Laura Hammack
Laura Hammack, superintendent of Brown County Schools, has won the Becky Skillman Regional Leadership Award. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown uncommon dedication to bringing the Indiana Uplands region together in pursuit of regional success and prosperity.
In her role as superintendent, Hammack has been an innovator, role model, mentor and advocate for all things Indiana Uplands, the group reported.
“Regional prosperity comes from a focus on people, policy, and place. Hammack has proven her dedication to regional leadership by focusing on all three pillars,” the award announcement read. “As one of the first superintendents to sign on to participate in ROI’s Ready Schools transformation initiative four years ago, Hammack embraced the opportunity not just for what it could bring to the students and educators, but for what it could mean for her community. She recognized that this effort would address economic development for her community.
“Hammack has become a trusted mentor and advisor to fellow superintendents and educators across the region,” the announcement read. “… She shares freely with her peers and with regional partners. She regularly works with leaders across her county and beyond to advance place-based issues. She is helping optimize infrastructure investments by partnering with high-speed internet providers, works with others to enhance transportation connections, participates in local efforts related to housing, and broadly supports community economic development and prosperity in all ways possible.”
“Hammack supports the Indiana Uplands with a level of devotion that is inspiring and impactful,” the announcement read. “She is modeling how to overcome challenges of small communities and school districts by seeking needed resources, reaching beyond boundaries, and never accepting anything less than the best to ensure her students, employees, community and region steadfastly pursue success.”
Jeff McCabe
INDIANAPOLIS — Jeff McCabe, chairman of Big Woods, Quaff On! and Hard Truth Hills, is among the six people who’ve been appointed to the Indiana Destination Development Corporation Foundation Board.
The IDDC operates as a joint public-private agency, governed by a six-member board appointed by the governor. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch serves as the chair.
McCabe will serve through June 2023.
The goal of the organization is to attract and retain business, talent, students and visitors to Indiana.
Brown County Art Guild
The Brown County Art Guild is the recipient of a grant award from the Brown County Community Foundation in the amount of $3,744 to assist with its Permanent Collection Management Project.
The grant was funded through the Mildred L. and Clarence W. Long Field of Interest Fund.
Trooper Caleb Garvin
BLOOMINGTON — Trooper Caleb Garvin has been named Trooper of the Year for the Indiana State Police.
Garvin previously worked as a jailer for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office for five years and served as a reserve officer for the Ellettsville Police Department for four years before becoming an Indiana State Trooper.
In 2019, Garvin had almost 400 traffic contacts, 10 OWI arrests, 328 criminal arrests (192 of which were felonies), 101 criminal defendants and investigated 72 criminal cases.
Sgt. Greg Day stated: “Caleb is a hard worker who can be counted on and trusted to do the right thing for the citizens we serve. He has an unparalleled work ethic and we are lucky to have him at the Bloomington District.”
