Ruth Hook

Ruth Hook, was born in Indiana but grew up on the West Coast. She attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Science in 2012. Her Hoosier roots called her home to Indiana where she continued her higher education and obtained a Master of Science at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2013. For the next several years, Ruth lived and worked in Downtown Indianapolis where she was immersed in the growth and revitalization that occurs in an active and engaged community. Ruth is the Northern Indiana Environmental Lead for Lochmueller Group, an engineering consulting firm. In this position, she champions the pursuit and management of environmental projects. Ruth credits her professional success to taking a fresh mindset that emphasizes collaboration with local communities to develop solutions that achieve multiple goals including: protecting the natural environment, supporting sustainable growth, and improving public resources for residents. As a member of the 2019 Indiana Democratic Party Emerging Leaders she gained the knowledge and skills to build a community of enthusiastic and engaged stakeholders. A believer in the basic tenet that living where you work and working where you live promotes community engagement, Ruth and her partner Mitch made the big decision to swap city life in Indianapolis for the small town world of Mitch’s hometown, Hartford City. Here she is building a community and finding opportunities to effect positive change and reinvigorate the small town. Ruth is committed to becoming a resource and a voice for Hartford City and Blackford County by volunteering, serving on boards, and promoting local organizations and businesses.