About Us

Jesse Harper was first elected to the office of Center Township Trustee in 2018. Jesse is a Center Township native and graduate of Valparaiso High School. Jesse received a B.S. in Political Science at California State Northridge and a Juris Doctorate at Valparaiso University Law School. In addition to being the Trustee, Jesse currently practices law at Harper and Harper with his father and two brothers.

Dr. Stephan Buck is a life-long Valparaiso resident. He has served for 23 years on the Center Township Board and nine years on the Valparaiso School Board. He has worked locally for 45 years as an optometrist and is owner of Lincoln Flats restaurant.

Debra’s decision to make Valparaiso her home after graduating from VU has stood her in good stead.  As a retired Valparaiso Community Schools career educator with over 40 years of service to the students in our district, she remains a proud and loyal Viking! Debra is currently in her second term on the Center Township Board and is grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to work for the betterment of the community along with fellow Board members and the Trustee. Her commitment to constituents is to maintain the quality and quantity of the services provided by the township government and to ensure that our resources are used in a transparent and financially sustainable manner.

Elizabeth Gingerich is the Louis and Mary Morgal Chair in Christian Business Ethics at Valparaiso University and a professor of international trade and business law in its College of Business.

Gingerich serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Values-Based Leadership – an international journal featuring articles submitted by noted politicians, business leaders, and academicians. Additionally, she has been a national and international presenter of research in intellectual property, clean energy development, and sustainability reporting. Her work in tort remedies, binding arbitration, shareholder interest compromise, and renewable energy development has been widely published. She is author of a business law textbook, focusing on the impact of climate change on major business sectors.

A legal practitioner for over 40 years, Gingerich’s primary fields of concentration include general trial litigation, commercial transactions, tax, real estate, estate planning, and employment law. She is a member of both the Indiana and Virginia State Bar Associations

Karin started working for the Center Township Trustee office in 1997 as a temp (back-up clerk), before becoming a full-time clerk in 2000. As pf 2016, she became the Chief Deputy Trustee and bookkeeper. Karin enjoys helping those in need from our community and working with a wonderful staff.

Terry is a life-long resident of Center Township. In June, 2014, she joined the Trustee’s staff as Clerk. Currently, she fills in as part time Clerk and Interviewer. She considers it a privilege to be part of this team.

Diane is a life-long resident of Center Township. In June, 2014, she joined the Trustee’s staff as Clerk. Currently, she fills in as part time Clerk and Interviewer. She considers it a privilege to be part of this team.