U.N. job may move Morris far from city

James T. Morris, chairman and CEO of IWC Resources Corp., has been nominated to a United Nations ambassadorship, raising questions about his future as the head of the Indiana University Board of Trustees and his position at the helm of IWC Corp.

Morris is likely a shoo-in to become the next

ambassador to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, following his nomination by President Bush. The agencies oversee U.S. involvement in the World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization, both headquartered in Rome. The assignment could take Morris overseas.

"Certainly, there is enough work to be done there for long stretches of time," said Nick Weber, a spokesman for Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. "But there's no requirement he live in Rome. It's up to the person.

Morris' predecessor, former Sen. George McGovern, has lived in Rome since becoming ambassador in 1998, Weber noted.

Morris was elected in August to lead the board of trustees and had planned to run again in June when his term expires, said Bill Stephan, interim vice president for public affairs and government relations.

"I suspect that is changing and so, my understanding is, he hopes to serve as president as long as he possibly can and come as close as he possibly can to completing his term."

Morris has served on the board of trustees since 1996, and was re-elected to a three-year term in 1999. If he can no longer lead the panel, board Vice President Fred Eichhorn will serve until June 30, when another election will be conducted, Stephan said. Morris is one of three trustees elected by the school's alumni. The remaining six are appointed by the governor.

"What is unknown is how long the confirmation process will take. Given what Congress is dealing with these days, it's hard to say what the timetable will be for him," Stephan said.

The Senate shepherds the confirmation process, which could take weeks, Weber said.

Morris, who has been the top executive for IWC, the parent of Indianapolis Water Co., since 1989, declined to divulge his plans.

"I'm deeply honored to be considered by the president," Morris said. "I'm prohibited to talk about this until I would be confirmed by the Senate."

The water company is in the process of being sold to the city of Indianapolis. The city announced its commitment to purchase the water utility in July from IWC parent NiSource Inc. for $522.5 million.

Executives of IWC Resources Inc. and United Water Services, which operates the city's wastewater treatment plant, have formed Central Indiana Water Management Co. and will submit a proposal to city officials to manage water operations.

If the city were to award the bid to the company, Morris probably wouldn't be involved in daily operations, although he is one of the founders of the corporation, according to IWC Vice President and General Counsel John Davis.

"We are proud to be Jim's colleague", IWC Deputy General Counsel Peter Beering said. "In the many years I've known Jim, he has only asked for something once: support for his IU trustee selection. And that was so he could serve the university and the many things it serves."

Dick Fredland, a political science professor at IUPUL said the position is relatively low-profile, although the organization's mission is important.

"It's one element of the U.N. that makes the U.N. terrific because it's not political," Fredland said.

Morris has been instrumental in building the city's stature as the "amateur sports capital of the world," by helping lure the NCAA's headquarters to the city, and by founding the Indiana Sports Corp. Morris has served as chairman of the NCAA Foundation Board since 1993.

"Jim Morris was at the front of that [NCAA] effort," said Marion Peavey, the foundation's executive director.

Morris also has played a vital role in every significant sporting event the city has staged the past 20 years, said ISC President Dale Neuburger.

"I can't think of anyone who is better qualified and who has more passion to help people than Jim Morris. This is an opportunity to do that on a national scale," Neuburger said.

Lugar, in announcing the nomination, described Morris as "a close friend and great public servant." Morris served as Lugar's chief of staff from 1967 to 1973, while he was mayor of Indianapolis.

His charitable contributions include chairing the United Way of Central Indiana and serving Lilly Endowment Inc. from 1973 to 1989. He was president of the endowment's board. from 1984 to 1989.

There are no other candidates for the ambassadorship, Weber said. "It's his as long as the Senate confirms him," Weber said. "The term nomination implies there is competition with other folks, but there is not."

The World Food Program distributes food for long-term refugees and displaced people and provides emergency food assistance during times of disaster. It operates on contributions of commodities and cash donated by governments.

The Food and Agriculture Organization programs attempt to eliminate hunger by raising levels of nutrition and standards of living; by improving the production and distribution of food and agricultural products; and by promoting rural development.