Talk of the Town - Whitley County

(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Above, from left, Leadership Whitley County director Kelley Sheiss presents the 2011 Excellence in Servant Leadership Award to community volunteer Carrie Hoffman. The award is presented annually during Excellence in Servant Leadership Week in Whitley County. Below, Hoffman is visibly moved by the recognition for her quiet, yet powerful volunteer efforts. To the left, one of her nominators, Sherry Sausaman, applauds her.

By Jennifer Zartman Romano

Last evening, a woman with a bubbly personality and the golden heart of a servant leader was honored for her commitment to serving the best interests of Whitley County.
South Whitley resident Carrie Hoffman was honored with the 2011 Excellence in Servant Leadership Award, an award that seeks to recognize the strong, often silent leaders in the community who put their minds to great things and make them happen.
Nominations are collected each year in March and a panel of three judges makes the determination. This year's judges included Tonya Warner of South Whitley, Shawn Oldfather of Columbia City and Angie Miller of Huntington County.
Among the pool of worthy candidates considered for this year's award, one nominee quickly rose to the top of everyone's list based on the glowing recommendations from those who nominated her, John Black and Sherry Sausaman. Sausaman was the 2010 recipient of the same award.
"What a perfect example of using what she learned in LWC and applying it for meaningful and productive results in improving our communities," wrote John Black. "I have watched her grow, sharpening her skills and talents in the past year."
"Carrie could be a 'poster child example' of the servant leader for Whitley County," Black continued. "She is genuine in her approach and has an inner belief that she wants to make change happen for the best."
"She does what she always does, put on a smile and did what needed to be done," read Sherry Sausaman's nomination for Hoffman, counting the ways Hoffman had come forth and taken active roles in both the Whitley County United Way and the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce over the past year. Hoffman serves on the Chamber board and as a Chamber Ambassador within the community. She has been responsible for planning the fashion show at the Whitley County EXPO for the past two years and has been an integral part of the event's planning committee.
Additionally, for the past two years, Hoffman has served as the campaign chair for the United Way, helping to raise thousands of dollars for numerous non-profit agencies in Whitley County.
"Carrie has worked tirelessly this past year for the United Way and Chamber of Commerce," wrote Sausaman. "It is evident by her participation in both of these organizations the has strong belief that communities are built both by businesses and community members in Whitley County. This vision of community is demonstrated not only by the work that she does to help promote both of these organizations, but it is displayed across her face with a proud smile, knowing that the people of Whitley County need United Way funds in order to provide the best services for the citizens so that they can patronize and contribute to our businesses' prosperity."
Hoffman was visibly moved by the presentation of the award and the cheers from LWC alumni in her recognition.
This morning, several friends commented on the award presentation saying, "I can't think of a more deserving person." Another wrote, "She is a star leader!" Still another commented, "Carrie - you are the true example of servant leadership!"
"I look at the people who've won in the past and they've done amazing things -- and then here's little Carrie Hoffman," Hoffman said this morning after the realities of last evening's award had settled in a bit. "I just have a passion for Whitley County and have decided to raise my family here. I don't want to sit back and watch -- I want to make things happen."
"I am still floored by this," added Hoffman in disbelief.
Hoffman is director of corporate development with Indiana Wesleyan University. She and her husband, Marcus, have two young sons, Aiden and Logan. She is a graduate of Anderson University and is currently studying at Indiana Wesleyan University. A native of Alexandria, Indiana, the Hoffman family moved to Whitley County just three years ago.
The Excellence in Servant Leadership Award was presented during the 10th anniversary celebration for Leadership Whitley County last evening. Ironically, the evening's theme was bubbles -- a great theme considering Hoffman's effervescent personality.
Previous Excellence in Servant Leadership award recipients have included Micropulse, June Keiser and Jacie Worrick of J&J Insurance, David Smith and Sherry Sausaman.