By Chris Bavender
Zionsville resident Tom Easterday, a retired Subaru of Indiana Automotive exectuve, was selected last month by Gov. Eric Holcomb to receive the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash. The award is the highest honor an Indiana governor can bestow and is given to Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the state.
Easterday said he was honored and humbled by the recognition.
“I’ve truly been blessed to have the opportunity to work with several outstanding individuals during my tenure at Subaru of Indiana,” Easterday said.
Easterday was with SIA for close to 30 years, joining in 1989 as corporate counsel. He served in various positions within SIA and most recently was its senior executive vice president, secretary and chief legal officer and a member of the SIA board of directors.
He announced his retirement in February and then transitioned into a role as executive advisor at the beginning of October. He officially retired at the end of December and will remain in an advisory role for up to two years.
“Over the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to help guide SIA through several significant advancements, including the beginning of production of the Impreza and Ascent, expansion of our facilities and the hiring and training of over 2,000 new associates,” Easterday said. “Now is the right time to pass the torch to other members of our great SIA management team.”
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski also presented Easterday with a Marquis de Lafayette Award. It is the highest honor a mayor of Lafayette can bestow. It is given to an individual who goes above and beyond with volunteerism, citizenship and overall dedication and commitment to the community.
During his time at SIA, the company won several awards for quality, safety, environmental stewardship and community service. Easterday helped guide SIA’s effort to become the first auto assembly plant in the United States to have its entire site designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and to achieve zero-landfill status.
