Mayor Mark Kruzan chooses deputy mayor

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan has chosen John Whikehart, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus, as deputy mayor.

The deputy mayor helps to develop and implement the City’s master strategic plan and supervise projects.

“John and I share governmental and political philosophies, management styles and a commitment to the notion that public service is a noble profession,” Kruzan said in a press release. “He will maintain the City’s tradition of deputy mayors with the intellect, desire and sense of humor that makes them the kind of people with whom others want to work.”

Whikehart announced in November he would retire as chancellor in January. He will start as deputy mayor Jan. 16.

Whikehart was executive director of administration for Ivy Tech for 10 years and director of staff for former Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Frank O’Bannon.

He was also personnel director for the City of Kokomo from 1980 to 1988.

“I am very grateful to Mayor Kruzan for this opportunity to serve, and I look forward to working in a new way with the many people in his administration whom I have come to know through our collaborations throughout the years,” Whikehart said.

Whikehart replaces former Deputy Mayor Maria Heslin, who left the office in September.

“The City of Bloomington greatly benefited from John’s leadership at Ivy Tech, and I couldn’t be more pleased that it will continue to do so with Deputy Mayor Whikehart,” Kruzan said.

— Matt Stefanski