10 Hoosier Banker July 2016 Continued from page 9. “Just as importantly, we have a responsibility to make sure that our friends and neighbors – the folks who vote at the polls – understand what the true consequences of these laws and regulations are. “Bankers have a great story to tell about how they make America’s economy work. We can’t allow those who want to demonize the industry for political gain to prevail. The vast majority of people within the industry are good actors trying to do the right thing. “One of the lessons of the 2008 economic collapse is that our financial institutions are an important part of the public trust. They are every bit as vital to the functioning of our society as clean water, clean air and electricity. If the financial industry collapses, the American economy collapses with it.” At home, you and your wife, an attorney, have three young children and are known for maintaining a devoted family life, despite time constraints. How do you maintain this balance? “In life, you find time for what you prioritize. I’m very serious about being a member of Congress, but I’m equally serious about being a husband and father. We work to structure our life in a way that all of those priorities are met. “A big event for us occurred recently, when our younger daughter won the seventh grade basketball championship and was named co-MVP of the league. I’m also a coach in youth sports ‒ I coach my son’s basketball and football teams ‒ and all three of our children are active in school. “If you stay focused on the right things, life tends to work out. I’m also very blessed. My wife Jennifer is a strong professional and a great mom. Faith is an important guide in how we try to lead our lives.” You and Mrs. Messer co-wrote a children’s book, Hoosier Heart, which asks the question: “What is a Hoosier?” What is the answer? “First, to explain the genesis of this book, it came about as a family project 10 years ago, when I was a state legislator. I would go read books to kids at schools, but I couldn’t seem to find a book for children about Indiana history. I said to Jennifer, ‘There ought to be a book for this,’ and she said, ‘Let’s write it.’ “So we wrote the book together. Then when we started looking at illustrators and saw how expensive they are, Jennifer became inspired to be the book’s artist. When people ask how she made the pictures so childlike, she laughs and says, ‘It’s because I’m a lawyer, not an artist.’ “But the pictures are great and are even modeled after our oldest two children, who were three and two years old at the time. Our youngest hadn’t been born yet. “Hoosier Heart is the story of what defines a Hoosier. In the book we go through a broad cross section of Indiana history and culture and legend. In the end, we find that being a Hoosier means having a big Hoosier heart. “The book closes with, ‘Hoosiers come in all shapes and sizes, all races and all creeds. Some Hoosiers don’t even live in our state, but no matter where a Hoosier now lives, you’re never far apart, because the key to being a Hoosier is having a big Hoosier heart.’” t Congressman Messer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. James R. Jackson has announced his retirement effective July 1 as vice president and trust officer of TriCounty Bank & Trust Company, Roachdale, after 30 years of banking experience, including 20 years with Tri-County Bank. Jackson began his banking career with Lafayette National Bank before serving in hospital administration in North Carolina and Texas. He is a board member and president for the Mary Allison Children’s Trust and a supporter of Quail Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. Terry Quinn has retired as chief wealth management officer of Peoples Bank, Munster, after 24 years in the trust and investment industry. He joined the bank in 2006 as senior vice president, wealth management officer, and was promoted to chief wealth management officer in 2010. Quinn previously practiced law in Chicago and operated a manufacturing company. He is a former member of the Munster School Board; serves on six not-for-profit boards; and is a member of the American, Indiana and Lake County bar associations. Quinn earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and MBA and JD degrees from the University of Notre Dame. t Taking iT Easy
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