John Paul Dockrey is a lifelong rural advocate and highly respected builder of community-driven solutions. With decades of experience in both public service and entrepreneurship, John has dedicated his life to helping small towns thrive—not by mimicking cities, but by boldly embracing their own unique strengths.
He has served as a city councilman, Economic Development Director, Chamber of Commerce Executive, and board member for a wide array of community, health, and education organizations. From launching Alexandria, Indiana’s participation in a state pilot for rural competitiveness to rehabilitating distressed properties into livable homes, John has a rare ability to turn vision into real, lasting impact.
John is also a seasoned entrepreneur, having built a national mortgage firm, founded multiple tech and service ventures, and now leads What’sUp 24/7—the platform powering the Rural Livability Index. What began as a way to help local leaders promote their towns has grown into a regional ecosystem connecting people, places, and purpose across rural America.
At the heart of John’s work is an unwavering belief: rural communities don’t need rescuing—they need recognizing. Through initiatives like PowerUp Rural, he is helping regions across the country prove that they are not only livable but desirable, investable, and ready to lead.
“Rural isn’t waiting to be discovered. It’s ready to be chosen.”
John and his wife Lisa have raised six children and now enjoy life surrounded by their fifteen grandchildren—all within four miles of home in northern Madison County, Indiana.
Larry Hummel Jr., of Greenwood, Indiana, is the driving technical force behind the What'sUp 24/7 platform. As Co-Founder and Lead Designer, Larry has architected and built every version of the platform from the ground up—translating vision into code and complexity into simplicity. His unique ability to design scalable, secure, and intuitive tools has been central to creating a system that truly serves rural communities.
With a background in software development, cybersecurity, and systems design, Larry has worked side-by-side with community leaders and end users to ensure that What’sUp 24/7 is not just functional—it’s transformational. His deep understanding of the technical challenges facing small towns has allowed him to build solutions that are accessible, sustainable, and ready to grow alongside communities.
Larry’s commitment goes far beyond clean code. For more than a decade, he’s collaborated directly with rural innovators to iterate and refine the platform, ensuring it meets the real-world needs of those working to elevate their towns, regions, and organizations. His hands-on leadership has helped What'sUp 24/7 evolve into a powerful, proximity-based system that powers the Rural Livability Index and other groundbreaking initiatives.
Larry brings humility, precision, and purpose to everything he does—quietly building the digital infrastructure that rural America needs to thrive.
Jason Moore brings a rare blend of operational leadership, military discipline, and entrepreneurial insight to his role as Chief Operating Officer at What’sUp 24/7. With over two decades of distinguished service in fire protection—including as Fire Chief—and a proud background in the United States Air Force, Jason’s life has been defined by service, resilience, and results.
Holding a Bachelor's degree in Fire Science and dual Master's degrees in Business Administration and Management, Jason couples real-world experience with strategic acumen. Since 2013, he has empowered small business owners across Indiana as a trusted consultant, helping turn big ideas into sustainable enterprises.
Jason's deep roots in rural community life fuel his passion for innovation that levels the playing field. As a key contributor to the development of the Rural Livability Index, he helps communities unlock their true potential—by connecting assets, activating networks, and turning grassroots energy into measurable progress.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jason serves as an Associate Director with Indiana University’s RED Lab and is a past President of the Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County Alumni Board. He’s a dedicated husband, proud father of three, and a firm believer that rural regions are not waiting for change—they are building it.
Angie Hibner is a seasoned communication strategist and community advocate trusted by local leaders across the region. As the former President and strategic architect for over 600 entrepreneurs through Respire Strategy, Angie brings a deep understanding of how to craft purposeful messaging that creates connection and engagement.
In June 2023, Angie was appointed Executive Director of the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, where she now leads efforts to enhance downtown vitality, forge cross-sector partnerships, and elevate the city’s economic and cultural profile.
Angie’s reputation as a skilled “business translator” means she can take complex ideas—and emerging platforms like the Rural Livability Index—and translate them into compelling narratives that resonate with REMC leadership, community champions, and regional audiences.
She is a natural connector who thrives on forming relationships, inspiring action, and helping communities tell their stories with clarity, heart, and impact. This makes her an ideal leader to launch and scale What’sUp 24/7’s national communications and engagement strategy.
Dominic Cartwright is the Lead Software Engineer for What’sUp 24/7, where he plays a pivotal role in building and evolving the technical backbone of the Rural Livability Index. Based in Marion, Indiana, Dominic brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and authentic understanding of rural communities to the development of this transformative platform.
A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Computer Science and New Media, Dominic has built a career around custom development, system integration, and user-centered design. His background includes leading client solutions at DK Cartwright LLC and serving in development roles at firms like Ethode and Slingshot, where he worked on innovative, data-driven applications.
At What’sUp 24/7, Dominic is responsible for:
- Architecting scalable front-end and back-end systems
- Ensuring platform stability, security, and cross-device performance
- Translating community and user needs into intuitive technical solutions
Dominic’s work reflects a strong commitment to rural progress. With every line of code, he helps communities become more visible, connected, and equipped to thrive. His contributions ensure that the platform is not only powerful but also accessible and relevant for the very people it’s designed to serve.
Phillip Anderson is a dedicated champion of rural vitality and the driving force behind our national training development. With over 23 years leading non‑profit and agricultural organizations, he brings a rare mix of strategic vision, servant‑leadership, and hands‑on rural experience.
Key Contributions & Leadership:
- Chief ReThinker & Founder of ReThink!, guiding communities to think and act creatively beyond conventional approaches.
- Instrumental in creating RISE 2020: Rural Indiana Strategy for Excellence, establishing a statewide development roadmap.
- Designed and delivered servant‑leadership training with the Robert K. Greenleaf Center, and continues to empower rural
innovators through strategic consulting.
- Served as Executive Director for the Indiana Corn Growers, Beef Cattle, and Veal associations—connecting agriculture,
advocacy, and community growth.
Rural Passion & Presence:
A lifelong rural explorer, Phil has personally visited every town and hamlet in Indiana—all 2,230 dots on the map—through his “Life Off the Highway” initiative. This unique journey illustrates his deep respect for rural heritage and community life.
Academic Credentials & Local Roots:
Phillip holds a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and has taught Cultural Heritage Tourism at IUPUI. He lives in Carmel, co‑owns his family’s grain farm near Frankfort, and continues to support rural leadership statewide.
Jim Jenness brings a calm, solutions-first approach to his role as Head of Support at What’sUp 24/7. Based in Anderson, Indiana, Jim ensures that every user — from local volunteers to regional leaders — receives timely, knowledgeable, and compassionate support as they engage with the platform.
With a background in customer relations, systems management, and community service, Jim has become an essential connector between the technology team and the people using the platform in real time. He specializes in simplifying complex processes, troubleshooting technical issues, and equipping users with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
At What’sUp 24/7, Jim leads:
- Day-to-day user support and onboarding
- Resource center and training documentation
- Outreach to new subscribers and rural partners needing guidance
Jim’s steady presence and rural sensibility make him a trusted voice among those we serve. Whether it’s a Community Champion logging their first event or a regional coordinator launching a new campaign, Jim ensures every question gets an answer — and every user feels valued.
Alexis DeFraties brings vibrant creativity and visual clarity to the What’sUp 24/7 mission as our Graphic and Video Production Coordinator. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alexis specializes in crafting compelling visuals that tell the story of rural communities with authenticity and heart.
With a strong background in multimedia design and a passion for elevating overlooked places, Alexis ensures every visual element — from training videos and promotional reels to website graphics and campaign collateral — is polished, purposeful, and community-centered.
Her role includes:
- Designing visual assets for web, social media, and print
- Producing video content for initiatives like the Rural Livability Index
- Supporting local partners with storytelling tools and templates
- Coordinating media production across statewide and regional campaigns
Driven by a belief that design can empower, Alexis combines technical expertise with an instinct for storytelling. Her work amplifies rural voices and gives local communities the visual presence they deserve — helping them stand out and be seen on a national stage.