About Mike

Mike Karickhoff is about making things happen. When you first meet Mike, his no-nonsense approach to life is apparent. A community leader with more than 25 years of local experience, Mike's no nonsense method of problem solving has had great success in many areas. If you follow Mike around for a day, you will see a quick wit coupled with an ability to coordinate a wide variety of projects—all while juggling the demands of being an outstanding professional, civic and community leader and advocate, as well as a dedicated family man.

Professional life
Mike’s 30+ year career has always centered around service. After graduating from University of Missouri, he served as Assistant Director and then full Director of the Hannibal Missouri Parks and Recreation Department. When Kokomo’s Mayor Daily recruited Mike to lead his city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Mike returned to his Hoosier roots and led several projects for the city, including the creation of Kokomo Beach, the Carver Community Center remodel and expansion, the Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence, Jackson Morrow Park, and the Kirkendall Nature Center. Mike became facilities director for Ivy Tech Community College in 2002. At Ivy Tech, Mike has overseen the expansion and improvement of college facilities to handle their rapid growth in the past eight years.

Commitment to community
In the course of a day, you’ll find Mike at a Kokomo Common Council meeting, a Kiwanis board meeting, serving at holiday lights in Highland Park (a Kokomo Y’s Men’s project), or volunteering for the United Way or the Red Cross. You might also find Mike at a middle school basketball game where you would get to see the competitive side of Mike as he coaches a game. In all Mike does, there is passion and commitment to excellence. Mike is a man who cares about people and about making a contribution to the community and to individual lives, and he knows a positive attitude coupled with sound judgment and broad experience goes a long way toward making positive changes.

Community involvement
2004–2010 Kokomo Common Council, president 2007, finance chair 2008, 2009; Plan Commission 2005
2004–2010 Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, Legislative Affairs Committee
2005–2010 Middle School Basketball Coach Taylor School Corporation
2000–04 Middle School Basketball Coach Northwestern School Corporation
1992–98 American Red Cross Board of Directors, President 1995
1986–2000 Kokomo Y’s Men’s Club; board member, 1996–97
1996–present Kiwanis Foundation Board, Vice President
1986¬–present Kokomo Kiwanis Club, board member 1988–92; president 1991
1985–2002 Indiana Parks and Recreation Association Registered Professional 1985; Registered Administrator 1988
1985–89 Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Kokomo Program
1985–96 United Way of Howard County, City of Kokomo Key Person 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996; Board of Directors 1986–1990; Campaign Cabinet 1993, 1994
1977–2002 National Recreation and Park Association, 1993 Certified Leisure Professional
1976–86 Missouri Parks and Recreation Association Registered Supervisor 1980; Registered Professional 1984

Commitment to family
Although the term “family values” may have become cliché, it truly is what Mike is about. He and his wife, Kelly, are committed to their family, their church and their community. For Mike, that commitment comes in many forms—city government, education, and concern about regional and statewide issues. Kelly also is a leader as she serves as executive director of the Howard County Historical Society. Together, they instill in their family the idea of the importance of leadership and of giving back to the community.

Recognized leader
2010 Ivy Tech Community College Region 5 Administrator of the Year Award
2005 Ivy Tech Community College Public Relations Award
1996 Governors’ Voluntary Action Community Service Award
1992 Chamber of Commerce Community Improvement Award, Carver Center Project
1990 IACT Community Achievement Award for the Wildcat Creek Reservoir Project
1988 Chamber of Commerce Community Improvement Award, Senior Center Project
1984 Jaycee of the Year Hannibal Missouri
1977 Recipient of the MPRA Lee Fine Scholarship Award
1976 Elected to the Recreation Honorary Sigma Lambda Sigma, University of Missouri
1970 Eagle Scout, Central Ohio Council, Circleville Ohio

Links to Other Sites
http://www.vannatterforstaterep.com/