Thomas E. Pearson is a professor of Corporate Analysis and Strategic Planning with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Dr. Pearson has been actively involved in the hospitality industries since 1967. He had over 13 years of general management experience before taking faculty positions. He has over 30 years of academic administration experience, as well as in teaching and research roles. He has provided continual consulting and advisory assistance to restaurant and hotel companies, colleges and universities, hospitality-related associations, hospitals and other health care providers, and government units—city, state and national units in 37 states, extensively in the Far East, and in both Western and Eastern Europe. Projects have involved corporate planning, operations analysis, and the development of new facilities. He has been a featured speaker for nearly all major food-related associations in the U.S. He also has served directly on a variety of boards of Directors, including as President of a national research association, and Chairman of a hospital corporation (Approximately $150M in size) and Chairman of another health care services corporation (approximately $300M in size).
David W. Luhman, Vice-President (member since 2003)
David W. Luhman is president of the law firm of Hoffman, Luhman & Masson, PC in Lafayette, Indiana. A graduate of Purdue University (B.S. Bus. Econ. 1973) and Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis (J.D. Cum Laude 1977), he has practiced law for more than 32 years, primarily in the areas of municipal law, insolvency and creditor’s rights, insurance subrogation and defense and estate planning and administration. He has represented various Tippecanoe County departments and boards for over 20 years, and has served as Tippecanoe County Attorney since 1997. He is President of Central Presbyterian Foundation of Lafayette, Inc, Past President and Board Member of Lafayette Rotary Foundation, Inc., and Vice-President of Westminster Village-West Lafayette, Inc.
Robert N. Woerner, Treasurer (member since 2009)
Robert N. Woerner graduated from Purdue University with a BSEE degree in 1946. Immediately upon graduation, he joined the business staff of Purdue where he held various positions including Budget Officer for the School of Engineering and Assistant Controller. From 1960 to 1971, he was the Business Manager and Treasurer of the Midwest Program on Airborne Television, an experimental program based on the Purdue campus.
From 1971 to 1974, he worked as a public school business officer. In 1974, he became Controller of the National Congress of Parent and Teachers in Chicago. In 1980, he was promoted to Executive Director of that organization where he served until he retired in 1990. Robert has been a resident of Westminster Village since 2000.
Marilyn Whitsel, Secretary (member since 2007)
Marilyn House Whitsel graduated from Purdue University with a BS degree in 1952. She was employed with Lafayette Life Insurance Company for four years. In 1955 she married Robert Whitsel and became a full-time housewife, mother and volunteer. She has served on many community boards to include: YWCA, Home Hospital Auxiliary, Kathryn Weil Health Center, Lafayette Adult Reading Academy, and Purdue Alumni Association. She also served as elder and Trustee for Central Presbyterian Church. Marilyn has been a resident of Westminster Village since 2005.
James S. Almond (member since 2011)
Jim Almond joined Purdue in 1983 as a project administrator in the Office of Contract and Grant Business Affairs. He held managerial roles in accounting services and human resources before becoming assistant director of investments in 1992, assistant comptroller in 1995, and comptroller a year later. He was promoted to vice president for business services and assistant treasurer in 1998, and served as the interim executive vice president for business and finance, treasurer from November 2008 to June 2009. In July 2009 he was promoted to Senior Vice President for Business Services and Assistant Treasurer.
In his current role, Almond is responsible for business support functions that include the following areas: business management, comptroller, procurement services, budget and fiscal planning, treasury operations, sponsored program services, housing and food services, investments and oversight of the regional campus business operations.
Jim Almond is a native of Fort Wayne, IN, and received his bachelor's and master's of business administration degrees from Indiana University in 1983 and 1987 and is a CFA Charterholder.
Martha O. Chiscon (member since 2009)
Martha O. Chiscon, an Emerita Professor of Biological Sciences, retired from Purdue University West Lafayette in 2000 after a 36-year career in teaching, administration and research. She was Professor of Biological Sciences, Associate Dean of the College of Science and Faculty Athletic Representative to the Big Ten Conference and NCAA. She has been recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching locally, statewide and nationally, has been named a Pioneer Women of Purdue, a YWCA Salute to Women Awardee and an Indiana Salute to Women Torchbearer Awardee among others. Along with her husband she has been a resident of Westminster Village West Lafayette since March of 2007 and was elected to the Board of Directors in August of 2009.
Steven Habben (member since 2008)
Steven Habben is the President/CEO of Kettelhut Construction, Inc., where he has been employed for the past 24 years. As president, he is in charge of construction operations which include project procurement, estimating, contract negotiations, subcontractor relations and construction controls. He also is involved with union labor negotiations, company financial planning, bidding schedules and daily office operations. He has managed Kettelhut Construction, Inc., medical facility projects at Lafayette Home Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Clarian/Arnett for the past 15 years.
Mr. Habben is a 1984 graduate of Purdue University’s Building Construction Management Program, with continued training and educational opportunities in the fields of safety, scheduling and management techniques. He serves as a member of the Purdue University Diversity Council, Indiana Subcontractor Association Membership Committee, and Indiana Construction Association Labor Relations Committee. He also serves as the Management Trustee representative for Carpenters 215 and is President of the Associated Building Contractors of Lafayette.
Jolene K. Miller (member since 2005)
Jolene K. Miller is the Dean, School of Health Sciences, at Ivy Tech Community College. Ivy Tech is a statewide two-year public college, which offers associate degrees and certificates, and Ms. Miller is located at the Lafayette campus. Ms. Miller provides academic leadership for eight degrees-granting programs which prepare entry-level health care professionals in fields such as nursing, respiratory care, and health information technology. She has been at Ivy Tech for 28 years, serving as a faculty member in Respiratory Care before becoming the Dean of the School of Health Sciences in 1990. Ms. Miller is also a board member of the Commission for Accreditation of Respiratory Care and a member of the Disaster Services Steering Committee for the Tippecanoe County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Peter Neisel (member since 2011)
Pete Neisel was raised in South America, graduated from Colgate University, and served two years in German with the 3rd Armored Division. Twenty-two years were spent in Rochester, NY working with Xerox, Friden (Singer Corp.) and Sentry Safe. In 1984 he moved to Lafayette and became president and CEO of Schwab Safe Co., purchasing Schwab in 1989. Pete has served on boards of United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lafayette, Humane Society, and Big Brothers. He has also served as director of Lafayette Savings Bank for 19 years. After retirement in 2002, Pete volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Advocate) for 8 years.
Harry Hirschl, Ex-Officio Resident Council Liaison *
Currently a resident of Westminster Village
*Note: This position changes hands in January of each year.
Thomas E. Pearson is a professor of Corporate Analysis and Strategic Planning with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
David W. Luhman is president of the law firm of Hoffman, Luhman & Masson, PC in Lafayette, Indiana. A graduate of Purdue University (B.S. Bus. Econ. 1973) and Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis (J.D. Cum Laude 1977), he has practiced law for more than 32 years, primarily in the areas of municipal law, insolvency and creditor’s rights, insurance subrogation and defense and estate planning and administration. He has represented various Tippecanoe County departments and boards for over 20 years, and has served as Tippecanoe County Attorney since 1997. He is President of Central Presbyterian Foundation of Lafayette, Inc, Past President and Board Member of Lafayette Rotary Foundation, Inc., and Vice-President of Westminster Village-West Lafayette, Inc.
Robert N. Woerner graduated from Purdue University with a BSEE degree in 1946. Immediately upon graduation, he joined the business staff of Purdue where he held various positions including Budget Officer for the School of Engineering and Assistant Controller. From 1960 to 1971, he was the Business Manager and Treasurer of the Midwest Program on Airborne Television, an experimental program based on the Purdue campus.
Marilyn House Whitsel graduated from Purdue University with a BS degree in 1952. She was employed with Lafayette Life Insurance Company for four years. In 1955 she married Robert Whitsel and became a full-time housewife, mother and volunteer. She has served on many community boards to include: YWCA, Home Hospital Auxiliary, Kathryn Weil Health Center, Lafayette Adult Reading Academy, and Purdue Alumni Association. She also served as elder and Trustee for Central Presbyterian Church. Marilyn has been a resident of Westminster Village since 2005.
Martha O. Chiscon, an Emerita Professor of Biological Sciences, retired from Purdue University West Lafayette in 2000 after a 36-year career in teaching, administration and research. She was Professor of Biological Sciences, Associate Dean of the College of Science and Faculty Athletic Representative to the Big Ten Conference and NCAA. She has been recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching locally, statewide and nationally, has been named a Pioneer Women of Purdue, a YWCA Salute to Women Awardee and an Indiana Salute to Women Torchbearer Awardee among others. Along with her husband she has been a resident of Westminster Village West Lafayette since March of 2007 and was elected to the Board of Directors in August of 2009.
Steven Habben is the President/CEO of Kettelhut Construction, Inc., where he has been employed for the past 24 years. As president, he is in charge of construction operations which include project procurement, estimating, contract negotiations, subcontractor relations and construction controls. He also is involved with union labor negotiations, company financial planning, bidding schedules and daily office operations. He has managed Kettelhut Construction, Inc., medical facility projects at Lafayette Home Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Clarian/Arnett for the past 15 years.
Jolene K. Miller is the Dean, School of Health Sciences, at Ivy Tech Community College. Ivy Tech is a statewide two-year public college, which offers associate degrees and certificates, and Ms. Miller is located at the Lafayette campus. Ms. Miller provides academic leadership for eight degrees-granting programs which prepare entry-level health care professionals in fields such as nursing, respiratory care, and health information technology. She has been at Ivy Tech for 28 years, serving as a faculty member in Respiratory Care before becoming the Dean of the School of Health Sciences in 1990. Ms. Miller is also a board member of the Commission for Accreditation of Respiratory Care and a member of the Disaster Services Steering Committee for the Tippecanoe County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Pete Neisel was raised in South America, graduated from Colgate University, and served two years in German with the 3rd Armored Division. Twenty-two years were spent in Rochester, NY working with Xerox, Friden (Singer Corp.) and Sentry Safe. In 1984 he moved to Lafayette and became president and CEO of Schwab Safe Co., purchasing Schwab in 1989. Pete has served on boards of United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lafayette, Humane Society, and Big Brothers. He has also served as director of Lafayette Savings Bank for 19 years. After retirement in 2002, Pete volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Advocate) for 8 years.
