We hope your summer was amazing and that your fall is off to a great start.
We are pleased to announce something new this fall. To improve your reading experience, we are offering this new format of The Leading Edge.
Posting our monthly newsletter directly on our website allows a more accessible read on all devices (computer, laptop, tablet and mobile) and helps improve our visibility on the internet.
We are partnering with local digital marketing firm Clever Dogs Media on an expanded marketing program, and they are helping us create and post this new online newsletter. Clever Dogs Media, based in Franklin and Indianapolis, is owned by LJC alum Jeff Owen ('97) and Sean Miller, whose wife Carol graduated from LJC in 2011.
Continue sending your submissions to our LJC team and enjoy the read!
ALUMNI INTERVIEW
Jeremy VanAndel ('22)
Blythe Potter, Class Liaison, LJC Class of 2022
For the inaugural class of ‘22 interview, I chose Jeremy VanAndel. I knew nailing down time with him may be challenging, however, I also knew he had some really cool life events recently and several planned for the future.
As many of you know, Jeremy is the Director of Professional Development and Instructor of Business at Franklin College. What many of you may not know if you don’t follow him on social media (or make time to read and retain the information on our peers in our opening weekend binders), is that he is a lover of nature and recently finished building a canoe!
With a wife, two children, a sizable commute to work, and career at FC, it may not seem possible to add carpenter to his CV, but after 623 days and almost losing a few body parts to a table saw, he and his family had a successful inaugural voyage. Please note that said voyage was, in fact, in a body of water and NOT a large bathtub!
Jeremy is not native to Johnson County, so after being nominated for LJC a second time, he made the commitment (likely putting the canoe building on a major delay) to join in an effort to learn more about the county, community, and the place many of his students and colleagues call home. Now that the canoe is completed, Jeremy has decided to take on another great task; earning a Ph.D. in entrepreneurship starting this January! Luckily, the Ph.D. program only requires time and not a lot of sharp tools!
Jeremy has a few other plans up his sleeve, but those will need to wait for another interview. Those of you who, like me, pretend to know him well, know he will likely continue to inspire us and reply to our messages with GIFs and much-needed humor. On that note, I share with you the photo Jeremy sent upon my fifth request for a photo.
Jama Pryor (’97) started a new position as Marketing Communications Consultant at Pryor Communications, LLC.
Huarong Li (’21) has started a new career at Woodforest National Bank as a Retail Banker.
Katie (Sparks) Schwarz (‘19) was the recipient of the Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club of Greenwood.
2021 YLA Graduates Gavin Anderson and Raef Sauer were Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively at Center Grove High School.
Emma Williams (YLA Class of ‘20) was named to the All Johnson County Tennis Team and also won District Honors.
New Whiteland’s new Clerk-Treasurer is Angela DeVoss (’20) who won the caucus to replace Maribeth Alspach (’05) who has retired.
The judges of the Johnson Circuit and Superior Courts have appointed Brandi Foster Kirkendall (’06) as the new judge to serve as the sixth Magistrate of the Johnson Circuit and Superior Courts.
Jessica Jones (’21) has started a new position as Account Manager at Optum, a UnitedHealth Group family of businesses.
Jennifer Hollingshead (’19) has started a new position as School To Work Specialist at Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance.
Olivia Schoentrup (’22) and Paul Schoentrup welcomed a baby girl named SydneyBeth in early August. Congratulations!
Hannah Adams Ingram (’20) and husband, Kyle, recently welcomed little miss Ellery Ingram to the world. Congratulations!
Tiffany Craft (’22) and husband, Donnie, welcomed Denver on Sept. 8. Congratulations! We can’t wait to meet all these little bundles of joy!
"Stop looking for the light...
Become it instead..."
LJC Select Workshops offer a variety of programs in different areas of business, management, leadership, communication and nonprofit governance. Workshops are targeted at different levels of management and experience, so there is something for everyone.
Everyday Strategies for Navigating Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions
September 28
About the Workshop
Attendees will leave the session with skills they can use immediately to reduce the frequency of microaggressions. They will also have strategies for moving toward recovery and repair when microaggressions do occur.
At the end of this session participants will:
Understand our personal diversity stories
Explore how differences in how we read stories impacts others
Anticipate causes of implicit bias and microaggressions
Practice strategies to move toward recovery and repair when mistakes occur
What does helping people and (by extension) organizations to “heal” have to do with effective leadership? What is the role of a leader in addressing the “daily paper cuts” of organizational life with their associates, themselves, and the overall integrity of their organization?
This workshop will help participants:
Identify sources of stressors and concerns
Identify strategies in addressing stressors and concerns
Identify and list specific practices that can be developed and used to enhance and strengthen individual and organizational resilience
As women, we constantly hear that we can’t take care of others until we take care of ourselves. Facilitators for this retreat will arm you with tools and techniques to help make self-care a priority in your life.
The LJC Signature Class of 2023 wrapped their opening retreat and are off and running. Thank you to Bargersville Wellness and Mutual Savings Bank for sponsoring the opening retreat, Spotlight Strategies for sponsoring the class polo shirts, and First Merchants Charitable Foundation and Johnson Gray & Johnson for sponsoring the community projects.
Family: John and I and 3 kids, Erin (U of Indy grad school), Dylan (Purdue) and Liam (FCHS senior).
What is Innovative in Your Field of Work? We strive to utilize the same advanced technology in diagnostics and treatments as human medicine.
Hobbies and Interests Outside of Work: Usually hiking/camping/exploring National Parks - trying to check off all of the National Parks in the 48. Home improvement/restoration projects (house is 1903 farmhouse) - frequent flyer at Madison Street Salvage
So, Jennifer, What’s Your Story? I was born and raised in Franklin near Webb. In elementary school, I decided I was going to have a vet clinic across 44 from the Hillview Country Club old pool. I went to Purdue for undergrad and vet school and then spent two years in Pennsylvania while my husband was a dairy cattle vet. We moved back to Franklin to start a family so my mom could babysit. We then purchased the mobile equine practice from Dr. Stringer and then we built the small animal clinic near my grade school prediction. Hillview Veterinary Clinic has now been open for 19 years.
What’s Your Superpower? Repairing things with power tools (live and inanimate).
Christina Paris
Accounting Manager
Family:- Husband- Brandon, Kids- Brianna, Carson and Durrani
What is Your Favorite LJC moment or Lesson to Date? Getting out of your comfort zone can help you connect with amazing people
Hobbies and Interests: I love to run, read, hike, kayak and boating
Something on Your Bucket List: I want to hike into the Grand Canyon and see the Havasupai Falls
When Have You Been Most Satisfied in Your Life? I believe in this current period I am the most satisfied. I love my job and the people I work with. I have an amazing husband and the best kids. I am finally in a place that I am not in school nor do I have to work a second job and it feels amazing to just be able to enjoy life
Bryan Lane
NSK Precision America (Assistant Quality Manager)
Family: Tyra Lane, wife.
What is Your Favorite LJC Moment or Lesson to Date? My favorite moment was the tinker toys, being blindfolded and not being able to talk makes you have to really listen and work as a team. It also highlighted the importance of teamwork as well as demonstrated finding and building on others' strengths within the group.
Tell me about a significant project or accomplishment in your career. I have developed many programs using .sql databases and Microsoft access that are used throughout the plant on a daily basis, Some examples include: 1. Paperless log sheets used to record checks and measurements on our shop floor. 2. Training database that we use to track training, print training sheets, etc. 3. Production database which is used to track efficiency. 4. New part setup database, 5. Supplier document tracking database, and many more.
So, Bryan, What’s Your Story? I was born and raised on the south side of Indianapolis. Went to Roncalli High School. During the summer, I went to Culver summer schools (eight summers as a camper and three as a counselor). Went to Purdue University. Studied abroad in China. I was hired by NSK out of college.
Terri Helmsing
Mutual Savings Bank (15 years), Commercial Loan and Credit Administrative Assistant
Family: Jason Helmsing, wife; Ethan Helmsing (9), son.
Number One Skill You Practice That Makes You Successful? Teamwork! In my job, I am part of a team and I take my role in the team very seriously. If I don't do my job effectively, it absolutely affects the team directly. I often say, "I don't want to be the reason a goal isn't achieved." That may involve going that extra mile or thinking outside of the box, but in the end, I want to know that I gave my team 100 percent. Because of this, I feel that my team appreciates and supports me and that they want me to be a part of their team.
If You Could Appear on One Game Show, What Would you Choose and Why? Easy, Supermarket Sweep! If you ever get on this game show, I am your teammate. I know exactly what to get during the sweep at the end to win! I have really just been waiting for this moment.
What is One Word You Would Use to Describe Yourself? Genuine. A previous coworker used this word to describe me in a team-building exercise and it meant so much to me. Honesty is very important to me and I think being a genuine and honest person can speak volumes as to the type of person that you are.
LJC Board Hosts Annual Retreat
The LJC Board held its annual planning retreat at Victory Christian Church. They practice what we teach by also participating in icebreaker activities! We have an amazing group of leaders at the helm of our organization. We appreciate each one of our dedicated board members.
