Gene Thompson is seeking reelection as the representative for County Council District 1 on the Boone County Council. District 1 covers the southeast area of Eagle Township, which includes most of Zionsville’s population. He and his wife Nancy are active members of the Zionsville Presbyterian Church and he is a past president and a current board member of the Zionsville Lion’s Club. Now completing his first four-year term with 100 percent attendance, Thompson has gained considerable governmental accounting knowledge as to how local budgets and funding impact spending decision.
Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and his master’s in Financial Services from the American College. His career focus has been in both the financial counseling and retirement planning fields. As a successful small business owner, he administered a deferred compensation retirement benefit, serving over 30,000 Indiana public employees. Under his leadership and guidance, more than $500 million dollars accrued in members’ accounts. Governor Evan Bayh recognized Thompson’s accomplishments by awarding him the Sagamore of the Wabash.
Now in retirement, Thompson devotes his time to his family and his community. He and his wife Nancy and their four children moved to the Zionsville area in 1992. He is an active member of the Zionsville Presbyterian Church and is a past President and a current Board member of the Zionsville Lion’s Club.
Thompson served on the Boone County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals from 2007 to 2009 and was active in the Guardian Ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate program representing young children through the court system. In an effort to help reform local government structure, Thompson served as Chairman of the Eagle Township, Union Township and Town of Zionsville Reorganization Study Committee. His committee’s recommendations were overwhelmingly approved by voters, which resulted in consolidating the two townships with the Town of Zionsville. In recognition of Thompson’s work on this project, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed him a Distinguished Hoosier.
In 2008, Thompson worked as Boone County Coordinator for Governor Daniels reelection effort. He also was appointed by Governor Daniels to serve on the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority. In November, 2010, the Zionsville voters elected Thompson to a four year term as their Boone County Councilman.
Thompson has applied his extensive business background and analytical skills to help the County Council evaluate and act on the merits of proposed expenditures. Now completing his first four-year term with 100% attendance, Thompson has gained considerable governmental accounting knowledge as to how local budgets and funding impact spending decisions. Despite reduced revenues and the burden of a prolonged recession, Thompson has assisted the County in providing cost effective services while at the same time retaining a solid financial statement.
As County Councilman, Thompson plans to continue his regular visits with school officials, County Commissioners and Zionsville Town Council members to facilitate more informed and responsive decisions on services and taxes. During the four years Thompson has served, he has sought to represent citizens responsibly by asking relevant questions about expenditures. His intent is to help determine whether the County has sufficient funds and also to evaluate if any proposed outlay is both important and necessary before voting to spend the “peoples’ money.”
