ADAMS – If Tom Mullenbach hoped to keep a low profile, that idea is gone forever.

Sunday, September 05, 1999

ADAMS – If Tom Mullenbach hoped to keep a low profile, that idea is gone forever.

His fame has been relatively restricted to the environs of his hometown, Adams, but no longer is that true.

Mullenbach has become a bonafide celebrity.

He’s going to Washington, D.C. this week to be honored as a "hometown leader."

The National Center of Small Communities has named Mullenbach, an Adams Township supervisor, a recipient of the American Hometown Leadership Award.

Wal-Mart, which co-sponsors the award to promote strong leadership is small towns, is presenting Adams Township with a $5,000 grant in Mullenbach’s honor.

"The winners of the American Hometown Leadership Award demonstrate not only outstanding leadership qualities, but also the creativity and initiative needed to bring a measure of excellence to their work," said Tom Halicki, executive director of NCSC.

A regular for breakfast in the morning at Vogel’s Restaurant and Bar and for supper at night at American Legion Post No. 440’s clubrooms, Mullenbach is a self-employed electrician, who has as many friends as he has projects that bear his distinctive organizational skills.

Halicki said Mullenbach is a perfect example of the kind of community leader NCSC and Wal-Mart want to recognize and reward.

"Their ability to envision great things for their community, and their ability to translate that vision into action, makes them deserve of our highest honor," he said.

The Wal-Mart Economic Development Grant, which Mullenbach will receive, is earmarked for community improvement projects to help boost the economic vitality of Adams township.

Each year, Wal-Mart awards more than $2 million in economic development grants to support local efforts to attract new business.

Adams Township is one of more than 200 small towns and township receiving more than $600,000 in American Hometown Leadership Award monies.

The award recognized Mullenbach and other outstanding elected officials, who serve on a local government’s board, council or advisory committee in a community with a population of 25,000 or fewer.

"Wal-Mart’s traditional customer base is comprised of small communities throughout American," said David Glass, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "We are committed to improving these towns and townships not only by providing quality retail establishments, but also be lifting up the best leaders who are making a difference. We can all learn from their example."

Mullenbach will join other honorees at the National Association of Towns and townships annual conference in Washington, D.C. Wednesday through Friday, when the awards luncheon will be held.

Mullenbach, who declined comment to the media, was nominated by Margie (Mrs. Gerald) Meier of Adams.

She credited Mullenbach with changing Adams’ attitude.

"A united effort in cooperative fund-raisers and ecumenical experiences had not been visible in the Adams community until several decades ago," she said. "The ambitions and desires were present, but lack of leadership was obvious."

"Mr. Mullenbach assumed this leadership position and proceeded to share his abilities beyond township leadership to include community, city and church projects," she said.

Mullenbach has orchestrated dozens of civic projects, that, are, literally, too numerous to mention, according to fans.

Collectively, the civic projects in both the Adams community and Adams Township have touched everyone.