Greg Gibson honored with Chapman S. Root Award
Nov. 30—Terre Haute businessman and philanthropist Gregory L. Gibson was honored Thursday evening with the Chapman S. Root Award, presented by Hospice of the Wabash Valley.
The award, established in 1990, is presented to an individual whose generosity and leadership has enhanced the quality of life in the Wabash Valley.
Hospice of the Wabash Valley has been one of Gibson's longest charitable associations. He has served as its board chairman for 35 years.
"His steadfast dedication to the agency and its mission has helped countless Wabash Valley families over many years," Hospice said in a news release. "His leadership also brought the Gibson Family Inpatient Hospice Center to our community."
Gibson's business interests have included commercial real estate development; the hospitality, gaming, and food service industries; trucking, excavation and coal; solid waste; and advisory services.
Gibson has served on the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission and the Ports of Indiana Commission, as well as Nominating Board of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
He was a founding member of the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board and currently serves as the chairman of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is current president of the Terre Haute Business Development Association.
Gibson has been a major catalyst for the redevelopment of Terre Haute's downtown. He has developed the Hilton Garden Inn, the Candlewood Suites, the Copper Bar, the Terminal, and The Hub in the former Hulman Building.
He donated land for the Vigo County Convention Center and the new parking garage to the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board. He also purchased and then donated to the CIB the historic Indiana Theatre.
He developed the east-side Indiana 46 corridor, bringing Meijer, Walmart, Sycamore Terrace Apartments, two new hotels, and other businesses to that area.
Gibson grew up in Terre Haute and attended Terre Haute North Vigo High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and has served on its board for more than 30 years.
He also serves on the board of First Financial Bank and its holding company, First Financial Corp.
Gibson is involved with charitable organizations including Hospice of the Wabash Valley, Visiting Nurse Association, the Wabash Valley Family SportsCenter, and the Weatherby Foundation.
He has been affiliated with the Methodist Health Foundation, the Terre Haute Children's Museum, Salvation Army, the Sheldon Swope Art Museum, Family Service Association, Vigo County Education Foundation, and St. Mary-of-the- Woods College. He also directs two private Gibson Family Foundations.
Gibson is married to the former Amy Zwerner. They have two children, Jack, 20, and Lucy, 17.
