Our Mission
Empowering leaders through education and connections, cultivating growth in our community.
Our Vision
Leadership Hancock County will guide the path of leaders who strive to be advocates of growth, driving our community forward.
How We Began
In January 1994, Nancy King, Hancock County Home Economist met with Thomas Seng, CEO of Central Indiana Power, to discuss forming a leadership organization in Hancock County.
Together, Nancy and Thomas, along with Thomas P. Miller and Bobby Keen, helped to form the initial Leadership Hancock County steering committee.
The initial steering committee included: Thomas Miller, Steve Vail, Bobby Keen, Judy Crist, Bill Riggs, Karin Blue, Linda Bond, Marcia Parker, Thomas Seng, Nancy King, Gene Behler, Tim Raun, Debbie Clause, Gary Newman and Mike Burrow. They met several times to formally establish Leadership Hancock County. This committee shared the vision and volunteered to do the tough work to get the organization started.
Leadership Hancock County was formed as a 501 C (3) non-profit organization thanks to Karin Blue and Mike Burrow and has grown with everyone’s hard work to become a real asset to the community by providing leadership skills to nearly 25 people every year.
Some of the early projects included:
- Education about duties of elected officials
- Citizens against domestic violence awareness campaign
- Public information access - Virtual courthouse
- Hancock County flag design - Now used by the Hancock County Community Foundation
Leadership Hancock County has continued to grow and develop leaders in our community through classes, training, projects and more.
Nancy King
Life and Career
Nancy King graduated from Warrensburg High School, Missouri, and earned a B.S. in Foods and Nutrition from Central Missouri State in Dietetics. She earned a Masters of Allied Health Education from IUPUI. She formerly worked as a dietician for the Warrensburg Nursing and Medical Center and for the Indiana School for the Deaf. Nancy also worked as an educator for the Purdue Extension of Hancock County before retiring in 2003. She was a member of the Greenfield Christian Church.
Nancy was critical to the beginning of Leadership Hancock County. She met with Thomas Seng, CEO of Central Indiana Power, and they realized there were no leadership organizations in our community. Nancy immediately led the charge to convene other leaders in our community, Bobby Keen and Thomas P. Miller. Together, the four of them created a steering committee to discuss how to begin such an organization and Leadership Hancock County was formed.
Nancy was a member of the Indiana Extension Agents Association and the Hancock County Extension Representatives for 23 years. She established and maintained various organizations including The Alliance for Community Education, the Hancock County Library, the Greenfield Christian Women’s Club, the Hancock County Red Cross Chapter, the Hancock County Food Pantry, the Hancock County 4H Queen Pageant, the Hancock County Mental Health Association, and Leadership Hancock County. She was a member of the Indiana State Fair Queen Committee for 12 years and co-owned “Laugh and Learn Presentations.” Nancy was also a member of the U&I Hancock County Extension Homemakers and was current President of the HRH Volunteer Guild and served on the Hancock Hospital Foundation Board.
Nancy performed 25 years of service for the Indiana Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and 24 years of service for Epsilon Sigma Phi National Honorary Extension Fraternity. She was a member of the AAFCS Extension Section, a member of Senior Services, and a member of the Greenfield Kiwanis Club. Nancy also judged foods for county and state fairs.
Nancy earned many awards over her life including the 2003 State of Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the Community Service Award for the Greater Greenfield Chamber of Commerce, the 2003 Lorraine Caldwell Award of Career Excellence, and the Set a Good Example Foundation 2008 Todd Kaminski Community Award. She was also awarded the Paul B. Crooks Distinguished Extension Agent Award, the 2003 IEEA Career Award, and the National Association of Extension Home Economists for Continued Excellence Award of at least 12 years of service.
The Leadership Hancock County Board offers a class scholarship in Nancy's honor.
