Each year, Banning Engineering is proud to sponsor the bus for the Leadership Hendricks County Infrastructure & Resources Day tour, an experience designed to give participants a deeper understanding of the people, projects, and infrastructure that help keep Hendricks County moving forward. In addition, Banning’s own Jeff Banning and former Avon Town Council President Marcus Turner served as guides for the tour, drawing on their many years of experience in the infrastructure of these communities to offer valuable insights at each stop along the way. Leadership Hendricks County, led by Executive Director Jana Morrison, Program Director Dani Smith, and its dedicated Board of Directors, focuses on developing informed, connected leaders throughout Hendricks County.
This year’s tour took place on Wednesday, May 6th, with a route that spanned from Plainfield to Danville to Avon to Brownsburg and beyond. The day included presentations and site visits from organizations and leaders across Hendricks County, all working together to showcase the collaboration and resources that support our communities every day. The tour also included stops and presentations from Katy Cummings with Parks Foundation of Hendricks County, Will Lacey with Danville Parks and Recreation, Jim Boles with the Town of Plainfield Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tracy Guerrero and Nick Summers with the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Brent Anderson with the Plainfield Fire Territory, Thomas Smallwood with Waste Management – Twin Bridges Security Landfill, and Max Orsini with Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Not to mention all of the sponsors that helped make the day possible! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make the day such a success.
Participants enjoyed learning about the inner workings of the infrastructure that keeps our county functioning. Topics like wastewater and trash collection may not always be glamorous, but they’re necessary to keep our communities safe and working. Participants were especially intrigued by the microorganisms — or “bugs” — that help treat our wastewater, and how crucial keeping that microbial population alive is to the treatment process. Equally fascinating was the engineered liner system that protects the soil beneath a landfill, the cap that seals it from above, and the collection and flaring of methane gas — which can even be converted into renewable energy. It’s a remarkable look at the science and engineering that make modern infrastructure work.
Banning is also proud to have DeeDee Leonard, Marketing and Engagement Manager, participating in the Leadership Hendricks County Class of 2026.
“Leadership Hendricks County has truly given me a behind-the-scenes view into the inner workings of Hendricks County and the many people and organizations that help make our communities thrive,” said Leonard. “It has also given me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with people who bring tremendous value to both the program and the community as a whole.”
Having the ability to participate in programs like Leadership Hendricks County is just one example of why Banning Engineering is such a rewarding place to work. Banning is not only investing in an outstanding community leadership program, but also investing in the growth and development of its own employees through opportunities like these.
Supporting employee growth, community involvement, and local leadership development remains an important part of who we are as a company and as an employee-owned organization.
