Haffner honored with Sagamore of the Wabash

FORT WAYNE — Described as a great friend and a counselor to many, Timothy J. Haffner, a corporate lawyer with Faegre Baker Daniels law firm in Fort Wayne, community leader and a member of Trine University’s Board of Trustees, was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash following the dedication of the university’s Brooks College of Health Professions on Sept. 27.

“Your fingerprints are on everything good that has happened in northeast Indiana in the last 20 years,” said Mike Packnett, former CEO of Parkview Health, as he helped present the award. “Sometimes we see you out front, but most of the time you're behind the scenes giving us counsel on typically pretty controversial decisions.”

“If I have an issue I need to talk about, I call Tim,” said Dr. Rick L. James, chair of Trine’s Board of Trustees. “I know I'm always going to get an honest answer. He doesn't tell me what I want to hear. He always tells me what I need to hear.”

Haffner said he was “humbled, honored (and) completely undeserving with so many people that have done so many things.”

“Coming back to the community you grew up in, it's unbelievably fortunate to be able to be a small part of making a difference with so many giants in the room,” he said. “Sincere thanks to all of you. I can't be more appreciative.”

Haffner’s family members joined for the ceremony.

The Sagamore of the Wabash award, created during the term of Indiana Gov. Ralph Gates, is the highest honor the governor of Indiana bestows.

The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among these who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to Hoosier heritage.

About Timothy Haffner

Haffner has extensive experience in commercial real estate, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. He often serves as an adviser and business counselor to principals of businesses ranging from baseball teams, health care providers and financial institutions to manufacturing and service organizations.

In addition to his professional work, he is active in his community and devotes time to a variety of civic causes. In 2009, he won the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce.

Haffner joined Trine University’s Board of Trustees in 2016 and currently serves as director of the executive committee.

He serves as a director and secretary of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, director of Metal Technologies, Inc., and founding chair of the Northeast Indiana Regional Marketing Partnership.

He is past chairman and director for the Allen County Economic Development Alliance, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc., Fort Wayne Division.

He is past chair of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce.

He has served as a director in the past for Homefield Advantage Foundation, Inc., Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way of Allen County, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber Foundation, Northeast Indiana Foundation and the James Family Foundation.

He was named to the Best Lawyers® list for Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law from 2010-2025, including Lawyer of the Year honors in 2014 and 2022. He was also part of Faegre Baker Daniels’ Pro Bono Honor Roll from 2015-2016.