Tad is a lifelong resident of Shipshewana. He is happily married to his wife Megan and has been blessed with 3 sons. Tad comes from a family of entrepreneurs; from grandparents, to aunts/uncles, cousins, parents and siblings. So, it comes as no surprise he has been a local business owner since 2005. When asked what his biggest influence has been, he stated, “..by far, it has been growing up with parents that were both rooted in faith and lead by example.” Tad had served the town as a firefighter/AEMT on the Shipshewana Fire Department for over 10 years before stepping down to serve on the Town Council in 2017. Tad has served as Council President since 2020 before stepping down to serve in the role of Clerk-Treasurer for the town.
He had also worked as a full-time medic for almost 8 years, with the last 5 of those in LaGrange County. Currently he is the president and owner of HAWK Custom Apparel Online and serves as a deputy coroner for LaGrange County.
Tad has always felt a duty to serve his community, and has been blessed with a number of opportunities to do so over the years including: The Shed, PCs for Youth as President of the Board of Directors, LaGrange Co. 4-H Fair Association as Fair Board Director, and multiple opportunities through New Life Fellowship Church.
Melissa Naylor
HR/Administrative Assistant to Town Manager
Melissa Naylor has been with the Town of Shipshewana since August 2021 as the Administrative Assistant to the Town Manager. She was born and raised in LaGrange County and is a graduate of Lakeland High School. Melissa and her husband Jason live in LaGrange with her two girls and his two boys and his daughter.