Franklin citizen John Wales holds a lifetime of motivated community service under his belt. From serving in the Indiana National Guard to spearheading the recognition and honoring of two of Franklin’s own three-war veterans, Wales is enthusiastic about bringing awareness to those who have served our nation. Wales is also involved with The Warrior 110, a local nonprofit program that raises awareness and funds for veterans suffering from physical and emotional ailments such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

Recently the City of Franklin awarded Wales the Marty and Carolyn Williams Volunteer of the Year award.

Humbled by the honor and recognition, Wales wants Franklin citizens to realize the opportunities for service are abundant. When he hears someone say they don’t have time to volunteer, he wishes people would reshape that thought into how they might restructure their time to include volunteerism.

Wales, who works full time as a safety instructor for Rolls Royce, is also a contributing writer for the Franklin Magazine, and serves as current board president for Festival Country/Johnson County Convention, Visitor and Tourism. It would seem he has his plate full, but somehow – and this is where his structure of time comes into play – he is able to balance a lifestyle of work, family, play and servanthood.

Instrumental in organizing classic car shows, Wales can often be spotted at these shows alongside his classic Voodoo Vega. He feels these events create a sense of community, and provide a setting where families can spend time together without plugged-in distractions. Family time is a top priority for Wales. He and his wife, Lydia, will celebrate 25 years of marriage in February. They value their time with their children, Alisha Lewis, and Mark Dillender. The bonus of four grandchildren enhances their lives tremendously. They often host sleepovers and recently visited Disney World together. In their family, they model helping people and helping community.

Wales looks back on the people who inspired him throughout his life. One of those was a middle school teacher who took an extra interest in him. Wales openly admits he was a poor student and had a bad attitude. He was often at his desk looking at a “Hot Rod” car magazine instead of doing his schoolwork. His teacher, Connie Kinnett, recognized more in him, and every day she would present him with a question about the car, engine or other item pictured in his magazine. Soon he found himself reading the magazine to be able to provide an answer the next day at school. In a speech he gave to the Indiana Statehouse in 2011, Wales pointed out the importance of supporting our educators, and how their small influences can make a dramatic difference in a student’s life. Understanding and appreciating those educators led him to serve on the Franklin Community School Corporation’s board from 2004 to 2012.

Wales has used that teacher’s impact in his life, and paid it forward in multiple ways through his lifetime of community service. He says as an American citizen, we have an obligation to our neighbors and community to be a positive influence on others. He loves living in Franklin, believes we have the best city, and recognizes those who work to create a thriving environment. He loves its passion, the people in it, and the overall community spirit.

“With Johnson County as a whole, including Franklin, every time someone steps out to make our community better, we all win,” he says.

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