Evansville Business June-July 2021 by Evansville Living Magazine

MEGA MERGER E-REP Unites Economic Groups | LEADING ADVOCATE CASA’s Suzanne Draper A publication of Evansville Living & Tucker Publishing Group

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VOLUME 20 / NUMBER 3

A Publication of Tucker Publishing Group

PUBLISHER Todd A. Tucker

MASONRY CONTRACTOR -SINCE 1946-

EDITOR Kristen K. Tucker

Third Generation | Family-Owned Business

Troy Schreiber & Tammy Evans, owners MASONRY TUCKPOINTING CLEANING CAULKING CHIMNEY REPAIR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Laura Mathis

evansvillebusiness.com

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Casey Scarbrough MANAGING EDITOR Jodi Keen

Rapp Granary

STAFF WRITERS Dallas Carter Riley Guerzini

Evansville Business welcomes submissions for our business social page and corporate news. Please mail or email these items six weeks in advance of the magazine cover date to the address above or events@evansvilleliving.com.

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER

DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION MANAGER Gregg Martin

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS Audra Straw Zach Straw

2 June/July | 2021

Subscriptions are $18 for one year; $24 for two years; or $30 for three years. To start a new subscription, renew an existing subscription or to change your address, visit evansvilleliving.com/ subscribe; call 812-641-5919 or 818-2863122 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, or send an email to elbcs@magserv.com.

SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Misti Wagemann UE Basketball Practice Facility

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

IN THE NEWS

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jessica Hoffman Jennifer Rhoades

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Tucker Publishing Group 25 N.W. Riverside Drive, Ste. 200 Evansville, IN 47708 812-426-2115

TUCKER PUBLISHING GROUP Todd A. Tucker, President Kristen K. Tucker, Vice President

Letters to the publisher may be sent to the address above or to ttucker@ evansvilleliving.com.

Take advantage of Evansville Business’ prime advertising space. Please call us at 812-426-2115 or visit evansvilleliving.com.

Evansville Business is published bimonthly by Tucker Publishing Group, 25 N.W. Riverside Drive, Ste. 200, Evansville, IN 47708, and printed at LSC Communications, Lebanon Junction, Ky. Any views expressed in any advertisement, signed letter, article, or photograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Evansville Business. Copyright © 2021 Tucker Publishing Group. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Tucker Publishing Group.

Contents

J U N E /J U LY 2 0 2 1

16 Featured

Regulars

4 PUBLISHER’S LETTER

FEATURE Sigma Equipment has quietly become a leader in processing and packaging equipment

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The recent merger of three Tri-State economic organizations packs a big punch

Polite/Impolite Inquiries

13 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Infrastructure improvements have revitalized Boonville’s downtown area

13 COMMUNITY PARTNERS United Methodist Children’s Home is a recipient of Kelly Salee’s dedication to helping youth

4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 7 ON THE CLOCK Inman’s Picture Framing preserves memories

9 IN A WORD

15 MADE IN EVANSVILLE Nussmeier Engraving and Printing transforms product packaging with innovative techniques

Local leaders share their definition of “collaboration”

11 BUILDING EVANSVILLE The Deaconess Aquatic Center is set to make a big splash

11 BY THE NUMBERS

56 BUSINESS LIFE 57 IN THE NEWS 64 BACK TALK

Signs of progress from the mayor’s 2021 State of the City address

Suzanne Draper details the impact of social work and the importance of CASA

Special Advertising Sections 17 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT HALL OF FAME A special insert highlighting 2021’s award presentation

22 LAWYER PROFILES Discover our area’s law firms, practices, and attorneys

34 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS Local specialists discuss environmental responsibility and trends in efficiency

49 MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS Learn how to effectively champion your business

ON THE COVER SIGMA Equipment founder Rob Palmer. Photo by Zach Straw. Evansville Business | 3

PUBLISHER’S PAGE

Polite/Impolite Inquiries

know that locals sometimes joke that Evansville is the center of the universe as it seems there are not too many degrees of separation between Evansville and the most current person in our 24-hour news cycle world. Several years ago, a popular pastime was the Kevin Bacon - Six Degrees of Separation game. We even featured it prominently with a great illustration by Julie Harris in the March/April 2001 issue of Evansville Living. Naomi Osaka, the current No. 2 women’s tennis player in the world, is trending all over global sports news regarding her withdrawal from the French Open. Now stay with me, both of you still reading this. (I am now informed by staff it is in double digits as the staff is forced to review my letter.) In a conversation in my office just a few short days ago, Anna Hazlett and Kim Poynter, who quite capably run the Deaconess Women’s Hospital Classic (a women’s professional tennis tournament), mentioned to me that Naomi Osaka had played in their tournament in 2012, where she lost in the first round. This is really high-quality tennis being played right in our backyard. Offering $25,000 in prize money and going on 22 strong years in Evansville, it brings in a terrific field of players. Sixty-four players compete, and the tourney usually will feature around 10 international players. More than 30 players who have come through the Evansville tournament have reached their goal by playing in a Grand Slam Tournament. As I write this, the French Open is being played now, and 18 previous Women’s Hospital Classic players are competing in Paris, France and later this summer in some place called Wimbledon, England. This attests to the field of the players attracted every year. My appreciation and I know many others goes to Anna

and Kim who, along with the Evansville Community Tennis Association, help support and volunteer in a terrific community effort. Please give them your support and watch some great tennis culminating in strawberries and cream, provided by Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream, at 10 a.m. July 18 during the Sunday morning final. Now how fun is that? I have had several people make both polite and impolite inquiries as to my participation in Ironman Tulsa last month. In no particular order: • Yes, I was very sore for a week. But, I am not at the bottom of Keystone Lake. Sorry about that … you know who you are. • Fifteen hours of FUN! • Tulsa was very nice and quite scenic… saw quite a bit of it. • Eighty miles of the 112 miles on the bike were in various degrees of rain, from gentle showers to sheeting sideways. • I finished! Sole goal of the event for me. Although my boys mocked me in every way possible during training, they and my wife were extremely supportive and met me at the finish with a cold one. Then a cheeseburger — entirely worth it! In the photo above, I am running through the Greenwood District, or Black Wall Street, featured prominently recently in remembrance of the Tulsa Massacre 100 years ago. The other photo? My boys and wife were cutting through an actual Oklahoma road chasing after me on the bike course in Osage County, Oklahoma. As always, look forward to hearing from most of you.

Todd A. Tucker Publisher

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FULL OF HOSPITALITY

A NOTABLE DECADE

Thank you so much for the coverage and your professional reporting on the tourism and hospitality industry in (the April/May issue of) Evansville Business. (Riley’s) article was very well done, and it has been quite the experience to see myself on the cover of a magazine! Again, thank you for the thoughtful and informative article. I was very honored to contribute.

Our first store on Evansville’s East Side celebrates its 10-year anniversary in June. It has been an honor serving the Evansville community for the last 10 years. Special Thanks to Evansville Living/Evansville Business for the story on our 10 year anniversary!

Alexis Berggren, Evansville

Lucas Oil Center-Westside, via Facebook

4 June/July | 2021

P O R T R A I T BY Z AC H S T R AW

CommerCial SaleS & leaSing • ProPerty management

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Evansville Business | 5

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BUSINESS FRONT ON THE CLOCK

Jay and Harriett Inman, left, opened Inman’s Picture Framing on Vogel Road in 2001. Fifteen years later, nephew Mike and wife Jessica, right, took over the business and moved it to Lincoln Avenue. Inman’s Picture Framing includes a gallery of watercolors, photography, oil paintings and more original work by local artists.

Frame of mind

BY JODI KEEN

Inman’s Picture Framing preserves art and memories

“I

f you care enough to spend the money and hang (something) on the wall, take care of it” — that’s the philosophy of Mike Inman, lifelong lover of art and owner of Inman’s Picture Framing. Framing is in the Inman family’s blood. Mike’s grandfather, Traylor, was a framing hobbyist. Traylor’s son Jay began helping his father and developed an interest that launched a second career of his own, opening Inman’s Picture Framing with his wife Harriett on Vogel Road in 2001 after leaving the food and beverage industry. Despite a lifelong interest in art, Mike didn’t necessarily consider framing his

P H OTO S BY Z AC H S T R AW

future. It wasn’t until his uncle Jay recruited Mike to help with big projects that the younger Inman was hooked. “I like working with my hands; I like starting a job and completing it,” Mike says. Framing further appeals to him because “you can take the same picture and make it feel completely different,” he says. Mike and his wife Jessica took over Inman’s Picture Framing in 2016 after Jay retired, and the couple moved the store to 2828 Lincoln Avenue. The shop offers custom framing and archival work. The unique projects customers have brought Mike have led him to innovative techniques in framing and restoration, and they demonstrate just how critical it

WWW.INMANSPICTUREFRAMING.COM

is to involve a professional for complex jobs. Framing rice paper prints, for example, presents an enhanced challenge. The thin print needs to be supported so it doesn’t turn translucent when it’s hung up, but certain backings risk damaging the delicate paper. Mike creates Japanese hinges by hand-tearing strips of mulberry paper to support the print and mixing E Evansville Business | 7

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BUSINESS FRONT

E IN A WORD

ON THE CLOCK CONT’D

Collaboration We asked two community advocates to share their thoughts on one word E D I T E D B Y J O D I K E E N

Mike Inman

a rice starch paste to safely affix the strips to the back of the artwork. “Mike does some really neat things,” Jessica says. “He brainstorms and makes it happen. He likes building the whole idea of something different.” Sometimes, family photos are so fragile that simply unfurling them could do lasting damage. Mike built a steam chamber for such occasions: The steam carefully rehydrates the photo paper so it relaxes and can be safely unrolled and flattened. Blotting paper is then used to absorb excess moisture before the photo is framed. “You’ve got to protect it from UV rays, keep the paper off the glass, protect it from acid,” Mike says. “Archival work should last 100 years, and it shouldn’t leave damage behind. … This is why you should go to a professional and not a big box store.” Inman’s Picture Framing also features a gallery of local art. Visitors can peruse and purchase photography by Gene Lyons, oil paintings by Cynthia Watson, and acrylic paintings by Lori Rivera, among others. The collection is further evidence of the Inman family’s dedication to and appreciation of visual art. “Art is important,” Mike says. “Art is humanity and emotion and soul. … I love the emotional response you can get from artwork.” z P H OTO BY Z AC H S T R AW. F R A M E P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY I N M A N ’ S P I C T U R E F R A M I N G

ANDY HERBERTZ

JESSICA WELCHER

There are few things in life more rewarding than achieving a goal. And success is even sweeter when shared because of collaboration, whether it’s a work group project, home renovation, or team victory. Collaboration challenges us to acknowledge different points of view, appreciate our differences, and develop relationships.

In college, I remember grimacing when a professor enthusiastically announced a “collaborative group project.” Rarely did all the students in a group have the same goals or level of drive. It was almost always met with frustration and negative results.

As Harry S. Truman said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” And to improve the world we inhabit, collaboration is vital. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.’ Whether it’s social issues or a global pandemic, collaboration allows us to face these issues. Through collaboration, we can make our local and global communities better. We may not always reach our goal but, through collaboration, the odds of success are in our favor. — Herbertz is the advertising and public relations manager at Tropicana Evansville. P H OTO S P R OV I D E D

Now, as I work in health care fundraising, collaboration has taken on a new meaning. It’s not a forced project with people who don’t want the same things. It’s diverse people uniting for a common purpose. This is seen so frequently in health care, as care teams unite to form the best possible health plan for a patient. When different skills and experiences work together to solve a problem or create something new, great things happen. This has certainly been clear in the Evansville community throughout the pandemic as teams jumped to respond — whether it was COVID19 testing, Feed Evansville, the emergency response fund, or so many other projects. Evansville has truly become a place that encourages collaboration, and I am proud to be part of it. — Welcher is the acting director of the Deaconess Foundation.

Evansville Business | 9

BUSINESS FRONT E B U I L D I N G E VA N S V I L L E

BY T H E N U M B E R S

Counting Progress BY JODI KEEN

The Deaconess Aquatic Center, located in Garvin Park across from Bosse Field, is set for completion in early fall in time for the high school swim season. The 75,000-square-foot facility includes a 950,000 gallon “Stretch 50” competition pool, a 91,000 gallon leisure pool, and an outdoor splash pad.

Finishing Touches

BY RILEY GUERZINI

Aquatic Center to make a huge splash in fall opening The long-awaited Deaconess Aquatic Center, championed by local

officials and community members, now is in the final stages of construction, with the project set for completion in early fall — just in time for high school swim season. An effort supported by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and other city officials, countless community members, and even Olympic gold medalist and Evansville native Lilly King, the Aquatic Center looks to be a phenomenal asset to a community that will encourage and inspire future swimmers by serving Evansville area schools and local residents. The new facility, located in Garvin Park across from Bosse Field, will replace the Lloyd Pool, which the Evansville Parks Board voted to demolish on May 5 after nearly half a century of operation. The $28.4 million state-of-the-art facility will be managed by the YMCA. Site clearing and mass excavation for the project began in early 2020, with the foundation

being built in May of last year. The structure has been erected from the site throughout the past year and finishing touches are being put on now. “It’s pretty incredible that the team of people that were out here working for the city of Evansville has been able to accomplish this in that short period of time,” says Dan Alcorn, project manager with Garmong Construction Services. The 75,0000 square foot Aquatic Center will feature a 950,000 gallon “Stretch 50” competition pool with four springboards, a 13-foot diving well, seven different course configurations with two moveable fiberglass bulkheads, and a 992-seat capacity mezzanine. Two large LED scoreboards approximately 10-feet by 20-feet will be placed on the wall across from locker rooms below the mezzanine along with a tribute to Lilly King on the west wall. Moveable aluminum bleachers can be brought in for special events for additional seating. 62,000 pounds of sand make up the pools’ filter system and pumps can turn over about 950,000 gallons of water every five hours. The Aquatic Center also features the latest in energy efficient heating technology with units that can store heat from the humidity of the competition pool room to heat the pool in the summer months. On the other side of the competition pool is a 91,000-gallon leisure pool for recreational and teaching purposes with a zero-depth entry area along with play features, basketball goals, and space for swim lessons. The space leads to a gated outdoor splash pad area with about a dozen spray features. After years without a proper community pool, this facility will give local residents a splash of sports and recreation. “We’re all just really proud for this project to be where it is now,” says Alcorn. z

Despite weathering pandemic interruptions, the city of Evansville marked progress on several fronts in 2020.

976

Construction permits issued by the City of in 2020

351 are now under construction, representing $61 million in new investment

80,030 Rounds of golf hosted by in 2020, despite being closed for eight weeks due to COVID-19

374,000 People who tuned into

2020 At Home with the Zoo Crew web series

New subdivisions recorded in the Evansville city limits in 2020 by the

DATA S O U R C E : C I T Y O F E VA N S V I L L E P H OTO S BY R I L E Y G U E R Z I N I

Evansville Business | 11

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BUSINESS FRONT E I N T H E S P O T L I G H T

Touch of Class Renovations revitalize Boonville Square Adding beauty and attracting new visitors and

businesses to downtown was one of Boonville Mayor Charlie Wyatt’s top priorities when he took office in 2016. Now the downtown square of this small town in Warrick County is a suitable destination for those looking to eat, shop, and walk. “When I ran for office, 95 percent of everything anybody asked for was sidewalks, sidewalks, sidewalks, and sidewalks,” he says. “It wasn’t hard for me to say ‘OK, I think this square project is where we’ll start.’” The revitalized downtown square features expanded sidewalks, enhanced lighting, new traffic lights, ADA compliant ramps, and crosswalks. Working with the Boonville City Council, along with other organizations such as INDOT, Boonville Now, Boonville Merchants Association, and the Warrick County Commissioners, Wyatt secured funds for the project through general obligation bonds and downtown revitalization bonds that were collected over three years. The total cost of construction was $2.7 million between funds spent by both the city and Warrick County. New businesses that have opened on the square since the renovations include 2nd Street Bistro and Bakery, 3rd Street Saloon, SassaFrassy’s Antique Store, two vape shops, and The Tattoo Shop on Locust Street with more businesses expected to open in the coming years. The square renovation is just Phase 1 of a two-part revitalization effort for downtown Boonville. Wyatt says the second phase includes

Renovations to the Boonville Square were completed in October of 2019 by contractor JBI Construction with the goal of revitalizing the downtown area.

installing two arches — one spanning Main Street and one spanning Locust Street — that will have the word “Boonville” engraved on them along with the city emblem. More sidewalk updates are also planned for Phase 2. The project was completed in October 2019 — in time for the square’s most popular annual event, the Boonville Square Flair, a festival featuring live music, barbecue, bounce houses, pumpkin painting, and other games. The Square Flair will return this October after being cancelled in 2020. “The citizens of Boonville were walking around the square with smiles on their faces,” he says. “They were happy. I saw people that I hadn’t seen out for years, but they wanted to come up and see what the square was like.” The city’s next project is renovations to Third Street, starting at Main Street and going all the way to Lovers Lane on the north side of the city. The plan calls for burying major utility lines along the thoroughfare under new curbs and sidewalks. — Riley Guerzini

C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S

United We Stand

ou’ve most likely driven past the eight buildings at 2521 N. Burkhardt Road. Unlike its property, the United Methodist Youth Home is anything but inconspicuous. A board of directors, 35 employees, and financial and volunteer support from the United Methodist Church combine to allow the hands-off facility licensed by the State of Indiana Department of Child Services to help at-risk youth become responsible and productive members of the community. “It’s a rollercoaster ride at times, but I can’t imagine going on that ride with a more remarkable team,” says executive director Kelly Salee. “It’s truly an honor working with our staff, and it feels great to have spent my entire professional career with this organization.” An Evansville native, Salee started as residential program assistant after graduating from the University of Southern Indi-

B Y DA L L A S CA R T E R

Kelly Salee dedicates her career to local children

Kelly Salee

UMYH.ORG

ana with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2004. She received her master’s degree in public administration from USI in 2008, became executive director in 2014, and sits on the Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy Board of Directors. For the past 17 years, she has overseen

K E L LY S A L E E P H OTO BY Z AC H S T R AW. B O O N V I L L E S Q UA R E P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY J B I CO N S T R U C T I O N .

three main programs: The Residential Treatment Program, Day Education Program, and Truancy Intervention, as well as after-care services and ever-changing state and federal regulations. “With [the residential treatment] program, kids are all court ordered through the juvenile court system,” says Salee. “There are a lot of kids who come to us who have nowhere else to go.” The girl’s home opened in 1979; the boy’s home in 2010. After 42 years, it provides about 40 children ages 13 to 18 daily with housing, education assistance, therapists, life skills, and more. “We’re still serving through the pandemic,” says Salee. “I would say there is probably a higher need for our services now than it ever has been.” Salee and her staff have $40,000 left in a fundraising campaign to build a new girl’s home and renovate the existing building. z Evansville Business | 13

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BUSINESS FRONT E M A D E I N E VA N S V I L L E

Cheers to 105 years

Nussmeier Engraving and Printing remains an industry leader with new projects

t was 1916 when Steve and David Nussmeier’s grandfather and greatuncle founded Nussmeier Engraving and Printing in Evansville. 105 years later, the two cousins are ushering in a new era of Nussmeier’s high-end services. Since 2017, the company has moved from stationary products as its mainstay into packaging, specifically chocolate bar packaging. The bars are mostly dark chocolate made by Letterpress in Los Angeles and cost up to $18 each. Its newest packaging project — custom, luxury wine labels produced mainly for clients in Napa Valley, California, and San Francisco — has taken off since starting last year. “The reason we started doing so much of the high-end wine label business is because they lost the talent to be able to do it in that area,” says Steve, vice president and a Nussmeier employee since 1986. “Most of our work is out of Evansville because we’re so highly specialized in this kind of work.” Nussmeier’s packaging products are made using almost every aspect of the company’s production line. Its two digital printing presses create four-color, gradient color, and white-on-dark color designs on the chocolate bars, as well as other projects. The wine labels get their start on one of Nussmeier’s 12 traditional engraving presses, which are all American made by the Cronite Company. The labels go through a total of 10 embossing and engraving passes — one for each color of water-based ink or layer of embossing (a process that creates a raised element on the paper by punching it out from behind). Production for packaging and other projects can also include foil stamping with one of the company’s six foil presses or running the packaging through die cutters and gluing stations. “It’s a harder job than it first looks like when you’re looking at it,” says David, current president who joined the company in 1977. “We mix a lot of old and new processes P H OTO S BY Z AC H S T R AW

NUSSMEIER.COM

For 105 years, Nussmeier Engraving and Printing has used adaptability to thrive. Vice president Steve Nussmeier says its new projects, such as wine and chocolate packaging, are thanks to the company’s highly specialized services.

and we try to choose the best process for the project.” Adjusting its offerings and branching out of the region has kept Nussmeier thriving throughout 105 years and the recent pandemic. The presses are running nearly six days a week, and Steve and David continue to increase their production. For the past few years, they have expanded into graduation products, such as announcements and diplomas. This year, Nussmeier printed materials for several cli-

ents, with about 200 universities and high schools affiliated with each client. “Every small town and every city probably have a print shop of some sort, but we’re a unique print shop because we do such high-end products, and to be able to do high-end work has taken a lot of perfection and experience over the years,” says Steve. “It shows our workforce in Evansville is really good, our talent is good. I always say, ‘I can sell it, but without them I couldn’t produce it.’” — Dallas Carter Evansville Business | 15

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Stronger Together

Three of the Tri-State’s top economic organizations merge BY D A L L A S C A RT E R • P H O T O BY Z A C H S T R AW

he Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville, and Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce made a major announcement on April 1 of this year. It was no April Fools prank, but the official launch of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. Known as E-REP, the organization operates in and manages Innovation Pointe Downtown and consists of the combined staff, resources, and boards of the Coalition, Growth Alliance, and the Chamber. Serving Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick, and Gibson counties, E-REP’s goal to foster economic and community growth in the Evansville region is best represented by its name and logo. “We knew that the word ‘Evansville’ needed to be in there because it’s the name of our Metropolitan Statistical Area, but we want to be very respectful of the fact that it’s not just about the city of Evansville; it is about this whole regional economy,” says co-CEO Tara Barney. “So, long story short, once we set out the name, our existing staff actually created the look and the brand.” The logo includes the Ohio River running through the “e.” The arrow elements symbolize E-REP’s mission to lift the region up and forward and appear to the trained eye as “EVV,” Evansville’s shortened name and its airport call letters. While E-REP has an abundance of creative partners in town, it was important for the new team to face its first major endeavor together. “It was a test for us because we wanted to see how our teams — our marketing teams, because we had different marketing teams — could integrate,” says co-CEO When the Economic Development Coalition, Growth Alliance, and Chamber of Commerce merged on April 1, 2021, Tara Barney and Greg Wathen were named co-CEOs of the new organization consisting of 26 staff members in Innovation Pointe.

16 June/July | 2021

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The new logo and brand of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership was created in-house by its own marketing team. Full of symbols, such as the Ohio River running through the “e,” the logo represents regional progress.

Greg Wathen. “And I think they did a pretty spectacular job.” For E-REP’s staff of 26 — who all previously worked on separate floors in Innovation Pointe for their respective organizations — the merger was a natural progression. COVID-19 was the spark that finally completed the merging process, but its foundation was laid almost 16 years ago. In 2006, the Economic Development Coalition was formed to support economic and labor force growth. From its branding, content and language, and services, the coalition pushed a regional mindset as a priority. Wathen came to Evansville from Perry County, Indiana after getting his start in the industry in Louisville, Kentucky to found the organization and serve as President and CEO. The Tell City, Indiana native says some of Evansville’s most seminal moments show the benefits of a regional focus. “Think about what’s transpired in the region over time,” he says. “One, with the coalition being created in a regional fashion. Secondly, looking at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences. It’s the very fact that you have three universities, four health systems partnering together for a regional benefit. And then we saw the power of regionalism through the Regional Cities Initiative, where we landed $42 million and leveraged nearly $1 million of strategic, private and public investment.” Barney moved to Evansville three years ago from Quad Cities, Illinois to be the President and CEO of the Chamber. The Columbus, Ohio native took on her new role as talk of new alignments were starting to stir again. It wasn’t until early 2020, just before the

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pandemic, that the conversations became serious. The emergency response required from all three organizations during lockdown accelerated the need and plausibility of a merger. “During COVID, it became so apparent to us and our colleagues at the Growth Alliance that the work we were all doing was being deliberately aligned to assist businesses in this community,” says Barney. “It really set in that this is the time to figure it out. Our staffs were working together even more intentionally on unified marketing, how to serve businesses with all kinds of needs, and federal programs were coming at us right and left.” The process began with charts of each organization’s responsibilities to identify any overlaps in their services and expertise. After months of strategic conversations and input from regional partners including elected officials, area nonprofits, and businesses and groups from the private sector, the organizations approached their boards in fall 2020. While an ad-hoc committee made up from each board explored the possibility and success of a merger, the President and CEO of the Growth Alliance, Ellen Horan, retired to Houston, Texas. When the decision was made to move forward with a merger, the boards also decided not to fill Horan’s vacant position, but to merge the three groups under the leadership of the two remaining CEOs — Barney and Wathen. With the boards’ approval and leadership in place, the staff moved into planning, including creating the brand, governance, and slogan #StrongerTogether. “So, this was the iteration that got us to April 1, basically,” says Barney. “I think the important thing is having a unified voice. It doesn’t have to be just Greg or me speaking for the region, but we do gain when lots of people speaking for the region are delivering the same message.” “Having a singular voice is nice, having a regional voice is so much more powerful,” adds Wathen. “We don’t always fully recognize lots of other regions across the country are looking at these same opportunities and they’re not always afforded. The reality is we’re pretty homogenous from that standpoint.” The merger can seem like an intimidating change for the partners and constitu-

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Evansville Business | 19

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“It’s not our role to drive everything. Our role is to be engaged and influence the direction that the region goes.” — Greg Wathen, co-CEO Evansville Regional Economic Partnership

ents who work closely with E-REP, but both Barney and Wathen say the changes will only be beneficial. E-REP will maintain its core principles and services, including providing tangible economic and community development for its public and private partners. In the past, they’ve helped secure more than $80 million (not including $42 million from the Regional Cities Initiative) for the community to build capacity. The biggest external change from the merger will be an easier access of information and resources for clients and constituents. Internally, the merger not only gives the E-REP staff new career paths, but also new roles. Barney says marketing will be a key project. Focusing on deliberate digital messaging and an increased web presence will help E-REP meet new goals and be the first point of contact for potential partners. The co-CEOs also are looking to the future on top of these other goals. E-REP plans to begin expanding its reach into the downtowns of Henderson, Kentucky, Mount Vernon, Indiana, and Princeton, Indiana. In the short time since its launch, EREP’s transition has ultimately been successful. But Barney and Wathen don’t expect this exact version of the organization to be the final one. “It’ll probably evolve over time. Everyone was quick to say, ‘we’ve got to start somewhere so let’s start here,’” says Barney. “‘Let’s recognize that here may need to be fine-tuned over time.’” “It’s not our role to drive everything,” adds Wathen. “Our role is to be engaged and influence the direction that the region goes. We have very specific metrics that we want to achieve, but you do this in partnership. That’s the only way to make it work.” z EVANSVILLEREGION.COM

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FO R TO P L E G A L A S S I S TA N C E

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22 June/July | 2021

Based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation, the Best Lawyers® list provides the names of the area’s top legal talent most recommended by colleagues in the field.

2021 “LAWYERS OF THE YEAR” STEVEN T. BARBER Real Estate Law

JOHN P. BROADHEAD Corporate Law

BRIAN K. CARROLL Trusts and Estates

MARK S. SAMILA Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

DIRCK H. STAHL Construction Law

2021 “ONES TO WATCH” Family Law

Insurance Law

Tax Law

Lauren E. Dimmitt

Matthew D. Malcolm

Dinsmore & Shohl 812-401-6151 25 Northwest Riverside Drive, Suite 310 Evansville

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Building, Suite 305 Evansville

Credit: The Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch are published by BL Rankings, LLC, Augusta, GA. and can be ordered directly from the publisher. For information call 803-648-0300; write 801 Broad Street Suite 950, Augusta GA 30901;email HYPERLINK “mailto:info@bestlawyers.com” info@bestlawyers.com; or visit bestlawyers.com. An online subscription to Best Lawyers® is available at HYPERLINK “http://www.bestlawyers. com/” bestlawyers.com. Disclaimer and Copyright: BL Rankings, LLC has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All listed attorneys have been verified as being members in good standing with their respective state bar associations as of July 1, 2020, where that information is publicly available. Consumers should contact their state bar association for verification and additional information prior to securing legal services of any attorney. Copyright 2020 by BL Rankings, LLC, Augusta, GA All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of this list may be made without permission of BL Rankings, LLC No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of this list without permission. “The Best Lawyers in America,” “Ones to Watch,” and “Best Lawyers” are registered trademarks of BL Rankings, LLC. Methodology for Best Lawyers® and “Ones to Watch”: This list is excerpted from the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, the pre-eminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States. Published since 1983, Best Lawyers lists attorneys in 148 specialties, representing all 50 states, who have been chosen through an exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation’s top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers is based on over 13 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. The method used to compile Best Lawyers remains unchanged since the first edition was compiled almost 40 years ago. Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on the vote of their peers. Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be included. In this regard, Best Lawyers remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings. The nomination pool for the 2021 Edition consisted of all lawyers whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey, and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys. In general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own specialty in their own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related specialties were asked to vote across specialties, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions. Where specialties are national or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees. Each year, half of the voting pool receives fax or email ballots; the other half is polled by phone. Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee should be listed among “the best”: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality ― a critical factor in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers’ surveys. To ensure the rigor of the selection process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting, and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits. The additional comments were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes accordingly. Best Lawyers uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for anomalies in both the nomination and voting process. Recognition by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is based entirely on peer review and employs the same methodology that has made Best Lawyers the gold standard for legal rankings worldwide. These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Our “Ones to Watch” recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years. Ultimately, of course, a lawyer’s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow attorneys. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents, and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases. For all these reasons, Best Lawyers lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful guide to the best lawyers in the United States available anywhere.

Evansville Business | 23

Appellate Practice James D. Johnson Jackson Kelly 812-422-9444 221 NW Fifth Street Evansville

Banking and Finance Law Terry G. Farmer

Shannon S. Frank

G. Michael Schopmeyer

Jeffrey K. Helfrich

Dirck H. Stahl

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

William J. Kaiser, Jr.

Donald J. Fuchs

Mark S. Samila

Dentons Bingham Greenebaum 812-437-0200 One Main Street, Suite 600 Evansville

Mark S. Samila

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Marco L. DeLucio

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Andrew C. Ozete

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Andrew C. Ozete

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

G. Michael Schopmeyer

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law John P. Broadhead

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

Terry G. Farmer

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

24 June/July | 2021

Dentons Bingham Greenebaum 812-482-5500 212 West Sixth Street Jasper Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Laura A. Scott

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

Commercial Finance Law Jeffrey K. Helfrich

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Commercial Litigation Steven T. Barber

Barber & Bauer 812-618-1940 124 Southest First Street, Suite 101 Evansville

Commercial Transactions / UCC Law John P. Broadhead

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

Jeffrey K. Helfrich

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Construction Law Kent A. Brasseale II

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Tony W. Fehrenbacher

Manion Stigger 812-425-5200 20 Northwest First Street, Suite 200 Evansville

Shannon S. Frank

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Corporate Law John P. Broadhead

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

Marco L. DeLucio

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Marc D. Fine

Jackson Kelly 812-422-9444 221 NW Fifth Street Evansville

Mark S. Samila

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Criminal Defense: General Practice Dennis L. Brinkmeyer Blackard & Brinkmeyer 812-423-3125 512 Main Street Evansville

Criminal Defense: White-Collar Dennis L. Brinkmeyer Blackard & Brinkmeyer 812-423-3125 512 Main Street Evansville

DUI / DWI Defense Dennis L. Brinkmeyer Blackard & Brinkmeyer 812-423-3125 512 Main Street Evansville

Mark A. Foster

Foster, O’Daniel, Hambidge & Lynch 812-424-8101 3820 Oak Hill Road Evansville

Brian P. Williams

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Employment Law Management Jon D. Goldman

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Energy Regulatory Law David T. McGimpsey

Dentons Bingham Greenebaum 812-482-5500 212 West Sixth Street Jasper

Environmental Law Jamie B. Dameron

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

G. Michael Schopmeyer

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Family Law Clay W. Havill

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Kelly A. Lonnberg

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

J. David Roellgen

Kolb Roellgen & Kirchoff 812-882-2280 801 Busseron Street Vincennes

Family Law Mediation J. David Roellgen

Kolb Roellgen & Kirchoff 812-882-2280 801 Busseron Street Vincennes

Health Care Law Robert F. Barron II

Economic Development Law

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

G. Michael Schopmeyer

L. Montgomery Porter

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Jackson Kelly 812-422-9444 221 NW Fifth Street Evansville

Labor Law - Management

Litigation - Health Care

Real Estate Law

Larry R. Downs

Michele S. Bryant

Steven T. Barber

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Jake R. Fulcher

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Jon D. Goldman

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Dinsmore & Shohl 812-401-6151 25 Northwest Riverside Drive, Suite 310 Evansville

Litigation - Labor and Employment Jake R. Fulcher

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Labor Law - Union

Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Charles L. Berger

Jeffrey B. Kolb

Berger & Berger 812-425-8101 2906 First Avenue Evansville

Land Use and Zoning Law Maria L. Bulkley

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Marco L. DeLucio

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Litigation - Bankruptcy Andrew C. Ozete

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

Litigation - Environmental Jeffrey W. Ahlers

Kolb Roellgen & Kirchoff 812-882-2280 801 Busseron Street Vincennes

Brian P. Williams

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Medical Malpractice Law Defendants Michele S. Bryant

Dinsmore & Shohl 812-401-6151 25 Northwest Riverside Drive, Suite 310 Evansville

Mergers and Acquisitions Law Charles A. Compton Jackson Kelly 812-422-9444 221 NW Fifth Street Evansville

Jeffrey K. Helfrich

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Jamie B. Dameron

Natural Resources Law

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt 812-602-3570 21 SE Third Street, Suite 900 Evansville

G. Michael Schopmeyer

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Litigation - First Amendment Patrick A. Shoulders

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

John H. Henderson

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

John A. Thomason

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville Personal Injury Litigation Plaintiffs

Charles L. Berger Berger & Berger 812-425-8101 2906 First Avenue Evansville

Barber & Bauer 812-618-1940 124 Southest First Street, Suite 101 Evansville

Kent A. Brasseale II

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Nick J. Cirignano

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Allison K. Comstock

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Marco L. DeLucio

Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville

Monica E. Edwards

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Shannon S. Frank

Christopher C. Wischer

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

Ted C. Ziemer IV

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville Trusts and Estates

Steven T. Barber

Barber & Bauer 812-618-1940 124 Southest First Street, Suite 101 Evansville

John P. Broadhead

Stoll Keenon Ogden 812-425-1591 One Main Street, Suite 201 Evansville

Brian K. Carroll

Johnson, Carroll, Norton, Kent & Goedde 812-205-2661 2230 West Franklin Street Evansville

Allison K. Comstock

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Randall K. Craig

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Law Offices of Randall K. Craig 812-477-3337 5000 East Virginia Street, Suite One Evansville

Jeffrey K. Helfrich

Shannon S. Frank

Jeffrey W. Henning

Jeffrey B. Kolb

John E. Rhine

Workers’ Compensation Law - Claimants

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders 812-424-7575 One Riverfront Place, Ninth Floor Evansville Dentons Bingham Greenebaum 812-437-0200 One Main Street, Suite 600 Evansville

Mark S. Samila

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

G. Michael Schopmeyer

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville

Scott S. Stone Scott S. Stone 812-425-5345 P.O. Box 1135 Evansville

Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn 812-423-3183 501 Main Street, Suite 305 Evansville Kolb Roellgen & Kirchoff 812-882-2280 801 Busseron Street Vincennes

Randal M. Klezmer Klezmer Maudlin 812-425-3180 400 Church St. New Harmony, IN

Nathan B. Maudlin Klezmer Maudlin 812-425-3180 400 Church St. New Harmony, IN

Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers Timothy A. Klingler Jackson Kelly 812-422-9444 221 NW Fifth Street Evansville

Evansville Business | 25

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION LAWYER PROFILES

Mark T. Abell

Joshua A. Claybourn

Charles A. Compton

James D. Johnson

Lucero Tennis Kieffer

Timothy A. Klingler

JACKSON KELLY PLLC

Meet our Evansville office attorneys

221 N.W. Fifth St. • 812-422-9444 • jacksonkelly.com Jackson Kelly is a full-service law firm with more than 160 attorneys located in 10 offices from Washington, D.C. to Denver. Jackson Kelly’s Evansville office is home to a responsive and experienced team of attorneys who are well-rooted in the TriState. Our attorneys routinely work with clients in a number of industries, including manufacturing, mining, distribution, financial services, health care, construction, and real estate. We provide a full complement of services, including litigation and dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, corporate planning and governance, finance, trademark, contract negotiation, employment counsel, real estate services, estate planning, and family law. Our talent, presence, and reach are regional, but we are committed to serving the communities where we live and work. Our team of skilled and experienced attorneys use their talents and the firm’s vast resources to ensure innovative legal work, excellent service, and real value. We recognize that in any business transaction or matter of civil litigation, our multiple practice areas are available to be involved to best serve our clientele. 26 June/July | 2021

LAWYER PROFILES SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Marc D. Fine

Angela L. Freel

Kevin Halter

Christopher L. Lucas

L. Montgomery Porter

Chad J. Sullivan

Cassee L. Vivian

Diana L. Wann

Seth B. Zirkle

Jackson Kelly’s Evansville office offers our clients the best of both worlds — a strong local group of experienced practitioners backed by the depth and resources of a sizeable regional firm. We operate as a cohesive, unified unit providing a range of services to our clients. Technology streamlines the collaboration among our lawyers. As a premier legal services provider for our clients and the community, we address our clients’ diverse and sophisticated legal needs. Our larger scope of talents and geography eliminates the need for multiple firms, which add cost and consume resources. We enable our clients to focus on doing what they do best – building their businesses. Evansville Business | 27

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION LAWYER PROFILES

PATRICK DUFF Duff Law, LLC Duff Law brings a fresh professional and personal approach to the representation of their clients. This is accomplished by placing the clients’ interests first and treating them as if they were their own. Family has always been important for Duff Law, whether it is the strong team that makes up the practice, or the families that turn to us for help. The already demanding process of navigating some of life’s hardest challenges can be even further complicated by decisions relating to child custody, parenting time, child support, and the division of marital property. Duff Law can not only give you the advice you need, but will also handle your case with dignity, compassion, and respect. When it comes to criminal defense, our practice provides counsel for all major felonies and misdemeanors. A criminal conviction can be life changing for you and your family. It is critical to have the right legal counsel that is experienced, trustworthy, and dependable. It is also important to expeditiously navigate through the investigative process, in hopes of preventing charges from ever being filed. The sooner you retain counsel, the better your chances are of successfully defending your case. 28 June/July | 2021

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but Duff Law is here to listen to your needs and help you make decisions moving forward with your case. We look forward to helping you through any issue life brings your way.

111 S.E. Third St., Ste. 201 812-402-3833 • dufflawllc.com

LAWYER PROFILES SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THOMAS LAW After graduating law school, Jared Michel Thomas, Esq., came home, established Thomas Law, and began his legal career concentrating in the areas of family law and appellate practice, as well as state and federal criminal defense over the past nine years. At Thomas Law, our entire team approaches every case and client with the mentality that treating people the right way and working hard for your clients are the keys to success. Every attorney needs a good staff to help them provide the best for their clients, and at Thomas Law, our clients know that Rabia is the best.

Rabia Bynum and Jared Michel Thomas, Esq.

111 S.E. Third St., Ste. 200 • 812-492-1900 • jmthomaslegal.com

KLEZMER MAUDLIN, PC Nathan B. Maudlin 400 Church St. (P.O. Box 365), New Harmony, IN 812-425-3180 • klezmermaudlin.com Nathan B. Maudlin joined workers’ compensation attorneys Klezmer Maudlin in 2003. He graduated cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law — Indianapolis in 1995 and is admitted to practice in Indiana and Illinois. Nathan is a fellow of the College of Worker’s Compensation Lawyers, and coauthor of Indiana Worker’s Compensation Law and Practice.

DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS AND STAFF IN THE 2021 FACES OF EVANSVILLE PROFILE SECTION We aim to showcase our rich community in Faces of Evansville in the September/October 2021 issue of Evansville Living magazine. Faces is the most popular and talked about section in the history of the magazine.

CONTACT: 812-426-2115 TODD TUCKER ttucker@evansvilleliving.com JESSICA HOFFMAN jhoffman@evansvilleliving.com JENNIFER RHOADES jennifer@evansvilleliving.com MISTI WAGEMANN mwagemann@evansvilleliving.com Evansville Business | 29

EQUIPPED FOR

SUCCESS From startup to industry leader, SIGMA thrives on innovation and ambition BY RILEY GUERZINI • PHOTOS BY ZACH STRAW 30 June/July | 2021

SIGMA President and CEO Rob Palmer

Whether it’s buying,

selling, recycling, renting, or auctioning used and new equipment, SIGMA Equipment has transformed its business from a startup enterprise in a small garage to a multimillion-dollar company that buys and sells equipment all over the world. Rob Palmer, a Purdue mechanical engineering graduate and Reitz High School graduate, founded SIGMA in 2003 after leaving a competitor in the used equipment industry that sold turnkey product lines, which are products that are built fully complete and ready to operate. Before that, he worked for a manufacturer in Chicago, where he also started a business with another partner just three years out of school. “I got a taste of what it meant to start a company from scratch,” he says. “The business partnership didn’t work out, but I really learned a lot about what not to do

and learned through a lot of mistakes.” Palmer comes from a family of entrepreneurs, most notably his grandfather Victor Funke, who he followed around as a child as he was building businesses. “I think that just the thrill of being around someone when you’re young and watching them take something as basic components and then build a thriving business out of it was just really intriguing,” he says. What sparked Palmer’s interest in a new startup was the small business atmosphere and working in a culture where employees take ownership of their work. So, Palmer went to work on building a new startup, with a smaller metropolitan area like Evansville being the perfect place to grow. Palmer started in a small Evansville garage and hired SIGMA’s first employee, a website designer. Rec-

From meat tenderizers to White Castle packaging machines and everything in between, you name it, and SIGMA has probably sold it. Now running out of inventory space in their 250,000 square foot warehouse, SIGMA has recently acquired the 630,000-square-foot facility on Highway 41 to house their sea of machines.

ognizing the future of commerce would be through the internet, they worked on Search Engine Optimizations in the early days when Google was coming into its own and understanding how important it was to direct traffic to their website. Throughout the years, SIGMA has created its own software, from websites to inventory management systems to invoicing systems, which is unique in the industry. Palmer attributes this foresight on technology as a key reason to SIGMA’s success. “For a small business, we do a lot of inEvansville Business | 31

ternal development, and it’s one thing that sets us apart from other small businesses, especially in Evansville,” says Patrick Johnson, IT director and interim director of marketing at SIGMA, who was also the first employee at the company nearly 15 years ago. “We are technology driven. We’re as much of an internet company as we are anything else.” But what does SIGMA actually do? What kind of equipment are they buying and selling? Senior Sales Lead Scott Birge says what they sell is a need. Customers will call and say what they would like to package their product in order to get it to market. SIGMA sells, or rents, them the equipment to meet their needs. “If you go to the grocery store, and you walk down the aisle, we’ll sell the used packaging and process equipment that makes a lot of the packaging for the product you see in the store,” says Birge, a 12-year employee and the company’s first salesperson. “My wife hates going to (the grocery store) with me because she’s looking at food, I’m looking at packaging.” About 80 percent of SIGMA’s 16,000-dealer network is food processing equipment, though it also sells equipment to the pharmaceutical, health and beauty, consumer goods, and contract packaging industries. From meat tenderizers to White Castle packaging machines, you name it, and SIGMA has probably sold it. It sells to all sizes of companies, though its ideal company is medium sized, or around 51-250 employees. It also sells internationally, mostly to Canada and Mexico. “We sell across to small mom-and-pop shops up to Fortune 500 companies,” says Randa Doleh, business systems and analytics manager and senior appraiser. SIGMA started its rental fleet about five years ago and has seen it take off in recent years due to the availability of its Project Manager Justin Morris tests a cup filler machine meant to package bread crumbs that sits in the back of SIGMA’s shop at their warehouse at 3001 Maxx Road.

32 June/July | 2021

“We look at us as being the Amazon of our industry. We can provide this whole array of solutions and make it very straightforward and easy for the client to give us that trusted partnership that we’re — SIGMA President and CEO Rob Palmer looking for.” inventory. This separates SIGMA from competitor suppliers selling new equipment, which is often backed up for weeks and sometimes months. A benefit for renters is 50 percent of their rental cost goes back to their buyout of the equipment. The SIGMA group encompasses seven divisions — equipment, appraisal, auction, recovery surplus, shop, and the newly acquired C&I Electronics. C&I is an electronics recycler certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and located in Evansville since 1994. Many of the corporate clients SIGMA sells to have sustainability goals and targets, which makes recycling unusable equipment and parts a priority. “It also helps us attract a larger company that needs to report on their environmental and sustainability impacts,” says Marketing Manager Kelsey Dus. “It allows us to potentially go after larger clients and offer services.” Seeing substantial growth within the

first several years of SIGMA’s formation, the company leased its first warehouse in the Garvin Industrial Park in 2007 before moving to its current location on Maxx Road in 2010 in the Lynch Road Industrial Park. Palmer never thought SIGMA would fill up its current warehouse with more than 250,000 square feet of space, but within a year, it was already looking to expand. SIGMA has since purchased five buildings in Evansville, including the recently acquired 630,000-square-foot Vitro Automotive plant on Highway 41 across from North High School that formerly housed Pittsburgh Glass Works. SIGMA’s growth in the last few years has been staggering, increasing from three to seven divisions since 2017. Now with 113 employees, SIGMA handles a multitude of services for clients, including full-scale shipping along with full mechanical integration and engineering projects as customers have desired a one-stop shop for equipment services.

Larry and Fanny Lisembee work on recycling spare items. SIGMA Surplus, a division which trades used parts, has exploded in recent years and is expected to become the company’s largest division. Surplus alone turned $500,000 in sales in 2017 into a targeted $4 million in sales this year.

“We look at us as being the Amazon of our industry,” says Palmer. “We can provide this whole array of solutions and make it very straightforward and easy for the client to give us that trusted partnership that we’re looking for.” SIGMA’s Surplus, a division, which trades used parts rather than complete machinery, has experienced the company’s largest uptick, turning $500,000 in sales in 2017 into a targeted $4 million in sales this year. Overall, SIGMA has done so well that it has even beaten its projected sales numbers for 2022. “The more services that we offer fits in line with what our clients’ needs are,” says Chief Operations Officer Michael LaGrange. “There’s a lot of companies out there that do what we do, but none of them do everything that we do. That’s what sets us apart.” Another transformation in

the industry has been the technology used to show and market product to potential clients. After detail cleaning the inventory, its marketing team takes anywhere from 60 to 100 photos of each piece of equipment that comes through the warehouse along with powerup and walkaround videos, so clients can get an up-todate visual of the equipment before purchasing. “The buyer can really see ahead of time and they don’t have to get on a plane and come here,” says Palmer. “In a lot of ways, we’re kind of like the used car industry, where people detail cars. We were the first to really focus on detailing the machine out and getting it as close to new as possible.” In January 2020, SIGMA became an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Program) company. Thirty percent of the company was distributed back to the employees through

the program, and all full-time employees who have worked over 1,000 hours have a distribution of stock. Employees can acquire more shares just for working there. Palmer was introduced to the ESOP concept from a past employer and wanted to eventually bring that to SIGMA. “He did it because we have the right culture here. The employees develop the culture, and you can do an ESOP because of that,” says LaGrange. “What you don’t want to do is take an ESOP and try to force the people to be employee owners. You have to have that

culture first.” It’s that unique culture that keeps employees at SIGMA, allowing them to experiment without fear of being punished for any possible failure. “Most of the reason we’re successful here is the culture and we believe strongly in our behaviors and hire based on them,” says Palmer. “You have to find the right people that fit in the culture, because it’s really hard to change behavior sets that aren’t what your business is already built on.” z

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Evansville Business | 33

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Environmental Stewards

Protecting the environment is important, and everyone can participate. In this section, learn about local businesses who are leading the charge on energy efficiency; how to go eco-friendly at home; and why environmental consultation can help not only local ecology, but also your health. 34 June/July | 2021

3 EASY STEPS TO SAVINGS

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Evansville Business | 35

Build to Suit & General Contracting Commercial & Industrial Leasing | Brokerage Services CONTACT MELMAR FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT SPACE 1524 KIMBER LANE, EVANSVILLE | 812-421-0066 | WWW.MELMAR.US 36 June/July | 2021

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PASS PEST CONTROL

Gain a Green Thumb BY J O D I K E E N

Go eco-friendly at home with these lawn care and pest control practices

Warmer weather has long inspired residents to make full use of their homes’ amenities, whether it be planting a colorful landscape or viewing a setting sun from a screened porch. But invasive bugs or a splotchy lawn sap that enjoyment, and harmful responses often leave lasting ecological damage. Instead, gain a green thumb and follow these practices to comfortably enjoy your home this summer. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LAWN CARE A lush, green lawn is a sign of environmental health. It’s also a steady investment and easy to destroy with harmful products and damaging applications. Overall, it’s critical to work with the soil — not against it — and nurture it to help promote seed germination, says JR Huff, manager of Evansville’s Vision Green lawn care supplier.

VISION GREEN

“You want to try to make sure you don’t have the ground real hard so that your roots can penetrate and get in deep into the soil,” he says. “If you can put soil amendments (or) compost in with your soils, that’s going to help you in the long run. It will keep building up your organic matters in your soil, keep your soil flu fier so that your roots can grow in and spread in, so they’re able to pick up more nutrients.

And if people add straw or even (soil erosion) blankets over the top, it helps hold moisture in the soil to help germinate the grass seeds.” That ecological assistance extends to toplevel lawn care, too. “Mulches are a weed barrier, and they’re going to break down and turn into soil themselves, and what they do then — that’s another form of organic matter to help hold moisture for your plants and also add nutrients there,” Huff says. “With mulch, you want to go with good-quality wood products that are preferably not made out of pallets or products like aversion woods. So you just have to look careful and be aware of the wood being used in mulches.” For planting turf, an important part is selecting a type native to and compatible with Evansville Business | 37

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT PARTNERS From the initial design, our work covers a wide range of services including energy engineering, IAQ design, HVAC equipment &

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controls, indoor air quality monitoring solutions, outdoor and indoor lighting retrofits, designed and implemented water savings projects, and utility rebate assistance for your projects.

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

this area, such as a dark green fescue that blends three types of turf-type fescues, or Kentucky 31 — “the old standby,” as Huff calls it — which produces a broader leaf in a lighter green. Bluegrass, while attractive, grows better upstate and would require more irrigation if planted in southern Indiana. No matter the turf, Huff says it’s crucial to know exactly what you’re sowing. “When you look at the tag, you want to notice what the germination is (and) the purity of the seed,” he says. “You don’t want to use a product in your lawn that has a VNS (variety not stated) fescue, because then you don’t know what you’re going to have in your yard. “Anything with green, you know, that’s going to help the environment. You just get a good quality of life (in your lawn). It kind of beautifies the neighbo hood and your whole home,” Huff says. “Being an environmental steward can translate into good grass.”

VISION GREEN

“

SAFE PEST CONTROL PRACTICES

We want to get the pesticide in as close to their home as possible. … It’s making it even safer and more effective by putting it closer to the insect environment.”

”

KEVIN PASS Owner, Pass Pest Control

Another frequent area of property concern is the application of chemicals and pesticides to combat pests. Ants, mice, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, and termites can often find easy access oints into a residence, but there are a variety of ways to limit chemical usage and effectively get rid of pests without bringing out a “nuclear option,” says Kevin Pass, owner of Pass Pest Control. Pass advocates for integrated pest management, which makes an engaged, targeted approach to combatting in-home pests and “is taking all things into consideration,” he says. Integrated pest management strategies can range from simple home remedies — caulking around piping to eliminate an entry point for ants, or sealing around doors and air vents — to installing a ceiling fan over an outdoor eating area to keep flies at ba . Even common mechanical pest traps, such as snap traps for mice or fly t aps for winged insects, are effective, cost-efficient, and e vironmentally friendly methods of stopping pests in their tracks. When battling existing pests, Pass says, it’s important to find out what are they feeding on, where are they breeding, and eliminating those sources. So it’s a lot more than just pesticides.” One solution, he says, is to employ bait in affected areas. With ants, for example, “you’re only seeing the worker ants. The answer is to take the bait back to the colony and kill all the reproductive (ants) as well as all the other workers.” In fact, setting up a treatment trail is one of the safest and most effective ways of eradicating inhome pests. “When you talk about environmentally sound (options), one of the places we use the most volume of pesticide is termite treatment,” Pass says. “So two things KEVIN PASS we do for that is, one, a chemical product is used. We use it in a lower dose, in a lower volume, through a piece of application equipment. And then the other is even more environmental — a termite bait that’s placed in the ground, and the termites come and eat and take it back, and that is very environmentally sound.” Some insecticides are supplemented by plant-based active ingredients, such as rosemary, peppermint, thyme, and clove oils, which aid the overall treatment process. But Pass stresses that regular pesticides don’t have to be cast out of the group of health-conscious, environmentally-friendly pest treatment options. Rather, targeted use of pesticides is a safe, effective method. “We want to apply the pesticide in the pest environment, not the human environment,” he says. “Surface applications only do so much. (People think of pest control as) spraying a baseboard — well, there’s no bugs living on top of the baseboard. That’s not their home. We want to get the pesticide in as close to their home as possible. … It’s making it even safer and more effective by putting it closer to the insect environment.”

Evansville Business | 39

The services J.E. Shekell, Inc. provides are critical to maintaining the health standards of our community, and we are committed to keeping you safe during this trying time. Our ZERO CONTACT Service Call gives our customers the highest level of protection against COVID-19 that our industry has to offer.

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Build a Better Business How to construct an energy-efficient facility BY J O D I K E E N

When it comes to energy efficien y, often the best practices are developed from the ground up. For new commercial builds, those rules apply both figu atively and literally. From conceptualization, environmental efficien y can be woven into a building’s architecture and implemented through forward-looking technologies.

“T

he problem is that everyone has been doing the same thing for so many years, it’s hard to change,” says Darline Moore, owner of Sustainability Management Partners. “Think about years ago when no one really cared about saving energy; that changed in a big way and it’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind every day.” “Businesses of all sizes and industries are significantly mo e focused on minimizing their environmental impact than they were just eight or 10 years ago,” says Brian Hutchinson, partner at Melmar Properties. “Part of that increased attention is social; companies better understand the priorities of their customers and employees regarding the environment. Technological advancements may be an even bigger driver, as new methods and products have made the economic benefits of sustai able design more pronounced.” Planning a new commercial build of your own? Read on for environmentally friendly design tips, installation advice, and cost-savings measures — all in the name of environmental efficien y.

PLANNING AND DESIGN

Prior to constructing a new facility, business owners should contact an environmental consultation firm to pe form due diligence on

J.E. SHEKELL

the property and check for any environmental hazards and liabilities. Consultation can also include environmental risk reviews, vapor intrusion studies, and property condition assessments. The latter is similar to a residential home inspection but tailors its details more to the commercial side of realty and includes a 10-year estimate of the property’s potential maintenance and upkeep, so “you know what to expect in the immediate future,” says Greg Orr, owner of Orr Environmental Solutions, LLC. Environmental consultation is crucial not just for property buyers, but also their lenders. “The lender can be liable, too, especially if they inherit the property,” Orr says. “If someone walks away and the bank gets the property back, they now have the ownership record, and the bank is now liable.” Once the property checks out, it’s time to design a facility that meets its owner’s needs while respecting energy consumption and the surrounding environment. “The specifications and function of the n w facility — its ability to generate revenue — are still the primary focus, but modest investments in materials and methods that reduce energy demand and utilize sustainable components help clients achieve their financial and social oblig tions,” Hutchinson says. “The science of properly distributing light and air in the space, sealing the building envelope, and using energy efficient co ponents has come a long way in a short period of time. Simultaneously, the pricing and reliability of many of those components has drastically improved, making green design that much easier for a company to employ.” “We’d want to identify the type of commercial facility they’re in,” says Joe Copley, J.E. Shekell’s commercial and industrial service manager for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. “Whether it’s a gas station, a convenience store, a 10-story offic building, there are differences, especially with the HVAC systems. The HVAC systems use most of the power in the building.” Building design also plays a significant pa t of a facility’s energy consumption. “Open floor plans help heating and coolin move freely,” says Audrey Smith, manager of energy efficien y implementation for CenterPoint Evansville Business | 41

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Energy’s Indiana and Ohio operations. “So do different types of vent systems (air rotation units); they push air back down so that all that hot air isn’t floating along the ceiling. An air cu tain is designed to shoot air straight down at an entrance point; that ‘curtain’ keeps the climatecontrolled air in.” For a new building construction, “the key thing that customers would need to remember is to get in early enough in the design phase” to design an efficient building, Smith says. She points to Ce terPoint’s commercial new construction program, which provides Energy Design Assistance (EDA) services and financial incenti es to support architects, engineers, and building owners to optimize energy savings. “Economically and environmentally, the energy demand is reduced by better design before you even figu e for efficient comp nents,” Hutchinson says.

TRY THIS TIP

Alyssia Oshodi, manager of CenterPoint Energy’s Midwest communications team, says business owners can place stickers next to light switches, reminding employees to turn office lights off when they’re not in use. Such practices rally group support, she says, and help employees “be involved in having a stake in energy efficiency.”

ENERGY-SAVING EQUIPMENT

Other energy-saving measures can come from installing efficient equipment “I would say lighting upgrades have one of the fastest break-even periods for environmentally friendly design solutions,” Hutchinson says. “Lighting plans using photometric layouts and proper design have one of the biggest impacts on both the work environment and energy consumption. Employees and customers enjoy a space with better color and reduced glare — overall, just better light.” “Total energy required for lighting is one of the biggest portions of an electric bill; when properly designed, both the power to light the space and the heat load created by those fixtu es drop in tandem,” Hutchinson says. For HVAC units, energy-efficient comp nents can be added to standard units. “In larger buildings (like arenas), you’ll have powerful motors, and a variable frequency drive (VFD) will slowly ramp up and modulate the motor. It doesn’t build from 0 to 100 in a split second; it’s not necessary. It’s a slow start,” Copley says. Power companies like the VFD motors, because it makes it easier on the power grid. Example: The lifespan of this type of motor is going to go from maybe 10 years or less, to 15-20 years. With VFDs’ longer life, it saves money and is much more comfortable for the occupants due to the varying speeds.” Copley also recommends commercial property owners look into adding an economizer to their HVAC units. This is useful during milder weather outside.

Instead of that unit coming on and using power for the compressor and condenser fans, it opens the economizer and brings in outside air, filters it and provides free air conditioning to the space,” he says. “Economizers are best when used in the spring and fall — you could potentially get one month in each season on average of free air conditioning. So you could potentially have up to two months out of the year where you’re not using your HVAC equipment, depending on outdoor temperature conditions.” Controls such as smart thermostats and Advanced Rooftop Controls (ARCs) also help regulate energy consumption and customize a usage plan that lessens consumption during offwork hours. For water efficien y, Copley recommends installing battery-powered flush val es and heat pump water heaters, as well as insulating pipes and wrapping water heaters in thermal blankets. Another step toward efficien y can be purchasing used equipment, such as what’s for sale at SIGMA Equipment. “We’re really finding that e’re helping clients make their carbon footprint smaller,” says Rob Palmer, SIGMA’s founder and CEO. “What we’re doing for these clients now today is helping them understand how we can save the environment, one machine at a time.” P OST-CONSTRUCTION EFFICIENCIES

“Preventative or planned maintenance isn’t always at the top of the lists for most busy business owners,” Copley says. “Routine maintenance needs are changing filters on a egular basis and keeping the condenser coils clean. Preventive maintenance is still the number one way business owners can prolong their appliances and equipment life for years. It has been proven to provide our customers a return on their investment year after year.” Energy assessments also help identify power drains and improvements to energy practices. An example is CenterPoint’s Small Business Energy Solutions (SBES) program, which is available to customers who use up to 400 kilowatts; and nonprofits ha e no kilowatt restriction. An assessment produces a customized report detailing any energy drains, their suggested improvements, and the estimated cost savings. “That’s really good for your mom-andpop small businesses, such as grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, even churches — any small business that could make some small changes,” Smith says, adding that the majority of energy assessment findings can be implemented through lighting improvements, HVAC improvements, smart thermostats, and water-saving measures. Evansville Business | 43

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Steve Plough, President 44 June/July | 2021

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Know your environment

The differences in residential and commercial consultation BY J O D I K E E N

Although they may sit on similar ground, environmental consultation on commercial buildings and residential structures are nuanced and attuned to different needs. Many agencies provide services for both residents and business owners because the consultations share some similar processes, but they differ in key ways.

“T

he big difference in environmental consultation is, when we test commercial, many regulations apply. When we get into homes, with the exception of lead paint, there really are no regulations,” says Steve Plough, owner of P.A.C.E. Field Services, Inc.

RESIDENTIAL CONSULTATION

Prospective buyers may reach out for an environmental inspection during a home sale, but oftentimes, it’s residents who suspect something is amiss that make the call. “A lot of times, clients feel like the house is making them sick. They’ll say, ‘I feel really good when I’m at work or on vacation,’” Plough says. “90 percent of the time, we start with testing for mold, because mold can cause actual symptoms. And we always recommend radon tests, although there are no immediate symptoms from radon.” Residential environmental consultation studies any health hazards present in the property, and testing isn’t limited to high-profile haza ds like mold and radon. “We have a test we can do for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that will pick up 73 of the most common VOCs, which can be cleaners, perfumes, anything that has an odor. Sometimes it’s gas or something fuel-related. The test takes the actual air in your house and pulls it into a canister where our lab can analyze it,” Plough says. Whenever test results point to a hazard present in the residence, remediation is needed to treat the issue — but Plough recommends pursuing remediation through an agency different than the one who performed testing. “It’s a conflict of inte est to do testing and remediation,” he says. COMMERCIAL CONSULTATION

For a potential commercial property owner, the manifold risks of an unsafe facility environment can involve liability and litigation, sometimes for years. To avoid running afoul of state and federal enviP.A.C.E. Field Services, Inc. can test for 73 of the most common volatile organic compounds in your home.

Evansville Business | 45

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ronmental regulations, due diligence should rule the negotiating table. “If all boxes aren’t checked properly, the purchaser could accidentally take on the environmental liability of the property,” says Roger Cohen, director of Environmental Management Consultants. “Commercial owners could potentially be liable for everything. … If it’s originating from your property, even if you’ve got nothing to do with it, you could have exposure to being held liable for the investigation and remediation cleanup. And these are often millions of dollars.” Commercial environmental consultants “find ways companies ca strategically manage their liability while still facilitating transactions,” Cohen says. Agencies study the past and current use of the property, surrounding properties, and historical records, and conduct site visits and interviews to ascertain any existing onsite hazards that could produce liability for the property owner. Per Cohen, one or two people routinely perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, but a large-scale investigation can involve several field sta f, a project manager, and a senior scientist. “Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking they don’t need a Phase I assessment, so they don’t get one. But oftentimes, that lack of a Phase I assessment comes back to haunt them when reselling that property 10 or 15 years down the road, passing the property to members of the family as part of an inheritance,” Cohen says. State and federal regulations evolve over time — a detail environmental consultants must stay up to date with, and another reason why consultation meets due diligence requirements. “It’s important to note that regulations change with time,” Cohen says. “A lot of times, work that was done 20 years ago is not satisfactory for today, and people don’t understand that the work they had done in 1997 doesn’t satisfy today’s requirements and is still a potential environmental concern.”

Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking they don’t need a Phase I assessment, so they don’t get one. But oftentimes, that lack of a Phase I assessment comes back to haunt them when reselling that property 10 or 15 years down the road, passing the property to members of the family as part of an inheritance. ROGER COHEN Director, Environmental Management Consultants

”

WATER SERVICES, SOIL SERVICES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

www.langfordenvironmental.org langfordllc@gmail.com

812.483.2544 Evansville Business | 47

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION VANDERBURGH COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS ONLY

VISIT OUR UPCOMING RECYCLE DAYS: 8 A.M. – NOON

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June 19 - 4-H Center July 10 - old Walmart west Aug. 7 - old Walmart west Aug. 21- 4-H Center Sept. 11 - old Walmart west Oct. 2 - old Walmart west ITEMS TO BRING: • Aluminum cans • Cardboard • Junk Mail • Catalogs/magazines • Metal food cans

• Newspaper • #1-#7 plastic containers • Bagged shredded paper

UPCOMING EVENTS: Tox Away Day – Oct. 2, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Civic Center

WWW.EVANSVILLE.IN.GOV/RECYCLE

Recycling 101 BY J O D I K E E N

More than just paper and plastic can be recycled. From aluminum cans and car batteries to appliances and motor oil, lots of household goods and materials can have a second life through recycling or can be safely disposed of by area professionals. Contact the Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District for a list of recycling locations for each category. • aluminum cans • appliances • batteries (automotive and rechargeable) • books • brass • cell phones • computers

• • • • • • • • •

copper corrugated cardboard metal food/ beverage cans motor oil paper (office pape , magazines, newspaper, mixed household paper) plastic (numbers 1-7) stainless steel toner cartridges yard waste

Source: Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District

Providing leading energy and infrastructure improvement solutions that drive revenue, increase resiliency and efficiency, and promote sustainability. Energy Systems Group Corporate Headquarters – Newburgh, IN City of Evansville – Indiana

48 June/July | 2021

Frederick-Winchester Service Authority – Virginia

NASA Johnson Space Center – Texas

MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS Special Advertising Section

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS Using visuals to spread your message

ant your business campaign to pack a punch? Don’t discount the impact of visuals, say local marketing professionals. From print ads, banners, and commercials, to billboards, road signs, and portraits, visuals immediately show customers what they can expect at your business, and it’s important for that message to translate quickly, clearly, and positively. Personalized Gifts “Your brand is your personality — it is really everything about you,” says Leslie Lawrence, president and owner of Award World Trophies. And while traditional marketing strategies can carry a business’ message, branded gifts help it resonate. “Engraved or personalized gifts have really seen an uptick in the past year,” Lawrence says. “We have been engraving a lot of custom wood items, from custom flags t monogrammed Kentucky bourbon barrel lids. But our favorite is taking an image of a couple or a new home and engraving it onto wood. It’s a perfect Realtor gift for a new homeowner.” Branded content can extend past personalized gifts: Custom pens, tumblers, and face masks all promote a business and take that message on the road, reaching even more potential customers. “The common goal of our business is to create the strongest reputation possible,” Lawrence says. “Branded gifts help you stand out from the competition and are likely to create a customer for life.”

Photography Why is imaging an important investment for a business marketing campaign? “Nobody goes to your business without checking your profile first,” sa Alex Morgan, owner of Alex Morgan Imaging, a photography and videography business. “Seeing is believing.” And as competition within

BY JODI KEEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX MORGAN IMAGING

their industries grows, business owners are increasingly turning to imagery to set their brands apart from — and above — the rest. Also important is ensuring imagery shows “versatility, personality, and taste,” he says, because those images are needed for everything from billboards, business cards, and bus screens to commercials, and print ads. Morgan points out that image impact depends on balancing the business owner’s goals with industry and consumer expectations. “For a restaurant, everything needs to look clean,” he says. “For industrial businesses, a lot of people want to see smiles and make it seem like it’s a nice place to work, but at the same time, I think a little bit of grit is important. If they have pride in their work, it puts me in a position to really make them shine.”

Print Materials Print covers a wide variety of materials and marketing, advises Bob Fuchs, owner of Link Graphics. Paper translates well for flyers leaflets, pamphlets, and direct mailing Vinyl and fabric printing lend themselves well to trade show production, banners, temporary event signage, exterior signage and imagery enforcement, and — of course — branding. “Everything you’d print on has branding opportunity,” Fuchs says. With visuals, “the goal is to be top of mind. When people think about utilizing a particular brand or product, your brand is top of mind because they’ve seen it in the marketplace.” For print materials, Fuchs says direct

mailing campaigns pack a big punch. “Direct mail gives your branding strength and directs people to URLs or PRLs,” he says. “It essentially can drive a sales program by making customers more aware of the product you’re trying to promote. It blends well with other marketing attributes that customers find beneficial to businesse Direct mail also really does well as target marketing.” “The bottom line is,” Fuchs says, “print is multidimensional.”

Signage Signs are one of the fastest ways to reach a potential new customer. But since that person is often in transit when they pass a business, it’s critical for signage to make a clear, fast impact, says Annette Werner, general manager of Sign Crafters. Many retailers use channel letters on road or tenant signs so that the lettering pops. Size also matters: Businesses along slowertraffic streets can effectively showcase thei shops with a monument-size sign, whereas a business along a busy highway may need a taller sign to increase SIGNAGE BY SIGN CRAFTERS its visibility to passing traffic For business owners pursuing signage, Werner stresses the importance of ensuring your business name and lettering stand out but are still legible. Also crucial is to use colors, images, and copy strategically. Too many elements can result in a cluttered sign that passersby can’t decipher in time. “You don’t want something that’s very, very busy,” Werner says. “When people are in their car and are traveling past your business, they need to be able to look at it and say, ‘That’s so-and-so’s boutique,’ and it catches their eye. They’re going to remember that.” Evansville Business | 49

MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS Special Advertising Section

NAVIGATING THE CURVE

BY JODI KEEN

Marketing campaigns excel when supported by dedicated, full-service teams

arketing campaigns can resemble a lap on a Grand Prix race track, with wild twists and turns carved into the landscape, and a driver attempting to strategize while maintaining a firm grip on the wheel. It’s impossible to see past the next turn, which is why that driver needs a dedicated team guiding them on the track. Marketing functions similarly. With new channels of communication to reach potential customers opening seemingly each day, a team of marketing strategists makes sense of the road ahead and helps businesses successfully navigate their campaigns to meet their messaging goals. “At AXIOM, we say: ‘No one is ahead of the curve. It’s how far behind the curve are you?’” says Randy Lientz, AXIOM’s CEO. “Nobody’s ahead of the curve.” “Oftentimes, a potential customer comes to us and really doesn’t have a good idea of what they need to have happen,” he adds. “And part of our job, and part of our skill, is to clearly identify and then under-

50 June/July | 2021

stand what their transactional process is. So, where it really all starts is asking lots of questions during The Discovery Process©. AXIOM is truly full service. We take pride in the fact that all our work is created under our roof, by our people.” That full-service approach should lend itself to examining all possible avenues, devising the best marketing campaign to fit the budget, and tracking results and plotting the campaign’s next steps he says. “The results don’t tell what you need to do next,” Lientz says. “Should you hire an airplane and have a big banner flying over the Owensboro HydroFair? Should you put a billboard on the Lloyd Expressway? Should you run a full-page ad in the newspaper? Should you run radio? What about OTT video? Yes, you should do everything, but you have a budget! And number one, we must adhere to how much are you willing to invest into this campaign, and then identify and recommend what is going to

be the most effective and cost efficient. So, out of all the myriad of choices we have, it’s our responsibility to channel and guide the client, work with them to make sure they understand all the options available, and then provide justification why this particular plan, whatever it turns out to be, is the one that will deliver the results they need.” With an onslaught of marketing options available to business owners, strategists can mark a clear path to a business’ transactional goals. “Today’s marketing, media, and creative industries are very complex and everchanging. There are a lot of different things out there floating around,” Lientz says. “Our role is to bring sense, order, and conformity to all these things that present opportunities for a business to achieve the desired results. We must put it together in a way the client can understand it and can see, ‘This will enable me to accomplish what I want to do.’”

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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS Special Advertising Section

BRINGING YOUR MESSAGE ‘FULL CIRCLE’ Marketing specialists help craft, distribute business campaigns

he endless avenues through which a message can flow have the potential to mu dy even the best marketing campaigns. To gain a stronger foothold, the specialists at Oswald Marketing recommend working with a professional team to help identify, shape, distribute, and track marketing messages. “It really starts at the clients’ goals and what they want to achieve. As an agency, we look at what’s the best return for the dollar, what’s the best impact,” says Oswald Marketing partner Tammy Shaw. “We’re an all-in-one resource for many clients,” Oswald partner Fred McCool says. “As a full-circle marketing and advertising agency, we do a strategic analysis with our clients to determine the most effective means to reach their target audience, with the goal of enhancing their image while boosting sales of their products or services.”

What’s trending “What’s doing the best is highly targeted marketing,” says Joel Benson, digital

marketing director. “A campaign’s success is directly impacted by how well you can identify an audience and then relate to them. That plan of attack may come from a variety of different tactics targeted down to what kind of phone you own and the zip code you live in.” “The range of today’s targeting options is revolutionary compared to what we had 10 years ago. When you look at audience behavior and interest, their geography, their daily routines: Are they looking for what to have for lunch that day, or where to buy a house? The audience determines the message and where best to place it,” Benson says.

Why engage a marketing specialist A common misconception is business owners must commit a certain dollar amount for their marketing campaigns to be effective. As Shaw explains, campaigns are multifaceted, and strategies

BY JODI KEEN

can appeal to a wide range of budgets. “We’re layering tactics,” Shaw says. “We want to maximize the ad spend through careful planning and negotiation.” “Our ability to adjust on the fly i very helpful, too,” McCool adds. “If we see that one tactic is not working, or rather one is working better than another, we can quickly shift dollars. We are very nimble.” Shaw and McCool both stress the importance of relying on a “full-circle” marketing team to craft a business campaign so that the message and branding stay on point. “There should not be an agency for digital, or an agency for traditional,” Shaw says. “The reason why we do these things (in house) is so we can produce everything here and control the brand.” “It’s very confusing right now to know where to put your money for a return,” Shaw says. “Our clients hold us accountable, and ultimately, our clients have to be successful.”

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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS Special Advertising Section

BANK ON THE BOOK

Magazine advertising resonates with consumers

BY JODI KEEN

arketing platforms may be evolving rapidly, but print remains a trusted, stable source. A 2015 Nielsen Catalina Solutions study found that the majority of 1,400plus U.S. advertisers reported the highest return on their media investment came from magazines. $3.49 was returned for every dollar spent, compared with an average $2.63 ROI from digital display and $1.52 from digital video. Furthermore, a 2016 study by Adobe reported that magazine readers devote an average of 20-25 minutes to their reading — a ten-fold increase from the two minutes online visitors spend at a given website. The perks aren’t just for magazine publishers: Business owners can also harness that attention to reach new customers through animated, resonant advertising. “Paid subscribers welcome Tucker Publishing Group publications into their

homes because they are interested in the local content and they are actively searching for the best products and services to utilize in the Tri-State area,” says Jennifer Rhoades, senior account executive with Tucker Publishing Group. The publisher of Evansville Living, City View, and Evansville Business magazines, Tucker Publishing Group enjoys a long relationship with Evansville. For 21 years, it has held a finger on the pulse of the community, measuring what’s trending and what’s significant to Greater Evansville residents. “People tell me all the time that one of the most entertaining parts of the magazine for them is the advertising. The ads look great and help locals to connect with the best that Evansville has to offer in health care, education, automotive, shops, restaurants, and events,” says Jessica Hoffman, senior account executive with Tucker Publishing Group. Readers report enjoying the maga-

zines’ extensive coverage of local living, from buzzworthy restaurants and craft drinks to community initiatives and upcoming events. Threading through articles devoted to local culture, economic development, history, and entertainment, advertisers’ glossy display ads are an extension of the exciting, lively content that Evansville Living readers have come to appreciate. “After 21 years, people will still share with me, ‘While I enjoy all the content in your magazines, I read them as much for the local ads as I do the editorial.’ Let me assure you: I am fine with that,” say Todd Tucker, president of Tucker Publishing Group. “Magazine advertising is not intrusive, it’s informative,” Rhoades says. “Readers can make connections to area businesses and refer back to the magazine for more details when they are considering making a purchase for their home or business.”

WHAT OUR ADVERTISERS SAY At Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, we appreciate the way Evansville Living can highlight our outstanding products and share stories of the amazing people we work with — both in our offices and in the community. Whether it has been with the Idea Home, Leading Women in Business, Evansville Gives or other focused issues, working with the team at Tucker has been easy and enjoyable. As a former newspaper editor in Evansville, I understand the importance of connecting with your readers, and Tucker Publishing does an excellent job with that. TIM ETHRIDGE, Business Development Officer Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union

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812-426-2115 | 25 N.W. Riverside Dr., Ste. 200, Evansville, IN 47708 | evansvilleliving.com Evansville Business | 55

UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE BREAKS GROUND ON NEW RESIDENCE HALL MAY 19, UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE Rob Shelby, Angel Rivera, Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, Michael Tessier, Donna Teague, Ersal Ozdemir, and Bob Jones

D-PATRICK HONDA PRESENTS DONATION TO UNITED METHODIST YOUTH HOME MAY 5, D-PATRICK HONDA Travis Johnson, Josh Calhoun, Kelley Tenbarge, Wolfi Roehrborn, and Aaron Coulter 56 June/July | 2021

P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY DAV I D A R T H U R

P-47 HOOSIER SPIRIT DEDICATED MAY 7, EVANSVILLE WARTIME MUSEUM State Sen. Vaneta Becker, State Sen. Jim Tomes, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, State Rep. Tim O’Brien, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, and State Rep. Wendy McNamara.

STIFEL’S EVANSVILLE BRANCH WISHES ARK CRISIS CHILDREN’S CENTER HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY APR. 27, 300 E. MORGAN AVE. Back Row: Robert Kozsan, Bryan Ruder, Sharon Ruder and Andre Hicks. Front: Thomas Ruder

P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY S T I F E L R U D E R I N V E S T M E N T G R O U P

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA CELEBRATES NEW LOCATION MAY 4, DOWNTOWN EVANSVILLE Front: Fred Emory, Micah Konkler, Tanya Merkel, Andrew Backes, Amanda Redenbaugh, and Doug Minor. Back: Jesse Kaufman, Madeline Sherwood, Teri Barnes, Jason Long, Officer Philip Smith, Lisa Anderson, and Kalley Rocca

ROTARY CLUB OF EVANSVILLE RESUMES IN- PERSON LUNCHEONS MAY 18, TROPICANA EVANSVILLE Sophie Schulz, Scott A. Hurt, Lori Schulz, Amy Canterbury, and Pat Schulz

P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY R OTA RY C LU B O F E VA N S V I L L E

P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY D - PAT R I C K H O N DA

C H R I S B E R N E K I N G P H OTO G R A P H Y/ P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F E VA N S V I L L E

P H OTO P R OV I D E D BY B I G B R OT H E R S B I G S I S T E R S O F S O U T H W E S T E R N I N D I A N A

BUSINESS LIFE

IN THE NEWS

E W H O ’ S M A K I N G T H I N G S H A P P E N I N L O C A L B U S I N E S S A N D I N D U S T RY

NEW HIRES/PROMOTIONS

Taylor Waddell

Felicia Hostettler

Vanderburgh Humane Society hires incom-

Eric Rang

Jennifer Kissel

Jason Southwell

Jason Epley

John Schutz

Michelle Vanover

The Schutz Perigo Group of RW Baird

has hired Taylor Waddell and promoted John Schutz, Felicia Hostettler, and Michelle Vanover. Waddell will be the new client assistant, working with clients to service their investments and accounts. She most recently worked in the mortgage department of a local bank and received a bachelor’s degree in economics from USI in 2018. Schutz has been named managing director, while Hostettler will serve as assistant vice president. Vanover will be a senior client specialist.

Hafer has promoted four employees to its leadership team at their Evansville location. Eric Rang, Jennifer Kissel, and Jason Southwell have been promoted to

senior associate after working as Hafer architects and interior designers. Architect Jason Epley will also take his five years of experience with Hafer to the new position of associate of the firm. Epley has a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies and master’s degree in architecture from Southern Illinois University.

Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt has named Jamie Dameron a partner. In her new role, Dameron will advise clients Jamie Dameron on transactions, help businesses manage day-to-day operations, advocate for clients litigating complex environmental issues, and much more.

B BUSINESS SUCCESS

A Warm Welcome

he Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation has welcomed its newest board member. Aaron Althaus is a founder and chief operating officer at Alpha Laser and Imaging. A 1998 Evansville Day School alumnus, Althaus is an active volunteer in his three children’s activities, the student clothing resource Hangers, and the monthly food drive at Culver Family Learning Center. At Alpha Laser, he works to offer job shadowing experiences so local students can be exposed to a variety of career paths. “We thought he would be a great fit due to his passion with students

BY DALLAS CARTER

and that’s really what we look for,” says EVSC Foundation grant and school engagement manager Laura O’Leary. “Aaron was a perfect fit and we’re so happy to have him.” Althaus, who has a passion and advocacy for youth and education in Evansville, joins his brother Jason Althaus (a member since 2019) on the EVSC Foundation Board of Directors. z

EVSCFOUNDATION.ORG

ing business manager Allison Miller. A member of the VHS Board of Directors since 2016, Miller will replace Allison Miller retiring business manager Cindy Nemer. Miller will use her business experiences with Banterra Bank and Evansville Pet Supplies Plus stores to handle vendor accounts.

Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science Board of Trustees approves the

three-year contract extension of executive diMary McNamee Bower rector Mary McNamee Bower. Before beginning her 43 years of work with the Museum, Bower received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Illinois State University. As the Virginia G. Schroeder curator of art, Bower oversaw three accreditation evaluations by the American Alliance of Museums and the $14 million facility renovations and expansions in 2014. She’s also served 20 months as interim executive director when John Streetman retired, as chief curator in 2014, and was first named full-time executive director in 2018.

Good Samaritan welcomes general surgeon Dr. Bradly Vo who received his medical degree from St. George University School of Dr. Bradly Vo Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. Dr. Vo completed his general surgery residency at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, Virginia.

Gribbins Insulation promotes Chuck LeRoy to field superintendent after 13 years supervising crews in Louisville, Kentucky, as a journeyChuck LeRoy man and foreman. The Shepherdsville, Kentucky, native began his career as a mechanical insulation apprentice in 1999 and brings years of mechanical insulations expertise to his new role.

EVSC Board of School Trustees appoints longtime football coach Andrew Zirkelbach as Central High School’s new head football Evansville Business | 57

IN THE NEWS coach. Most recently a defensive coordinator at Reitz High School, Zirkelbach received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Evansville, a master’s degree in engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a master’s degree in secondary education from Oakland City University. AWARDS/RECOGNITION

Thrifty Car Care Center was named a 2020 Shop4D Top Performing Shop. The full-service auto repair and maintenance shop, received the award that recognizes exceptional shops and is given based on customer reviews and business growth metrics.

Senior branch office administrator Tonya Binney with financial advisor Melissa Nicholson’s Edward Jones branch in Newburgh, Indiana, recently received the Spirit of Caring Award. The award recognized

only 294 branch office administrators from more than 16,000 across the country.

COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund awards nearly $300,000 to eight nonprofit applicants in the 13th round of allocations by the COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund of the Greater Evansville Region. The Salvation Army of Evansville was awarded $125,000 — an amount matched by the Divisional Office — to continue providing emergency financial assistant for rent/mortgage, utilities, and other living needs. Other recipients include the Albion Fellows Bacon Center ($35,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana ($47,000), Chemo Buddies ($21,500), Downtown Evansville Community Development Corp. ($34,000), Isaiah 117 House ($5,000), Mental Health American of Vanderburgh County ($17,200), and New Harmony Ministry Association, Inc. ($15,000). D-Patrick Honda donates $1,500 to the Isaiah 1:17 Project for April in continuation of its “Honda Helping Kids” campaign. In May, D-Patrick donated $1,500 to the United Methodist Youth Home. Maintaining the company’s philanthropic outreach, D-Patrick Ford/Lincoln continued its $10 per Test Drive campaign with the presentation of a $2,500 check to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra on May 11.

B BUSINESS SUCCESS

Skate into the Sunset

BY DALLAS CARTER

unset Skatepark, a free, public skatepark to be built at Sunset Park within Evansville’s Promise Zone, recently acquired a $10,000 grant from The Skatepark Project. Formerly known as The Tony Hawk Foundation, the Skatepark Project’s award will help fund the construction of the park that will connect Mickey’s Kingdom with the new Evansville Water, Sewer, and Utilities Pump Station. “It’s the best endorsement you can get as far as skateparks go,” says volunteer project organizer Heather Vaught. “This is the first grant they’ve awarded in southern Indiana, so we’re really excited about that.” SKATESUNSET.COM Vaught has been with the project for two years, but the local skate community has been leading the grassroots movement to create a safe, fun space for all ages and abilities for almost 10 years. The idea went before the Evansville City Council three years ago after plans for a new skatepark were favored over a possible renovation of the existing Lamasco Skatepark built in 2001. Sunset Skatepark has raised an additional $13,000 through its GoFundMe and is still accepting donations and sponsorship. Questions about sponsorship and involvement can be sent to Vaught at hello@skatesunset.com. z

58 June/July | 2021

Ivy Tech vice chancel-

lor for student success receives the 2020 Innovation Award for Technology Research, Assessment, and Evaluation from the Deborah Anderson National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Deborah Anderson was selected for the award for her 2019 research dissertation titled “Institutional Factors of Characteristics Leading to Successful Implementation of Analytical Technology within Higher Education.” Anderson’s study meets the award’s criteria of high-quality research on technology in regard to higher education and student affairs.

University of Evansville recognizes the Vanderburgh County Outstanding Educators of the Year. These annual awards, which took place on April 7, 2021, recognize current classroom teachers and building principals in grade K-12 with at least three years of experience. Sponsored by UE, Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, and the Evansville Courier & Press, the awards consist of a surprise announcement within each recipient’s school. The 30th annual awards recognized Cathy Hoffman, 5th grade teacher at Delaware Elementary School, as Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year; Gayle Mooney, 6th grade teacher at Scott School, as Outstanding Middle School Educator of the Year; and Susie Masterson, principal of Evansville Christian School, as Outstanding Building Principal of the Year. Forbes Magazine names Merrill Lynch wealth management advisor David W. Nicholson a Best in State Wealth Advisor for Indiana for the third year in a row. In his 40th year in the industry, Nicholson is a veteran financial advisor with Nicholson, McNamara, Smith, and associate Merrill Lynch. Independent Colleges of Indiana names

University of Evansville sophomore Paige Johnson the 2021 Realizing the Dream recipient. Sponsored by the Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program recognized 30 first-generation college students from ICI’s private, non-profit institutions annually. Johnson will receive a $3,000 award for outstanding achievement during her freshman year. Included in the program, Johnson named Kyle Brasher, an English and history teacher at Gibson Southern High School, Fort Branch, Indiana, as an influential educator in her life. Brasher will receive $1,000 in professional development grants.

Indiana Members Credit Union announces

the Tatum Parker Project as the 2021 Cancer Awareness Debit Card beneficiary. Nominated by new members, the Tatum Parker Project will receive a portion up to $10,000 total of each signature transaction made with the debit card from March 1, 2021, to Feb. 28, 2022. Tatum Parker beat pediatric cancer twice and has dedicated her life to supporting other patients, as well as spreading awareness and fundraising. The Cancer Awareness Debit Card will be available at 30 Indiana locations for members with a free checking account.

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University of Evansville receives accreditation-continued statues for the Physician Assistant program from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. The program will be revalidated by the ARC-PA in March 2031. Community One recognizes Mariama

Wilson as Tepe Park’s 2021 Neighborhood Hero. Wilson, who received her recognition on March 24, is the founder and leader of Mothers Against Senseless Killings, who gather as a positive presence in high-crime areas.

National WWII Museum names local

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Evansville Day School junior Brandon Foster as the 2021 Billy Michal Student Leadership award recipient. Foster, recognized at the ceremony on June 18, 2021, is the student government academic committee chair, co-leader of Venture Club, captain of the cross country and track teams, a member of Teen Court, and involved in fundraisers for an Orphanage in Raki, Uganda.

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Owensboro Convention Center wins the

Prime Site award presented by Facilities and Destinations magazine. This is the eighth time the award has been given to Spectra, the venue management, food services and hospitality company that manages the convention center.

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IN THE NEWS GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT

Chemicals

Paper Products

Equipment

Liners

Laundry Products

American Sanitary Supply is one of the largest cleaning supply companies in the tri-state area and has earned a reputation as a major supplier of industrial and commercial equipment and supplies. We are committed to providing the highest quality of lines of equipment, chemicals, paper, and tools necessary for maintaining the smallest church to the largest factory.

Call us today for a quote on your janitorial supplies! Free Delivery and Product Training included with purchases of $50 or more!

City of Evansville utilizes Nextdoor, a social networking service for neighborhoods, as the city’s newest tool to keep Tri-State neighborhoods strong and safe. The app and website will be used to make important safety, news, and emergency updates, as well as to open communication between the Mayor’s Office and residents. Tri-State Orthopaedic Surgeons partners with

Perry County Memorial Hospital and Clinics. The practice of Dr. Ryan Wetzel, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, will expand to Memorial’s Tell City, Indiana, clinic at 109 U.S. Highway 66. An appointment can be made with Dr. Wetzel — who joined Tri-State Orthopaedic Surgeons in June 2020 — at 812-477-1558.

7 Sisters expands their charity organization 811 N. Main St., Evansville, IN | 812-426-0201 info@americansanitarysupply.com | americansanitarysupply.com

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and is now offering its “It Takes a Family” support group (led by addiction specialist Lisa Seif,) free to the public. The first Monday and third Thursday of each month, anyone in the community can attend a meeting at 6 p.m. at the YWCA at 118 Vine St. Meetings are also held virtually on Facebook. 7 Sisters’ goal is to support women and family with addicted loved ones.

Wesselman Woods offers a course to become at state-certified Indiana Master Naturalist at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. The course includes virtual and practical elements and concludes with an exam and 24 hours of service. The cost is $140 for members and $150 for nonmembers. EVPL launched its annual Summer Reading Celebration on May 22. The program will continue through July 31, and center around the theme “Our Summer: Reading is Delicious.” Participants do not need an EVPL card to participate and are grouped by age in three categories — children, (12 and younger), teens (13 to 17), and adults (18 and older).

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IN THE NEWS

First Bank acquires Heritage State Bank

of Lawrenceville, Illinois. Heritage’s three branches in Lawrenceville, Haubstadt, and Vincennes, Indiana, will now increase Illinois-based First Bank to 12 branches and $611 million in assets.

Wood Memorial High School adds the Dementia Friends Indiana Information Session to its curriculum. Located in Oakland City, Indiana, Wood Memorial is the first high school in the state to incorporate the initiative to break down the stigma surrounding dementia. Linda Wright, Dementia Friends coordinator, with the Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging, and Jean Ross Dementia Friends champion co-hosted the first information session with Wood teacher Sally Morton and her students on May 15. Henderson Community College announced

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the grand opening of the HCC Care Center on April 12 in Henderson, Kentucky. The center will meet HCC’s goal of removing non-academic barriers to college success and promoting educational attainment for all students. Any currently enrolled HCC student is eligible to visit the center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

C.K. Newsome Center extends its COVID-19 testing through June 30, 2021. Registration is required but all testing is free, and no medical insurance is necessary. In collaboration with Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, the Vanderburgh County Health Department, and the Indiana State Department of Health, OptumServe will use BinaxNow rapid tests also with polymerase chain reaction testing. Henderson Area Arts Alliance announces its

return for the 2021-2022 season beginning September 2021. This will be executive director Natalie Singer’s first in-person season with the Alliance, based in Henderson, Kentucky.

E.C. Barton & Company opened a new Home Outlet store at 730 South Green River Road on May 3, 2021. The store will offer flooring, cabinetry, plumbing, door, and window products at the guaranteed lowest price for consumers and professionals.

Heritage Federal Credit Union purchased the Elberfeld State Bank on March 31, 2021. This acquisition will increase Heritage Federal’s combined assets to $900 million and 13 locations. University of Southern Indiana is adding

a new men’s and women’s swimming and diving athletic program by Fall 2022. The swimming and diving teams, with a roster of 25 men and 25 women, will compete in the NCAA Division II and Great Lakes Valley Conference from the new on-campus aquatic center scheduled to open in Fall 2021. z

ADVERTISER INDEX COMPANY.................................................................PAGE # Alex Morgan Imaging.......................................................50 American Sanitary Supply Co..........................................60 Award World Trophies & Gifts..........................................54 AXIOM................................................................................51 Best Lawyers.....................................................................22 Bodyworks Massage Therapy...........................................59 CenterPoint Energy...........................................................35 Charles Schwab.................................................................6 Corporate Design..............................................................21 D-Patrick Motoplex.............................................................1 Deaconess Hospital..........................................................10 Duff Law, LLC....................................................................28 Dyna-Kleen........................................................................61 Energy Systems Group.....................................................48 Environmental Management Consultants......................42 Evansville Regional Economic Partnership ( E-Rep)........ 8 Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union.................COV 4 First Bank..........................................................................12 Frank’s Catering...............................................................61 IBEW NECA JATC, The Power of 3 ....................................46 J.E. Shekell........................................................................40 Jackson Kelly PLLC......................................................26,27 Keller Schroeder................................................................19 Klezmer Maudlin, PC........................................................29 Landscapes By Dallas Foster, Inc....................................14 Langford Environmental..................................................47 Link Graphics....................................................................54 Melmar Properties............................................................36 Midwest Telecom Communications.................................18 Morton Solar & Wind, LLC................................................44 N.M. Bunge, Inc..................................................................2 Orr Environmental Solutions............................................40 Oswald Marketing............................................................53 P.A.C.E. Field Services, Inc...............................................44 Pass Pest Control.............................................................21 Popham Construction........................................................6 RE/MAX/Richardson, Mike.........................................COV 2 Shepherd Insurance, LLC.................................................20 SIGMA Equipment/C&I.....................................................46 Sign Crafters, Inc.............................................................52 Signarama........................................................................18 SMART Local 20................................................................12 Southern Business Machines, Inc...................................60 Straub Mower Service, LLC..............................................61 Summit Real Estate Services............................................ 5 Sustainability Management Partners.............................38 Thomas Law.....................................................................29 Three I Design...................................................................62 Tucker Publishing Group...............................17, 29, 55, 63 Turf Plus............................................................................62 Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District.......................48 Vision Green......................................................................42 Vowells & Schaaf, LLP......................................................59 Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc............................COV 3

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BACK TALK E

BY D A L L A S C A R T E R

Suzanne Draper EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration on marketing and management from the University of Evansville. RESUME: Administrative assistant, FC Tucker Emge Realators, 1988-1990; account assistant, Raffensperger, Hughes & Co. Investments, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1990; caseworker, Office of Family and Children, Indianapolis, 1990-1992; caseworker, Department of Child Services, Evansville, 1992-1996; supervisor, Department of Child Services, 1996-2002; assistant director, Vanderburgh County CASA, 2002; executive director, Vanderburgh County CASA, 2002-present. HOMETOWN: Evansville, Indiana FAMILY: Husband, Chris; son, Jackson (16); rescue dog, Daisy

very day, children in courtrooms across the country face uncertain futures. In Vanderburgh County, Suzanne Draper is ensuring no child stands alone. As executive director of Vanderburgh County CASA for 19 years, Draper has made it her personal and professional goal to provide an advocate for every child in juvenile court. “It’s been a different year with COVID-19 for everyone, but just because children were doing virtual school and things were shut down doesn’t mean abuse and neglect stopped,” she says. “Our job has become even more important because we’re able to see those kids and make sure they’re in a safe and nurturing home.” Draper oversees CASA’s full-time staff, volunteer training programs, wish funds, and operational duties, such as securing a new office in July 2019 with money raised by 100 Men Who Cook in 2017.

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What inspired you to become involved in social work? I was adopted at birth, and I always wanted to be a social worker. I knew I wanted to help people. I knew what CASA was because we worked closely with CASA, and the opportunity came up to go from the State of Indiana to a nonprofit organization. 19 years later, still here, still working, and trying to make a difference in children’s lives. I still feel like we have a job to do and our program is here for a reason and that reason is to advocate for kids that are in bad situations.

What are the differences between state-run agencies and nonprofits? Going from a government agency to a nonprofit was a big learning curve, but it was a good move. With a nonprofit, you’re responsible for raising money — you’re a jack of all trades, a master of none. We’re a small nonprofit, so our agency doesn’t have human resources, doesn’t have bookkeeping; we do all of that ourselves. We’re also governed by a board of directors, which is different than a state-run agency. The big difference is our volunteers have one case, whereas Child Services have multiple cases. So, our volunteer can focus on that one child or one case, which may have multiple children, and what is in their best interest. A lot of times, our volunteers might be that one consistent person in the child’s life.

The job at Child Services is very difficult — you’re dealing with families in crisis, families with substance abuse, mental health issues, and you’re making immediate decisions — so there is a lot of turnover. Our goal is to work directly with Child Services and work together in making a family as successful as they can be.

How do you utilize your business background? My dad always said, ‘Get a business degree, so when you’re done saving the world, you can make some money.’ I think with the nonprofit, my business degree has helped. All of it has helped me become a better director, whether that is my experience with child welfare, being a caseworker or supervisor of caseworkers, or as a director — all those experiences have helped me grow to be able to run an organization of this size.

What is your favorite part about leading CASA? I love what our organization does. I’m truly amazed at the dedication of our staff and the dedication of the volunteers because they’re the ones doing the hard job. We still have kids to advocate for, and I couldn’t do my job without the staff, and our volunteers, and board of directors, and the support and guidance that they give. We continue to strive towards having a volunteer for every child, that is ultimately our goal. I feel confident that we have made differences in children’s lives because of what the volunteers do. z P H OTO BY Z AC H S T R AW

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