Gary Fox Honored as Distinguished Business Leader

Today the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual Salute to Business recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of business leaders in our local community. Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustee member Gary Fox was among six individuals and businesses honored during the program held Thursday, February 27, 2025.  Click to read the story in the South Bend Tribune.

Fox was celebrated as a Distinguished Business Leader, noting his outstanding contributions to the business community, his pioneering leadership attributes, and his commitment to public service.

Fox’s career spans more than 42 years. He was recently re-elected to the P-H-M School Board’s Harris Township seat, marking his second tenure with P-H-M after previously serving for 20 years before stepping down in 2020.  He is dedicated to upholding P-H-M’s tradition of academic excellence.

Fox believes that collaboration and innovation are key to ensuring the long-term success of K-12 education in St. Joseph County. “Gary is an exemplary leader whose innovative and creative thinking has helped advance P-H-M to be one of the top-performing school districts in the state,” shared P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “His contributions will have a lasting legacy.”

A 1982 Purdue University graduate, Fox spent his professional career as a certified public accountant and business development executive at Crowe, where he also served as a partner. He played a key role in corporate development efforts, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and portfolio growth. Recognized as one of Crowe’s most innovative tax partners, he built a national reputation in partnership and LLC taxation.

Fox is committed to giving back to the community. He is a longtime supporter of the P-H-M Education Foundation most recently supporting the Fun Zone at Penn’s 2024 Homecoming and the Short Circuits program for all P-H-M 3rd graders at all 11 elementary schools. Fox is also making a $10,000 contribution to the Foundation’s Naming Rights Campaign to name Penn High School’s fieldhouse, currently under construction, the Dr. Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse (click here for more details).

Fox’s commitment to children also includes his support of other nonprofit groups such as the Casie Center. He served on the IU South Bend Office of the Chancellor Advisory Board, and was honored with the IU South Bend Leadership Award. Fox’s contributions to education include his work with Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, where he mentors students and supports business competitions.

He and his wife Tammy have been married for 44 years and are parents to two Penn High School graduates and now have five grandchildren, two of which are at Moran Elementary School.  

Reflecting on his career, Fox shared, “I hope my professional legacy reflects what the founders of Crowe stood for—being a trusted advisor to clients and mentoring team members to find joy and purpose in their work while also making an impact.”

We congratulate Board Member Gary Fox on this well-deserved honor from the South Bend Area Chamber of Commerce and thank him for his dedication to education and the community.