(Posted June 25, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Gary Neff has had a Mount Sterling address his entire life.
The 72-year-old grew up just outside of town, attended school in Five Points and graduated from Monroe Township School. He has lived within the Mount Sterling corporation limits since 1991.
A business owner, township trustee, and former volunteer fire fighter, Neff is dedicated to serving his community. It’s for this reason he was named grand marshal of the 2018 Mount Sterling Community Days Festival parade.
“This was a very pleasant surprise to me. When I reflect back on the other grand marshals, it’s a good deal to be part of that group,” Neff said.
Owner of Gary Neff Electric, Neff got his start in HVAC and electrical work under the wing of Gene Garrison, a local business owner. From 1966 to 1970, Garrison provided Neff with on-the-job training. He also inspired the young Neff to join the fire department.
“Gene was a volunteer with the department. If there was a daytime fire, he would go and we (the employees) would go,” he said. Neff stayed on as a volunteer fire fighter for 25 years.
After his time working for Garrison, Neff went on to other HVAC, electrical, and maintenance jobs, including 12.5 years in the maintenance department at Fayette County Memorial Hospital in Washington Court House. While still working at the hospital, he went into business for himself in 1978.
A self-described workaholic, Neff still finds time to fulfill his duties as a Pleasant Township trustee. Elected in November to his third four-year term, he is excited about the township’s and village’s potential.
“We want to put together a comprehensive plan. We’re trying to look into the future a little bit and give the Mount Sterling area a little growth,” he said.
Neff has three children–Craig, who lives in Mount Sterling, Jared in Sabina, and Julie in Ashville. Neff and his wife, Melody, live in town.
