Job: Partner in Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders, LLP and City Attorney for the City of Evansville
Hometown: Evansville, Ind.
His Resume: Ted C. Ziemer Jr. received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University and his law degree from Indiana University. He is a member of the Indiana Bar Association, having served on the Board of Managers and House of Delegates. Crediting his parents for his community oriented work ethic, Ziemer also is a Life Member, past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Southwestern Indiana, and known for raising funds for philanthropic causes.
His Perspective: I love this town. I don’t know how much impact I’ve had, but I’ve enjoyed trying. If you throw out enough stuff, some of it’s going to stick, that’s what you hope for.
On his time spent in meetings:
I spend about 25 hours a week just in meetings. As City Attorney, I’m the attorney for all the boards: the Board of Public Safety, the Airport Authority, the Department of Metropolitan Development, the Evansville Redevelopment Authority, the Evansville Water & Sewer Utility, etc. It might seem like it requires a lot of patience, but it’s really interesting finding out what’s happening in the city. In the meeting you find out what needs to be done and outside the meeting, you do the real work.
On his community involvement:
I wanted to play a big role in the community probably because my mom and dad set that example while I was growing up. So after law school I knew I wanted to be involved with one of the city’s universities, so I let it be known. Forty-five years later, I have been Chairman of the University of Southern Indiana Foundation and currently am the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for USI. I witnessed the first campaign out there that raised $20 million, when the goal was $15 million. That’s a lot of money now, but 40 years ago, that was really a lot of money. I feel like over the last 45 years, I’ve really done it all out there and I feel like I’ve had lots of opportunity to help.
On family:
I can’t stress how important my family has been throughout my success. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for their support and endurance through all the highs and lows. My wife, Clare, has truly been through it all with me.
On his hobbies:
I go to the gym four times a week; I have a trainer two days and I go on my own the other two. With my artificial knee, it got difficult to run like I used to so now I get my cardio in on the elliptical machine. It also has really helped my balance. If I did fall now, I’m more able to handle it compared to if I didn’t work out at all. Maybe I’ll live longer. I love it when I can walk out of the gym in the morning and already feel like I’ve accomplished something.
On Evansville’s future:
We need to provide the infrastructure that will deliver the economic development that the city’s core needs to thrive. We’ve seen a lot of huge, profitable projects downtown, but no one thing makes it happen. All of the new and upcoming projects will come together and make something that people will want to be a part of, they will want to come to Evansville and invest in our city.
For more information about Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders, LLP, contact 812-424-7575 or visit zsws.com.
