Dan Michael – Director

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Dan Michael is the current CFO for Equity Investment Group and Finback Investment Partners, a diversified family office investment company, where he has served in a similar role for many of its affiliates and portfolio companies.

He has over 15 years of financial accounting experience across funds and large accounting firms.

Prior to joining Finback, Dan was the Head of Finance and Accounting for Blue Vista Capital Management, a private equity investment firm with more than $1 billion in AUM, and Vice President of Finance for the parent of its affiliate, Peak Campus Companies, one the largest student housing companies in the country.  Earlier in his career, Dan was a senior accounting professional with Ernst & Young’s Assurance and Advisory Division.

He holds an MBA from Indiana University and a BS from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Amos Norman – Director

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Amos is the CEO of “A Norman Perspective LLC”, a business he launched in 2022. While representative of the work he has done in other capacities, this business venture has allowed him to put into action his passion and experience in leadership and organizational development. He works to approach multifaceted issues with a strategic mindset. A Norman Perspective offers Executive Level coaching, strategy planning, staff engagement strategies, youth leadership development and organizational training.

Amos Norman has over 20 years of leadership experience that involves a wide variety of positions and nationally established organizations. He was an Executive level staff with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne for almost eight years. During his time, he worked as a District Executive leading several Y branch Executives in various operational and strategic capacities. He also was Director of Operations with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne for 10 years. Amos’ leadership experience includes community based service such as the City of Fort Wayne’s Planning Commision, Schwab Foundation, and Fort Wayne Trails, to name a few.

Amos received his Bachelors of Social Work from the University of St. Francis and his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Development from PFW.  He infuses this education with his charisma and God-given talents in everything he does.  He is a coveted leader in our community that continues to be a mentor to countless young people he interacts with on a daily basis.

Heather Herron – Director

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Heather Herron joined the Sweetwater team in May of 2018. Prior to that, Heather spent 17 years as the evening anchor at Fort Wayne’s CBS affiliate, WANE-TV. Her broadcasting career began in 1990 and she worked at several radio and television stations in Indiana and Michigan as a reporter, producer, and news anchor.

She holds a B.S. in Telecommunications from Ball State University. Her work as a journalist has resulted in several awards, including a Regional Emmy. Heather’s role at Sweetwater capitalizes on her extensive knowledge of media and public relations. She works closely with other members of the Executive Team to showcase the growth of Sweetwater, improve community involvement and engagement, and continue the philanthropic work of Sweetwater and Chuck & Lisa Surack.

Heather has been involved in numerous non-profit agencies. She’s a board member for Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana and the AWS Foundation, and is an active volunteer for the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Todd Roberts

Todd Roberts – Director

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Todd Roberts serves as the Director of People and Culture for Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne. There, he works with a team to develop a humble, hungry and smart culture throughout the forty-five stores central and northern Indiana. Before that, Todd was a teacher in the Fort Wayne Community Schools system. He taught at Northwood Middle School, New Tech Academy, Lane Middle School & Blackhawk Middle School. While at Northwood Middle School, he received multiple honors, including the FWCS Teacher of the Year, State of Indiana First Runner-up Teacher of the Year, and State of Indiana PTA Teacher of the Year. While at New Tech, the Believe in Your Business program that he led with co-teacher Beth Meneely received recognition in the Fort Wayne newspapers. Todd has been married to Kathy (Tobo) for over a decade. They have three kids, Samuel, Juliana, and Zeno.

Gary Shearer – Director

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Mr. Shearer has over 30 years of experience in the trust and investment industry of which 20 years have been with Old National Wealth Management (formerly Tower Trust Company). He earned a B.S. in Finance from Indiana University in 1986 and completed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program in 1994. Gary has been very involved in community activities over the years, having served as Board Chair for the Jorgensen Family YMCA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne,  the Mustard Seed Furniture Bank and Visit Fort Wayne. He serves as a member of the IBA Trust Committee, the Mustard Seed Furniture Bank Board Development Committee, the Endowment Fund Committee of Christ’s Community Church, the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Indianapolis.

Work History

Old National Wealth Management (formerly Tower Trust Company), 1999 to date

  • Senior Vice President, Client Advisor Manager – Old National Wealth Mgmt.
  • President & CEO – Tower Trust Company
  • Executive Vice President – Tower Financial Corp.

National City Bank/Fort Wayne National Bank/Valley American Bank, 1990 to 1999

  • Vice President, Reg. Manager of Charitable and Endow. Services – NCB
  • Vice President, Chief Investment Officer – Fort Wayne National Bank
  • Vice President, Investment Officer – Valley American Bank (So. Bend, IN)

American National Bank (Vincennes, IN), 1986 to 1990

  • Asst. Vice President, Trust Officer – American National Bank

Education

  • BS in Finance, Indiana University, 1986
  • Chartered Financial Analyst, 1994

Current Volunteer Activities

  • Visit Fort Wayne – currently serves as a member of the Board.
  • Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne, Inc. – currently serves as a member of the Board Development Committee.
  • Christ’s Community Church – currently serves as a member of the Endowment Fund Committee.
  • IBA Trust Committee – currently serves as a member of the committee, 1999 to present
  • CFA Society of Indianapolis – currently serves as a member of the Society, 1994 to present
  • CFA Institute – currently serves as a member of the Institute, 1994 to present

Previous Volunteer Activities

  • Jorgensen Family YMCA – Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Board Member
  • YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne – Metro Board, Board Member
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne – Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Board Member
  • Anthony Wayne Area Council of Boy Scouts – Board Member
  • Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra – Board Member

Other

Gary has been married to wife Laura since 1989. Two children; Parker age 27 and Amanda age 25. Born and raised in Marion, IN and has been a lifelong resident of Indiana. Enjoys spending time with family, the outdoors, fishing, water skiing, wake boarding, snow skiing, “tinkering” around the house and garage, and rooting for IU basketball/football, the Colts and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jim Johnston

M. James Johnston – Director

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Mr. Johnston has served on the Schwab Foundation board since 2007. A long-time resident of Fort Wayne with nearly 40 years of experience in the banking industry, he is the founder of Corporate & Endowment Strategy, LLC, an organization that advises community banks, endowment and trust services, and insurance-related entities on strategy initiatives and organizational development and growth. In addition to his service on the Schwab Foundation Board, Mr. Johnston also serves as the Chair of the Junior Achievement Foundation, and as a trustee on the Butler University Endowment Foundation. He is the recipient of the 1994 distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association for Community Leadership and the 2007 Butler University Butler Medal. Mr. Johnston holds a B.S. and MBA from Butler University.

As recognition for his long time support of Junior Achievement, he participated in ringing of closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on March 11 to recognize Junior Achievement‘s 100 year celebration.

Sue Ehinger – Director

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Sue recently retired from Parkview Health after more than 25 years. She served as Chief Experience Officer since 2014 and previously served as President of Parkview Hospital and Affiliates as well as the Executive Vice President and COO of Parkview Hospital. In addition, Sue served as Chief Quality Officer and CIO for the health system. Sue began her career in healthcare as a nuclear medicine technologist and then became program director for the Fort Wayne School of Radiography, a joint venture of St. Joseph Hospital and Parkview Hospital Radiography Programs. She joined Parkview in 1993, responsible for quality improvement and customer service.

The experience of Sue includes executive leadership, direction and administration of hospital operations and planning in the areas of human resources, diversity and inclusion, community health improvement, innovation and education. Sue’s passion has been and continues to be directed in humanistic interactions and the health of the community.
Sue serves on the Boards of The Rescue Mission, United Way of Allen County, Brightpoint and the Schwab Foundation.

Recent Awards/Recognitions:

  • Athena Award – Greater Fort Wayne, 2017
  • Peggy Hobbs Award – YWCA Northeast Indiana, 2015
  • HealthCare Administration Award – Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, 2014
  • Vitality Award/Wellness – McMillan Health Center, 2014
  • Individual of Integrity – Better Business Bureau, 2013
  • Community Achievement Award – IPFW Department of Public Policy, 2013

Michael Earls – Treasurer

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Michael is a member of BKD National Health Care Group, providing assurance and consulting services for not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities. He also performs audit services in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and advises on issues related to the 340B Drug Discount Program. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Indiana CPA Society and Healthcare Financial Management Association. He also serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, Inc., and the IPFW Doermer School of Business Alumni Council. Michael is a 2003 graduate of distinction from Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, with a B.S. degree in business.

Sherry Grate – Secretary

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Sherry serves as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Ambassador Enterprises and is the strategic leader of the community impact investment team.  The community impact team collaborates with strategic partners to improve quality of life and invests in initiatives that make for strong communities throughout northeast Indiana.

She served as an educator in Indiana for over 30 years in rural, suburban, and urban settings before joining the AE team in December of 2020. Sherry has diverse leadership experiences as a classroom teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction (K-12) and superintendent of schools.  As the strategic leader for community impact investing, these personal and professional experiences align well with pursuing the team’s purpose of building better community.

Sherry’s professional education includes an Education Doctoral Degree & Education Specialist Degree from Ball State University, a Master of Science in Education from IUPUI, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University.  She currently serves as a board member for the Doden Legacy Trust, Revive Home Brands, Olin B. & Desta Schwab Foundation, and the YMCA of DeKalb County.

She is passionate about continuous personal growth and enjoys coaching and inspiring others in leadership development.  Sherry is a graduate of the Ambassador Institute of Civic Engagement and Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series and is actively engaged with The Policy Circle.

Kelli_Packnett–Director

Kelli Packnett – Vice President

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Kelli Packnett is an accomplished educator and community advocate with over 15 years of experience. She currently serves as the Early Childhood Development Director for Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries in Fort Wayne, IN.  Previously, Kelli worked as an educator and instructional coach in inner-city Title I schools located in Oklahoma City, OK and Fort Wayne, IN. Packnett is also the co-owner of Opal & Ruby Gift Emporium and manages the boutique’s e-commerce and logistics. She is a proud graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma where she holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Ball State University where she earned a M.A. in Elementary Education.

 In 2016, Kelli was a recipient of Greater Fort Wayne Business People’s Forty Under 40 award.  She currently serves on the boards of Early Childhood Alliance and the Olin B. & Desta Schwab Foundation.  Other community involvement and initiatives include Junior League of Fort Wayne Sustainer and volunteer, TROY Band Together fundraising co-chair and committee member, Bridge the Gap fundraising co-chair, Carriage House Dancing with the Stars participant, and ECA Advocacy Committee Chair.