Set for Monday, November 12, 2018, Lieutenant B J Gruber will outline how the Marion City Police Department is “Making an MPACT” in our city … in fact, such an impact that even the White House took notice. The Marion Women’s Business Council luncheon meeting will be from 11:30 to 1:00 at All Occasions Banquet Center, 6989 Waldo-Delaware Rd (Rt. 423 just south of Waldo). We will be in the Delaware Room, on the north side of the main building. Please note that this is a change from our normal meeting location.
Unveiled in May of 2016, the Marion Police Department’s “Marion Police and Community Together” (MPACT) initiative is an outreach program designed to create more opportunities for positive interaction between police and local residents, primarily teens and young children. Lt. Gruber will outline the importance of the program and how the interaction – whether it’s handing out freeze pops and pool passes or providing warm hats and gloves or having lunch or hot chocolate with our area kids – will have positive, long-term effects. He’ll also touch on the national recognition this program has brought to our community.
Lt. Gruber was born and raised in Marion, graduating from Marion Harding High School in 1993. Three months after graduation from high school, he was hired by the Marion Police Department as a communications officer. He then attended North Central State College in 1994 obtaining his police academy certification. In January of 1996, he was hired as a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office working until being rehired by Marion PD as a patrol officer in March of 1998.
A 2005 graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College, Lt. Gruber was assigned as a detective in 2001, promoted to Lieutenant in May of 2003, and has been serving at that rank for the past 15 years. He has supervised patrol, the detective bureau, the MARMET Drug Task Force, The Special Response Team (SRT) and, most recently, holds the title of MPACT Coordinator for the Marion City Police Department. Within this assignment, Lt. Gruber oversees all of the department’s outreach and public relations work, supervises the school resource officers, and performs the functions of the department’s Public Information Officer.
Lt. Gruber resides in Marion with his wife, Jenn, and three sons, Jace, Braden and KC. His eldest child, Lauren, is a recent grad of Heidelberg College and is a first year teacher at Grant Middle School. Outside of work and family, Lt. Gruber’s passions are Cleveland Indians baseball, Ohio State football, jogging and cycling.
Reservations for this event are $13 and must be received by Wednesday, November 7. They can be made by sending an email to mrn.wbc@gmail.com or by calling Cindi Bentley, Membership Co-Chair, at 740-396-0197.
All 2018-2019 luncheon events will held in the Guthery Room at Maynard Hall September through May, with the exception of the March Athena award presentation. Guests are always welcome with an RSVP.
The Marion Women’s Business Council’s mission is to inspire women to reach their full potential through mentoring, networking, education, and recognition. WBC luncheons are held the second Monday of each month, September through May. Anyone interested in joining may browse our website for a membership application and a complete program schedule. Those interested in joining are also encouraged to attend a luncheon to find out more.
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