by
Hamilton County Reporter
Two more candidates announced they will be running for Indiana’s District 20
Senate seat, which is being vacated by Luke Kenley.
Current Hamilton County Council member Brad Beaver made the announcement
on Thursday, as did Noblesville resident and businessman Joe Morris.
“I have served on the Hamilton County Council for 20 years,” said Beaver. “I have
never missed a County Council meeting and during my tenure I have never raised property
taxes. Yet the Council has still managed to accumulate a $50 million surplus.
Hamilton County is one of the most fiscally sound governmental entities in the
State. While some politicians may claim to be conservative – I have proven my commitment to taxpayers over the last 20 years. I feel this record clearly sets me apart from
other candidates.”
“Indiana is the envy of the Midwest, in large part because it has elected state representatives and senators who have exercised fiscal restraint while making our State a
beacon for economic development. We must ensure that we send another proven
conservative to the Statehouse – one who will be a good steward of taxpayer money
and pursue a truly conservative agenda. I am confident that I am the candidate that is
most prepared to do this.”
Beaver was born and raised in Noblesville, graduating from Noblesville High
School in 1977. After college, he started his own heating and cooling business. He is a
fourth-generation small business owner in Hamilton County. He has been married to
his wife, Trini, for 27 years and has three adult children.
During his 20 years on the County Council, Beaver has served on various
boards and committees including Hamilton County Plan Commission, Board of Zoning
Appeals, County Solid Waste Board, Personnel Committee and Finance Committee.
Throughout the years he has been active coaching basketball at the Noblesville Boys
and Girls Club. He is a member of White River Christian Church.
“I have spent my entire life living and working in Senate District 20,” said Beaver.
“I am eager to take that next step and serve as Hamilton County’s Senator in the Statehouse.”
“What a great opportunity for Hamilton County and District 20 to continue a strong
tradition of new ideas, continued growth and leadership for the communities of District
20 and the State of Indiana,” said Morris. “I can’t think of a time better than now to join
hands with the residents & leaders of Hamilton County and bring our ideas, professional
experience and creativity to the State Capital. Having discussed this decision
with my family, friends and several leaders in Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers and Westfield;
these business leaders, community leaders and faith leaders all helped me come
to this decision. It’s a great time to be able to represent so many great people, families,
businesses and communities in District 20.”
Beyond his 25 years of professional experience in business, sales, management, consulting, strategic planning, HR compliance administration; Morris has served on a number of local, state, regional & national boards within and outside the financial services industry. Because of his business experience, he has experience working with the legislature at the State & Federal level on issues such as Healthcare Reform, Tax
Reform, Medicare & Medicaid and Small Business issues.
“I have a passion for seeing that our youth develop skills for life, our families
succeed in life, our seniors are respected in life, our businesses thrive in life and our
communities prosper in fostering this passion,” said Morris. “All play a key part in
making a community happy, healthy, safe, respected and attractive for our residents and
visitors.”
Morris is a lifelong resident of Indiana. He grew up in the Southwestern Indiana city
of Washington and left the area in 1987 to continue his education as a student-athlete
at the University of Indianapolis where he played college football. In college, he
received the UIndy “Kelso Reid Mental Attitude” Award.
After college, Morris moved to Noblesville to work as a Marketing Rep for Gordon
Marketing. In 1996, he relocated to northern Indiana and worked in the employee
benefits market insuring various industries such as: schools, municipalities, healthcare
providers, steel mills, unions, manufacturers, casinos, car dealerships and banks. In
2000, he started a number of businesses including insurance, employee benefits, HR
compliance and administration.
In 2011, Morris relocated back to Noblesville and rejoined Gordon Marketing
as the National Marketing & Training Director where he educates, trains and develops
business strategies for independent financial and insurance advisors in the health, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, life insurance and annuity markets.
He is a graduate of Purdue Calumet University’s Entrepreneur’s Club program,
studied Business Administration & Marketing at the University of Indianapolis and is
a Chartered Benefits Consultant by the National Association of Alternative Benefits
Consultants.
A national speaker, Morris travels the country speaking on topics such as Business
Development, Marketing Strategies, Compliance & Ethics, Medicare, Obamacare,
Tax Benefits of Health Plans and Retirement Planning.
Morris volunteers in the local community and throughout Indiana with various
organizations & clubs, is a member of the UIndy Greyhound Club, National Federation
of Independent Business (NFIB), Society of Human Resource Management
(SHRM) and is a Freemason.
Morris lives in Noblesville with his three teenage daughters Kylie (Noblesville High),
Katie (Noblesville High) and Kenlee (Noblesville West Middle School).