IT’S THE PEOPLE!!!  That was the answer to a question asked by my brother not too long ago.  My brother and I grew up in a military family and traveled all over the country as my father served our Country in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 30 years. 

THE EXPERIENCE I gained, the people that I met, and the sense of family and country helped shape my life and my values, and I will forever be indebted to my father and mother.  But those experiences did not come without sacrifice.  My brother and I moved every 18-36 months as the Air Force required. 

THEREFORE, my brother Jeff and I, as adults, were able to choose our “Home Town”.  My wife and I chose, Muncie, Indiana to raise our four children.  In response to my brother’s question, of why, I simply responded with “It is the people.” 

THE PEOPLE of East Central Indiana are kind, honest, hard working people that will never shy away from a difficult challenge and always offer to hold a door, and if one is held, they will always say “thank you”.  They will go door to door in the midst of an ice storm making sure each of their neighbors is safe.  The comfort that we offer each other is what makes East Central Indiana unique. 

SO, just as adoptive parents love their child every bit as much as a natural parent, I too love Indiana.  It is the people of East Central Indiana that makes me so excited about our future.  We will not fail.  We will continue to work every day to raise our families, to solve problems, to prepare for the future.