Justin Hage is the new deputy mayor of Zionsville. Hage was appointed to the vacancy July 16 by Mayor John Stehr, following the June 20 resignation of former Deputy Mayor Kate Swanson.
Hage most recently served the town as a member of the Zionsville Pathways Committee, to which he was appointed in 2018 and served as chair in 2022 and 2023.
A practicing attorney, Hage has served in the administrations of President George W. Bush and Indiana Govs. Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence.
“Justin is immensely qualified with a deep background in public service,” Stehr stated. “He and his family are one of the many talented and accomplished families that are the future of our town. All of us in Zionsville will benefit from his work on our behalf.”
Per the Town of Zionsville’s code of ordinances, the deputy mayor’s duties include assisting with policies, budgets and directives. The deputy mayor is responsible for the administrative functions of the town and assists with the coordination and direction of all town operations, except the Zionsville Parks Department, and the administration and enforcement of ordinances, policies, directives and annual budgets.
Specific duties include evaluating proposals; soliciting bids and executing contracts on behalf of the town for materials, supplies and services; preparing town council meeting agendas; investigating citizen complaints; setting goals and developing strategies to carry out the policy objectives set by the mayor; evaluating town needs and advising on recommended courses of action; and engaging citizen involvement in planning and problem-solving, serving as consensus-building facilitator.
The deputy mayor also acts as department head in the mayor’s absence.
Stehr said the Zionsville Town Council is in budget preparations, and Hage’s full compensation package will be determined in the coming weeks.
“Justin will be an excellent partner as we continue to move Zionsville forward,” Stehr stated. “I’ve been clear, my vision for Zionsville is to protect the unique charm of our town while working to position us to be more competitive across Central Indiana. As we progress with key projects, such as the South Village, Justin’s background and experience will be invaluable.”
Hage graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2006 and served at the Office of U.S. Trade Representative and on the staff of the Committee on Way and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives before moving to Indiana in 2011.
He earned his law degree in 2016 from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 2017.
Hage and his wife Christina and son Henry moved to Zionsville in 2018. His resume includes work as a regulatory counsel at CenterPoint Energy and Director of Government Relations at Findhelp, a technology company in the social services sector based in Austin, Texas.
