Invest Hamilton County

Life in Hamilton County 

July Featured Leader
July 21, 2022

 

SUE MAKI

Hamilton County Council

Q: What brought you to Hamilton County?

A: I was working for Aetna Insurance as an Underwriter in their Cleveland OH office.  They were closing that office and offered me a position in Indianapolis. That was in 1988.  My husband was working for EDS, and he was able to transfer with them.  We visited here, loved it, and made the move.  A lot has changed since then!  I loved it then, I love it now.

Q: You’ve served Hamilton county in many different roles, including your current role with County Council, Tourism Commission, Solid Waste Management District Board and Rotary Club of Carmel. Why do you feel drawn to serve our community?

A: People and having a sense of place draws me to community service.  I get my energy being around people and people who enjoy serving their community are the best people to be around!   I also like to feel connected to my community and volunteering is a great way to do that.

Q: What is the Council’s biggest accomplishment in the past year?

A: There are two things that come to mind.  The first is the administration of the American Rescue Plan Act funds.  Hamilton County received approximately $65 million dollars.  We invested that money in County drainage and other infrastructure projects as well as implemented a Non-Profit and Business grant program.   The second thing that some members of Council spearheaded was the efficiency studies lead by KPMG of the various County Departments.  This is a needed step in ensuring the operations of our County government will be able to meet the needs of our growing County.

Q: What are some of the short- and long-term goals of the Council?

A: The short-term goal is to weather the potential of an upcoming recession while finishing projects that are underway or soon to be underway.   The long-term goal is to prepare our County for the growth that will continue.  We need proactive infrastructure investments: Roads; Water Services; etc. so that the growth can happen and keeping our County a desirable place to live and work.

Q: Outside of your service to Hamilton County, your family hosts several exchange students. What have you learned from them?

A: The world is a small place and different cultures, nationalities and faiths have more in common than we realize.

Q: What is your advice to a young person in Hamilton County who would like to grow their leadership skills?

A: Raise your hand and volunteer for something that excites you.   There is no better way to develop leadership skills that working with others to reach a goal.