Lukenbill named as 2020 Arthur R. Himsel Award
MARSHALL COUNTY — The association of Indiana Counties (AIC) has named Marshall County Council member Penny Lukenbill as the 2020 arthur R. Himsel award Winner. The Himsel award is the aic’s highest honor and is named for an individual who dedicated his public career as an elected county official. Himsel was instrumental in the formation of the AIC during his service as a Hendricks County Commissioner in the late 1950s. For many years Himsel served as Indiana’s representative on the National association of Counties (Naco) Board of Directors. Since the inception of the Himsel award in 1984, it has been given to an elected county official who has served the interests of county government through involvement with the AIC.
The award was presented during a Marshall County Council meeting, as aic’s annual Conference will be held virtually this year. During the virtual conference representatives from public agencies, private entities, and local elected officials will address issues such as: rural development, protecting employee’s health and workspace, retirement, crisis communications, a Statehouse report, and how to identify and prepare for the next extraordinary event.
Penny Lukenbill served as President of the AIC in 2013-14.
She served on the board from 2005-15 and served on the aic’s Legislative Committee for several years. Lukenbill has also served as President of the Indiana
County Treasurers association, twice elected as Marshall County Treasurer. She was also twice elected as County auditor before
being elected to the County Council in 2014. She was the recipient of the Outstanding County Auditor in 2012.
Locally, she has also been involved with the Plymouth Public Library Board of Trustees, Plymouth Park Board and Plymouth Industrial Development Board. Lukenbill is also involved in the Lions Club serving as chairperson of the Kids Sight Vision Screening Project. In 2014, she was recognized in the Congressional record at the request of Representative Jackie Walorski.
The Association of Indiana Counties, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1957 for the betterment of county government. The various functions of the AIC include lobbying the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of counties, serving as liaison among counties, state and federal agencies as well as providing technical assistance and training to county officials and employees.