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MEET SHAWN
Leadership Delivering Results for Our Community

I was born in South Bend, Indiana in late December of 1963 to James and Christine Pettit, the youngest of the three Pettit children. I attended Holy Cross Catholic School in South Bend, Jesse L. Dickinson Middle School, and South Bend LaSalle High School.

 

I attended Indiana University Bloomington where I majored in governmental affairs in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), and earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs in 1986 with a specialization in both Urban Affairs and Community Development & Planning.

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In 1997, I was offered the opportunity, by then Town Manager Thomas Keilman and the Merrillville Town Council, to become the town’s Planning and Building Administrator. I have called Merrillville home since 1997. I was elevated to Town Manager in 1999 and served as Town Manager until 2001. I went to the Town of Schererville to serve as Director of Operations for four years.

 

In 2003, I defeated the 16-year incumbent republican councilman and have faithfully and diligently served the residents of Ward 6 ever since.

I have been happily married to my wife Kathy, who is a lifelong Merrillville resident for 24 years. We are proud parents of our beautiful daughter Gracie, a 2022 graduate of Andrean High School and a freshman at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.

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Shawn

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Town Council Experience

Personal Resume

  • Currently President of the Town's Redevelopment Commission (2004 to present)

  • Served as Town Council Present in 2007 & 2011

  • Currently serving as your Ward 6 Town Council Representative

  • Plan Commission member 2004-2006, 2008-2010, and from 2012 to the present

  • Current Chairman of the Dean and Barbara White Council Committee

  • Current Chairman of the Economic Development Council Committee

  • Current Chairman of the Council Affairs Committee concentrating on new Town Ordinances

  • Current Chairman of the Elections, Public Relations, and Town Beautification Committee

  • Real Estate Manager for Lamar Outdoor Advertising Company, Merrillville

  • Director of Operations for the Town of Schererville from 2001-2005

  • Graduate of the Indiana Economic Development Academy, Ball State University in 2002

  • Town Manager, Town of Merrillville 1999-2001

  • Planning and Building Administrator, Town of Merrillville, 1997-1999

  • Transportation Planner, Northwestern Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) 1992-1997

  • Indiana University, (Bloomington), Bachelor of Science in Public Administration; specializing in Community Development/Planning and Urban Management. 1986 Graduating Class

Community Involvement & Personal Achievements

  • Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2004 to present

  • Chairman of the Crossroads Chamber Annual Awards Gala 2004 to present

  • Aquinas Catholic School Home & School Association Treasurer 2011 - 2018

  • Aquinas Catholic School 7th and 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach 2017 & 2018

  • Merrillville Precinct 12 Committeeman 2006 through 2022

  • Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce's "Chairman of the Board" 2006 through 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2018

  • Award Recipient for the Crossroads Chamber "Distinguished Service Award", 2015

  • Awarded the Northwest Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council's first ever "Service to Labor Award", 2018

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