Gubernatorial Candidate to Hold Public Meet-and-Greet Nov. 19
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jim Wallace made a stop in Warsaw Thursday afternoon to plan for his upcoming local community meet-and-greet.
Wallace faces Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence in the 2012 primary election. Current Governor Mitch Daniels is not seeking re-election because of term limits.
Democrat John Gregg also is seeking the governorship.
The 2012 Indiana general election is Nov. 6, and the primary is May 8.
A meet-and-greet with Wallace is open to the community and will be Nov. 19 at Big Apple Bagels, 3302 Lake City Highway, Warsaw, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The meet-and-greet will be an opportunity for the community, business owners and orthopedic leaders to learn about Wallace’s run for governor. Food and beverages will be provided.
Wallace sat down with the Times-Union and Todd Earl, Big Apple Bagels co-owner and manager, Thursday afternoon at the business to discuss why he is running for governor.
Wallace, 50, who resides in Fishers is founder, president and CEO of The Welsley Group Capital Inc., Indianapolis.
It is a bank for small businesses that provides capital to those businesses that are growing their companies.
He also is a former U.S. Army captain and combat helicopter pilot.
Wallace said he began his exploratory phase Feb. 4 for governor, and he formally announced he was seeking the seat May 10.
Wallace previously served on Fishers’ town council from 1999 to 2002, and Hamilton County Council from 2002 to 2005.
He served as director of management services under Mayor Steve Goldsmith in 1992 and 1993, and served on the Indianapolis Service Efficiency Limited Taxes For Indiana Commission with Daniels at that time.
He also previously worked at Bain & Company, Boston, Mass., as a strategy consultant and was head of strategy at Anthem Inc., Indianapolis.
He came up with growth and cost-saving strategies for businesses that were growing to get the best use out of taxpayer dollars.
Wallace said job creation is important to him, and his experience as a business owner sets him apart from his opponent.
“Indiana is actually in a very good position compared to other states and is one of the most efficient states in terms of tax dollars per resident and has a good tax structure but we can’t rest,” Wallace said. “As the economy starts to come back after the recession we are certainly poised to grow.”
He said he would like to make Indiana a more proactive government.
“I think the governor should be the chief salesman for the state,” Wallace said. “Our next governor needs to be the ambassador for the business community to see what they need to succeed whether you are a Fortune 500 company looking to relocate here or an entrepreneur just starting out.”
Wallace said he differs from Pence in two areas in that he has experience in the business community and is a military veteran.
Wallace is a former combat helicopter pilot who served in the Army from 1983 to 1987.
“You learn leadership in that environment unlike any other environment and I have been tested by fire as a combat pilot,” Wallace said.
He graduated in 1983 from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.
He said as a business owner he has had to deal with payrolls.
“I’ve run businesses and I think it is important if you are trying to create jobs to be able to relate to those who are trying to create jobs,” Wallace said.
He said state government is a $57 billion corporation, and he feels the next governor needs to have a background in business.
“What I have heard from traveling around the state is that people are more concerned with what is happening on Main Street than the mess that is happening in Washington,” Wallace said.
He said at the end of the day there are roads that need to be repaired as well as bridges and tax credits that are expiring that would help rejuvenate small businesses.
Wallace spoke about the topic of the taxes on the orthopedic industry.
“I am dead set against Obamacare and believe any type of government oriented managed care will increase scrutiny on effective treatment for things like orthopedic devices or our pharmaceutical industry,” Wallace said.
