Shelbyville High School Alumni Hall of Fame inductees credit family and community

The benefits of family and the positive influence of Shelbyville and Shelbyville High School were the themes of the evening as Scott Law and Dan Theobald accepted induction into the Shelbyville High School Alumni Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

SHS Director of Student Services and Hall of Fame chairman Andy Hensley welcomed a large crowd to the 15^th induction ceremony. The Hall of Fame inducted its initial class in 2008.

“The Hall of Fame has consistently developed and is a continual example of the tremendous achievements of Shelbyville graduates,” said Hensley. “It also serves as a reminder to our students as to what is possible.”

Scott Law (photo, left), a 1981 SHS and 1985 Butler University graduate, founded Zotec Partners in 1998. The Carmel-based company has thrived over the course of the past 26 years and is the nation’s largest privately-held provider of revenue cycle and management and practice management solutions. The company manages more than 80 million management encounters and annually serves more than 17,000 physicians in all 50 states. Zotec recorded 190 million dollars in revenue last year.

The company was the winner in six categories in the 2022 Powderkeg Unvalley Awards as one of the best technology companies to work for and also was recognized as one of state’s “Best Places to Work” by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

SHS classmate Jeff Bate commended Law for his role in providing employment to some 1000 workers.

“One thousand people have stable, excellent-paying jobs because of you and what you have created with Zotec Partners,” said Bate (photo). “That is a tremendous contribution.”

Law expressed his appreciation for having the opportunity to participate in athletics while in high school.

“The teachers and coaches provided a solid foundation and principles that I took forward into college and professional life,” said Law. He also related that sports participation imbued a sense of tenacity and determination. “I learned if you’re going to play, you might as well play to win.”

Law conveyed thanks to former Shelbyville High School principal Ray Craft for encouraging him to attend Butler and later advocating for his admission to the university. Law also recalled working at WSVL radio during high school.

“I was grateful for that opportunity,” he said. “It was a great learning experience and really helped my confidence.”

The Zotec CEO cited the “five P’s” as representative principles that serve to guide his philosophy of operation: passion, persistence, predictability, perspective and people.

He also thanked his family for their role in Zotec’s success.

“My family has had a great deal to do with building Zotec and for its continued development,” said Law. He went on to say that he was proud to accept this honor on behalf of his entire family.

Law created the Zotec Foundation that supports many non-profit organizations that prepare individuals for successful futures, including Shelbyville High School athletic programs.

The current Carmel resident stated that he feels a sense of “warmth and family” whenever he returns to his hometown, adding, “Shelbyville is always going to be my home and my family’s home.”

Dan Theobald (main photo, right) graduated from SHS in 1966. He enjoyed early success as a drummer for local bands the Kandels and the Stix and Stonz. His bands won several “Battle of the Bands” competitions and later performed on the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars.

Shortly after graduation, he began work at the Shelby National Bank and entered the Army Reserves. He later became an insurance agent and chose to enter the field of politics in 1979.

Theobald became Shelbyville’s youngest mayor after winning the 1979 election and emerged victorious in two subsequent elections to become the city’s first three-term mayor. He was the only mayor to serve more than one term in office during the 32-year period from 1971 to 2003.

Theobald was a catalyst for the city’s economic development, strengthening the relationship with companies such as Knauf and bringing a plethora of industries into the industrial park on Shelbyville’s north side.

Following his three terms as mayor, the Shelbyville native continued his work in economic development. He became executive director of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce in 1992 and brought thousands of jobs and significant investment to the Hendricks County community. He enjoyed similar success as director of economic development in Johnson County and later back home again in Shelby County.

Theobald’s mayoral tenure was also highlighted by the renovation of the downtown circle, the inception of the annual “Bears of Blue River Festival,” the Sister City program and Shelbyville’s hosting of the Babe Ruth Bambino World Series in 1984 and 1985.

The former mayor served as president of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns and was twice elected president of the Indiana Republican Mayors Association. He was awarded Indiana’s “Sagamore of the Wabash” in 2015.

2015 Hall of Fame inductee Joe Harlan related how Theobald provided him a summer job working on the city’s budget during his college years.

“That was a tremendous opportunity,” said Harlan. “It gave me a great start and confidence to pursue my business career and I will always be very grateful to Dan for that.”

Several city employees who worked for Theobald were on hand for the ceremony. Former parks and recreation director and current city council member Linda Sanders and former police officer Mary Joe Phares expressed their appreciation to him for making them the first women to be appointed to their respective positions. Ironically, he pointed out that Scott Law’s father, Jim, also in attendance Thursday, served as a city council member during Theobald’s time as mayor. 

Theobald recognized former WSVL Radio employee Jack Boyce and expressed appreciation to local media for all their support during his years as mayor.

“WSVL and The Shelbyville News were always extremely supportive of all that we were doing,” said Theobald. “They supported and promoted us. I will always appreciate that.”  

Theobald acknowledged his large family, many of whom were present and gave special thanks to his wife of 55 years, Peggy.

Theobald echoed Law’s sentiments as he concluded: “I live in Greenfield now but I’m a Golden Bear. I’ll always be a Golden Bear.”

The congregation adjourned to the SHS lobby and the Hall of Fame display where photos of the newest inductees were unveiled.

The newest Hall of Fame members and their guests were invited to a reception prior to Friday’s high school football game between Greenfield-Central and Shelbyville. Law and Theobald were honored in front of the crowd at halftime of the contest.

Andy Hensley concluded the event by congratulating the new members and reflecting on the SHS Hall of Fame’s impact.

“This event always makes me feel proud every year,” said Hensley. “I think we all leave here inspired.”  

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