The History of Handbell Industry Council
The Handbell Industry Council (HIC) was organized in August 1984, as a result of the 1983 resolution passed by the National Board of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc (AGEHR). The HIC is the official liaison between the members of AGEHR and those firms and individuals who have a business interested in the manufacturing of handbells and/or handchimes, handbell music publishers, distributors and dealers, and those businesses supplying materials and services related to handbell and/or handchimes.
HIC was incorporated in the state of South Carolina in 1988. In January of 1990 we were recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(6) organization and, as such, we are exempt from federal income tax.
The primary objectives of HIC are to serve as the communications vehicle between AGEHR and the business community and among companies with handbell interests, to develop, promote, and manage all commercial displays at national AGEHR events as defined in the AGEHR/HIC Partnership Agreement, to develop additional ways for AGEHR and HIC to more effectively serve handbell ringers and directors, and to serve in an advisory capacity to the AGEHR Executive Director and to AGEHR Area Boards when requested.
HIC Office Holders
| Chair | Vice-Chair | Secretary-Treasurer | |
| 1985 | David Weck | Willard Markey | Larry Freeman |
| 1986 | David Weck | Willard Markey | Larry Freeman |
| 1987 | David Weck | Willard Markey | Jim Jeffers |
| 1988 | Willard Markey | Jim Jeffers | Nancy Jessup |
| 1989 | Jim Jeffers | Nancy Jessup | Don Norris |
| 1990 | Nancy Jessup | Don Norris | Joe Keith |
| 1991 | Don Norris/Nancy Jessup | Joe Keith | Jeff Hamm |
| 1992 | Joe Keith | Jeff Hamm | Janet Van Valey |
| 1993 | Jeff Hamm | Janet Van Valey | David Huff |
| 1994 | Janet Van Valey | David Huff | Larry Pugh |
| 1995 | David Huff | Larry Pugh | Kathy Ebling-Thorne |
| 1996 | Larry Pugh | Kathy Ebling-Thorne | Bill Griffin |
| 1997 | Kathy Ebling-Thorne | Bill Griffin | David Weck |
| 1998 | Bill Griffin | David Weck | Nancy Helmich |
| 1999 | David Weck | Nancy Helmich | Judy Sherman |
| 2000 | Nancy Helmich | Judy Sherman | Connie Jeffers |
| 2001 | Judy Sherman | Connie Jeffers | Andrea Gilbert-Rivard |
| 2002 | Connie Jeffers | Susan Berry | Andrea Gilbert-Rivard |
| 2003 | Joe Keith | Kermit Junkert | Andrea Gilbert-Rivard |
| 2004 | Joe Keith | Kermit Junkert | Alan Lohr |
| 2005 | Joe Keith | Kermit Junkert | Alan Lohr |
| 2006 | Bill Griffin | Kathy Lowrie | Alan Lohr |
| 2007 | Bill Griffin | Kathy Lowrie | Nancy Helmich |
| 2008 | Bill Griffin | Jill Jeffers | Nancy Helmich |
| 2009 | Steve Shorney | Jill Jeffers | Nancy Helmich |