Former IPAC leader Powell honored with award in his name

Longtime head of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council Dave Powell has been honored by the association he used to lead, receiving one award at the annual winter conference and having a second award renamed in his honor.

During the 2019 winter conference, the recently retired IPAC executive director  received the Steve Johnson Award from the IPAC board of directors. Current IPAC board chair Lisa Swaim presented Powell with the award at a reception celebrating his eight years leading IPAC.

In addition to presenting the Steve Johnson award, Swaim also announced that moving forward, the Eugene “Shine” Feller Award would be renamed the Powell Feller Award as recognition of Powell’s service and the transformation that he brought to IPAC. The Feller award – IPAC’s highest honor – was presented to former Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry during the 2019 winter conference.

“The Board felt it was an appropriate way to honor the legacy that Dave leaves behind,” Swaim said in a statement. “He has made a lasting impact and the Powell Feller Award will be a tribute to Dave’s contributions.”

Created in 2014 and named after former IPAC executive director Steve Johnson, the Johnson Award is given to individuals who demonstrate the same level of professional dedication and excellence. Johnson served as the leader of IPAC for 14 years and spent the entirety of his 38-year career at the organization.

With the recognition, Powell is now the first person to receive both the Johnson Award and the “Shine” Feller Award. He received the Feller award in 2006 following more than 20 years as the Greene County Prosecutor.

“My grandfather liked to say that people were put on this earth to serve others and to work,” Powell said in a statement. “It has been my honor these last few years to serve the prosecutors of this state and to work alongside some very talented people.”