Born and raised in LaPorte County, Drew Gesse has always been devoted to his community. A recent graduate of IU Bloomington, majoring in nonprofit management, Gesse has always wanted to help those in his community as best as he could.
“I had quite a few opportunities to go other places, but I thought it was interesting to have the opportunity to help my own hometown,” Gesse said. “So, it was never really a choice. I always wanted to come back and help the people in my community.”
Near the end of his college career, Gesse began applying for various internships in the area, including one for the Greater LaPorte County Chamber of Commerce. Gesse began his internship right after graduation, in May of last year, and has remained with the Chamber ever since.
“I began researching different internships I could do in the area,” Gesse said. “Through my research, I found the chamber and thought that it was an interesting place to start, because they do so much good for the community.”
Recently, in February, Gesse was brought on as a full-time employee to be their Director of Marketing and Communications. In this capacity, Gesse makes sure that communications go out to the Chamber members, writing press releases, and making sure that people get invited to events hosted by the Chamber. Essentially, he works as a liaison between the chamber and the community.
“Through my work here, I get to meet a lot of different people that are doing a lot of different things for the community,” Gesse said. “The chamber does so many things for the community and does so many events for the members of the community, and I just love being able to be a part of it all. I’ve always wanted to help people, and this is a great place to be able to do that with such great people.”
In his spare time, Gesse volunteers with Jaycees in LaPorte, which he has been involved with since November of this past year. Jaycees, also known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, is an organization that provides leadership training and opportunities for its members through the projects and programs planned by the members.
“They do a lot of important work and I just enjoy working with them and being a part of everything that they do as well,” Gesse said. “They just always host so many fun things for the community. I’m really looking forward to their annual Easter egg hunt at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds this year.”
Gesse also helps out at his parents’ local businesses – LaPorte Transit and Northwest Indiana Online Auctions – working part time on some marketing aspects for them. In what remains of his spare time, biking, watching The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, and trying new brews at local microbreweries.