Jim Pressel grew up in Southern La Porte County and graduated from La Porte High School in 1981. Right after high school graduation, Pressel started his career in the carpentry business and worked there for three years.
After three years as a carpentry worker, Pressel decided to move his career in a different direction and become a truck driver. Pressel left the carpentry industry at the time because interest ratings on homes were up to 19%, and as a result not many homes were being manufactured.
Pressel’s career as a truck driver lasted 10 years. During those 10 years, Pressel drove goods from one side of the United States to the other.
“I drove through almost every state in my truck except Washington and Montana,” Pressel said.
After those 10 years of being a truck driver, Pressel decided to open up his own construction business in 1992: Pressel Enterprises. Pressel decided to establish his own business because he saw the demand for construction businesses in the La Porte area.
“I’ve always enjoyed construction. At the end of the day I can see what I’ve accomplished, I can see the houses I’ve built from 30 years ago and how they're still standing today,” said Pressel.
When looking back at Pressel’s inspiration for establishing his own business, he thinks about his idol Walt Kegebien. During Pressel’s early adult life, he became fascinated with Kegebien because he was the premier builder in La Porte. Even though Pressel never even knew Kegebien, Pressel’s drive to be just as great as him inspired him greatly.
Some of Pressel’s responsibilities as owner consist of drawing up house/room plans on the computer and estimation. Pressel oversees daily activity as well, but has started giving his son, James Pressel, more responsibility due to his desire to take over the family business.
“The best part about my job is getting to work firsthand with the customers and being able to take my business in the direction I choose,” Pressel said.
Aside from being a business owner, Pressel is also an Indiana State Representative for the Indiana Builder Association. Pressel has been a representative for Indiana since 2016 and has enjoyed every minute of it.
Pressel's climb to Indiana State Representative did not come overnight - it took hard work and dedication to get there. Pressel got his start in politics in local government and through that became very passionate about direct policies.
When Tom Dermody, the former Indiana State Representative for the Indiana Builder Association, got elected mayor of La Porte, Pressel decided it was time to take the next step in his political career.
“I wanted to be able to do bigger and better things for the community, and make as much progress as possible,” said Pressel.
As an Indiana State Representative, Pressel only has two concrete meetings with the other Indiana Representatives. One of the meetings is the long budget session, which lasts from January 1 to April 28, and the other meeting is the short budget session, which lasts from January 1 to the middle of March. These meetings’ bigger goal is to help the constituent issues of Indiana communicate with the agencies.
During those meetings, Pressel stays down in Indianapolis, Ind. and comes back on the weekends to visit with his family and run his company.
When Pressel is not in session with the Indiana Representatives, he still travels back and forth to Indianapolis for meetings. Recently, Pressel was appointed the Chairman of Roads and Transportation. This role consists of Pressel planning longer and bigger bills, sometimes planning can take up to two years.
When looking back at his term, Pressel believes his biggest accomplishment and difference he’s made in the Indiana House of Representatives is helping to prevent distracted driving. In 2019, Pressel was able to help pass a legislation that disallowed the usage of cellphones while driving. When this legislation passed, Pressel was written as the co-author on the bill.
Apart from being a business owner and an Indiana State Representative, Pressel enjoys spending his free time fishing, traveling, and playing golf.
This year Pressel is celebrating his 40 year anniversary with his wife, Becky and is excited to see many more anniversaries to come.
Pressel would like to say a special thank you to the La Porte community and his family for supporting him at all times.