The Westfield Washington Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame will gain two new members during Westfield High School’s Homecoming Week, Sept. 20-25. Captain Mitchell H. Finke and Mr. Dan Willoughby will be recognized at halftime of the Homecoming Football game on Friday, Sept. 25. Captain Finke and Mr. Willoughby will also have the opportunity to speak with current Westfield High School students and be honored during the Homecoming Parade this evening.
Captain Mitchell H. Finke
Finke
Captain Finke was commissioned in 2001 through Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Fla., as a Naval Intelligence Officer. He holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies (with distinction) from the United States Naval War College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ball State University.
Captain Finke has spent the past 20-plus years serving all over the world. He deployed to the waters off the coast of Pakistan shortly after 9/11, to the waters of the Northern Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf, as well as in a combat zone in Fallujah, Iraq. He has served onboard two aircraft carriers, an amphibious assault ship, in joint intelligence centers and the Pentagon. Captain Finke currently leads men and women addressing the nation’s threats in cyber space as the Director of Intelligence at United States Fleet Cyber Command / United States 10th Fleet.
Captain Finke has served on teams that have been awarded four Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Battle Efficiency awards, and a Navy Unit Commendation. Personal decorations he is authorized to wear include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
“My chosen profession in the United States Navy has taught me commitment to causes greater than myself,” said Captain Finke. “The core values of the Navy (Honor, Courage and Commitment) and the mission embraced by Westfield Washington Schools have similar themes. I love that I came from what was then a small town in Central Indiana.”
Captain Finke is married to the former Alison Schneider of Fishers. Together, they are the proud parents of one daughter and reside in Ellicott City, Md.
Mr. Daniel Willoughby
Willoughby
As a three-generation alumnus of Westfield Washington Schools, Shamrock Green runs through Mr. Daniel Willoughby’s veins. Mr. Willoughby wants to thank excellent teachers such as Alan Myers, Doug Orahood and Bernie Grasier who in his own words, “helped take a ‘backward,’ somewhat stubborn young man out of his own head and helped him reach for goals and aspirations that have propelled into a multi-faceted set of companies that now make up Dan Willoughby Sales, Inc.” Mr. Willoughby goes on to attest that, “Teachers such as Barbara Bieberich and Linda Dodd are the only reason this first-generation Purdue graduate made it across the finish line.”
In 1996, Willoughby Sales was established together with Mr. Willoughby’s wife, Carol Hamer Willoughby (1986 graduate) and is run today with the help of his son, Justin Willoughby (2012 graduate) and his daughter-in-law, Erin McKamey Willoughby (also a 2012 graduate). Together they manage and operate Willoughby Sales (livestock/show animal auctions), W2 Auctions Solutions (software), ShowBarnFlix (live streaming), WAG Marketing (marketing/print shop) and Willoughby Live (event management). Willoughby Sales is the oldest multi-species online sales and marketing firm in the nation.
In 2019, Mr. Willoughby was inducted into the Indiana Livestock Hall of Fame. This honor recognized the time and resources he gave to advancing the agri-business industry that has given so much to him. He continues to support efforts on local, state and national levels with livestock and 4-H programs – such as hosting State FFA competitions and shows, as well as volunteering time and staff to manage the rings and broadcast various state fairs across the country via the internet.
Mr. Willoughby lives in Bloomington, Ind., with his wife Carol where they operate a 400-acre sheep farm in their spare time.
“Growing up, Westfield was a small community with a big heart,” said Mr. Willoughby. “It has grown exponentially in both cases.”
Future nominations for the Westfield Washington Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame can be made at this link at any time. The selection committee meets during the spring to consider all nominations. At that time, the committee solicits more information from nominees who will move to round two of consideration. The 2022 Westfield Washington Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame inductees will be named at Homecoming in the fall of 2022.
About the Westfield Washington Distinguished Hall of Fame
The Westfield Washington Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame award honors alumni whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their life’s work and/or service to their communities. An honoree’s spirit and leadership are worthy of recognition and have inspired praise and gratitude among his/her/their peers.