The Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) is a volunteer organization that is run by business owners and residents. Its mission is to enhance the Village experience. The BRVA has one employee, Executive Director Sharon Butsch Freeland.

Sharon joined the BRVA in January, shortly after moving back to Indianapolis from Colorado. She grew up in Indianapolis. Her Butsch ancestors arrived in Indianapolis in August of 1840, and she has always had strong feelings for the city and its history. Although Sharon attended Shortridge High School, her father, her aunt, her husband and his siblings all attended Broad Ripple High School. Your editor went to both School 80 and BRHS with Sharon's youngest sister Maria.

In the 1970's, Sharon's mother and step-father opened one of the first Century 21 real estate offices in central Indiana. Century 21 Bulger was located at 6338 College Avenue until the 1980's; Sharon was a Realtor at her mother's office for almost twenty years.

Sharon and her husband Michael lived in Boulder, Colorado, for fifteen years before moving back to Indianapolis last October. Upon arriving in town, she contacted her friend and BRVA President, Ellen Morley Matthews, merely for the purpose of reconnecting. "I think my earliest memories of Ellen are when we were in grade school and would see each other at The Riviera Club."

Sharon was not really looking for employment at that point. Ellen mentioned that the BRVA was looking for an executive director. Ellen knew Sharon would be just right for the job. "We are a member-based organization," said Ellen. "The fact that Sharon was a Realtor for twenty years, specializing in Broad Ripple, Butler-Tarkington, and Meridian-Kessler, means that the residents of the area were her focus. Having her move back to Indianapolis at this time was a godsend."

Sharon will be involved in all aspects of the BRVA as her role develops. She represents the BRVA at meetings and hearings, and is becoming the face of Broad Ripple Village. "My job is to facilitate the wishes of the board and of the BRVA members," explained Sharon. "Some residents have felt left out [of BRVA decisions], and I hope to become more involved with them. Our current board [of directors] has more residents on it than any BRVA Board in its history. I want to help the BRVA to become a tool for improving the quality of life here."

Sharon's husband Michael is an important part of having Sharon with the BRVA. Michael has been helping with the computer side of the executive director job - setting up the computers and improving the website, www.discoverbroadripplevillage.com, as well as maintaining the Farmers' Market and BRVA membership databases.

"This is a chance for me to give something back," said Sharon. "I love Indianapolis." The Gazette welcomes Sharon and Michael back to Broad Ripple.