By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“No one thought anyone could replace Phyllis, but Kevin has done a tremendous job – thanks, Kevin,” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
Rickord was referring to Kevin Hackman, whose final city council meeting as Decatur’s clerk-treasurer was Tuesday.
Hackman was in his second year in the post, having replaced Phyllis Whitright, whose tenure covered a remarkable 26 years.
Hackman’s rise to the city position was remarkable in itself, having started his city employment riding on the back of a city garbage truck.
“Yeh, it’s been quite a rise,” the mayor said with a smile and half a chuckle.
Hackman had been employed by H&R Block in Decatur for six years and became the owner/franchisee. He was hired by the city in May of 2015, joining the sanitation department.
He was riding the back the truck shortly before being appointed utilities director in May of 2017.
Ironically, Hackman replaced Rickord, who had held the utilities job for seven and a half years before resigning in June of 2017 to take another position.
Hackman was elected in November of 2022 to replace Whitright.
Rickord is in his second term as mayor.
Now Hackman, a Decatur native, exits Friday, having accepted a position as the Fort Wayne division manager with EJ Prescott Inc., a water, wastewater, & stormwater distributor.
A Republican caucus recently selected Eran Hackman to take over the clerk-treasurer post. Eran Hackman, who attended the Tuesday meeting, has been working with Kevin in recent days.
She officially assumes the post on Monday, May 12.
Eran Hackman, who has a Bachelor’s degree in business from Ball State, was serving as chief deputy recorder for Adams County.
She joins Wendi Gephart and Cherie Bienz, deputy clerk-treasurers, in the City Hall office.
