Norman Gable, President

Norm is a lifelong resident of rural North Manchester. He is a ‘77 graduate of Purdue University with Bachelors in Agriculture and third generation owner of their family farm, which he and his wife operate. Over the years he has served on several boards and committees including the Wabash Co. pork producers, Wabash Co. Extension Council, Indiana Blacksmithing Association new location committee, and Wabash Co Farm Bureau Co-op board of directors. Through 11 mergers he has remained on the Co-op board and is now serving on the latest incarnation of that organization known as Ceres Solutions Co-op. He came to the Fort in 2005 as a blacksmith and has served as lead blacksmith.

Robert Jones, Vice President

A lifelong Hoosier, Bob has lived in Fort Wayne since 1972. He received his BS and MS from Indiana University Fort Wayne in education. Following 37 years in public education he retired from the classroom in 2011. In 2006 Bob participated in an historic reenactment at the Old Fort and was hooked. He became a volunteer that same year and currently serves as the Fort’s Education Liaison and Event Committee Chairperson. Bob is also a member of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Midwest Outdoor Museum Coordinating Council, and a life member of the Allen County – Fort Wayne Historical Society.

Thomas Grant, Treasurer

Raised in the Hammond /Gary area, Tom graduated from Indiana University School of Business with degrees in Accounting and Marketing-Advertising.  He began his accounting career in Fort Wayne with Coopers & Lybrand (Pricewaterhouse Coopers), passed the CPA exam, and earned his certification in 1977.  He currently practices with the LCPA Group Ltd and has served as Treasurer of Historic Fort Wayne since 2007. Tom also serves as a Board member and Treasurer of the William J and Bonnie L Hefner Foundation.  He maintains memberships with the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Assn., Contemporary Longrifle Assn. , the Company of Military Historians, and the Allen County Historical Society.

Nancy Stansberry, Secretary

Nancy moved to Fort Wayne in 2006 to accept the position of District Curriculum Coordinator for FWCS. She was in charge of the K-12 Gifted Program K-12 Social Studies, and 6-12 English.  Nancy worked with teachers, academic coaches, and department chairs to facilitate policies as well as improving teaching methods.  Nancy has a BS in Social Studies, and MS in Special Needs, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in school administration.  After 35 years in public education, Nancy now works as a Behavior Consultant for clients in the city.  As Secretary of the HFW, inc. Board, she enjoys the energy and enthusiasm the meeting attendees have for history, the city, and the Fort.

Randy Elliott

Randy is a resident of rural Whitley County. After attending Whitko High School, he graduated with a degree in American History from Ball State University. He worked for the Association of Indiana Museums and was Assistant Program Director and Education Director for Historic Fort Wayne. He then worked for the Fort Wayne History Center as Registrar, Education Coordinator, and Exhibitor until 2016. Besides being on the current Historic Fort Wayne’s Board of Directors he is involved with the Fort Wayne West Central Home Tour, the Forks of the Wabash Historic Site, and the Whitley County Historical Museum. His memberships include Architecture & Community Heritage (ARCH) and Indiana Landmarks.

Joshua Grubaugh

Josh is a teacher at East Allen County Schools and has enjoyed extending that love of education to the Old Fort.  He has bachelor degrees in History, Education, and Anthropology and is currently completing his fourth degree as well as starting his Master’s in Education.  The best way to learn is to do and that is certainly his credo with numerous demonstrations being done at the fort including cooking, smelting, block printing, fire making, and (of course) chocolate making.

Andrea Boyer Hahn

Andi has been reenacting and researching the French colonial period for over 30 years. She trained in baking pastry in Vanves France and is commonly found at the bake oven or working in the Fort’s garden. She currently is a manufacturing tech in N.E. Indiana.

Kean A. Lytle

Kip, a native of Cleveland, OH, has been interested in historic reenacting and woodworking since childhood. He moved to Fort Wayne in 2009 after accepting a position with the 122d Fighter Wing. In 2010, he visited the Old Fort for the first time and volunteered to join the organization as a period woodworker and militia member. In 2018, he retired from the Air Force after 27 years of service and took up woodworking full time, eventually opening his own business (MacAddis, Woodwright, LLC). He joined the board in 2019 and continues as the Fort’s woodworker.

Sean O’Brien

Sean was born in Chicago and moved to Fort Wayne in the early 70’s. He graduated from Bishop Dwenger HS and attended IPFW. After a stint in the U.S. Navy he returned home and started High Angle LLC, a commercial window cleaning service. Sean was an integral part of the group that formed Historic Fort Wayne Inc. in 2004 and petitioned the FW Parks Dept. to allow them to operate the Fort as we do today. Over the years Sean has served as past president and currently head of maintenance. He and his wife have two children.

Gerret Swearingen

Gerret is an avid reenactor, who is involved in living history portrayals for several different time periods. He is an elder law attorney with an office in in Waynedale, IN. Gerret is active in his community, serving on the Board of Directors of Bi-County Services in Bluffton, IN, and is also the president of his Waynedale Lions Club.