest Event Center in Columbia City. Proceeds from the event will support Leadership Whitley County, the community’s unique servant leadership program. In addition to sampling over 100 wines, chocolate samples from The Chocolate Thimble will be featured along with an array of food prepared by Eagles Nest Chef Stan Horne and his wife Doris. Three local art vendors will offer their creations for sale and a wine stopper raffle will showcase a pair of diamond earrings as the grand prize. Presale tickets are $25 and available at The Dock, J & J Insurance, Star Financial Bank downtown, or from LWC alumni. All ticket holders will receive a customized wine glass celebrating the event. Join LWC in an evening to spoil the senses!
Tags: Eagles Nest, LWC, tickets, Wine
A New Season of Leaders
From all areas of Whitley County and beyond, a unique group of individuals with diverse occupations and interests have started the fall season with the unique distinction of “the next class of Leadership Whitley County.” The participants make up the largest class in over five years of the program, and in September they embarked on their servant leadership journey.
Participants and their local employers and organizations who are supporting staff participation in the program this year include: Zach Beard, Micropulse; John Black, United Way of Whitley County; Karen Friend-Bowman, Humane Shelter of Whitley County; Megan Burr, C & A Tool; Mike Cook, City of Columbia City; Kyle Egolf, The Center for Whitley County Youth; Robin Elsner, Passages; Carrie Garrison, Warner Electric; Angela Green, Great Batch Medical; Belinda Hawn, Habitat for Humanity of Whitley County; Carrie Hoffman, Huntington University EXCEL; Jim Landrum, Star Financial Bank; Michelle Linn, Americorps; Angela Maley, Whitley County Historical Museum; Betty Mishler, Whitley County Economic Development Corporation; Michael Peterson, City of Columbia City; Sherry Sausaman, Parkview Whitley Hospital; Diana Smith, Micropulse; Robert Sollazzo, MAHLE Clevite, Inc.; Patty Weybright, South Whitley Library/Whitko High School.
Tags: 2009, Class, Leadership, participants
Local organizations support LWC with scholarships
Tags: grants, Leadership, Old Settlers, Operation Round-Up, Whitley County
Leadership Whitley County Seeks Applicants
The opportunity to participate in the next class of Leadership Whitley County is now! As the eighth year of the successful program draws to a close, recruitment is in full swing for the next group of servant leaders.
Tuition to the program is $600, which includes all meals and materials. There is no travel or lodging expenses. Interested in learning more about Leadership Whitley County or desire to participate? Click on the “About” link to learn more and submit an application today. For questions, contact LWC Program Director Kelley Sheiss at 213-4045 or via e-mail at director@leadershipwc.org. All applicants must be submitted by the end of June and tuition is due in full by September 1. A limited number of participants will be accepted, so plan to apply today!
Tags: applicants, Leadership Whitley County, news
