Mark Bowell

For twenty five years, Mark Bowell has established himself as a leader in management, sales and marketing. Currently, he serves in national sales for Maxim Cranes Works with responsibilities throughout the southeast United States for this leader in the construction industry. Also, he is owner of DMB Marketing and Management, Inc. Over the years, he has provided tactical management and business development consulting services to over 40 clients throughout Indiana and Florida.

In the past, Bowell has worked in several leadership posts. He served as Chief Operating Officer and National Marketing Director for TTI America, Inc. TTI was a national leader in workforce development innovation and program delivery. Prior to this position, he spent four years as President of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation. He also spent six years working as Director of Marketing for Indy Parks and Recreation and two years as Location Manager for the Indiana Film Commission.

A 1985 graduate of Taylor University and married father of two, Bowell is an active member of his community serving on the Boards of 21st Century Charter Schools (Chairman – Fall Creek and Fountain Square Academies), The Refuge, Institute for Learning Dynamics, People Helping People, Inc., Indianapolis 500 Gordon Pipers and Flashes Football Foundation. He provides leadership as Parade Director of the annual Miracle Mile Parade and serves on leadership committees for the Indiana Construction Association and the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade. The Bowell’s attend Indiana Creek Christian Church.

John Ball

Director of Safety and Security for Pacers Sports and Entertainment and Conseco Fieldhouse

John recently retired from the Indianapolis police department and emergency management after twenty years of service to accept a position with Pacers Sports and Entertainment, where he is responsible for the safety and security of Conseco Fieldhouse, a $178 million arena and home of the Indiana Pacers, as well as all events, the staff and patrons.

John Ball was appointed Director of the Indianapolis/Marion County Emergency Management Division in August 2006. During that appointment, the Agency marked a number of accomplishments, including the replacement of the outdoor warning siren system and the planning for and selection of a mass notification system for the public. This system serves as the center of a comprehensive public warning system. Director Ball has also overseen the planning and implementation of a public safety video surveillance system for the City of Indianapolis.

Director Ball serves as chair of the Indianapolis Urban Area Working Group. This group is responsible for development of the Urban Area’s Homeland Security strategy and determining levels of preparedness. The Emergency Management Agency serves as administrative agency for the Urban Area Security Initiative grant program, and Ball manages these efforts. Under Ball’s leadership, the Indianapolis Urban Area was awarded $7.4 million in 2008, and $7.7 million in 2007, up from $4.37 million in 2006

John Ball has been a police officer with the Indianapolis (IN) Police Department for twenty years. Ball held a leadership position in the 2006 transition effort that joined the IPD with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department on January 1, 2007.

During assignment as commander of the Strategic Planning and Emergency Preparedness Bureau, Ball, then a Major, oversaw citywide coordination of special event planning. This included planning for the involvement in large events such as the Indianapolis 500 and professional sporting events. Following controversial handling of a large special event, Ball revised the special event planning process to improve citizen satisfaction, responsiveness, and overall safety. The bureau was also responsible for planning on matters related to domestic preparedness, including policy development, grant coordination, and regional coordination.  

Director Ball serves as Vice Chairman of the State, Local, Tribal, Territorial, Governing Coordinating Council, an advisory committee to the Office of Infrastructure Protection of DHS. The SLTTGCC is working to implement the National Infrastructure Protection Plan at the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial level.

Kris Bowen

For more than 20 years, Kris Bowen has brought energy and innovation to her involvement in many ventures. Whether as current Director of Research and Business Development at employee-owned Bowen Engineering or directing her own small business endeavors, Kris brings a flair of creativity and common sense to the marketplace. Always seeking the tough answers, she has built strategic partnerships that have allowed her to balance life as a working mother and emerging entrepreneur.
 
Today, as President of both an alternative energy company and a WBE heavy equipment solutions provider, Kris has brought together strong minds to deal with pressing issues facing society today. A 1992 Indiana University MBA graduate, Kris now leads teams that are looking to create 21st century solutions through the application of 'green' industry tools and biofuels for the construction industry.
 
With a resume ranging from Hollywood film industry Controller to global fashion designer, Kris holds her real estate license and is fluent in French and Spanish.  A 1985 graduate of Ball State University, Kris spent a year abroad and was active in the Pi Beta Phi fraternity.

Actively involved in both professional and civic organizations, Kris chairs the Public Relations Committee for the Indiana Construction Association, is a member of Indiana's Cities & Towns and Water Environment Associations, and holds membership with the United States Green Building Council.

Rollin M. Dick

Mr. Dick is a consultant with MH Equity Investors, a private equity investing group located in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this role he participates in identifying and analyzing potential investments, structuring the financing to purchase the investment, and overseeing the ongoing management of the acquired company. The group has investments in a number of companies located in various states.

Mr. Dick was previously Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Haverstick Consulting, Inc. located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Haverstick Consulting is a business and technology-consulting firm that was one of the fastest growing companies in Indiana. Haverstick’s annual revenue increased from $7 million in 2000 when Mr. Dick joined the company to $100 million as a result of both marketing activities and strategic acquisitions. Haverstick was sold in December 2007.

From 1986 to 2000 he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Conseco, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange financial services company with $100 billion of assets under management. In that role Mr. Dick worked closely with the Chief Executive Officer to plan and execute Conseco’s numerous acquisitions and financings in addition to normal CFO responsibilities.

Mr. Dick has 58 years of accounting and financial management experience. From 1965 to 1986, Mr. Dick was a partner at Coopers & Lybrand. In 1970, he opened the Indianapolis office for Coopers & Lybrand. From 1951 to 1965, Mr. Dick was with two smaller CPA firms in Des Moines.

Rollie has been an active “angel” and “venture capital” investor and has had interests in thirty businesses. He is a director of numerous companies and three venture capital funds. He received the Ernst and Young award as Entrepreneur of the Year for the support he provided new businesses.

He is also active with civic and non-profit organizations and is currently a director of Butler University, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, WFYI Foundation, St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, Fall Creek and Fountain Square Academies (charter schools), AIB College of Business, and GEO Foundation.

Michael D. Gorsline

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Professor of Mathematics [Fall 2006-current]
  Ivy Tech Community College
  
  
• Mathematics Instructor, August 1985 to Summer 2006
  Ivy Tech Community College
  
  Taught basic mathematics, applied math, technical math, business math, math of finance, algebra, algebra-trigonometry, College Algebra and calculus. I have aided in the development of the tests, quizzes, explorations, and homework assignments for any of the courses I have taught.
  
  
• Mathematics Instructor [Spring 1985]
  Indiana State University
  
  Taught Finite Mathematics and Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
  
  
• Graduate Assistant [Fall 1982-May 1984]
  Ball State University
  
  Taught developmental mathematics and trigonometry. Also, I tutored in the Math Lab.
  
  
• Counselor, Talent Search Project [1981-1982]
  University of Notre Dame
  
  Counseled non-traditional students in local high schools. Tried to match them with colleges that would met their academic goals and needs. Assist students with admissions forms, financial aids forms, etc.

EDUCATION

• Master of Arts Ball State University, May 1984
  Major: Mathematics
  
  
• Bachelors of Arts Indiana University, May 1974
  Major: Mathematics
  

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS:

• GESS Division’s Teacher of the Year 2006
• Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2000
• GESS Division’s Teacher of the Year 1988
• Indiana Association for Developmental Education Award for Outstanding Service to Students 1988

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM]
• Indiana American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges [InAMAYTC]

John McShea
John resides in Pike Township and works at St Vincent Health in Information Technology supporting distance learning, video conferencing, streaming, multimedia messaging and telecommunications.

He has married for 29 years and is the father of three high school and college-age children.  
 
He received a Bachelor of Science degree is in Business from Indiana Wesleyan University.  
 
He serves at St Monica Church and is a member of the Knight of Columbus. He is also active in the Boy Scouts, enjoys cycling and is active in the Central Indiana Bicycling Association and Indy Runners.

Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

Abdul's program focuses on local, state, and national issues. His list of guests have included Governor Mitch Daniels, Mayor Bart Peterson, House Speaker Brian Bosma and Democratic Leader Pat Bauer.

In addition to hosting the morning show, Abdul is also an attorney, adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech State College, columnist for the Indianapolis Business Journal and stand-up comedian. Prior to coming to Indianapolis, Abdul hosted a morning radio talk show in Springfield, Ill. Before that he was an assistant to the Illinois Attorney General. He has also been a reporter in Central Illinois.

Abdul is also a contributor to the Howey Political Report and Indianabarrister.com. He recently joined the Indianapolis law firm of Lewis & Wilkins in an "Of Counsel" capacity. He is a professional speaker with the firm of Spotlight Speakers & Entertainers in Carmel. And he is also working on a novel "Sub-Leasing Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Civil Rights in the 21st Century."

Abdul holds a Master's Degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a law degree from St. Louis University. He is an army brat having lived for several years in Europe. He has one son, Gene, and several brothers and sisters, a few of which live in the Indianapolis area.

Abdul's show has been labeled as one of the most politically influential radio programs in Indiana.

Michael Sutton

Michael Sutton is President and Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. (IEI).  Mr. Sutton has over 33 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction engineering of highway, railroad, transit, airport and related facilities.  Prior to IEI, Mr. Sutton refined his expertise through his diverse work in the private and public sectors, and by holding positions for local, national, and international engineering firms including ten years of service with the Illinois Department of Transportation.  As an active community member, Mr. Sutton serves on numerous boards and organizations as director and committee member, and sponsors various scholarships and internships for civil engineering students.  Mr. Sutton is a civil engineering graduate of Northwestern University.

AWARDS WON

Hot Firms 2007 List - one of the top 200 fastest-growing engineering firms in the US, awarded by ZweigWhite.

2007 Regional Minority Construction Firm of the Year - awarded by the US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency.  

‘Foot Prints in the Sand’ - largest contract awarded by IDOT to a black male/female - owned joint venture to contract on an Illinois roadway project - awarded by Black Contractors United in 2006.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce - Director

Planning and Design Division of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association - Director

Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs (ABLE), an organization comprised of the most prominent African-American-owned companies in the City of Chicago

American Council of Consulting Engineers - Illinois

Institute of Transportation Engineers

Black Contractors United

Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers - Past Director

National Society of Black Engineers

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Geo School Foundation – Board Member

Evanston Zoning Board - Board Member

Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce – Board Member

Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Technical Charter High School - Board of Directors

Chicago Urban League - Member

NAACP - Member

The Rainbow Push Coalition - Member

IEI Scholarship Fund for Economically Disadvantaged Students at Northwestern University -Founder

IEI Scholarship Fund for Civil Engineering Students at Chicago State University - Founder

IEI Internship Program for Civil Engineering Students from Purdue University, Bradley University, Chicago Public Schools, and Lawrence Township Public Schools - Sponsor

Kevin Turner

Born and raised in Brazil, Indiana; Daughters: Tara (27); Kylie (25)

EMPLOYMENT CUSTOM FACILITIES, INC.
- A design and construction company, headquartered in Indianapolis. Providing architectural, engineering and construction services throughout the US. Pursuits include the design and construction of retailers, financial institutions and automotive facilities implementing a national, branded image program

EDUCATION
INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON, IN
Bachelor of Sciences May 1985
KELLY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Major concentration in Marketing with strong preparation in accounting through the School of Business. Activities included I.U. Student Foundation, Student Athletic Board, and Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.

AFFILIATIONS

• Lawrence Township Schools
  • BOARD OF EDUCATION (1996-2004), President (2000, 2003)
    
  • Parents/Faculty Organization (PFO), President
    
  • Citizen’s School Organization (CSO), Co-Chairperson
    
  • Lawrence Twp. Schools Foundation – Board Member (2004 – present
• Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)
  • Board of Directors, Past President
• Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Class XIX-1994
  • Alumni Board of Directors (1996-2000)
  • Opportunity Indianapolis; Moderator (1996), Chairperson (1997-2000)
• CHAMBERACTION; Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
  
• RCA Championships (Tennis) Transportation Committee
  
• Indianapolis Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)
  
• Indiana Sports Corporation
  
• 2001 World Police and Fire Games, Transportation Co-Chair
  
• 500 Festival Associates-Parade Marshal, Floats
  
• YouthLinks
  
• 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball – FINAL FOUR; Game Operations
  
• 2006 National Track Federation – USA Track & Field Championships

Keena Foster
Principal, Fountain Square Academy

Fountain Square Academy principal Keena Foster and her only sibling – a sister -- were born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.  Keena joined the US Army shortly after graduation from high school. Her education includes degrees from the IUPUI School of Education (B.A. English Education, 1998) and a Masters in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2007.  
 
Keena moved to Indianapolis is 1993.  She has spent five years teaching Language Arts in the IPS school system, and over six years teaching English at Westlane Middle School in MSD Washington Township before becoming the principal at Fountain Square Academy in January of 2009.
 
On a personal level, Keena enjoys tropical vacations and spending time with family and friends. She will begin working on a doctoral degree in the summer of 2010.