Rochest er ma yor-to-be Trent Odell names new board of works

Gary Hartwig

With no challenger in the Nov. 7 general elections, Trent Odell is already preparing for his new job as Rochester’s new mayor in 2024. In fact, he has already named his incoming board of works and public safety members: Brett Curnutt and Gary Hartwig.

“I have chosen these two men not only for their unique experience and qualifications, but for their heart for this community,” said Odell. “We have great chemistry between us, and I am very excited for what they will bring to the position and to the community with their expertise.”

The following bios were submitted by Odell:

Brett Curnutt

Brett Curnutt is married to Terri Lynn, has raised five adult children, and is a proud “Papaw Nutt” to three grandsons. Brett and Terri made Rochester their home 2½ years ago and have fallen quickly in love with the people, the town, and beautiful Lake Manitou. Enjoying evenings on a boat ride, or dinner with friends has made this place quickly feel like their forever home.

Curnutt took an exciting new opportunity to become a part of the Shepherd Family Auto Group in 2021 and has been happily working at the Shepherd’s Chevrolet GMC of Rochester the last 2½ years. He brought with him 35 years experience as a director of finance in a General Motors dealership.

Curnutt is no stranger to serving his community proudly. Born and raised in Tipton, he simultaneously served on the board of works and was president of the city council for 24 years. He ended his service in Tipton with the honor of being mayor of Tipton after the passing of a wonderful man and mayor, Don Havens.

He was president of the Tipton County Pork Festival serving 36 years, chairman of the God Bless the USA July 4th Sky Concert for 25 years, Tipton County Republican Party chairman for 15 years, Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 27 years, and a founding member of the Tipton Main Street Association board of directors, serving multiple officer levels of all the above organizations.

He currently serves as president of Rochester Redevelopment Commission. He and Terri attend Mill Creek Church in Rochester.

“I am honored Trent Odell has asked me to serve on his board of works and public safety,” said Curnutt. “I am excited, and prepared to serve with energy and enthusiasm, this wonderful community that we have fallen in love with.

Gary Hartwig and his wife, Jennifer, relocated to Rochester in Sept. 2021 from the suburbs of Chicago after retiring from a career in federal law enforcement and starting a second career with U.S. Bank.

Gary and Jennifer have been married for 34 years and have three sons. Over the years, Gary and Jennifer spent several summers visiting Rochester with his brother, Steve, and his wife, Catherine. They chose Rochester as their long-term home after living in various locations.

He is currently as the senior vice president and director of anti-money laundering investigations for U.S. Bank. As the director of AML investigations, he has operational oversight and responsibility for investigative teams that conduct financial investigations, which protect the bank against terrorist financing, suspected criminal activities with primary focus on money laundering, and violation of the Bank Secrecy Act. Currently, he oversees a team of approximately 300 investigative resources across the U.S.

Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Hartwig served in federal law enforcement for 27 years holding a various leadership positions. His experience includes overseeing public safety and investigations related to transnational organized crime, laundering of criminal proceeds, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, gang enforcement, and crimes involving the exploitation of children.

Prior to retiring, he served as the special agent in charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, overseeing approximately 400 law enforcement personnel in 13 investigative offices throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Kansas.

Hartwig began his federal career with the U.S. Customs Service as a customs inspector in Chicago and became a special agent in 1988. He spent approximately 10 years conducting criminal investigations

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