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BACKGROUND
David Morgan’s journey started in Indianapolis and may well end here too. He is a 6th generation resident whose forefathers purchased farmland between 1829 and 1837 during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, the last chief executive to sign land grants. The Morgans still live on part of the original parcel, although they have also lived in Nashville, Chicago, Dallas and New England.
The son of real estate developers, he remembers sitting at the kitchen table in elementary school when his parents were working on building their first model homes in Carmel – helping debate color choices and layouts for the homes. The family went on to build 26,000 single-family home in Indiana and the Carolinas through their firm, C.P. Morgan; homes planned specifically to bless first-time buyers with more home than they ever
dreamed possible. He remembers his parents’ strong faith, which worked its way through the company partially by way of a chaplain who ministered to employees.
Morgan worked for his family’s firm through high school (Park Tudor) and college (began at Vanderbilt and finished at the IU Kelley School of Business), wending his way from sales to land acquisition to new business development. He cut his teeth early on entrepreneurship and leadership, challenged by a mentor who told him he wouldn’t be respected by the team unless he worked harder than anyone else. And so he did, a character trait that followed him to Chuck Swindoll’s ministry, Insight for Living, during grad school at Dallas Theological Seminary, as well as Eli Lilly during his MBA program at Dartmouth. It follows him still today.
“People say I’m incredibly intentional about everything I do,” he says. “I’m a connector and discerner, passionate about depth in relationships and listening well to figure out how people can help each other; how we can improve and make things better. I like to find a gap then solve it.”
It was during his time at Dartmouth that he reached out to the owner of an Indianapolis firm, Senior Home Companions (SHC), to learn more about her business model. SHC was giving exceptional care to his own grandparents at the time, allowing them to stay in their home despite multiple health challenges. He wanted to understand why the business was so successful as he pondered and prayed about his own future. Turns out the owner, Gloria Scott, was planning to sell. Twelve years ago, Morgan began his journey as the president of SHC, which operates in Indiana and Florida and also includes a business called Story Cottage, providing personalized memory care in exclusive residential settings.
Not too surprisingly he has a passion for older folks and when he speaks about how to make Indy stronger, he believes that tapping into senior wisdom and experience is something that is needed.
“I view this as a calling, helping older adults in their journeys,” he says. “It’s a blessing and a passion. A lot of our clients have had very influential lives. They’ve never asked for help with anything, but we have the chance to step into that gap at a time when they’re vulnerable and help them finish well.”
The secret to success is hiring others who see it as a ministry and calling, too, but that’s a heady goal when you have 600 colleagues.
“We have to get it right with both families and their caregivers. We’re dealing with aging, family emotions, counseling, grief, unfulfilled longings, and children who need to be sons and daughters again,” he says, mentioning that he has recently taken a page from his parents’ playbook by hiring a full-time person to minister to his caregiving team.
Morgan serves on the board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana and also the board of VOX Christian Fellowship on the campus of Dartmouth. Together with his wife and three sons, he enjoys outdoor adventures and they are actively involved in Trader’s Point Church where he is an elder.
MORGAN'S IDEAS FOR A BETTER INDY
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DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. Living in a city where so many people already give back is unique. “It’s the people who pull us back,” he says. “People here are generally trying to help each other; they’re fair about the way they approach life. People choose to live in Indy even when they have opportunity to go elsewhere, and that makes a difference. There’s a strong faith community here too.”
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RECOMMEND C7 TO SOMEONE NEW. “C7 is awesome,” Morgan says. “It’s one of my first recommendations when I meet someone, whether they’re new to the city or have been here years. They’re such a solid group of guys who care about community and giving back.” He recounts a few of the things that are meaningful: 1) You don’t have to worry whether a friend you take to a meeting will be bored; 2) You’ll expand your worldview; and 3) You’ll cross paths with people you might not otherwise. “I have found several business services we now use through C7,” he says, “and our company just hired someone through a connection made at the C7 Christmas party.”
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THINK AGAIN ABOUT WHAT SENIORS HAVE TO OFFER. It’s important not to marginalize the elderly, Morgan says. They are often overlooked, but have lots to give back. He is intentional about getting his own kids around older people and they come back excited and eager for more.
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BRING THE YOUNGER GENERATION ALONG, TOO. One of the things he appreciates about Indy is the spirit among the older generation for bringing the younger up. Morgan doesn’t stop with his work on behalf of seniors, he’s also passionate about preparing kids for college life and has written a book on the subject, Delivering Your Future. “We’re pretty good at preparing kids academically and with extracurriculars,” he says, “but we often lack in preparing them for faith and community transitions.”
DAVID MORGAN TRIVIA
Favorite hobby besides work? Skiing
Go to snack? Grape-Nuts
Favorite restaurant, locally? Late Harvest Kitchen
Favorite place for a vacation? Mountains - Anywhere
Secret Dream? Own a Luxury Boutique Hotel
Connect with David at dmorgan@shcindiana.com.
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