Pacers exec Morris to receive Daniels leadership prize

The vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment has been chosen for the 2015 Mitch Daniels Leadership Prize, which carries the responsibility of recommending a person or organization for a $100,000 grant from the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation.

Jim Morris

An eight-member jury picked James Morris for the Mitch Daniels Leadership Prize, named for the former Indiana governor and current Purdue University president. The announcement was Tuesday.

Morris will be feted during a Dec. 10 event honoring his contributions to the state of Indiana. He formerly directed the U.N. World Food Program in Rome and was president of the Lilly Endowment Inc. from 1984 to 1988.

He also was chairman and CEO of IWC Resources Corp. and Indianapolis Water Co. from 1989 to 2002, and chief of staff for former Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar from 1967 to 1973.

Retired Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard said Morris' "extraordinary professional career" has "transformed lives and inspired the young leaders of today." Shepard was chairman of the prize jury.

Winners of the biennial Daniels prize also are charged with choosing an individual or organization to receive the $100,000 grant.

The 2013 inaugural Daniels Prize event recognized honoree Tim Solso, retired chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc., and grant recipient Earl Martin Phalen, CEO and founder of Summer Advantage USA and Reach Out and Read. The 2013 grant was $50,000.