STATEHOUSE (Aug. 29, 2017) – State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) recently presented the Distinguished Hoosier Award on behalf of Gov. Eric Holcomb to John Adler. A Sharpsville resident, Adler has been a member of the Ivy Tech Regional Board of Trustees since 2011, most recently as its vice chairman.
The Distinguished Hoosier award is one of the highest awards given to Indiana citizens by the governor. It is awarded to those who have brought honor to the state through their character and accomplishments.
Karickhoff presented the award to Adler at the fall opening meeting for Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo campus.
“John has made countless contributions to the community through his service on various boards and committees,” Karickhoff said. “He is a great person who practices servant leadership in all areas of his life. His list of accomplishments are impressive and his passion for education is contagious to those around him.”
Adler is active in community events, and his business, Adler Feed Express, supports scholarships for students enrolled in the college’s agriculture studies program. He recently was recognized with an honorary associate degree in college and community service for his many contributions to the school, the state and the nation.
Adler was a career serviceman in the U.S. Air Force as a command pilot and fighter squadron commander, accumulating more than 4,500 flying hours in eight different aircraft while serving at 13 military bases both overseas and in the United States.
In 1993, he joined the private sector and became the manager of Adler Seeds during significant changes in the seed industry, increasing sales of new technologies in corn and soybeans and expanding the company into nine states before selling the business in 2008. He remains active as owner of Adler Feed Express, a retail lawn, garden and feed store in Kokomo.
Adler has served on the Indiana Crop Improvement Association Board, North Central Indiana Workforce Development Board and Workforce Investment Board, Tipton County Economic Development Board and U. S. 31 Coalition Board. He has also served his church as stewardship chairman.
Along with extensive professional military education, Adler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Purdue University and a master’s degree in business from Webster University. He and his wife, Jan, have three children and five grandchildren.
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Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents House District 30,
which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties.
A high-resolution photo of Karickhoff can be downloaded by clicking here.
HONORING SERVICE: Sharpsville resident John Adler (left) receives the Distinguished Hoosier Award from State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (right) during the fall opening meeting for Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo campus.
