Welcome To Amplify Hancock
Amplify Hancock wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and dedication of our partners.
When Community Comes Together
Hancock County benefits from some of the best public schools in the state of Indiana, but that access to quality education does not extend past high school graduation, forcing Hancock County residents to seek continuing education opportunities elsewhere.
With the continued growth and development in our area, community members, educators, and economic leaders throughout Hancock County decided its time to flip that script, and came together to create Amplify Hancock.
By providing space for local schools and industry leaders to provide education options and hands-on training, Amplify Hancock creates opportunity in our community.
Local students can now train for high-wage and in-demand careers in fields, such as:
- Architecture and Construction
- Distribution and Logistics
- Health Sciences
- Law and Public Safety
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
An undertaking like this doesn’t happen overnight, and we can’t do it alone. We are grateful for all the businesses, organizations, and community members who have made Amplify Hancock a reality.
About Our Space
The goal of Amplify Hancock is to create a multi-use learning and innovation center that fuses education, private industry, and our local community.
To facilitate this goal, the Amplify Hancock building is designed to house three separate, but connected areas:
Career Training Education (CTE) facilities for public schools in Hancock County
Higher education and professional development opportunities for industry partners
Private offices, lab and innovation areas, and community gathering spaces
The building is planned to be 90,000-100,000 square feet, with room for expansion. The campus is 20 acres, in a location convenient to all four high schools in our area. It is also near a future highway interchange, making the facility easy to access for the entire county.
Leadership
A nonprofit board of directors oversees Amplify Hancock operations. Their guidance and experience ensure we provide the best possible training and learning opportunities for our students.
Our current board members are:
Bio Coming Soon
George is the Vice President of Engineering at NineStar Connect where he has served for more than 23 years in roles of increasing responsibility. In addition to his professional leadership with NineStar and a Directorship with Amplify, he serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Hancock County and on the Redevelopment Commission for the City of Greenfield. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA in Management, from the Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) in Fort Wayne. Deeply engaged in the community, he is actively involved in a number of business and philanthropic organizations throughout Hancock County and Central Indiana. With a passion for community, leadership, and creating a strong quality of place, George is committed to advancing opportunities that strengthen both local economies and the people they serve. He resides in Greenfield with his spouse of more than 25 years, Joyce and their son, Alek, and is also the proud father of another son (George III) currently serving in the US Air Force.
Mike Graf is President & CEO of GBC Bank, where he leads with a focus on strategic growth and community impact. He began his career in banking and finance with BKD, LLP and JPMorgan Chase before joining GBC Bank in 2015, advancing to become the bank’s 15th President in 2023. In addition to his leadership at the bank, Mike serves on the Hancock Health Foundation Board, reflecting his commitment to strengthening local communities. He is passionate about aligning the bank’s mission with initiatives that promote long-term community success.
Bio Coming Soon
Mary serves on the county council, bringing a dedication to local service and community growth. She recently was awarded the Golden Hoosier Award for her many years of service. Married to Michael for 45 years, they have two children, Lacy and Eric, and share a deep love for family. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and caring for their beloved dog, Bodie. With family at the heart of everything, she’s committed to making her community a better place for all.
Bill Fletcher serves as Director of Business Development for Photon Automation, Inc. based in Greenfield, IN. Photon is a custom machine builder and system integrator focusing on laser manufacturing applications. He is an experienced professional who finds unique ways to connect manufacturing companies with solutions while building relationships and networking.
Bill is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Graphics and a Master of Science degree in Career & Technical Education. His career started in education as a Career & Technical Education Instructor teaching Computer Aided Drafting, Manufacturing Processes and Computer Animation classes. His sales experience includes 3D printers & 3D scanners, CNC machine tool equipment and product design & development services.
He continues to expand Photon’s customer base and grow into emerging markets such as electric vehicles, energy storage, medical devices and advanced manufacturing.
Joy currently serves as the Director of Well-Being for Hancock Health, leveraging over 16 years of expertise in health and wellbeing. Passionate about promoting wellness across diverse populations, she is dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their optimal selves and is currently focused on contributing to the growth and development of the Infrastructure of Wellbeing in east central Indiana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University and a master’s degree in Gerontology at the University of South Florida. Outside of her professional pursuits, Joy spends her time traveling, reading, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors with her husband and their three children.
Bio Coming Soon!
Debra Carnes has been married to Jerry for 28 years and is the mother of Kendall and Evan. A Southeastern Academy graduate, Debra serves as County Auditor for Hancock County, Indiana, leveraging her expertise in finance and administration. Her leadership roles include President of the Indiana Auditors Association and various positions with the Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Recorders Association, and more. Debra is committed to serving her community with excellence and dedication. She strives to make a positive impact in the lives of those she serves.
Stan Wilkison is the Director of the Hancock County Career Center (HC3), where he has worked collaboratively with the county’s four school districts to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities across Hancock County. Throughout his career in education, as both an instructor and administrator, he has been an advocate for equipping students with the essential skills needed to succeed in both the workforce and postsecondary education. With the support of community members, school districts, and business leaders, Stan has helped develop HC3 and is leading the launch of high-wage, high-demand programs that offer students industry-recognized certifications, dual credit opportunities, and real-world experience.
As Founder and Principal of Zurbuch Construction Consulting, Mary leads a DBE- and WBE-certified firm that specializes in Owner’s Representation, Construction Management, and QA/QC services. In addition to serving as the 2025 Board President of Amplify Hancock County Career Center and Vice President of the Hancock County Redevelopment Council, she also sits on the TAP Board of Directors and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Capital Improvements Board and is an active member of the Indiana Construction Roundtable. Mary is a Purdue graduate with a degree in Construction Engineering and Management, Civil Engineering.
Latest News
There’s always something new and exciting at Amplify Hancock. Check out our latest developments and upcoming events.
FIND YOUR PATH AT AMPLIFY HANCOCK
If you have questions about our facilities or upcoming opportunities, please get in touch. Our team will help you find the support and training you need to succeed.