Meet the new president and vice president of Zionsville’s Town Council
By Dawn Pearson
It’s business as usual as 2015 gets underway for the new leaders of the Zionsville Town Council, even as they wait for a state ruling that could impact their future direction and roles.
But for Town Council President Steve Mundy and Vice President Susana Suarez, both appointed at the January council meeting, the new year brings a fresh opportunity to continue to focus on the economic health of Main Street, which is a top priority on the council’s agenda. Suarez said the Council is ready to actively partner with local businesses to ensure continued economic success.
“The biggest effort we can make is to support and enhance our businesses, to drive those opportunities in the marketing study and other initiatives we first made when we came into office to make Main Street viable,” she said. “Now we have to implement these strategies and encourage us to see these things through by influencing the mix of businesses and parking to continue to have a vibrant and healthy downtown.”
Specifically, Mundy and Suaraz expect the council to focus on the continued development of the southeast quadrant of Creekside Park (where Hatworld LLC and FedEx are already taking space), supporting the school district’s efforts in addressing the state school funding formula, and working through the downtown study and infrastructure marketing plan.
Mundy also said that the council will need to further assist the town’s staff as the town grows.
“One of the keys for growth is to support the infrastructures and the services provided by our personnel,” Mundy said. “There will be growth challenges on how we operate. We need to increase the support to the current staff to support our growth through professional development.”
Two plans in place
While some plans for 2015 appear to be set in stone, others will be determined by the state court’s decision regarding the annexation of Perry Township, which would allow Zionsville to reach a state-authorized condition that makes the town eligible to elect a mayor. The town of Whitestown filed a lawsuit against Zionsville last year to prevent the reorganization.
A local Boone County judge upheld Whitestown’s claim of illegality, but since Zionsville has fervently pursued an appeal.
Former town council president Jeff Papa has been selected as Zionsville’s interim mayor and will officially step into the role if the court sides with Zionsville. A majority of voters in Zionsville and Perry Township supported the annexation in a November election.
No matter what the court decides, Mundy and Suarez said the council is prepared to make sure town business runs seamlessly in the aftermath.
“In light of the situation, the public or town will not feel any changes if the court does not support the peoples’ will,” Suarez said. ‘We have two concurrent plans moving and standing by for a smooth transition regardless of the outcome.”
Still, the court’s decision will have an impact on how the town council is organized and conducts business.
“The first item is the resolution of whether or not we have an interim mayor, since this newly-created position will take most of the primary role of running the town, and [town council]would do legislative issues,” Mundy said. “If the position is instituted it will make a difference in what role we will play in town government.”
No matter what happens, both Mundy and Suarez are committed to strengthening partnerships they’ve built with the schools, library, the public, the county’s commissioners and council, and even Whitestown.
“When it’s all said and done, I think we can – and want – to establish a better relationship with the town of Whitestown,” Mundy said. “Bickering towns side to side is not good for anyone.”
Meet Steve Mundy
Steve Mundy – Town Council President – District 5
[email protected]
Birthplace/Hometown: Alabama, but his dad was in the army and they traveled around the county. When his father went overseas he and his mother ended up in Greenwood. He graduated from Purdue University and had a career with Eli Lilly for 34 years. He and his wife Pat have two children lived all over the world with them until Steve retired.
Favorite local restaurant: “I like them all…and have eaten at all of them,” Mundy said.
Favorite TV show: Brian Williams’ 6:30 p.m. news. “I record it every night,” he said.
Favorite pastime: Golf, and fishing in the Amazon
Favorite vacation spot: International travel, Mexico, Belize, places “where you won’t find the same types of fish as in Indiana.”
His bio
When planning his retirement after 34 years in human resources, research and development at Eli Lilly and Company, Steve Mundy knew just where he wanted to start the next chapter of his life.
“My wife and I were living and working abroad when we bought our property here. We knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives in this community,” he says.
He joined the council in 2010 and is president of the Safety Board and the Board of Police Commissioners. He previously served on the Zionsville Plan Commission. During the course of his career and several moves, he had the opportunity to work as a business partner with almost all functional areas of Lilly, a background that benefits his work on the council.
“As a town councilor I have the privilege of interacting with many different residents and hearing what they feel are our successes and challenges. Together we can improve the quality of life for everyone,” he says.
Mundy and his wife have two children and two grandchildren. They are active volunteers at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity, and Zionsville Meals on Wheels. Steve is a former board member of Aspire of Indiana, which provides mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation.
He served six years with the Indiana National Guard and graduated from Purdue University, where he studied biology and chemistry.
Meet Susana Suarez
Susana Suarez – Town Council Vice President – At Large
[email protected]
Birthplace/Hometown: Born in Mexico City, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. An Ohio State graduate, who then lived in New York City and Washington D.C working as a George W. Bush-appointed manager for FEMA. Suarez and her husband, Juan Francisco “Kiko”, moved to Zionsville in 2009 and have two children.
Favorite local restaurants: The Friendly Tavern and Noah Grants
Favorite TV show: A self-proclaimed news junky, but locally watches the 10 o’clock Fox 59 news and The Kelly File on Fox.
Favorite Pastime: Cooking, and she claims she “makes best salsa in town.” Mexican food is her favorite, and a guest of hers actually drank the salsa out of the bowl during a visit to her house.
Favorite vacation spot: House in Seabrook Island South Carolina.
Her bio
Susana Suarez joined the Town Council in 2011 and is a member of the Zionsville Safety Board and the Board of Police Commissioners. She brings a comprehensive background in business and public affairs to her work on the council.
“Like so many others, I chose to live in Zionsville for its beauty, stellar schools and vibrant community spirit. My goal is to preserve those qualities while fostering positive, smart and constructive progress,” she says.
Suarez is vice president of communications and corporate affairs for global security firm Allegion. She was previously president and CEO of her own multi-cultural and bilingual marketing firm, Media Moon Communications. She has held executive communications positions with Fortune 500 companies and served as chief compliance officer with the Peace Corps and assistant director of regional operations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
She is a member of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the governor-appointed body that oversees the missions and plans of the state’s public colleges and universities.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Ohio State University and is a graduate of the Senior Management Program at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.
