Town Manager

Appointments

To make appointments with Mr. Doyle, contact Rebecca Parker, his administrative assistant, at 219-926-1098.

C. Bernard Doyle

Background 

C. Bernard (“Bernie”) Doyle, a 5th generation Hoosier and native of Northwest Indiana whose direct family roots go back to pre-revolution Colonial Pennsylvania and Virginia, is a graduate of Valparaiso High School. He spent his youth in Valparaiso and Michigan City. His summers were usually devoted to working on the family farm just southwest of Hebron, Indiana. 

Following high school, Bernie entered the U.S. Air Force as an aerospace and structural firefighter serving with the Strategic and Tactical Air Commands in Wyoming and Europe.

Following his enlistment, Bernie attended and graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor's degree in history before being employed with the City of Indianapolis Airport Authority in air safety operations as a firefighter, inspector and instructor until 1989 to include playing a key role in the October 20, 1987 Indianapolis Air Disaster. 

Throughout these years he served with the Indiana Air and Army National Guard in aviation support roles.

Past Assignments

His career as a U.S. Park Ranger (Federal Law Enforcement Officer), Interpreter, and Manager with the National Park Service began in 1990 with assignments to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii (1993-1996 and 2002-2006), Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi, and Sitka National Historical Park in Alaska, along with several temporary assignments throughout the country. 

He served with distinction as a Chief U.S. Ranger and Air Rescue Squadron Commander / Pilot in Southeast Alaska before retiring as the National Park Service Chief of Operations at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

During his 1st assignment to the USS Arizona Memorial he served with the Hawaii Air National Guard air to air reserve refueling squadron based out of Hickam Air Force Base. Bernie served as a detail liaison with the National Park Service to many top ranking foreign, civilian and military dignitaries, the national and international media/press, U.S. congressional leaders and White House staffs to include cabinet secretaries. 

Chesterton Career

Bernie began his position as town manager for Chesterton in February of 2009 with an eye on making a positive and lasting difference in this community and region. His primary focus is on establishing continuity for operational stability and legacy. 

His varied operational backgrounds with the military, federal government and private business sectors prepared him well for the multi-tasked responsibilities of an accountable town manager. He believes firmly in the advantages of collaborative management in decision making. His strongest points are in operational team building and assessments, multi-disciplined emergency services, risk management, operations, project development, and legislative / public affairs.

Hobbies / Interests

His hobbies and interests are as varied as the assignments he served in over the past 40 years to include:

  • Clay Sports
  • Archery
  • Fly Fishing
  • Collecting
  • Scuba Diving
  • Cycling

He is a commercial multi-engine airplane, seaplane, glider, and helicopter pilot having flown a wide variety of aircraft in various capacities for the government and privately since 1973.

Memberships

He has belonged to many national, professional and service organizations throughout the country. Currently he is an active member of:

  • Indiana Association of Cities and Towns
  • Indiana Municipal Managers Association
  • Calumet Masonic Lodge No. 379 in Chesterton
  • Rotary International
  • American Legion Post 94
  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 165
  • St. Francis Episcopal Church in Chesterton
  • Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
  • Sons of the American Revolution