Muncie Native Awarded Angel of the Battlefield Award
Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Hardebeck, a native of Muncie, Indiana, and 2006 graduate of then Muncie Southside High School, recently received the 2024 Angel of the Battlefield Award – saying “It is an incredible honor to be selected for this prestigious award for my actions on Christmas Day 2023 in Iraq.” The Award pays tribute to military medical personnel and first responders for their life-saving medical treatment and trauma care of service members, partner forces and civilians at home and abroad. “I learned general personality characteristics from my parents and from participating in organized public school sports,” said Hardebeck. “I will always send a shoutout to my wonderful mother, who has always been a rock and staple in my life,” added Hardebeck. “To shout my adoration and appreciation for her from the mountaintops is still not enough.”
A Muncie Furniture store, American Freight, is included in 328 locations in dozens of states as a part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings by its parent company, Franchise Group Inc, from USA Today. The filing includes The Vitamin Shoppe and Buddy’s Home Furnishings, but they will remain in business. Franchise Group Inc. said that they are closing American Freight due to, “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges facing the large durable goods sector,” in a news release announcing the filing. The location at 4201 N Old State Rd 3 in Muncie, Lafayette, and 10 other Indiana locations. Will close, according the USA Today.
It starts Monday at the Innovation Connector – sign up, says Ted Baker…
Program Director Natalie Smith was in there too – hear all about it Saturday morning right at 9:00 a.m. on WMUN Radio.
Saturday will be a Coaches Corner broadcast day on WMUN, live from Crestview / Mulligans lounge on the southside of Muncie. High school sports always in focus.
In what’s called in a release “Promotions and Leadership Changes to Drive Future Growth,” Minnetrista has moved some duties and titles. As part of a comprehensive museum-wide restructuring, Minnetrista is excited to announce a series of pivotal promotions and leadership updates. These changes underscore our commitment to improving community engagement, fostering innovation, and applying equitable management practices, while positioning us for sustained growth and impact.
The revamped leadership team is integrating seamlessly with our current leaders—Brian Statz, President and CEO; Lindsey Horan, Chief Operating Officer (formerly Vice President of Community Engagement); James Mitchell, Senior Director of Administration (formerly Director of HR and Employee Experience); and Tania Said, Vice President of Exhibitions & Programs—to drive our strategic vision forward.
Through thoughtful reorganization, we accomplished these promotions while maintaining our existing personnel budget. Brea Cunningham has been promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications. Since joining Minnetrista in November 2023 as Associate Director of Communications, Brea has played a crucial role in refining our communications strategies. In her elevated position, she will further enhance Minnetrista’s impact as a key resource for Muncie. Brea’s focus includes driving community engagement, executing strategic outreach, and spearheading innovative marketing initiatives. Her vision is to inspire and engage our community through creative communication. By amplifying our storytelling and leveraging multi-channel marketing, Brea aims to deepen audience connections and broaden our reach.
James Edwards has been promoted to Director of Horticulture. Since beginning his journey at Minnetrista as a Gardener in 2016, James has demonstrated exceptional dedication to public horticulture and the stewardship of our gardens and natural areas. In his new role, he will strengthen Minnetrista’s presence as a vibrant public garden, creating beautiful and inviting spaces that promote biodiversity and environmental stewardship. James is passionate about deepening our community’s connection with the natural world, and his leadership will be key in expanding access to public horticulture and advancing sustainable practices.
Randy Gowin has been promoted to Director of Maintenance. He began working part-time in April 1990 and transitioned to a full-time role later that same year. Since then, he has been an essential contributor at Minnetrista. In his new role, Randy will
oversee the safety, security, and efficiency of our facilities, handling critical infrastructure tasks such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, and security. His dedication to solving daily challenges and ensuring a well-maintained environment is essential for both staff and visitors.
Lindsey Horan has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Formerly the Vice President of Community Engagement, Lindsey has been key in advancing our fundraising efforts, overseeing the Development and Communications departments. In her new role as COO, Lindsey will broaden her scope to include oversight of Minnetrista’s operational functions and strategic initiatives, ensuring seamless coordination across the organization. Lindsey’s leadership will be crucial in driving organizational excellence and guiding Minnetrista toward sustained growth and impact while continuing to strengthen our service and engagement with the community.
Olaf Larson has been promoted to Director of Grounds & Facilities. Olaf began his career at Minnetrista as a summer seasonal gardener in 2004 and returned in the fall of 2005 as a full-time gardener. After a brief period as Facilities Supervisor, Olaf resumed his passion for outdoor work and was promoted to Grounds Manager in 2018. In his new role, Olaf will lead both Facilities and Grounds, creating a more streamlined approach to maintaining and improving our campus. Olaf values the diversity and seasonality of his work and the collaborative spirit at Minnetrista. His goal is to ensure that Minnetrista continues to thrive and bring joy to both employees and guests through expertly managed facilities and beautifully maintained grounds.
James Mitchell has been promoted to Senior Director of Administration, transitioning from his previous role as Director of HR and Employee Experience. In this expanded capacity, James will oversee a broader range of administrative functions, including the introduction of a new part-time Volunteer Specialist. This role is designed to further bolster both employee experience and organizational efficiency at Minnetrista. James’s promotion highlights his vital contribution to shaping our organizational culture and implementing strategic administrative initiatives.
Jennifer Parks-Strack has been promoted to Director of Development. Jennifer began her career at Minnetrista as Patron Relationship Coordinator in November 2020 and was promoted to Associate Director of Development in October 2021. Jennifer is passionate about building strong community support and fostering meaningful donor relationships. She treasures the opportunity to connect with Minnetrista’s generous supporters and is committed to creating a more accessible and affordable museum experience for all. Jennifer is dedicated to advancing our mission with renewed enthusiasm, working to ensure that Minnetrista remains a vibrant and inclusive community resource.
President and CEO Brian Statz emphasizes the significance of these promotions and the integration
of experts into our leadership team. “By placing professionals who excel in their respective fields at the leadership table, we are establishing a management system rooted in equity and skill. This approach ensures that Minnetrista remains a leader in community engagement and organizational excellence, guided by a team that embodies our values and vision. Mindful of our fiscal responsibility and obligations to our funders and community, I am proud that we were able to reorganize without
increasing expenses.”
As Minnetrista moves forward with these strategic updates, we are poised to build on our rich history
and strengthen our role as a cultural hub. We are committed to continuing our tradition of excellence
and innovation, ensuring that our museum and gardens remain a welcoming and inspiring
destination for all. Stay tuned for exciting developments and new initiatives that will further our
mission of connecting people and enriching our community.
I made him talk about this on WMUN yesterday morning…
Jud Fisher tells me they did not film their latest episode at Prairie Creek.
As reported recently, another round of grants and funding announced by the Ball Brothers Foundation…
CEO Jud Fisher on WMUN’s Delaware County Today talking about one of the many recipients…
Highway project news…
Pacers on Radio tomorrow night – 6:30 p.m. Pregame on WMUN – high school football continues on Oldies 101.
