Meet our Board of Directors for 2011

President-Gabe Caldwell, CGS Services
Gabe is a 2006 graduate of Hanover College where he majored in Business and Economics. While at Hanover he also played Varsity Basketball and Varsity Tennis. He then went to work for the family business, CGS Services Inc, in Morristown, IN. He has worked as a sales representative for the past 4.5 years in their special waste division. In the past 4.5 years Gabe has also attained his MBA from the University of Indianapolis with a concentration in finance. In the past 4.5 years, he has also been an active member of the New Palestine Chamber. For the past two years, he has chaired their golf outing doubling participation and profits each year.  In 2010, he served as 1st Vice President of the Chamber and was involved heavily in the day to day operations.   
 

1st Vice President-Gary Halliburton,Progressive Hair
Gary was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 1956. He moved to Finly, Indiana in 1966 and graduated from New Palestine High School in 1974. He participated in basketball, track, Fellowship of Christian Athletics and Future Farmers of America. He worked various jobs from 1974 to 1978 including retail, manufacturing, management and maintenance. He attended and graduated from Pivot Point Cosmetology School in 1979. He worked for two locally owned hair salons. He opened Progressive Hair in 1981, which is located at US 40 and Mt. Comfort Road. He taught for Kenra and has attended various classes on business management, advertising and all types of hair styling. He joined the New Palestine Chamber in 2008 and graduated from LHC in 2010.   He is a member of Burge Terrace Baptist Church where he is active in the choir. He has an 18 year old son. He loves working in New Palestine and has a strong desire to see it thrive.

2nd Vice President-Polly Ann Fox, Edward Jones Investments
Polly has been with Edward Jones Investments for over 6 years. She chose to establish her business in New Palestine where she has become heavily involved in the community and the New Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Before joining Edward Jones, Polly’s career path began in the business and technology world as a Systems and Management Consultant where she worked for 2 different CPA firms for 12 years. She then joined Siemens where she was an Account Executive for 10 years ensuring that the business and financial portion of major health system contracts were correct and viable for both parties. 
Polly obtained her B.S in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis and obtained her AAMS accreditation shortly after joining Edward Jones Investments.
Polly enjoys water skiing, snow skiing and sports of all sorts. She and her husband, Terry, spend a great deal of time attending major league baseball games and numerous other sporting events as often as possible.

Secretary- Susan E. Connett, CPA, Senior Accountant, QuickBooks Pro-Adviser, Sprinkle CPA
Susan received her Bachelor's degree from Indiana-Purdue University and a Post-Baccalaureate in Accounting. She obtained her Certified Public Accountants license in 2007.  Her experience includes the preparation of corporate, partnership, non-profit, individual, payroll, trust and estate tax returns as well as financial statement preparation. Susan also has knowledge in auditing and financial reviews with a specialty in not-for-profit entities.  Susan has over 30 years experience in financial and client services.

Treasurer-Rebecca S. Gaines, New Palestine Press
Becky has been the Publisher of the New Palestine Press for over 8 years. She is a trained graphic artist and has created many logos for corporations throughout her 25 years in the graphic field. Before coming to the New Palestine Press, she enjoyed working in graphics in Carmel, IN. She has entertained audiences with her stand-up comedy and enjoyed performing at different establishments in the Indiana area. Becky also served as a motivational speaker for fourteen years.
She has held office for the New Palestine Chamber of Commerce and enjoys being involved in community activities. She is the Chairperson for the Beautification Committee for the Chamber and serves on the Riley Festival Board in Greenfield, Indiana.
Becky and her husband Ted have six children. Leann lives in Franklin, IN and is a 17 year English teacher at Fishers High School; Ed is a veteran of Desert Storm and works for the United States Postal Service in Colorado Springs, CO; Renee works out of Anderson in Dunkirk Indiana; Nikki lives in Connersville, IN and works with special needs adults; Dan now lives in Corpus Cristi, TX and works in marketing and graphics for a company there; Mike is also a teacher at Fishers High School and lives in the Fishers area. He is their Ladies' Varsity Basketball Coach.
Ted and Becky have five grandchildren they love very much. They enjoy riding their Harley Davidson whenever they can.
Becky currently holds the office of Treasurer. Her motto is: "It is not what your Chamber can do for you... It is what can you do for your Chamber!"

Representative-Debby Hidebrandt, New Palestine Veterinary Clinic
Debby became part of the New Palestine Business Community in March of 1982. At that time, Debby and her husband, Wes, purchased the New Palestine Veterinary Clinic. Wes was the active member of Chamber until Debby changed professions and joined him at NPVC. Throughout the years, Debby has maintained several rolls at NPVC. Today, Debby primarily acts as Practice Manager. Throughout the years, Debby served the Chamber as President and Treasurer. She also managed the kitchen at the Holiday Emporium for 10 years. Currently, Debby is a member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber with the official duty of representing the Chamber on the Board of the Hancock Economic Development Council. Debby is an active member of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, Hancock Economic Development Council, and the Auxiliary to Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. Debby is the mother of three young men and a daughter in-law. When Debby is not spending time with her family, she is boating, bicycling, cooking or walking the beaches in Venice, Florida.

Representative-Roger Holder, New Palestine United Methodist Church
Roger is a retired elementary school principal. His last 12 years of practice was at Morristown Elementary School. He spent 36 years in service to young people. He taught all subjects in grades 5 and 6 for ten years before moving into the office. During his entire adult life he has refereed high school and college athletic events in football and basketball. He was chosen for a bit part in the movie “Hoosiers.” He also has a passion for golf and music. As a member of the Praising Hims Gospel Quartet, he helped raise over $125,000 for the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund.  He and his beautiful wife, Anita, have lived in the New Palestine area since 1977. They have two children and five grandchildren. They spend lots of weekends “on the road” since their grandchildren live in Tennessee and North Carolina and visits are frequent.
Roger now is employed by New Palestine United Methodist Church as the Director of New Member Assimilation and Parish Visitation. Read his blog at www.npumccaringministry.blogspot.com.

Representative-Linda Schulenburg, Independent Distributor, Premier Designs
Linda was born and grew up in La Porte, Indiana. She has an MS in education from Butler University. For 30 years, Linda taught at Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine. She retired in 2008, then served as an interim assistant principal at Zion in 2009-2010. In 2001, Linda began as an Independent Distributor with Premier Designs and continues in that service. She loves giving away free jewelry and teaching others how to have a successful home-based business. 
In 1970, Linda married Carl Schulenburg. After marriage, they lived and taught school in Addison, Illinois until moving back to Indiana in 1976. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Adviser-Penney J Weiler, Banking Center Manager, Ameriana Bank
Penney has worked for Ameriana Bank for 14 years. She worked in many different locations for Ameriana before being promoted to manager and ‘coming home’ to New Palestine in the summer of 2007. 
Prior to banking, Penney worked as a project engineer for an aerospace company for 10 years.  She also owned and operated a day care to be able to stay home with her two boys.
Penney has been involved with the Chamber in the community where she worked, including, New Castle, McCordsville and Greenfield. She was very pleased to be able to come to New Palestine for work, as she loves being active in her home town. Most recently, she served as President of the New Palestine Area Chamber for 2009 and 2010.
Other community commitments include: volunteering for the High School and Middle School groups of Campus Life and currently
holding the position of President with Leadership Hancock County, serving on the Board for her 3rd year.

Office Coordinator-Caralee Griffith, New Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce
Caralee is the Chamber's first employee at their new office in the New Palestine Town Hall.  She is a graduate of New Palestine High School and received a BA in Psychology at Indiana University, Bloomington.  Since then, she has worked in the mental health field in Indiana and Texas.  She worked for the State of Indiana as a Claims Adjudicator for Social Security Disability prior to having her son.  She proudly stayed at home with Alex until he began school in the fall of 2010.  Her hobbies include scrapbooking and making handmade cards.  She is delighted to be able to work back home in New Palestine!