FALL 2012
HONORING
20 40 UNDER
MANOJ BAHL, MITCH GAFFIGAN, BILL HANNA, DAVID HEIN, BRIAN JACKSON, BRANDON KROFT, BRAD LAGOS, ALFRED MARTIN, COLLEEN MCCOY-CEJKA, ANDREA PROUIX BUINICKI, RYAN RICHARDSON, JON SCHMALTZ, TIFFANY SIMPSON, JARED TAUBER AND TARA TAUBER, KASANDRA TENBARGE, DANIEL TIMM, MATT VALUCKIS, BILL WELTER, JULIE WIEJAK
ALSO INSIDE
35 MATTHEW GLAROS 2011 36 GAIL ZUREK 2011 37 NICK MEYER 2011 38 KAREN LAUERMAN 2008
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Contents CoVer story
BIZ Worthy
4
Salute: Donald Fesko, Community CEO, earns honors
5
Bieszczat promoted to president
6
Job Watch: Employment statistics from Indiana and Illinois
CoLumnIsts
35
Columnists: Past 20 Under 40 winners views, Matthew Glaros, Gail Zurek, Nick Meyer, 2011; Karen Lauerman, 2009
CaLenDar
8 2 | IN BusINEss
40 Top 20 Under 40: Manoj Bahl, Mitch Gaffigan, Bill Hanna, David Hein, Brian Jackson, Brandon Kroft, Brad Lagos, Alfred Martin, Colleen Mccoy-Cejka, Andrea Prouix Buinicki, Ryan Richardson, Jon Schmaltz, Tiffany Simpson. Jared Tauber and Tara Tauber, Kasandra Tenbarge, Daniel Timm, Matt Valuckis, Bill Welter, Julie Wiejak.
Business calendar: Check out upcoming events in your area
Publisher’s Letter Fall 2012
Volume 8, Issue 3
Publisher Bill Masterson Jr. Founding editor William Nangle Associate Publisher/Editor Pat Colander Director of Product Development Brett Riley Managing Editor Matt Saltanovitz Design Director Ben Cunningham Designer Diane Cunningham Contributing writers Lesly Bailey, Keith Benman, Dan Carden, Tricia Despres, Lu Ann Franklin, Andrea Holecek, Diane Poulton, Bill Thon, Bowdeya Tweh
Mentors support and sustain high achievers in Class of 2012
Y
Contributing photographer Tony V. Martin Advertising Director Lisa M. Daugherty Advertising managers Deb Anselm, Eric Horon, Craig Chism, Charles Smith, DeeDee White Business Advisory Board Dave Bochnowski, Peoples Bank; Wil Davis, Gary Jet Center; Nick Meyer, NIPSCO; Barb Greene, Franciscan Alliance and St. Margaret Mercy Hospital; Mark Maassel, President and CEO of NWI Forum; William Lowe and Anna Rominger, Indiana University Northwest; Bill Thon, Ivy Tech State College Copyright, Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland BusINess, 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.
By Bill masterson jr. Publisher, BusINess, The Times Media Co.
We want to hear from you E-mail bill.masterson @nwi.com or write to BusINess Magazine, The Times, 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321
ou probably have noticed we don’t start soliciting nominations for our annual 20 Under 40 awards until summer, but that doesn’t mean good candidates don’t come to our attention on a regular basis throughout the year. What is surprising is the super-achievers who maintain a low profile: People like Dyer Chief of Police David Hein, just proud to serve in his hometown; Brandon Kroft, a lawyer who works on educational and government boards; Ryan Richardson, who has made his job at Luke Oil a vocation by educating others on locally-sourced food, are just a few of the quiet ones. Then there are the dreamers like Bill Welter, who started a distillery business from an idea he had as a kid. Brian Jackson also has an amazing story about surviving a terrible plane crash when he was 5-years-old. Now he helps others who have been injured. Daniel Timm worked his way from the private sector to public service. We also have a group of 20 under 40s who have turned the model of giving back to giving forward. People like Manoj Bahl who has been providing dental care to underprivileged children since before he left school. As young as Bill Hanna is, he can look back from his post as CEO of the Regional Development Authority on his accomplishments, as director and city manager in Valparaiso. Mitch Gaffigan, the chief technology officer at InTouch Pharmaceuticals, has devoted himself to developing a workflow management system for those in long-term care with their special needs. Tara and Jared Tauber are a sister-and-brother legal team who devote hours each week to pro bono work for victims of domestic abuse and helping with adoptions for Catholic Charities. Matt Valuckis, who created the famous Pierogi man, also works for the Better Boys Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Jon Schmaltz is another attorney who dedicates his time to public service and community causes. Bethel Church’s Brad Lagos work includes The Barnabas Project, to instill young men with the value of leadership. Alfred Martin, of Urban Suns, helps young men become stronger physically and mentally. Bishop Noll Institute Principal Colleen McCoy-Cejka and volleyball champion Julie Wiejak have chosen paths that help teenagers become the best they can be. In 2009, Tiffany Simpson started her interventions and counseling company. Kasandra Tenbarge was propelled further into community involvement when her former Munster home and neighborhood was hit by the 2008 floods and Andrea Proulx Buinicki built upon a 16-year career in fundraising by starting her own philanthropy consulting firm, Giving Focus. That reminds me of something else these young people have in common: they help others because there is somebody who helped them along the way. Congratulations to our winners and keep up the good work. Until next time, Bill Masterson Jr.
fall 2012 | 3
BizWorthy REcognition
Community Hospital CEO earns honor Times Staff MUNSTER | Community Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Donald Fesko will be named the 2012 Young Healthcare Executive of the Year by the American College of Healthcare Executives. The Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award honors an exceptional health care executive who is under 40 years of age, is a fellow of ACHE and holds a CEO or COO position in a health care organization. “We are proud that ACHE has selected Don as the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year,” John Gorski, Chief Operating Officer of Community Healthcare System, said in a statement. “It serves as an acknowledgment of something we’ve known since day one: that he is an integral part of the tradition of excellence that defines Community Hospital and the
Community Healthcare System.” Since becoming CEO at Community in 2005, he has led numerous projects at the hospital, including a $40 million Emergency Department Pavilion, new West Pavilion entrance and Fesko the addition of 75 private rooms to three floors of the hospital, according to a news release. Community Hospital has earned an America’s 50 Best rating from HealthGrades for four consecutive years, from 2008-11, and a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence rating nine years in a row through 2012. Community Hospital has also been named to the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals list by Thomson
Reuters. The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 40,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, health care systems and other health care organizations. In 2009, Fesko earned fellow status and board certification through ACHE. Fesko will receive his award March 20 at the Malcolm T. MacEachern Memorial Lecture and Luncheon during ACHE’s 55th Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chicago. Prior to joining the staff of Community Hospital, Dr. Fesko was a practicing optometrist with Munster Eye Care Associates. Fesko has an MBA from Indiana University, a bachelor’s in economics from Purdue University and a Doctor of Optometry from Indiana University. A native of Munster, Fesko resides in Dyer with his wife, Katie, and their three children.
salute
People who are climbing the professional ladder
Novosel
Murphy
John Novosel was promoted to vice president — central business banking regional manager and Steve Murphy was promoted to first vice president — senior relationship manager at Citizens Financial Bank. Paul Denesuk will manage the satellite office of Sagamore Home Mortgage in Valparaiso.
4 | In Business
Denesuk
Isakson
Eric Isakson has been named to take over the Edward Jones office on S. Calumet Road in Chesterton. Robert Dowling is the new director of Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point’s Emergency Medical Services Academy-Provider Organization Sandra Hall Smith, a veteran Indiana University Northwest staff
Dowling
Hall Smith
member of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has accepted the post of assistant director of the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence. K&L Gates LLP elected Carolyn A. Jayne, a 1995 Valparaiso High School graduate, to partnership in the firm’s Chicago office. Glenn Czerwinski, a Bishop Noll
Jayne
Institute graduate, was promoted to vice president of clinical services at Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare in Lakewood, Wash. Erin Valdivia, Shelter Insurance Companies agent at Valparaiso, has been honored with The Champion designation as one of Shelter’s highest achieving sales representatives.
PromotIon
WorkPLaCe saFety
Bieszczat promoted to president of Barney enterprises
Superior Construction nets honor for safety milestone at refinery
Julie Bieszczat has been promoted to president of Crown Point-based Barney Enterprises, according to an announcement from chairman John Barney. Bieszczat joined the company more than five years ago after working 10 years career at Delta Faucet, according to an news release. BIesZCZat She has an undergraduate degree from DePauw University and an MBA. from Eastern Michigan University. As president, Bieszczat will be responsible for the various businesses that Barney Enterprises owns, said Barney. tImes staFF
A Gary-based construction company said its employees have worked more than 15 million hours at the BP Whiting Refinery without an accident that requires workers to take time off to recover. Superior Construction Co. Inc. said the milestone, which spans 13 years, is the result of having a strong safety culture and implementing programs to reduce workplace accidents, said Safety Director Tom Owens in a statement. The company’s “Good Catch” program implemented at the refinery a few years ago has reduced its lost-time
injury incident rate to 0.28 per 100 workers last year from 1.21 injuries per 100 workers in 2008. Owens said the industry average is five. The program encourages each tradesperson to look for any safety hazard and report it immediately. The person who recognized the hazard is honored at the next company meeting and receives a $20 gas gift card. Since 2008, Superior Construction has received multiple awards including the Governor’s Workplace Safety Award. tImes staFF
iun.edu/~busmba
Still Northwest Indiana’s only AACSB-accredited public business program! Because quality matters in business education. The School of Business and Economics at Indiana University Northwest is the only public business program in Northwest Indiana that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Only 15 percent of business schools worldwide have attained this undisputed benchmark for quality business education. n Bachelor of Science in Business Administration n Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate n Online Graduate Certficate in Management n Evening MBA for Professionals n Weekend MBA for Professionals (includes international learning experience)
Chicagoland’s Affordable AACSB Business School fall 2012 | 5
BizWorthy salute
job watch
Promoting local business: People who are climbing the professional ladder
Employment in the Calumet Region
Kim Ziegler, of Crown Point, has joined the University of Saint Francis Crown Point as a clinical adjunct faculty member. Nikki Rzyski, of Dyer, earned top honors at lia sophia for its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers. The company also recognized Debbie Urban, of Highland, and Joann Keck, of Griffith, as Monthly Achievers. Chris Schneidt joined Scannell Wealth Management Group in Valparaiso as an operations and marketing associate. Terrence Bley has joined Centier Bank as vice president and manager of residential mortgage production. Catherine Stowers, a DeMotte native, has joined FirstPerson in Indianapolis as adviser and general counsel. Ryon Kalwa has joined Korellis Roofing Inc. in Hammond as a residential estimator.
Lake County Ziegler
june ’12
Change
Labor force
225,872
222,612
Down 3,260
Employed
203,177
222,612
Up 19,435
Unemployed
22,695
370,603
Up 347,908
june ’11
june ’12
Change
Labor force
83,658
82,594
Down 3,260
Employed
76,870
76,250
Down 1,091
Unemployed
6,788
6,344
Down 444
june ’11
june ’12
Change
Labor force
51,843
49,750
Down 2,093
Employed
46,527
44,928
Down 1,599
Unemployed
5,316
4,822
Down 494
march ’11
march ’12
Change
Labor force
2,610,090
2,631,509
Up 21,419
Employed
2,315,092
2,374,065
Up 58,973
294,998
257,444
Down 37,554
march ’11
march ’12
Change
Labor force
370,603
373,333
Up 2,730
Employed
328,997
337,378
Up 8,381
Unemployed
41,606
35,955
Down 5,651
Percent of workforce unemployed 9.5 percent
Porter County Schneidt
Percent of workforce unemployed 7.7 percent
LaPorte County
Bley
Percent of workforce unemployed 9.7 percent
Cook County
Stowers
To submit an item for Salute, send information and a photo, if available, Kalwa to 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321, e-mail to business@ nwitimes.com or fax to (219) 933-3249. Faxed photos will not be published.
6 | In Business
june ’11
Unemployed
Percent of workforce unemployed 9.8 percent
Will County Percent of workforce unemployed 9.6 percent
Sources: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Illinois Department of Employment Security
remoDeL
Frazier Funeral home completes remodeling Demotte | Jason and Leslie Frazier have completed the purchase and remodeling of the Frazier Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 621 S. Halleck St. Lafayette Bank & Trust and the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation provided a loan to the Frazier Funeral Home and Cremation Services from the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program for small expanding businesses, according to a news release. The Fraziers opened their funeral home about eight years ago after buying the Todd Funeral Home. For more information, visit www.frazierfuneralhome.net or call (219) 987-2323.
honors
Local credit union receives industry award sChererVILLe | Advance Financial Federal Credit Union was recently awarded
the Diamond Award by the Credit Union National Association Marketing & Business Development Council for its TV commercial, Always Ahead. The commercial was selected from more than 1,100 entries worldwide, according to a cnew release. Open to the public in Lake County, AFFCU has branches in East Chicago, Schererville and Gary and has more than 21,000 members. For more information, visit www.advancefcu. org or contact Samantha McClure at (219) 392.3946 or samantha@advancefcu.org.
honors
korellis roofing receives industry honor hammonD | Korellis Roofing Inc. has earned
the 2012 Carlisle Excellence in Single–Ply Award, created to identify Carlisle’s most successful contractors. Selection into this group is based on company’s volume and quality. Korellis Roofing has installed and warranted more than 1.4 million feet of Carlisle’s single–ply roofing systems over the years and has completed 37 Perfect 10 installations as judged by the
Carlisle’s final inspection process. For more information, contact Pete Korellis at (219) 844–1400, e–mail info@korellisroofing.com or visit www.korellisroofing.com.
traInIng
Free online job training is available for hoosier workers InDIanaPoLIs | The Department of Workforce
Development is offering free online training through WorkOne to help Hoosiers build the skills necessary to get the job they want. The courses allow participants to improve their job knowledge and expertise through online classes that can lead to a National Career Readiness Certificate, a credential documenting an individual’s ability to succeed in the workplace. The online training courses use Worldwide Interactive Network career readiness courseware, designed to help anyone update their skills. WIN online training courses are free and open to all Hoosiers. Register online at www.in.gov/ dwd/2710.htm, or at a local WorkOne. A full list of WorkOne locations can be found online at www.workoneworks.com. tImes staFF
Nurturing Growth Working to attract quality jobs and capital investment to the region, enhance the business climate and preserve and protect the environment. Help us grow the NWI Economy Learn more about the Forum mission, membership and initiatives.
Visit www.nwiforum.org fall 2012 | 7
HONORING
20 40 UNDER
manoJ BaHL • mITCH GAFFIGAN BiLL Hanna • daVid Hein Brian JaCKSon • Brandon Kroft Brad LagoS • aLfred martin CoLLeen mCCoY-CeJKa • andrea prouiX BuiniCKi • rYan riCHardSon Jon SCHmaLtZ • tiffanY SimpSon Jared tauBer and tara tauBer KaSandra tenBarge danieL timm • matt VaLuCKiS BiLL WeLter • JuLie WieJaK
pHotoS BY tonY V. martin
8 | IN BusINEss
MANOJ BAHL
age: 33
owner of excel Dental studio,40 W. 73rd ave., merrillville,
Smooth transition
Dentist earns confidence and trust story By DIane PouLton
Taking over another dentist’s practice presents challenges. The new dentist in town must win the confidence of existing patients and staff with his personality, style and treatment methods. Dr. Manoj Bahl says he had some big shoes to fill when he bought the practice of Merrillville dentist Dr. Allan Nalbor. Yet in less than a year, Bahl has managed to gain new clients, increase business and retain all staff. He has renamed the office Excel Dental Studio. In the process, Bahl has earned Nalbor’s respect and admiration. “He’s set high goals that I believe he’ll attain,” Nalbor says. “In less than eight months, he’s increased the gross revenue by 24 percent and is on pace to collect $1 million in his first year of solo practice.” Bahl is planning to hire additional staff, bringing in a specialist and associate during the year. “He understands the importance of patient-staff relationships,” Nalbor says. “He retained all of my employees and is working hard to grow the business while keeping the small-town dental office atmosphere.” Bahl believes in establishing personal connections with patient and in embracing the technology patients expect, Nalbor says. “I think he is a credit to the dental profession with his skills both with people and in dentistry,” Nalbor says. “He is a young professional who has great potential to raise the quality of life in Northwest Indiana.”
For Bahl, who counts Nalbor as one of his mentors, the admiration is mutual. “You see the demeanor of somebody who ran the practice, how he conducted himself with his patients and his staff and you really want to emulate that,” Bahl says. Nalbor was successful because he built relationships with his patients and staff for 37 years, a practice Bahl says he intends to continue. “He passed that down to me and he let me know this is a relationship driven practice,” Bahl says. “So the minute my patients get in the chair, conversation is about them not about me.” Bahl says treatment in his practice is not rushed. “We may not be the fastest office but that is okay,” he says. “We’re a very friendly practice. In one day it was amazing. We had a patient bring in basil for me to cook, another patient bringing in arthritic cream for one of my assistants and in the same day we spent 20 minutes on a very fearful patient.” Bahl says his decision to embark on a career in dentistry was an amalgamation of his enjoying science and working with his hands, wanting to be a small business owner and having a family friend as a role model. “My sophomore year of college, I realized that is I was going to go into health care,” Bahl says. “At the time, physicians didn’t get to spend a lot of time with patients — it was rush a patient in and rush a patient out.” His interest in dentistry spiked when shadowed a family friend
(219) 769-3305, www.exceldentalstudio.com
in southern California. “I thought that was a really nice niche, one that would work well,” Bahl says. “So I decided to pursue it.” Bahl says his parents are his unsung heroes. “My father and mother were great mentors,” Bahl says. “My parents came from India 40 years ago, with the same mentality that a lot of parents have to sacrifice for their children.” He says his parents, Ramesh and Kamal Bahl, also taught him determination. “I come from a working family,” Bahl says. “We have always had jobs. We have always tried to succeed.” Bahl says his wife Sarah, an optometrist, has sacrificed the most to support his career. “When we moved here, for a full year I pretty much only worked two days a week and spent another three or four days studying the business of running a practice because I didn’t want to get in over
my head,” Bahl says, adding that he runs most business decisions by his wife for her valued input. Believing in community involvement, Bahl serves on the board of the Northwest Indiana Dental Society. He is creating a scholarship program for children of his patients, estimating the scholarships will range between $1,000 and $1,500 each. “If you are a successful business, you want your area to be successful and to show pride in your community,” Bahl says. Bahl participated in a pro bono dentistry program called Health Services for Humanity while he was in residency at Ohio State University. Along with a couple surgeons and a pharmacist, Bahl traveled to Honduras to treat more than 100 patients in an abandoned motel using scuba tanks to power the drills. “We provided very good care,” Bahl says. “It’s fulfilling. The
patients were appreciative. It opens up your eyes as to just how lucky you are.” B a h l h o p e s to c o n t i n u e working with the American Dental Association Give Kids a Smile program, which provide dental care to underprivileged children. The dental screenings and simple procedures are usually performed in a gymnasium, Bahl says. He says many children do not receive adequate dental care which endangers their overall health. In his practice, Bahl believes in providing as many services as possible. “We do a lot of implant work here, which is really important,”
Bahl says. Excel Dental Studio also offers clear braces and complex cosmetic surgeries. “It is part of a modern day dental practice to do these cases,” Bahl says. We do a lot of our own root canals here. The patients love it.” Bahl says his goal for his practice is to provide the highest quality of care. “I don’t want my patients or the community to think that just because they don’t live in a big city they can’t get dental procedures done,” Bahl says. “I give my patients options here whether you are 71 or 41. I think that what separates us from other offices.”
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fall 2012 | 9
1/18/12 5:17 PM
20 40 UNDER
MITCH GAFFIGAN II
age: 20
Chief technology officer at In touch Pharmaceuticals, (219) 476-3294, http://www.intouchpharma.com
So young, yet so old mitch gaffigan, not your typical 20-year-old techno geek
story By anDrea hoLeCek
M itch Gaffigan shuns the conventional pursuits and passions of the typical 20-year-old to focus on a series of never-ending goals. Gaffigan has been employed by Valparaiso-based InTouch Pharmaceuticals since 2007 and currently is the company’s chief technology officer. A selfproclaimed computer devotee, Gaffigan developed DMSrx, a g ro u n d - b rea k i n g a u to m a te d workflow management system serving the pharmaceutical needs of long-term care. “He’s an ‘old soul’,” says his mother, Christine Gaffigan. “He just came that way,” she says. “It didn’t take the traditional path in school or in life. Mitch just has a fundamental understanding of people that not a lot of people come with. He always sees the big picture. He’s one of those people that makes his own destiny.” As a small child Gaffigan and a friend used old boxes to build play computers and develop businesses, Christine Gaffigan says. While spending his free time at his grandparent’s car dealership while his parents worked, Gaffigan began learning about computers and was soon learning how to fix, use and program them. “I got an early interest in IT (information technology),” he says. “I was messing around with computer as long as I can remember. I was probably 6-ish.” “Before beginning high school, Gaffigan had set up phone network at the car dealership, revamped its computers and taught himself several computer languages. He currently knows about 20. “The best thing that happened is when his voice changed and people started taking him seriously,” Christine Gaffigan says. 10 | IN BusINEss
When he was 14, a neighbor – who is related to the owners of In Touch Pharmaceuticals and knew about Gaffigan’s computer skills – suggested the owners call him for help. He’s worked there ever since. “Early on, I was working from home or on the go,” he says. “I just clocked in. Most typically I can do the job from anywhere. But now I’m with a team so I’m there. When I’m working by myself can work from anywhere there’s a computer and phone.” A f te r a t te n d i n g L a P o r te LaLumiere School as a day student, Gaffigan completed high school though the Stanford Education Program for Gifted Youth, a fully accredited online independent sc h o o l s i t u a te d a t S ta n fo rd University. After one-year as a student a t P u rd u e Un ive rs i ty No r t h Central, Gaffigan began his pursuit of a Master’s in Business Administration by taking corres p o n d e n ce co u rse s t h ro u g h E d i n b u rg h , Sc o t l a n d - b a s e d Heriot-Watt University. His full work days mean he studies at night, often at 2 a.m. “That’s one way I’m like a regular college student,” he laughs. But in most other way Gaffigan doesn’t follow most those his age. “I would argue that I have different goals from people my age,” Gaffigan says. “I was always bored with trivialities of school, interactions. I grew up in an adult environment. I was raised in a business, my grandparent’s car dealership. I was always around older people, I considered adults my peers.” Most of Gaffigan’s friends are more than double his age, but that doesn’t bother him. He finds older adults more interesting and has more in common with them, he says.
“I detest Facebook and Twitter with a passion,” he says. “I can’t get into it. I cannot get interested in people’s trivialities. I prefer to hear interesting things while meeting people at a coffee shop and having real social interaction.” As head of technology at InTouch Pharmaceuticals, Gaffigan is in charge of its full computerization, including its systems administration, software development and deployment. His system design has included work flow systems, sophisticated billing software, and insurance adjudication as well as automated billing processes. The company currently is in the process of forming a new entity to be called “InTouch Technology.” “It will be spinoff that will sell licenses to other pharmacies across the nation to use our DMS software,” says Gaffigan, who will have an ownership stake in the company. “That will happen before the end of the year. There’s a pressing need for it. The market is now close to a monopoly so there is a large market for it. We have a larger feature set, which means our software is better than theirs.”
While not working or studying, Gaffigan volunteers at the Valparaiso Memorial Opera House helping with its computer network, running the technology during performances and help its crew maintain the equipment. He also helps with the audiovisual needs of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chesterton. Gaffigan is a member of the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs and a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. “I’m a pilot in training,” he says. “I plan to buy aircraft at some point in the future, but let’s get a house first. I’m working on that now.” Although he’s achieved many of his goals, Gaffigan says he keeps finding new ones. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop having new goals,” he says. “I consider myself competent technically, but I want to become a better manager.” Gaffigan says he expects to be managing InTouch Technology within five years. Continued on page 34
LEARNING
BROUGHT TO LIFE
ONLINE! n Local n Affordable n Flexible iun.edu/online fall 2012 | 11
20 40 UNDER
BILL HANNA
age: 38
President and Ceo of northwest Indiana regional Development authority, 9800 Connecticut Drive, Crown Point, (219) 644-3500, www.in.gov/rda
United for change Hanna fosters team atmosphere to spur development in region
story By LesLy BaILey
On trips to Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza, Bill Hanna quietly celebrates how the community has embraced the space – as well as his role in its creation. Hanna had a hand in the park’s development during his time with the city. He was city manager as well as the economic development director and vice president of the Valparaiso Economic Development Corp. before moving into his current position as president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. “I have the privilege of seeing results based on work I did in the past. With Valpo and the downtown park, I was part of the initial ideas, clearing of properties and design features. To be gone and watch it open years later and see the level of affection is very enriching,” Hanna says. “I love going and thinking that I have been a part of this thing and no one knows that I did. That is the reward: watching people use it and how alive it is.” Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas says when Hanna transitioned into his city manager role, some questioned whether he was too young for the position. “He surprised everybody and stepped up to the plate. Those were critical years for us at the city laying the foundation for future projects and our vision,” Costas says. “We had to build partnerships and support and create a culture of results and that’s where Bill really shined in the sense that he has the ability to build strong relationships among a wide variety of organizations and people. He’s not afraid to take criticism, is a very humble person and a strong leader.” Hanna brings his team-centric 12 | IN BusINEss
leadership style to the RDA as the organization strives to unite community leaders and produce results. “We galvanize and create partnerships and bring communities together. For a collaborative approach, you need to build trust, be straightforward, advocate fairly and firmly, and understand the concerns of local leadership,” Hanna says. “I’m very proud of the fact that we are part of something that builds things – tangible results. We have construction at the Gary Airport and the shoreline is changing across Lake and Porter counties with a multitude of projects. “I really do believe that a leadership style fits an organization for a certain period of time. You should never take a job to be something but to do something. It’s not about anybody. If it becomes that, it is a failure.” Hanna’s military career sent him on a path toward public service. He was in the Army as a paratrooper from 1995 to 1999, which included membership in the Army’s official presidential escort and service as the head trainer/ guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. “Being at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, I was able to see how a lot of veterans have made tremendous sacrifices and that was very humbling. On the other side of it, looking at Washington, I got a taste of the impact contributions can make and the process of government. That was the beginning of my desire to be involved in public service. “I learned from the military that you need to earn your place if you want to know what you are doing when you get there. When you open doors for people, when they get there, it’s a disservice if
they are not prepared. I continued my education by going to graduate school for my MBA and then to law school at Valparaiso University. I knew if I’m going to be impactful, I probably ought to be qualified to do it.” Hanna also contributes to the community as a board member for the United Way of Porter County and the Northwest Indiana Forum as well as serving as a facilitator of the Porter County Jobs Cabinet for the county government. He is a member of the Society of the Honor Guard, which helps educate the public about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, maintains the memory of the unknowns and supports veterans. Hanna has been inspired by and drawn support from his military leadership and professional colleagues as well as mentors, friends and family, including wife Christian and their three kids. “I have always had mentors who were open to me. You can’t make more time so if someone wants to spend time with you,
listen,” he says. “The best part of my day is going home to my family and seeing my kids – that is priceless and is never going to be replaced with a career.” He sees his key accomplishment as being a component of growth and development in the region. “It is very enriching to pick up the newspaper and watch something happening in the community and say I was a key person or at the ground level but I am not even mentioned in the story. With any kind of progress, it has to be an absolute team effort. It’s really a privilege to be part of these things as a trusted team member and to deliver results and not be highlighted as an individual,” he says. “I believe in not making firm plans – what is meant to be is to be. When I look back, I did not really plan on any of it. It just evolved that way and each time I knew it was the right thing. I feel I am where I should be – that is my faith — that those things are revealed to you.”
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daVid Hein
age: 40
Police chief at Dyer Police Department, 150 hart street, Dyer, (219) 865-1163, www.townofdyer.com
Loving Dyer New police chief carries his affection for city wherever he goes
story By trICIa DesPres
It was early in the morning when David Hein received the news. He turned on the police scanner in his home to get more details. Another shooting had taken place. The number of people killed was fuzzy. Yet, the impact the shooting would have on the community was not. And while the shooting took place hundreds of miles from Dyer, it hit close to home. “I definitely put myself in their shoes,” explains the current Dyer Chief of Police of the Colorado theater shooting that took place this past summer. “We go through a massive amount of training, but I would be lying if I don’t look at some of these police chiefs of small towns such as ours who end up on CNN after these kinds of tragedies.” admits Hein. “I definitely rehearse in my head what I would do and how we would handle it if it ever happened here.” Since “here” has been his home all of his life, Hein says he lives and breathes Dyer. In fact, it was here where all of his other friends spent their growing up years dreaming of becoming sports stars or police officers, Hein was dreaming of a day when he could spend his days and nights driving a truck. “Yes, I wanted to be a truck driver,” chuckles Hein, who was named Chief of Police earlier this year after serving 16 years on the Dyer Police force. “I have countless pictures of me as a little kid taking pictures alongside semi trucks that we would see on our travels.” Perhaps the moment that propelled Hein pursue a career in public service had nothing to do with trucks, but more about a man who Hein had looked up to all of his life. “My grandfather passed away when I was about 9-yearsold,” says Hein, husband of Amy
and father of 7-year-old David and 5-year-old Dylan. “He was a longtime Chicago fireman, and now that I look back, maybe public service was in my system all along.” It simply took Hein’s first brush with the law to ensure in his mind how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. “I was 18-years-old, and there was an occasion where I had to deal with the Dyer Police Department,” he explains. “It was a car accident, and I specifically remember the sergeant talking to us rather nicely and very professionally. From that moment on, all
I wanted to do was find out how I too could become a cop.” Hein proceeded to work as a volunteer in the Fire Department for a number of years before taking jobs throughout the Dyer Police Department. “As a volunteer fireman, you do everything for nothing in terms of compensation,” he says. “But it truly became my calling. I ended up wearing every public safety uniform I could.” A dedication to the town of Dyer is something on display with Hein whether he is in his police uniform or not. Whether checking out a
little league game at the local ball field or attending a local cub scout meeting, family members say that no one loves Dyer more than Hein. “To this day, you can throw (David) in any situation with any group of people and he will become the leader,” explains his sister Debbie Gaines. “He never sits back. He always wants to make things better and connect people and help people work together.” These days, Hein says he has a number of goals for his department, including increasing community involvement and better advertising to the public just what the police force does on a day to day basis. “Increasing crime trends are all around us,” he says. “We want to put up a virtual brick wall around Dyer against these trends. By far, my biggest fear is that someone who works for me is going to get hurt out there. Some of our officers are doing incredibly dangerous things behind the scenes, whether working undercover or working within Homeland Security. In my position now, I spend more time pushing paper and doing budgets. But yes, there is a guilt that I struggle with that something that I tell my officers to do will end up getting them hurt.” Of course, visiting schools and attending baseball games also rank high among Hein’s most rewarding moments as Police Chief. “There is nothing better than to sit in some of the same classrooms that I grew up in and see my old teachers and explain to these young people that if they want to ever grow up to become a police chief, they can,” he says. “I certainly did.” So when does a Chief of Police get to relax? “Never … if you ask my wife,” Hein chuckles. “Kids and family always come first but my job is a pretty close second.” fall 2012 | 13
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BRIAN JACKSON
age: 28
Doctor of Chiropractic at kauffman Chiropractic, 7620 e. 109th ave. Crown Point, (219) 662-9855, www.kauffmanchiros.com
Caring for patients Local chiropractor passionate about building ‘philanthropic work’
story By DIane PouLton
The crash of a small plane on Fathers’ Day in 1989 set in motion a new course for Winfield chiropractor Brian Jackson’s life. As a result of the crash, which critically injured his parents and grandfather, the then 5-year-old Jackson suffered chronic earaches and headaches and at times had difficulty hearing. Relief from those symptoms finally came during high school, he says, when Michigan Chiropractor Bryan Strocher married Jackson’s aunt and took the teenager under his wing. “He taught me what chiropractic is about, that it is all-natural and on the cutting edge of alternative medicine,” Jackson says. “I really experienced relief from the things that I had been going through. It was miraculous. Once I felt the immense benefits, I knew that was the path I needed to go down.” Jackson, who joined Kauffman Chiropractic in 2010, finds his career rewarding. “All my life I’ve wanted to be able to help people and be a doctor of some sort,” Jackson says. “The nice thing is that through chiropractic care we can do it in an all-natural healthy way, healing the body and improving patients’ quality of life.” Jackson’s life mission is to eliminate as much human suffering as possible through chiropractic care, affecting other people’s lives in a positive way. Jackson says as a chiropractor it is important to understand his patients’ individuality and the unique solution to their ailments. “Not every situation is cut and dry,” Jackson says. “Even though people will walk in with similar conditions and pain, it is not always the same thing that is affecting them. There is no cookie-cutter approach to it.” One challenge, Jackson says, is educating people about chiropractic medicine and allaying their misconceptions. Jackson, the first family member to attend college, said aside from being inspired by Strocher, he has been inspired by, Sarah, his wife of six years, and his parents. “My wife is awesome,” Jackson says. “I 14 | IN BusINEss
probably wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without her. She has supported me all along. My parents have always believed in me and always said ‘you can do anything if you put your mind to it.’” Jackson’s mother, Mary Bucy, describes her son as a positive, highly motivated and goaloriented person who gets joy from being involved in his community and helping others. “He will always push to the limit and over,” Bucy says. “He finds the best in people and in all situations. Even if you are down or have a problem, he is trying to think of a solution already and how to make it better instead of it being negative back to you.” Bucy says her son enjoys learning, wanting to know why and how things work. “He is so full of questions and wants to absorb any knowledge that will come his way,” Bucy says. “He looks at everything from all sides.”
According to Bucy, Jackson loves volunteering whether its in his church, in the local community or on a mission trip. At Ball State University, Jackson participated in a spring break trip to Juarez, Mexico, in 2005. “You go into the worst of the worst places,” Jackson says. “These people have basically nothing, living in cardboard-type homes.” Jackson says it was “a humbling experience for an Indiana kid.” “You really don’t know anything about the world,” says Jackson, who continues to support the group’s efforts. “It puts things in perspective.” Locally, Jackson through Kauffman Chiropractic has annual winter coat drives for children in need. “It is a neat thing to be able to do,” Jackson says. “You don’t even think about people in this area needing something as simple as coats. The need is there is there now more than ever.” Additionally, the firm and Jackson collect stuffed animals. “We are trying to build our philanthropic work,” Jackson says. The animals are donated to local fire departments and shelters in Lake and Porter counties for holiday gifts and for use with children in crisis. “You never know when it is going to make difference for a little child who is going through something stressful,” Jackson says. Participating in the annual Alzheimer’s Walk is important to Jackson, who has had family members afflicted with the disease. “I am seeing my grandfather go through some early stages of Alzheimer’s, so that is a cause near and dear to my heart, to help raise funds for research,” Jackson says. “It is one of the most mentally devastating diseases out there.” Jackson says he saw his great-grandmother get to a point where she didn’t recognize anyone or recall names. “The sooner we can get answers the better,” Jackson says. “That is something I am very passionate about.” Jackson was involved in his church in Florida while attending Palmer College of Chiropractic Continued on page 34
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BRANDON KROFT
age: 39
attorney/partner at Cassiday schade LLP, 1 Professional Center, 2100 north main st., Crown Point, (219) 663-5575, www.cassiday.com
Law and behold Chesterton lawyer believes his time now will mean a better future
story By anDrea hoLeCek
From age 13, Brandon Kroft knew he wanted to become a lawyer, even though he really didn’t understand the fundamentals of the profession. “I knew I wanted to be one, but I really didn’t know what that meant then,” said Kroft, who has been practicing law for the past 13 years. “There’s no family history of lawyers, but I was always arguing with people and I was on my high school debate team.” The Chesterton native, who received his law degree from DePaul University School of Law, is a partner in the Chicago-based law firm of Cassidy Schade LLP, where he concentrates of civil litigation. On July 1, Kroft opened a branch office of the firm in Crown Point where he is working with an assistant and another attorney, and is in the midst of hiring another one. “I just got find furniture delivered (Aug. 13)” he says. “I’m trying to hire and grow the office and make it successful.” In 2009 and 2010, Kroft was named a Rising Star in the area of Civil Litigation Defense by Super Lawyers Magazine. Although he says the award is given to “a lot” of young attorneys, Kroft readily admits he loves his profession. “I think honestly the best part is that I’m always learning something new: new cases, new things,” he says. “I have to hire experts for cases – professionals in other fields – so I’m always learning a new area. And the law is constantly changing so you always have to keep up with it.” The husband and father of two – Ethan, 8 and Lauren, 4 – Kroft says the one drawback to being a lawyer is “time.” “It’s a full-time, 24/7 kind of job,” he says. “I can’t leave business at work. There are always deadlines, issues. I’m always thinking about case strategies. You can’t turn it off. There’s not a lot of down time.” Yet Kroft finds the time for his family and his community. Taking a lead from his parents, John and Charlotte Kroft, Brandon Kroft is active in his community. “My parents have been involved for a long time,” he says. “I got my interest in the town from them.” Kroft currently serves on Chesterton’s Police Fire Commission, recently completed a term on its Zoning Board of Appeals, serves on the board 16 | IN BusINEss
of Housing Opportunities and is vice president of the board of the Duneland Education Foundation. “I’ve not done anything elected-wise,” he says. “I used to think I would, but not in the near future. I don’t have the time and I’d have to give up something else. The reason I’m involved is to help different segments of the community. “I don’t do it for business reasons,” Kroft says. “The community is one side, work is the other.” Timothy Rice, owner of Lakeside Wealth Management Group, says Kroft is a “great” leader for his community. “He’s a ‘thought’ leader,” Rice says. “He’s constantly trying to find ways to make the community a better place. Look at his activities and you’ll see it’s not about him. It’s always about someone else. He wants to do well for himself and his family, but he believes that he can make Chesterton a better place to live, work and do business.” Kroft, with his wife, Allison, and children, returned to his home town after he lived in Chicago and in several other areas of the country after graduating from Chesterton High School. He served in the U.S. Army and National Guard after graduation and was affiliated with several units while attending college first in Florida and then back to Northwest Indiana, where he to received his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University. He served in the Army Reserve and National Guard from 1991 to 1997. “I joined because I wanted to serve in the Army, but wanted to go to college,” Kroft says. “… I wouldn’t give the experience back for anything. I didn’t necessarily enjoy it, but I learned a lot and with the G.I. Bill, got some help for college.” He finds it ironic that he’s moved back to Chesterton, a place he once thought he wanted to leave forever. “When I graduated from high school, I thought I was leaving and never coming back,” Kroft says. “I got over that, and thought about what I would do in the future. I have family and friends there. I moved back for that reason and
I haven’t been happier. It was a good decision.” He says he really enjoys Chesterton’s location near Lake Michigan and its proximity to Chicago, with its friendly, small-town atmosphere where people leave their doors unlocked. After commuting to Chicago for 10 years, Kroft also relishes the extra time he now has for his family, making it a priority to read to his children nightly at their bedtime, and for his civic interests. “I want to be involved and want to improve things to make it a better community for my children and for everyone,” Kroft says. “There are always things that can improve everywhere. There is a need to have a newer generation of people with kids to be involved.”
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BRAD LAGOS
age: 37
Pastor of small groups at Bethel Church, 10202 Broadway, Crown Point, (219) 663-9200, www.bethelweb.org
Faith is his motivation
Lagos leads through outreach to small groups story By DIane PouLton
Everything Brad Lagos does, he says is for the glory of God. Lagos’ many church responsibilities as pastor of small groups at Bethel Church include overseeing the Small Group Ministry, which consists of 80 groups comprised of 800 people who gather regularly to study, develop relationships and perform community outreach. He also provides leadership in the church’s Assimilation and Connections Ministry, whose goal is to welcome visitors into the church, and the Community Ministry. Through the Small Group Ministry, Lagos says, church members are given the resources to help identify the needs in their community and to respond to those needs. “The curriculum I write is meant to point them to the Bible and for them to see God’s expectation of them in regards to how they should be loving the people around them,” Lagos says. Each small group is given a $400 budget to spend reaching out, Lagos says. They must use it to be a blessing in some way to someone in the community. Lagos says the money can be used in a multitude of ways which include at a homeless shelter; for adopting and helping a single mom; working with people in drug rehab, aiding orphans or widows; or helping any charitable organization. “That money is there to really do something weighty,” Lagos says. “It’s a resource we give them to try to motivate them to get out and be a blessing in our community in a way that is not just a quick in and out.” Lagos says the idea is to enter into an ongoing relationship with people and organizations. “That blessing is both ways,” Lagos says. “The people of our church, they are being changed. They receive a great blessing, the joy that comes from caring, loving and ministering to others.” In 2012, Bethel’s budget to invest in the community is $130,000, Lagos says. “We really want to unleash people to see for
themselves those needs and to respond with faith,” Lagos says. “Our strategy is to teach and inspire people to do that – it goes through the pulpit and the curriculum I produce.” The church also takes people out on a bus, introducing them to the people and organizations that have a need, Lagos says. “We teach, we inspire we equip, we source and we network,” Lagos says. Continued on page 18
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aLfred martin
age: 36
executive Director of urban suns Community Development, 1954 ohio street, gary, (219) 614-3009, http://www.urbansuns.org
Celebrate me home urban suns director returns to gary to help youth like himself
story By trICIa DesPres
It was a pact among six young men. A pact made long before they could probably fully grasp the challenge that would await them. They were 10th graders at Roosevelt High School at the time, and they all had plans to go off to college after high school graduation. No matter what, they promised one another that they would each come back after college and help advise the academically struggling young people of their hometown of Gary. Alfred Martin was one of those young men. Sure, he could have turned his back on his city, just like so many have done before. Yet Martin, who is now the Executive Director o f Ur b a n S u n s C o m m u n i ty Development, was not ready to give up on the young people of Gary. “It was about the love I felt for the city I grew up in and the need I saw amongst the young people who still lived there,” he says. “I knew I could make a difference.” And so he did. “Today, I spent time with a
Continued from page 17
“All the effort really is for our church to do what we believe God has called our church to do — that is to love Him more fully and to love the people in our community in a multitude of ways.” “One way I challenge them is by saying they are a family and a platoon,” Lagos says. “A small group is a community of people within the church who are gathering as a family to care for and to grow together. It’s also a platoon that has a mission to reach out and make a difference and really to 18 | IN BusINEss
young man who just graduated from Illinois State and is now awaiting a call from the NFL,” re ca l l s M a r t i n , wh o also finds time in his busy schedule to act as a “surrogate father” to his little brother. “I have known and have been working with him since he was 16. Those are the moments when I can truly see we are making a difference.” Martin quickly realized the importance of role models within urban areas while working alongside his mother at a summer learning program she organized every year. “Alfred was a very serious child,” chuckles his mother, Joyce Hunt. “He was a good student, and was always very socially aware of his community from a very young age. Even as a teen, he was interested in working with young people and tutoring his peers. Most of all, he loved school.
I remember one time there was a blizzard. There was six feet of snow on the ground. And when all of the other kids were thrilled to hear that school was cancelled, Alfred was devastated.” After graduating from Jackson
State University with a degree in marketing/business and a master’s degree in education from Tennessee State University, Martin and the five friends returned to Gary to create Urban Suns. A nonprofit organization, Urban Suns was created to
change the world in one way.” Lagos says the small groups should not only be changing the people in the group through the family experience of support, nurturing and care but they should also be changing the world as they go out. Occasionally preaching during c h u rc h se rv i ce s, L a gos a l so provides oversight and direction to Salt Light of Northwest Indiana, a program which brings organizations, leaders and churches together to serve the Northwest Indiana community. Salt Light of Northwest Indiana projects include
helping people find jobs, teaching English, providing deaf interpretation of church services and counseling adults with disabilities. In 2011, the book “Salt & Light: A Guide to Loving Northwest Indiana” was published. Bethel Assistant Senior Pastor Mike Wittig says Lagos helped create and continues to direct a year-long leadership development program called The Barnabas Project, which has trained more than 100 men in leadership, doctrine and practical ministry since 2010. There are currently 40 men enrolled in the third annual
Barnabas class. “We are trying to give the men in our church the heart and the vision for this because so go the men in our church so goes our church,” Lagos says. Lagos, who holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical School, has authored numerous curriculum for use in small groups, including: Buried Treasure: Finding Eternal Riches in the Promises of God; The Christian Household; Building a Home According to God’s Design; Beyond These Walls; Reaching Out from the Confines of ‘Safe’
better enhance community development throughout Northwest Indiana. Since being founded, the organization has successfully mentored countless young people and their families throughout Lake County. “My son is committed to working diligently to ensure that all facets of community development are addressed to strengthen the infrastructure of Northwest Indiana relative to young people,” explains Hunt. “Under the leadership of my son, Urban Suns tackles five of the most important national issues that face young people today: literacy, education, life skills, behavior and obesity.” Offering a wide range of mentoring programs, Urban Suns has successfully expanded to best meet the needs of the young people in Lake County. Created in 2003, the Athle’demics program specifically targets youth currently participating in high school athletics. There is also the Urban Suns Community Development Speed Camp, which Martin says is designed to “exercise both mind and body, making these young people both mentally and physically tough.” In order to continue these programs, Martin says that dedicated volunteers are always needed. However, Martin says he deals with challenges on a daily basis. One of the roughest to conquer involves the young people who
Christianity; What We Believe; and Commissioned to Love, Living as God’s Ambassadors of Grace, Mercy and Truth. The latter has been widely used by various Northwest Indiana churches, Witt says. “He’s a humble family man who loves the community,” Witt says. “His passion is really to try and show the love of God to those who might not have access to or might not come to church. He is trying to reach people financially, spiritually, with whatever resources he can. That is his passion and drive.” Witt says Lagos reaches out
simply aren’t interested in receiving help from the Urban Suns team. “We see a number of kids who are just here because they are in the system,” he says quietly. “They are not here because they necessarily want to be here. It hurts when I see someone who has so much potential, but are simply not interested in changing or growing. Keeping these men and women focused on a better way of life remains my goal no matter what. Most of the kids do want to do something positive with their life – it’s just their surroundings that seem to hold them back.” One of the other challenges is spreading the word regarding the Urban Suns organization. “Sometimes it feels like the good work you do is simply not recognized out there in the community,” says Martin, who hopes to someday be able to build a facility where mentoring and tutoring can all be done under one roof. “I’m not one to be out there boasting and bragging about what we are doing, and I don’t have the time to promote the organization as much as I should. But doing something positive should never be frowned upon.” “Alfred is a loving son, surrogate father, educator, mentor, coach, child advocate and a man of exceptional character,” Hunt says. “He is a man that deserves to be recognized for his true dedication to youth building within our community.”
to the community for the love of Christ. “He has been here for several years, “Witt says. “He has a solid record of being well liked. He is a well-versed man but humble man who goes to work every day, comes in and does what he can.” Bethel Senior Pastor Steve DeWitt describes Lagos as “a leader of people and of compassion ministries throughout Northwest Indiana.” “His influence can be felt in many ways and he has blessed many by his commitment to service,” DeWitt says.
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CoLLeen mCCoY-CeJKa
age: 39
Principal at Bishop noll Institute, 1519 hoffman street, hammond, (219) 932-9058, http://www.bishopnoll.org
A visionary at heart Bishop Noll principal is preparing her students for the future
story By trICIa DesPres
With a Starbucks coffee in her hand and the dreams and aspirations of her students ever present in her mind, Bishop Noll Institute principal Colleen McCoy-Cejka likes to begin her day standing just outside the doors of the school. There, she can take in the fresh air and hear the excited voices of the students as they come ready to tackle another day. Once everyone is inside, she takes a deep breath, smiles and proceeds to get to work. Since taking on the reins of principal back in 2008, the talented 39-yearold with the vibrant personality has done nothing less than completely transform the Hammond school. A visionary perhaps? “Yes, I guess you could call me a visionary,” she chuckles during a recent interview. “When people are too happy or too comfortable, I tend to come in and push them to their limits. I’ve never really been interested in staying comfortable. I have had to make some ugly decisions here, but because of those decisions, I am confident that we are on the verge of becoming a truly 21st-century environment. We must meet the needs of the millennials. We simply can’t teach them the same way we were taught.” “We knew she would be a strong academic leader right from the start,” remarks Barbara O’Block, Superintendent of the Catholic Diocese of Gary. “Her vibrant personality is something that rings true in a number of different venues, whether it’s will the students or the faculty or in front of the board or at a parent gathering.” Going into the 2012-13 school year with the largest projected freshman class in years, McCoy-Cejka says she is thrilled to what lies ahead for the school and its students. She says she is especially proud of bringing back programs and courses in the performing arts that had been discontinued in the past, along with the addition of courses such as digital art and dance choreography. “One of the biggest changes she has 20 | IN BusINEss
made was to the scheduling of the day for the students,” O’Block says. “The students are now on more of a college type schedule, giving them times throughout the day that are not necessarily mapped out for them. It’s more of a personal time for them to seek out a dean or counselor or get help with a subject. It was definitely an out of the box idea and one that did take some time getting used to for some.” In recent years, McCoy-Cejka also has led the way in terms of interior and exterior improvements including renovations to the weight room and auditorium, while making curriculum changes to ensure that her students will not only be ready to enter college, but thrive once they are there. “I was always taking note of people growing
up,” says McCoy-Cejka, who grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago. “I loved the influence they ultimately had on other people. I have definitely modeled myself on a number of teachers who have been a part of my life.” And while the influence of teachers during her younger years ultimately propelled her toward the profession she now covets, it was the love of music that carried her through grade school and beyond. “I was always interested in music,” says McCoy-Cejka, who received her bachelor’s degree in English education with a minor in music from Illinois State University. “Guitar, bass, piano …I couldn’t get enough of it. To be honest, I really didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to anything else except band and choir in high school. I took great pride in being able to write and play music.” Referred to as “an agent of change” by many, McCoy-Cejka admits it hasn’t always been easy. In fact, as mother of two small kids, these past few years have come with its share of challenges. “I could have never done any of this without my husband’s help,” says McCoy-Cejka, who received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Indianapolis. “He became a stay at home dad so I could work. He just recently decided to go back to work.” Still hard-pressed to “find a free minute” to spend at the gym, McCoy-Cejka admits stress can take a toll in her position. “I’ve really become paranoid about my health, but luckily I surround myself with wonderful people, so in terms of stress, it definitely helps,” says McCoyCejka, who was a 2011 Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship Grant participant. “But when I do get a free moment, I like to go hiking and attend concerts. Of course, a short trip to Michigan with the family is always nice too.” “I look forward to her continuing to work with the board and make that role stronger,” adds O’Block. “She is a good role model for everyone who steps into that school … an all-around good person who can put their mind to something … and do it.”
fall 2012 | 21
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andrea prouLX BuiniCKi President at giving Focus LLC, Valparaiso, (219) 252-6223, http://www.giving-focus.com/
age: 39
Giving Focus Helping philanthropists find their cause story By roB earnshaW
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In 2011 Andrea Proulx Buinicki built upon a 16-year career in fundraising by starting her own philanthropy consulting firm, Giving Focus. The Valparaiso resident came up with the name of her firm because in her business she wants to focus on the act of giving. “It’s actually not about money,” Buinicki says of her chosen field. “And it sounds kind of radical to say philanthropy and fundraising is not about money. But it’s not. It’s about philanthropy at its root is your love of people. I think sometimes it gets washed over and it’s about checks and galas and transactions and it’s a whole lot more encompassing than that.” Buinicki was born in Boston and attended graduate school at the University of Iowa, where her fundraising career began. She worked for the Big Ten school’s foundation and “kept track of the alumni.” It’s also where she met her husband and what landed her in Northwest Indiana in 2004 when he secured a position as an English professor at Valparaiso University. Prior to starting Giving Focus, Buinicki worked for nonprofits, charities and a residential medical care facility, where she did major gifts fundraising. After encountering several different kinds of individuals in fundraising, from those who gave to any nonprofit that sent a solicitation letter to those who wanted to only give to a certain cause, Buinicki, a registered fundraising consultant in Indiana, decided she wanted to work in a space where she could help people find their own philanthropic voice and help them find causes and nonprofit organizations that align with their values.
“For me it was about connecting people with opportunities that are going to make them feel good,” she says. With Giving Focus, Buinicki works with families and entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations and trusted advisers. “My vision is I want to make the world a more compassionate place,” she says. “And the way I can do that is by encouraging joyful giving. For me that occur when you have nonprofits that are transparent and ready to receive and steward gifts and really take care of their donors. It happens when you have philanthropists, people who are giving money, who are intentional; they’re very clear can make an informed decision that’s going to reward you emotionally.” Buinicki believes she excels in her field because she understands that philanthropy is more complicated than someone writing a check to an organization. That philanthropy is about understanding what drives someone emotionally. “I’m successful when my clients are happy, when people feel like they have a plan for their giving and they feel confident about their giving,” she says. “It’s intrinsically rewarding for me. Continued on page 25
RYAN RICHARDSON
age: 33
20 40 Seeds of development Vice president of operations at County Line orchard, 200 s. County Line road, hobart, In 46342, (219) 947-4477, www.countylineorchard.com; Director of grownWI, www.grownwi.com
UNDER
Richardson flourishes through roles at County Line Orchard story By LesLy BaILey
Ryan Richardson wants region residents to get their hands dirty. His GrowNWI initiative strives to bring communities out into the garden and provide a path to education and involvement. “I started this initiative in order to bring together groups that were all working toward a similar goal. We want to get people more educated on locally produced items,” Richardson says. “Connecting with one’s food source is the cornerstone of beginning a healthy lifestyle.” The group starts organizations at the ground level, helping them with the basics and serving as a guide to gardening. “Getting started is often the biggest challenge. I felt that if we could help groups get started then the many talented and passionate people that we are so lucky to have in Northwest Indiana would take community gardens and growing your own produce to a whole new level,” he says. “We meet onsite and help decide locations, install beds, get plants and seeds and mentor along the way.” Launched in 2011, the initiative began with eight gardens and now has more than 40. It was prompted by a One Region One Vision call to action as well as his foray into the world of farming. The vice president of development at Luke Oil found himself in a new arena when the company took over County Line Orchard in Hobart in 2006. He now serves as the orchard’s vice president of operations. “Rep. (Pete) Visclosky challenged local business leaders to do something in their areas of expertise: to not just talk but do,” he says. “I have had a unique career path that has enabled me to understand how to adapt and use resources to accomplish a goal outside of one’s
comfort zone. I studied business and economics at Purdue and two years after graduation, I was learning the fine details of growing and caring for apple trees and pumpkins. I was able to chop down a pretty tall learning curve.” Chuck Gleason of GrowNWI says Richardson’s leadership blends both his business and farming roots. “Ryan is a leader in the environmentally-conscious community because he is a farmer and a business owner and he understands what it takes to make the two work in harmony,” Gleason says. “Ryan seems to have a spirit that is perfect for helping the communities that he loves. Through these initiatives, he has increased the fresh and healthy foods in Northwest Indiana and he has single-handedly introduced thousands of adults and children in these communities to gardening and the healthy benefits of growing your own food.” The GrowNWI organizations can use their produce for their own purposes, donate it or sell it as a source of revenue to GrowNWI’s Veggie Box program. It is a weekly delivery of fruits and vegetables that combines the community garden creations and local farmers’ offerings. Down the road, Richardson envisions including value-added
products such as canned items and jams created from region produce. “Not every year is a good year with farming – there are lots of challenges. You learn as you go and we are starting to see groups working together and sharing ideas and their successes and failures on what to plant and what has worked,” he says. “We have some strong gardens that in the next few years could be small-scale working farms.” Richardson sees the impact of GrowNWI on the next generation and its potential. “They may not grow up to be farmers per se but it can open up another avenue – if they want to be a biologist they may focus on a safer fungicide or study insects and their impact,” he says. “Our goals are to improve communications between groups and continue to increase the volume of produce that is generated by the community gardens.” Tom Collins Sr., president of Luke Oil, says all of Richardson’s roles allow him to connect to the community. “Through Luke Oil and County Line Orchard, Ryan has organized numerous fund-raisers and donated to various area charitable organizations including donating countless hours of his own time. He has
donated the labor and materials to begin community gardens for countless churches, municipalities and youth organizations,” Collins says. “Through the County Line Orchard’s school tours program, Ryan oversees the seasonal visit of over 50,000 area students per year to observe and learn about the process of growing fruit from pollination to harvesting.” “I have the opportunity to work really closely with many aspects of the community,” Richardson says. “Through our success in business, we are able to give back quite a bit through fund-raising including the orchard’s Beatles at the Barn fundraiser for food banks and we are able to help out area cancer walks and dozens of local charities and organizations throughout the year.” Richardson says Luke Oil founder Ralph Luke was an early inspiration on how to juggle business and family, which for Richardson includes wife Kristin and five children. “I work every day on balancing Luke Oil, the orchard, GrowNWI and family as all four have grown quite a bit in the last 10 years. I couldn’t have done it without my supportive wife and our dedicated employees,” he says. “Ralph was an amazing mentor. I grew up with him as I dated my wife (Luke’s granddaughter) in high school. His personality, business acumen and the way he treated all people regardless of who they were have always stuck with me. “Having the opportunity to learn from Ralph certainly has impacted the way our family business balances our time with private enterprise and community involvement. I am proud we are the third generation keeping the family business going and we have a fourth generation to continue to do the same.” fall 2012 | 23
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JON SCHMALTZ
age: 38
attorney/Partner at Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP, 156 Washington st., Valparaiso, (219) 531-0134, http://www.bcclegal.com/
Passion for business Attorney balances personal goals with community service
story By roB earnshaW
Attorney Jon Schmaltz became a partner of the Valparaiso law firm Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP in 2006 when he was only 32. He grew up in Michigan City and earned his undergraduate degree at Purdue University in 1996 before attending the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. Schmaltz met his wife, a nurse at Porter Hospital, in Indianapolis and they moved back to the region so he could join his current firm. “I already knew a couple attorneys at firm before making plans to go there and as I got to know the firm and its lawyers better it’s really what drew us here,” he says. “I like it here and the community is as good or better as anywhere else we might have ended up.” Schmaltz chose a legal career because he discovered a passion for business and law during his time at Purdue. “I had several professors who took the time to help me identify those passions and form personal and professional goals, one of which was to study law and enter the private practice,” he says. Schmaltz said he was inspired by math professors in particular who helped him become aware of the importance of applying analytical and critical thinking skills across disciplines. “I also had several adjunct professors – all lawyers – who gave me my first perspective on the legal profession,” he said. Schmaltz specializes in business and real estate transactions, as well as some estate planning. What he enjoys most about his profession is its variety. No two days, two clients, and two legal matters are exactly the same. “Sometimes the uncertainty that comes with the lack of a strict 24 | IN BusINEss
routine can be unsettling, but it drives me to do what I do,” he says. Schmaltz says to become a success; one needs support from family and friends. “For me, they are sources of encouragement from which I have learned the skills – and more importantly, the values – that have helped me in life,” he says. “I am surrounded by a bunch of wonderful people in my firm, in my community, and in my family – who I can emulate.” Schmaltz is active on several boards and foundations. It’s his way
of giving back to the community. “Everyone has a different way of repaying what society gives, and that is mine,” he says. “It’s actually very enjoyable because I get the pleasure of getting to know and work with bright and inspiring people. I learn a lot, too, and it’s important that I pass along what I learn from those experiences.” Schmaltz is the chairman of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. He was the founding director of the Valparaiso Chamber Foundation and serves on the Valparaiso Parks Board of Directors. He also serves
on the National Purdue Alumni Association Board of Directors. Other community involvements have included Indiana Leadership Forum Class of 2009, Purdue Club of Northwest Indiana, and St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, where he serves on the parish Pastoral Committee. Professional activities have included the Indiana State Bar Association Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and speaking engagements on real estate and business topics before attorneys’ groups including the Indiana State Bar Association, title insurance agents, and others. He also is the co-author of “Indiana Taxes Practice Insights.” George Carberry, a partner in the firm, says Jon is a good partner and good attorney and will be an asset to the Northwest Indiana community for years to come. “Jon has a superb recognition of professional accomplishment and community engagement,” he says. “My firm belief is that Jon will continue to accomplish much for his fellow Northwest Indiana citizens and will remain a center of influence throughout our region for many years to come.” Rex R i c h a rd s, Va l pa ra i so Chamber Commerce president, says Schmaltz has an extremely keen sense of public policy issues in Northwest Indiana and he’s been very impressed with him as an emerging leader. “He has become a recognized leader in not only his profession but in the positions of influence he has obtained due to his outstanding professional reputation and his leadership involvement in significant community and state-wide leadership positions,” Richards says. “Jon is greatly respected for his ability to analyze complex problems and provide successful
Continued from page 22
tactical means to solve those complex problems. He is known as a person that solves problems quickly and can expedite opportunities even faster.” Fellow attorney Daniel A. Gioia says Schmaltz supports the law firm and actively promotes its professional accomplishments. Schmaltz has been busy recruiting and interviewing new lawyers and candidates for associate attorney positions and summer associates and is also available to assist his partners and staff in a positive, loyal and dedicated manner, Gioia says. “He has proven himself to be an asset to our organization and a valuable participant in all of the law firm’s undertakings,” he says. “Jon is most talented in almost everything he undertakes and he enjoys being a member of our noble profession.” Schmaltz says his advice to others seeking to become a business success is to work hard and don’t be afraid to ask for help. “We all to a certain degree earn what it is that we realize later in life a lot of times doesn’t come without the support of people,” he says.
When nonprofits feel they have all of their ducks in a row and feel confident about engaging with their donors and asking them to support meaningful projects and thanking them in meaningful ways, that makes me happy. “At the end of the day I’ve done a little part to end homelessness, or to help our parks, or help end domestic violence. This is my way of making a difference.” Buinicki’s professional memberships include serving on the board for Lakeshore Public Television, which she calls “a great opportunity to learn.” “Prior to joining that I was not really aware of all the different ways public television gets funded,” she says. Buinicki is also on the board of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Northwest Indiana Chapter and PTA member for Parkview Elementary School where her two sons attend. “I want to be involved in their education, and I want to make sure teachers have the resources they need,” she says. Buinicki also is active in her community by serving as a member of the Porter County Community Foundation Women’s Impact Circle and the Valparaiso Rotary Club. Caroline Shook, CEO of Housing Opportunities, says Buinicki is one of those people in the community who work very hard
to make sure that Porter County is a better place for all citizens. “Andrea took Housing Opportunities from having no plan on how to raise funds and cultivate donors to an agency that has a formal plan for staff and board to embrace,” Shook says. “She does not look for recognition for what she does. She does it due to the passion she feels for other human beings. We are fortunate to have Andrea in our area” Lou Martinez, president and CEO of the Lake Area United Way, says Buinicki’s philosophy and mission is truly innovative and fills a much needed niche in Northwest Indiana. “Andrea’s vision is to make the world a more compassionate place by encouraging joyful giving which happens at the convergence of intentional, proactive philanthropists, their trusted advisers and the transparent nonprofits that align with their values.” Timothy Scannell, of the Scannell Wealth Management Group, says Buinicki is a social entrepreneur motivated by a desire to help, improve and transform social, environmental, educational and economic conditions. “Andrea makes a difference,” he says. “She impressed me with her ability to lead fundraising programs and work professionally with donors. “Northwest Indiana will be better off as will the many nonprofit organizations and their clients as a result of her work.”
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fall 2012 | 25
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TIFFANY SIMPSON
age: 35
President/owner of Creative Interventions Counseling Inc., 8 n. morgan Blvd., Valparaiso, (219) 689-7632, http://www.creativeinterventionscounseling.com/
Lending a hand, ear Therapist helping people get the quality of life they deserve
story By roB earnshaW
Growing up, Tiffany Simpson was always the person people came to for advice. Think Lucy and her psychologist booth from “Charlie Brown.” The licensed psychologist and clinical addictions counselor says she “has been doing this since I was 7.” “Everybody always came to me with their stuff,” Simpson says. And they still are. Simpson, of Valparaiso, has been the owner/president of Creative Interventions Counseling Inc. since 2009. Originally from Ohio, Simpson’s affiliation with the region began in 1998 when as an undergraduate at Ball State University she completed a summer internship with the Porter County Probation Department. After completing her graduate and doctorate degrees at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, she went to work as an independent contractor for CIC before buying the company outright. Simpson and her small staff do a lot of work with children and high conflict divorce families. “There aren’t a lot of therapists around who work with little kids especially if there is court involvement,” Simpson says. “It’s one of the things I’m known for.” Simpson’s primary area of expertise is working with sexual abuse victims and sex offenders. She’s been classified as an expert witness in state and federal courts. “Not a lot of people do that work,” she says. “People are not jumping out of the woodwork to do sex offender work. I believe they have to be treated. We’re not locking them up forever. If we’re going to end or reduce sexual abuse we cannot just focus on victims.” Critical to Simpson is providing 26 | IN BusINEss
high quality services that are evidence-based, meaning they’re doing what they know works, and ethical integrity. She’s not a fan of counseling agencies that “have more of a concern for the dollar than the client.” “We don’t necessarily get a ton what we consider the worried wealth,” she says. “We deal with a lot of people who experienced some pretty significant traumas and folks who are some pretty intense conflict situations. “It would be easy for me to make a lot of money off people but that’s not what I’m set up to do.” Simpson says she views her job as not fixing something that’s wrong but as helping people have the quality of life they deserve. “All I’m doing is trying to be a good person helping other people,” she says. Simpson has helped people in ways outside her practice too. She completed internships at Methodist Hospital in Gary, the Porter County Family Counseling Center and the Youth Opportunity Center in Muncie. Simpson spent two summers in North Carolina as a clinical director for a therapeutic wilderness camp for kids. She was a professor at Purdue North Central for five years, focusing her later instructing at the Westville Correctional Center. She has been a member of the Porter County Critical Incident Stress Management Team and was also a member of the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department. “I loved that – I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie,” she says. Simpson also implemented a Giving Tree program through CIC around the winter holidays. “I’m a big fan of making sure kids are taken care of,” she says.
S i m pso n ’s h u s ba n d , R i c h Simpson, a Hammond Police Officer, lauds her compassion for others and dedication to making their lives better. “She’s extraordinarily passionate about her job and passionate about the people she sees,” he says. “Her unwavering passion and incredible work ethic make her the therapist she is. I’ve never met anybody who’s as driven and as compassionate and as human when it comes to dealing with people and trying to make their lives better.” Zack Burns, an intern at CIC, has known Simpson since she was his instructor in an abnormal psychology class at PNC. “She had a real way to engage me,” Burns says. “She drew from her experience and not always a text book. She was a gifted teacher and I wanted more exposure to that.” In 2011 Burns began his graduate studies in social work at the University of Chicago. Prior to his acceptance, he says, Simpson worked tirelessly to help him brainstorm ideas for his application
essays to the various schools he applied for. Burns says one of the gifts of working with her is to see how she extends herself to others for the better good of the community. “Since I began my relationship with Dr. Simpson I have not yet witnessed another person in this field who matches her love, passion, energy and dedication for improving the community,” he says. “It has been her altruistic spirit and pure love for helping others that has been my main source of encouragement and inspiration.” Simpson and her other full-time therapist have also just received credentials to treat veterans coming home from combat. Creative Interventions Counseling is also the contracted treatment provider for Culver Academy. Simpson is a recipient of the Outstanding Mental Health Professional Award from the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She also began instructing at the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in August.
tara & Jared tauBer
ages: 37, 30
20 40 Family in law
Partners at tauber Law offices, 1415 eagle ridge Drive, schererville, (219) 865-6666, www.tauberlaw.com
UNDER
Brother-sister team join father’s office story By trICIa DesPres
She was just a little girl when she actually realized what her father did for a living. She was sitting in the living room of her childhood home, listening as her father would practice his opening statement for a trial he had coming up. Every once in a while, he would take his eyes off of his tattered piece of notebook paper and stare directly into the eyes of his daughter. And in that glance and in that moment, there was a
connection that would bind them personally, and eventually professionally. Now a partner at Tauber Law Offices alongside her father, Rhett Tauber, and brother, Jared Tauber, that little girl is now known as attorney at law Tara Tauber. The three have now joined years of experience, and are known throughout Northwest Indiana for their work in family/juvenile law, personal injury, litigation, school law, estate planning, probate and real estate. Since
coming together under the Taber Law Offices umbrella, the three say they consider the past months as some of their favorite times as practicing attorneys. With seven years separating the brother-sister legal team, Tara admits taking on the “motherly role” to Jared, who would spend day and night watching legal shows such as “L.A. Law” and looking to his father for career advice. Continued on page 25
fall 2012 | 27
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KaSandra tenBarge
age: 31
Program and outreach administrator at the Water Institute, Purdue university Calumet, Purdue university Calumet, schneider avenue Building, 2540 169th st., hammond, (219) 989-8411, www.purduecal.edu/pwi/
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story By LesLy BaILey
K a s a n d ra Te n b a rge wa s propelled further into community involvement when her former Munster home and neighborhood were hit by the 2008 floods. “My husband (Adam) and I lost our previous home in Munster. The after-effects of this disaster on my neighborhood and the town of Munster in particular prompted me to decide to quit my job at the University of Chicago and seek out a role with LARRI (Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana) so that I could have more of a direct impact in helping to restore my community,” she says. “When you go through something like that and you are used to being in control of things, you have to find a way to get more involved.” Former LARRI director Jane Delligatti says Tenbarge willingly left a career to take on a position at the temporary organization, which was created to assist survivors of the floods. “She knew she was signing on to a short-term opportunity. She felt so strongly to be part of an organization that would help people – that speaks to her character,” Delligatti says. “When she walked through the door, she was such a refreshing surprise. Whatever direction she was thrown in, she was equal to the task.” Through her role, Tenbarge helped coordinate events, manage employees, recruit volunteers and oversee the nonprofit’s communication efforts. “She helped raise awareness and get more volunteers. She excelled at creating partnerships with local and regional media, local businesses, non-profit organizations and faith-based organizations,” Delligatti says.
“We derived a client base from a vulnerable population. It was very difficult to stay positive and focused, but she was a shining star that could always find a bright spot. She was able to help us fulfill our mission of bringing communities together to help those in need.” Tenbarge cites her time at LARRI as one of her greatest professional accomplishments. “We helped thousands of families in Northwest Indian have their homes and lives restored,” she says. “The majority of people affected were elderly or younger families in smaller, modest homes next to the river. Adam and I were sort of unique. I had time to devote to the discussion on what would happen to rebuild and how to get funding. It was heartbreaking to see someone who had lived in the same house for 70 years lose everything. I can’t even imagine.” Tenbarge’s LARRI role and own personal flood experience have cultivated a stronger connection to water policy issues. “I have always been interested in the balancing act between use of best available technologies and conservation of the environment and the growth of business and local economies. Having grown up in Merrillville, I have always had that dual appreciation for the wonders of our natural resources and the pride of the industries that we have here as well,” she says. Today, she is channeling her efforts toward water resources as program and outreach administrator at The Water Institute at Purdue University Calumet. She is creating educational programs, linking leaders, organizations and municipalities that are affected by wastewater issues, managing grant funding and organizing events to foster discussion on where to take the institute’s research.
Continued on page 25
“We focus on cutting-edge technologies that I know will continue to allow me to speak to various important audiences about how we can continue to protect the health of Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes,” she says. “My roles have allowed me to help bring together individuals and organizations from across sectors and across Northwest Indiana to have new discussions surrounding public policy issues.” Dr. George Nnanna, director of The Water Institute, says Tenbarge is helping the institute fulfill its mission of conducting research, providing a platform for education and working with the public and private sectors to resolve waterrelated issues and spur economic development. “It takes someone with a unique combination of prior skills and knowledge, and a strong track record of success in Northwest Indiana – someone like Kasie – to be able to work with individuals from all three sectors – public, private and non-profit – across Lake and Porter counties and the Chicagoland area,” Nnanna says. “She is able to bring these folks
to the table to have successful and productive conversations about the direction of research and discussions concerning the Great Lakes and wastewater issues in the region.” Tenbarge also volunteers at area Humane Societies, is a member of the Save the Dunes Council, has been an executive committee member of the Munster Civic Foundation and is active at Ridge Church, where she sits on various committees and has been involved in the church’s musical groups. She says her community involvement allows her to serve her family and her faith. “It seems contradictory, but with the right balance, it’s the most fulfilling way I know to live my life,” she says. “At a certain point, my husband and I just got tired of not knowing the answers to questions about what is going on in the community and what options we have to help to be a part of the changes we wanted to see. Shockingly simple — We figured the best way to stop feeling like we didn’t have the answers that we wanted was to start getting involved and figuring it out.”
“I remember asking him when I was in the third grade if he could give me advice about how to become a lawyer,” laughs Jared, who currently serves as the prosecutor for the town of Highland and serves as counsel for the Highland Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. O f co u rse , Ta ra ’s pa t h to a legal career took a few more twists and turns, as she considered a career in education initially. “As a teacher, I found it very frustrating in certain situations with my students where my hands were tied in terms of helping them,” says Tara, who graduated in 1993 from Highland High School and graduated magna cum laude from Valparaiso University with a degree in elementary education. “After six years of teaching, I gave into my desire to practice law and received my law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2006.” These days, the field of adoption lies within the heart of Tara, who has quickly become one of the region’s experts on the adoption process and the unique individual circumstances that can come up with her clients. “One of Tara’s greatest accomplishments was the adoption of her beautiful daughter,” gushes her father Rhett Tauber. “Given her own personal struggles in becoming a mother, it is no surprise that Tara would use her own happiness as a springboard to helping others who have difficulty conceiving a child.” “Tara can get along with just about anyone,” chuckles her husband Doug Shaw, an attorney at Robert A. Plantz & Associates. “Whether blue collar or white collar or no collar, she just instinctively knows how to handle a wide range of people.”
Besides spreading the news of their family owned law firm, the three say they also recognize the need and their inner desire to get their name out in front of the community. In this effort, Tara serves as a pro bono attorney for the Haven House in Hammond as well as the adoption attorney for Catholic Charities. Jared often volunteers his time as a judge pro tem for local Superior Court Judge Jeffery Dywan, along with volunteering every year at Valparaiso School of Law in judging oral arguments for first-year law students. “What we do is a passion, and we work every day to improve our future and the future of our families,” says Jerrod, who spends much of his free time playing sports and playing in several recreational men’s leagues throughout the area. With the love of family providing for a strong foundation for both of them, Tara and Jared say they look forward to what the future holds for them and the law firm. “When we were young, we watched our father work very hard, but he also found the time to attend all of our sporting events,” says Tara, who serves as a member of the American Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. “It might be what we admired most.” These days, all they need to do is look into the eyes of their father once again to see the spark Tara first saw in the living room of their childhood home. Except this time, it can also be seen far outside of the courtroom, when the grandkids all come over to see him. “There have been five grandkids born in the last two years,” says Tara. “It’s just priceless to see them all together. Those are the moments that truly matter the most.”
fall 2012 | 29
20 40 UNDER
danieL timm
age: 34
Chief of staff at Porter County assessor’s office, 155 Indiana ave, Valparaiso, (219) 465-3460, http://www.portercountyassessor.com/
Committed to county timm’s determination moves him to serve in the public sector
story By roB earnshaW
Daniel Timm took a nontraditional route to become chief of staff at the Porter County Assessor’s Office. The LaPorte native bypassed college immediately after high school for a job in a foundry. He worked his way up to the laboratory as a metallurgist. As more machinery came along, less people were needed. Timm, however, lacked a formal degree that could help him rise in the company. So Timm decided to attend college, taking computer classes at first until, through the advice of others, he decided to pursue a business degree. “I took a few classes and really got interested,” Timm says. He went on to graduate from Purdue North Central with a degree in business administration and computer science. But he wasn’t finished. Timm would go on to earn his MBA at the Purdue University Graduate Center in Valparaiso. Now he’s pursuing his law degree at Valparaiso University. “It never hurts to continue learning even if it’s just looking at a new way of thinking about things,” he says. Timm will be studying law while balancing his work in the assessor’s office, a position he was appointed to by newly-elected Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder in 2011. Prior to his appointment Timm was working as a financial adviser. “I had never met Jon before I got the job,” Timm says. “We had a mutual acquaintance on his transition team. Once I took the interview I was excited about the job.” Timm’s role is to handle budgets and operations. It’s his job to make sure everyone is coordinated. “I love working with the people I work with,” he says. “I love the challenge of thinking outside the box. Most people have a certain idea of the way government is and we kind of want the opposite. I love it when taxpayers come in and they’re like, ‘wow, this is way different than I thought it was going to be.’ It’s a thankless job in some ways but in other ways you just learn to appreciate the positive feedback you do get.” In the year and a half since he’s been on the job, Timm’s office has become the first 30 | IN BusINEss
Assessor’s Office to offer online appeals. “When we took there were 7,000 backlogged appeals from 2007 forward,” Timm says. “We managed to whittle that down to about 1,000 now. We found every decision we make so far things only get better and things only get faster and more efficient.” Timm says he looks at his office as the kind of place you can come in and in a short amount of time make significant change that benefits everyone you meet. “Every little change we make that saves a little money makes things easier for everyone,” he says. “I’m learning all I can. Assessment is a fairly complicated task. We really do try to be as accessible as possible.” Timm says he’s always had a strong work ethic and believes it’s what makes one a success. “Do what you say you’re going to do and then work to get it done,” he says. Timm, who resides in Valparaiso, is committed to his community and its residents. He is a graduate of the 2008 Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy and is currently a participant in this year’s Leadership Northwest Indiana program. Timm also serves as vice president of the board of directors for the Porter County Historical Corporation. He volunteers at the Porter County Museum and is an adviser and volunteer for Discoveries Unlimited. Timm served on the committee this year for the inaugural Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County Bright Futures Family Bike Ride and is the treasurer for the District 1 Young Republicans. “I have a hard time saying no,” Timm says. “I’m super busy but still try to make time for the important things. If you’re going to live here and reap the benefits, you should be part of giving back and trying to get others involved.” A major influence on Timm has been his uncle, William Back, retired vice chancellor of administration at PNC, who says that after some early struggles, it was Timm’s personal determination to have a better life that pushed him to pursue higher education. That determination continues to motivate him every day. “Daniel has a passion for all that he pursues, whether in his professional or his personal life,” Back says. “He always gets the job done and done well. He takes great pride in his business and his community.”
Cathie Dull, assistant director of resource development for Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, says Timm has a strong advocate of education, equality and effective leadership. “I’ve had the honor to work with Daniel in volunteer efforts over the last four years, efforts which reflect his deep commitment to improving the quality of life for children,” Dull says. “The one consistent thread that runs through everything Daniel does is service to his community.” Looking back on his decision not to attend college directly after high school, Timm says he would have failed at it had he did. “I wouldn’t have been ready,” he says. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking some time off and finding out what you want to do.”
20 40 UNDER
matt VaLuCKiS
age: 36
Principal/designer at V as in Victor Designs & strategy, 504 howard Court, hobart, (219) 801-1376, www.vasinvictor.com
Daily enthusiasm marketer puts creative juices to work for profit and non-profit
story By trICIa DesPres
Last summer, local graphic designer Matt Valuckis was stopped in his tracks. As he was driving along Interstate 80/94, he glanced to his right, where he noticed a billboard that looked eerily familiar. It was an advertisement for one of his clients. A design that had awakened him from a sound sleep. A design he recreated on a computer screen. A design that the client loved and ran with. Valuckis, known for his vivacious and vibrant personality, was suddenly speechless. “You know that time when you are just falling asleep?” he questions. “That’s when I get my best ideas. That’s when ideas pop into my head, but most of the time I am too tired to reach over and get a pen to write it down. Those are the moments I pray to God that I will remember it in the morning. Well, that was an idea I remembered. It’s hard to explain what it’s like to see an idea you thought up that was on your computer screen not too long ago be up on a billboard. I just wanted to tell everyone I knew that I did that.” Whether its billboards off the expressway or banners draping the Porter County Museum, Valuckis’ work throughout Northwest Indiana is hard to miss. As owner of V as in Victor Designs & Strategy in Hobart, Valuckis puts his creative juices to work each and every day in some of the area’s most well known advertising campaigns, helping transform NWI visions and missions into realities. Through the years, he has worked with well known companies such as Church’s Chicken, U. S. Steel, Buffalo Wild Wings, Horseshoe Casino and White Hen Pantry along with organizations such as the Better Boys Foundation and The American Cancer Society. Indeed, helping with nonprofits is something that holds a special place in the heart of Valuckis, since his young life was filled with its own share of personal and financial struggles. “I was a beneficiary of the wonderful work of these nonprofits when I was a kid, so finding a way to work with them has always
been important to me,” says Valuckis, who serves as the Northwest Division Board Chair of the March of Dimes. “In fact, I would say 60 percent to 70 percent of my clientele right now are within the nonprofit sector.” As a youngster, Valuckis found himself in the school theater far more often than on the football field. “I couldn’t catch a ball for the life of me,” he chuckles. “I loved being involved in theater, along with drawing and sketching. The wonderful part is that my parents were completely supportive. They weren’t the type to tell me to get into banking or whatever. They wanted me to follow my dream, and they would support me every step of the way.” While attending school at Purdue University Calumet and pursuing a radio and television production degree, Valuckis took a part time job
at Mike’s Sporting Goods in Merrillville, where he tried his hand designing T-shirts and random sales materials. It was there where the light bulb went off, and graphic design became a career. After working at a number of local agencies, V as in Victor was founded in 2009. “I was scared as hell to open my own business,” he laughs. “My main goal was to build up a client list, and share with my clients my marketing and design ideas. I have always felt that it takes someone four or five impressions of a certain logo or piece of sales material for one to really understand who they are and what they could provide.” Yet, Valuckis’ initial fear has spelled widespread success, and countless clients speak of his vivaciousness and enthusiasm both inside and outside of the office. “I have had the pleasure of working with Matt on a number of projects and his enthusiasm combined with his creative thought process always brings about exciting results,” explains Harry VandeVelde, CEO and President of the Legacy Foundation in Merrillville, someone who has worked alongside Valuckis on a number of marketing materials in recent months. “We often times hear about the brain drain in the region; well I can attest that this young man from Bishop Noll is a part of our brain gain. One of the greatest assets we have here in Northwest Indiana is the human treasure. It is always a victory for the region when they stay here and share their talents here.” Valuckis also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Porter County Museum of History and works tirelessly as part of the United Way Regional Volunteer Center Advisory Council. Of course, a creative mind is hard to put to rest. However, Valuckis says he does devote time to de-stress, often alongside his wife Keri Anne. “She is the one who tells me to stop thinking and take 20 minutes to decompress,” he says. “There was a time when I used to love to mow the lawn. That was my time to get everything off my mind. Now, going to the park with my wife and our dogs works out just fine.” fall 2012 | 31
BiLL WeLter
age: 36
20 40 An indomitable spirit owner of Journeyman Distillery, 109 generations Dr., three oaks, mich., (219) 820-2050, http://www.journeymandistillery.com/
UNDER
Love of golf and a high school dream lead to founding a distillery story By roB earnshaW
What propelled Bill Welter to create Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Mich., was his passion for golf, not to mention the country of Scotland and a young entrepreneur from Australia. Welter’s journey to creative business owner began after high school graduation in 1995 when he and his father took a trip to Scotland. They traveled the country and played its famous golf courses. Welter, an accomplished golfer, was about to start a full-ride scholarship in the sport at Missouri State. Welter’s love of Scotland continued after college so much that he chose to return with an overseas work visa and find employment in a restaurant during the evening while playing golf during the day. “I went over there not knowing a whole lot about whiskey,” Welter says. “But I left Scotland with a great appreciation for the art of whiskey making.” It began when a co-worker of Welter’s, Greg Ramsay, was trying to raise money for a golf course in his home country of Australia. “We hit it off and became good friends,” Welter says. “He built a golf course there and his next project was to start a distillery. I was very interested in what he was doing and followed his actions very closely.” Ramsay says Welter dared to let a dream plant itself in his mind, fed that dream as he mapped out a plan and despite all the” naysayers and knockers” who said it would never happen or it wouldn’t work. “He’s worked methodically and tirelessly to his plan and has achieved it in delivering his vision for a high quality craft distillery, a fun bar and cellar door, and 32 | IN BusINEss
ultimately, a genuinely world-class whiskey,” Ramsay says. At the time Welter’s family had a successful banking business in Valparaiso. When Welter came back from Scotland in 2001 he started to work in that business. “I was really committed to the bank, to perpetuating the family business,” he says. Then in 2006 the bank was sold and Welter was suddenly looking for a new line of work. By this time Ramsay had opened up his distillery in Tasmania, and off went Welter in search of a new industry. “A business I could start on my own,” he says. After two trips to Australia and an internship at a distillery in Chicago, Welter decided the distilling business was something he wanted to do. Journeyman Distillery opened in October 2011 in the historic Featherbone Corset factory once owned by E.K. Warren, who also happened to be “a staunch prohibitionist,” Welter says. Journeyman produces vodka, gin, rum and a variety of different whiskeys. It is currently in distribution in four states and looking to expand in more. For Welter, success is relative. “I feel like we have a long ways to go,” he says. “Success to me will be when we’re in 50 states and the Journeyman name is known across the country. I feel like we’ve got a ways to go to be successful. But I suppose in a certain way we’ve been successful in getting a business up and running in quite a difficult economic environment. Welter also supports the organic movement with purchases for distillery ingredients. “I prefer personally to eat that way,” he says. “But also it’s about supporting the idea. With the distillery it was an easy decision
to be organic from the standpoint of we wanted to support organic farmers. And we think the product is of a higher quality. On a given week we’ll use anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of grain. So that’s a lot of bread we’re buying.” Welter says he likes the idea of manufacturing a product. “I think in America in a lot of respects we’re not making things anymore,” he says. “It’s exciting for us, especially in the state of Michigan, which has been known for manufacturing. There’s an art to it as well. I’m excited we’re making something with our hands. There’s an element of manufacturing and an element of art.” Welter believes golf taught him valuable lessons about life and about business. He credits his father as a great role model where business is concerned. “He ran an extremely successful business for over 30 years,” he says.
“I think Journeyman was largely about me proving to myself that I could open a business and make it successful.” Welter says when it comes to business success for people “it’s more of a confidence thing.” “People are unsure what they’re capable of,” he says. Welter, who lives in Porter with his wife and new baby daughter, says the Journeyman name has to do with the idea that you’ll never really know where you’re gonna be from one day to the next. “I really thought I was gonna be running the bank one day,” he says. “I was left searching. I committed to an industry and then it was gone. So there are a lot of challenges involved. Not just to be getting the business opened but in getting passed the bank being sold. The Journeyman name really has to do with the idea of one day you’re banking and the next day you’re making booze.”
20 40 UNDER
JuLie WieJaK
age: 35
head girls’ Volleyball Coach at andrean high school, 5959 Broadway, merrillville, (219) 887-5281, www.andreanhs.com
A positive approach Wiejak started foundation to help defray cost of team sports
story By DIane PouLton
“Clear eyes, full hearts can’t lose.” These words, last season’s theme for the Andean High School girls volleyball team, mirror the philosophy of head coach Julie Wiejak. “If their hearts have love for the sport and are full of love for each other and full of pride for their school, there is really nothing they can’t achieve,” Wiejak says. In 2011, during her rookie coaching season, Wiejak led the 59ers to sectionals, regionals and the first round of semi-state. “She motivates and inspires the girls to be the best they can be on and off the court,” her mother, Melanie Wiejak, says. “She closely monitors their grades and reaches out to them when they need help.” Me l a n i e Wi e ja k says h e r daughter was a standout volleyball player for Hammond’s Bishop Noll Institute and at Loyola University. After college, Wiejak was an assistant coach at both DePaul and Loyola universities. “She wanted to get back to her roots to be with the players in Northwest Indiana,” Melanie Wiejak says. “She felt that she could motivate and inspire them and help those who wanted to pursue college careers in volleyball.” Attending Loyola University on a full-ride volleyball scholarship, Wiejak majored in biology with plans of becoming a doctor. That course changed as a result of helping out a friend who was stuck finding a volleyball coach. “That first team was absolutely awesome and I loved them, and I loved the experience which also made me a better player,” Wiejak says. When her team won a tournament they “had no business
winning,” they were awarded their pins on stage. “The team called me up on stage and gave the plaque to me,” Wiejak says. “At that moment, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. Getting this moment for them and having them be so appreciative of you was unbelievable.” This will be Wiejak’s 16th season coaching. “It’s awesome,”
Wiejak says. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Her three college coaches, Therese Boyle, Liz Tortorello and Ray Gooden, have been her mentors and inspiration. “They were amazing and pivotal in making me the player that I was,” Wiejak says. “They were so positive and had such great knowledge of the game.”
Her parents are among Wiejak’s most ardent fans. “They still come to all my games,” Wiejak says. “Every step of the way in my playing career and anywhere I have coached they have adopted my team.” Melanie Wiejak says her daughter “coaches with praise.” “She coaches with encouragement,” Melanie Wiejak says. “She just amazes me. She is so positive. That is what I really admire about her. “Last year, many parents told us after games and at the banquet that our daughter gave their daughters confidence in all areas of their lives not just sports,” Melanie Wiejak says. A member of the Positive Coaching Alliance, Wiejak enjoys watching her players grow in confidence and self-esteem. Her philosophy mirrors that of the alliance. “As coaches, we are preparing these players for their lives and we are helping them learn lessons that have nothing to do with anything on the scoreboard,” Wiejak says. “We are helping them learn lessons about pushing themselves, getting out of their comfort zone and taking risks.” Wiejak loves the “aha moments” when her players finally breaks a bad habit or improve their skills. “You watch them have that light bulb moment where they know they are better and that they have accomplished something and that is amazing,” Wiejak says. “There isn’t a lot of money for the job you do, it’s mainly memories and moments like that which fill you up and make you stay.” One challenge in coaching, Wiejak says is helping players manage and find a lesson in defeat. Continued on page 34
fall 2012 | 33
Continued from page 33
“You have to find a way to get them to pull themselves back together and move forward to their next challenge,” Wiejak says. Wiejak has been director of the North Shore Volleyball Club in Evanston, Ill., and the South Shore Volleyball Club in Northwest Indiana. “The club is a huge part of changing volleyball in the area,” Wiejak says of the club which works closely with the Catholic Youth Organizations and local schools, hosting youth tournaments. It provides free coaches’ and players’ clinics. “I and my assistant here at the school take great pride in growing volleyball in this area,” Wiejak says. This is accomplished on their own personal time but, Wiejak says, she finds great joy in feedback from the coaches about the clinics’ impact on their games and success. Wiejak’s players participate, serving as role models for the younger girls. “It is awesome to provide young girls with mentors to look up to,” Wiejak says.
“We give our girls community service hours if they come and help us, so they learn it is important to give back to their community.” She also started a nonprofit organization in Chicago, Friends of Powerhouse Sports, to help families who can’t afford to pay for their children’s participation in high school volleyball. “If any of our families have financial trouble, we will just scholarship that athlete for the rest of the year and offset the costs to make sure they continue on, especially if they have a bright future in sports or if that girl can get a scholarship to help pay for college.” Wiejak’s goal this season is to return to semi state “and even further.” She expects an extra surge of excitement with all the attention the USA Olympic volleyball teams have drawn to the sport. “Every four years the season which starts after the summer Olympics has an extra charge because there has been so much volleyball to watch,” Wiejak says. “It creates a super buzz for your season. You can feel it.”
Continued from page 10
“We’ll have a larger portfolio of software that we’ll sell that will be centered around the long-term care pharmacy industry,” he says. He says he doesn’t know if he
Continued from page 14
where he earned his doctorate of chiropractic in 2010. There he started a men’s ministry and worked in the children’s ministry and with the drama team. Now he and his wife teach first through fourth grade Sunday school classes at Suncrest Christian Church in Hobart. “We enjoy working with kids and helping them grow in their faith,” Jackson says. In Florida, the couple helped Salvation Army staff make holidays a little brighter for people who either didn’t have families or couldn’t be with them. “It was a good experience,”
should be considered a genius. “I honestly couldn’t say,” Gaffigan says. “There are more important things than intelligence. I can do amazing things with a computer but I don’t know if that qualifies me as a genius.”
Jackson says. “We learned a little bit about what they have gone through. I felt like they brightened my holidays too.” Jackson has served as a Humane Society Volunteer in 2008 and at a low/no income clinic as a student doctor in 2009 and 2010. Jackson also has organized Teachers’ Appreciation Day at Kauffman Chiropractic. Teachers get a free screening exam. The firm is extending that option to first responders and health care providers. “We want to keep people who serve our local community healthy,” Jackson says. ”It is something I am passionate about.”
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34 | In Business
From the Class of 2011
‘Stay hungry and stay foolish’
I
By Matthew H. Glaros Vice President of Sales and Operations, Employer Benefit Systems
In a speech to Stanford University Steve Jobs closing remarks were, “Stay hungry and stay foolish.” When I need inspiration or a pick me up, I read his address to that graduating class. That speech makes me realize that to make a difference young people have to “stay hungry,” find what drives them, and “stay foolish” by not being afraid to make mistakes. Every choice you make has an effect on your life, and how you deal with those choices is what matters. Most successful people live by those words, and many of them don’t even realize it. I believe that every person is hungry for some kind of success either professionally, personally or philanthropically. I am going to also assume every one of us is foolish and makes mistakes. If you say you have never made a mistake, you are either lying or not human. Why are some people successful and others not? Successful people are successful because they learned from their mistakes, they tried again and they wouldn’t give up. People inherently are jealous of those who are successful, but what they don’t see are all the mistakes they made along the way. Thomas Edison said, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” As the 20 Under 40 Class of 2012, you being rewarded because you have drive or passion, you took risks, made mistakes, learned from those mistakes and tried again. Those attributes are what made you successful. I congratulate you on being the up and coming leaders of Northwest Indiana. Northwest Indiana isn’t perfect. Many of us have families or are planning on having families and we need to work together to make this area better for the generations to come. The only way we can make this area better is to get involved on all levels of our communities, from philanthropies to politics. We need to become community stakeholders. If we want to see change happen, we have to do it ourselves. We will make mistakes, but those mistakes will make us stronger and smarter along the way.
All too often people and groups get complacent, and they lose that hunger. It is the responsibility of the young, hungry leader to get involved and help keep that drive alive. Many organizations are looking for young people to join their boards or their organizations because of that youthful passion. I hear from “seasoned veterans” that young people have to get involved and that they want to pass the proverbial torch to our generation. Unfortunately, I hear young people say they were never given the chance to get involved or they don’t know where to start. There is a disconnect that has to be bridged, and I think there is a solution to that problem A year and a half ago Emerge South Shore was launched. It is the only young professional’s group in Lake and Porter County. ESS helps young professionals get involved, educate themselves and develop relationships with peers today, rather than 20 years from now. The motto of the group is “Bringing together tomorrow’s leaders today.” The group also serves as a place for established organizations to come and recruit members for their groups. Over the past year Emerge has placed many hungry young professionals on local nonprofit boards. Emerge wants people to get involved and hopes to have the ability to help put members in positions to start making a difference. Emerge South Shore has more than 250 people in our network of members, and we are always looking for more young leaders who want to make a difference. By being involved and being the leaders you are today, you have already put your footprint on Northwest Indiana, and I thank you for that. I challenge you to not stop making footprints. As we all continue on our professional and personal paths remember one thing: “Stay hungry and stay foolish.” Congratulations to the 20 Under 40 Class of 2012!
As the 20 Under 40 Class of 2012, you being rewarded because you have drive or passion, you took risks, made mistakes, learned from those mistakes and tried again. Those attributes are what made you successful. I congratulate you on being the up and coming leaders of Northwest Indiana.
Matthew Glaros i s a Class of 2011 20 Under 40 honoree and one of the founders of Emerge South Shore (www. emergesouthshore.org ) . fall 2012 | 35
From the Class of 2011
Leadership is not an aspiration, but it is an expectation
B By Gail Zurek
Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana
36 | In Business
eing honored with the 20 Under 40 award is an amazing and humbling experience. When I first received the call I was going to be honored, I was overwhelmed and frankly confused. I told the reporter that it was great to be recognized for my work but frankly, I had so much more work to do. The reporter just laughed and said, “exactly.” I agreed to the interview and award but had no idea the impact it would make on me. Recognized with 19 other leaders whose actions affect the lives of so many in direct and deliberate ways was and is inspiring. My class, like this year’s class, is full of stories of bravery, selflessness, passion and dedication. Award recipients saw a way to impact our community and had the courage to act. At the awards dinner, I was thankful to meet so many. I enjoyed hearing more about their work, passion, and came to understand I wasn’t the only one who knew our work wasn’t done. As I spoke with others, we agreed this was wonderful encouragement to keep doing great things, to keep leading. Leaving the dinner humbled, I knew I had lots of work to do. The award was a great conversation piece. At meetings, events and even the grocery store, I was asked about being named one of the 20 Under 40. Why was I so passionate about local business? As a Southern California native, do you really love this region? What did I really think of regional leadership? What does it mean to be a leader under the age of 40? Did I always want to be a leader? That last question was asked by a college student who genuinely wanted to know if leadership was something I had set out “to do.” She admired my work, my service and my approach to leadership. She wanted to know more about my desire to be a leader. And I was left asking, was leadership something to which I had aspired? Leadership isn’t an aspiration but an expectation. This is how I was raised and how I strive to raise my sons. I was taught when we see a way to make an impact, to improve the lives of others; we must act and encourage others to action. I watched my father bring people together and make a difference in big and small ways. His father, my grandpa served and lead from all sorts of positions be it military service and elected office. The unifying thread was their bravery, bold action and ability to inspire others. I grew up wanting to be like them. I want to be brave, strong and have the ability to bring a group of people together to make an impact. My family, and I hope my community, expects I will act, be bold and inspire others to do the same. “So,” my college student friend asked, “why don’t we see more leaders?” The answer is twofold. First, we need
The unifying thread was their bravery, bold action and ability to inspire others. I grew up wanting to be like them. I want to be brave, strong and have the ability to bring a group of people together to make an impact. My family, and I hope my community, expects I will act, be bold and inspire others to do the same. to do a better job of recognizing leaders, big and small, new and accomplished. The 20 Under 40 does that. I am personally thankful for the award and encouraged to see the Times commitment to continue this recognition of young leaders. Regionally these awards are important but recognition must be done other ways as well. A simple note goes a long way. I received a note from a colleague after the award and that note is a source of encouragement. Leaders need recognition and encouragement. When you see a great leader, nominate them for this (and other) leadership awards but also send them a quick note thanking them. The second reason we don’t see more leaders is leadership isn’t easy. Great people fail to fulfill their leadership duty most often by letting small obstacles chip away at their vision. Self-doubt is masked as the would’ves, could’ves, and should’ves. Great people fail to be great leaders simply because they don’t act. If we have a great idea, if we know others who do, we need to encourage bold action. If you know someone who has a great idea, tell them. If you know someone who could lead a group to make an impact, tell them you support them. I love the encouragement this award has given me but more so I appreciate the responsibility to keep leading, encourage and recognize other leaders. Gail Zurek is a Class of 2011 20 Under 40 honoree.
New Futures
How do you know when you are a real leader?
W By Nick Meyer
NIPSCO, Director of External Communications
hen I was informed that I was being recognized last year as one of the Top 20 under 40 professionals in Northwest Indiana, I was honored and humbled. Looking back to the list of previous honorees, it was truly impressive and encouraging to see the caliber of local young leaders we have across our community – not to mention the host of other young leaders out there who have yet to be recognized. My first reaction, like many of the other young professionals, was “Wow, how can I be compared to this person, or that person? They’ve accomplished so much in their early lives and careers.” But, that’s the sort of healthy attitude necessary for us to continue raising the bar. Witnessing the success of others inspires us to keep the positive momentum going. It is our responsibility to continually help make this region an even better place to live, work and play. If we as young leaders aren’t prepared to grab the torch being passed along by those we look up to today, then who will? In my view, being considered a leader doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to be the head of your organization or elected as a top official in your community. Not everyone falls into that category of leadership. If you’re volunteering your time and resources to help others, or if you’re helping someone bring a good idea to life, you’re a leader. And, if you’re serving as a positive role model for others to follow, you’re a leader. Having recently become a new father has enhanced my perspective on leadership, and I believe there are several core similarities between good parenting and leadership. As a parent, your children rely on you for so many different things. Good parents are supportive, but not too supportive. There are no empty promises. They know that actions mean more than words. And, good parents are always looking for ways to provide more opportunities and a better life for their family. Those same principles are inherent in great leaders as well. And, regardless of whether or not you’re a parent, we cannot forget to start developing and supporting the next generation. We never want to be perceived as a complacent generation, nor do we wish the same of those that follow. I am fortunate to work for an organization that fosters and encourages its employees to get involved in their local communities. It is a unilateral philosophy spread across the entire organization. Through my company and community involvement, I have learned the importance of knowing what type of leader you are and being confident in your decisions. For
It is our responsibility to continually help make this region an even better place to live, work and play. If we as young leaders aren’t prepared to grab the torch being passed along by those we look up to today, then who will? In my view, being considered a leader doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to be the head of your organization or elected as a top official in your community. Not everyone falls into that category of leadership. young leaders and professionals, those are important qualities. We all have the ability to be a leader in some form. In fact, I’ve met so many people that are great leaders, but they don’t realize it. So, whether or not you realize you’re a leader, you have the unique opportunity to change the lives of others and to create a fulfilling life for yourself. Just don’t take that responsibility lightly. Nick Meyer is a Class of 2011 20 Under 40 honoree. fall 2012 | 37
My Turn
Leadership and success seem to be two sides of the same coin
I
By Karen M. Lauerman Director of Marketing and Communications, Northwest Indiana Forum
38 | In Business
am a strong believer that everyone has the capability of being a “leader.” In everything a person does, he or she has the ability to create and manifest a vision and put action behind it to achieve a better result. From the clerk to the executive, from the analyst to the partner, we all have the capacity of leadership within our own realm of responsibility. But for a majority of the population, the word “expectation” can strike fear in the heart. However, not to those who have earned the 20 Under 40 recognition. Expectations are not something these individuals simply meet, they tend to exceed and excel. They help their companies, communities and the greater Northwest Indiana region grow and prosper with vigor and enthusiasm. And continue to do so long after they cross the dreaded 40-year-old mile marker, like me. The designation alone does not define young movers. Indeed, it is actions and leadership which define us and with us, the future of our region. We are expected to do something harder than we’re used to; dig in to our determination and motivation; and trust that the difficult will become easier with effort and hard work. They know that there is greater accomplishment achieved by not giving up at the very first hint of fatigue or failure. Younger leaders tend to embed themselves with the mission and take on the strategy of the organization (that they own or work for), and build a clear, tangible vision. They know immediate action brings together the right resources, passion, and people to manifest the vision. In Northwest Indiana, leadership and success seem to be two sides of the same coin. In younger leaders there is a burning desire to succeed. And that gets translated into ambition, execution and persistence. We are not easily dissuaded and take advantage of the great opportunities that present themselves. The only limiting factor is our own ambition. However, I caution against “undying ambition” at the risk of upsetting other people. Working with a group of people today and having unbridled ambition is not conducive to the work environment. As young leaders interacting with different generations, be it customers, vendors, management or leaders, we do not want to destroy the ability to influence when ambition shows through a little sharper than necessary. The real question is how does a young leader navigate the tricky generational waters and succeed? You have to love what you do and feel like you’re making a positive contribution, and treat people and employees and
colleagues with respect. Earn the respect and accolades of others. Even if you get scared, it’s OK, almost cathartic at times. That’s when you let your passion for what you do carry you through. Young movers have a lot in common aside from a daunting degree of responsibility at an early age. Formidable confidence and intelligence, reservoirs of energy and an optimism not jaded by time and experience, for starters. Facing challenges unabashedly, we have the ability to recover from failure. The ability to rebound from failure and learn from it and come back is very important. My sister and I have been fortunate to both receive the 20 Under 40 recognition, for very different reasons. My sister owns her own business, coaches high school sports, engages with community organizations and schools. I have the good fortune to represent and promote the region, working toward my organization’s goal of bringing quality jobs and capital investment to Northwest Indiana creating more opportunity for the good people of the region. But something happened to me the other day that made me think that perhaps that though leaders are recognized for various successes, there is one main key to business and leadership success for the next generation of leaders. I had Chinese take-out and finished with a fortune cookie. Usually, the fortunes are mundane bits of fluff, but this one was different. It read: “Business is a lot like playing tennis; if you don’t serve well, you lose.” Never mind that ancient Chinese philosophers probably didn’t play a lot of tennis, but the idea of serving makes a lot of sense. In all businesses, overall prosperity revolves around quality service and goods. But the very best leaders also serve; they serve their stakeholders, their followers, their mission, their team’s objectives. That is the kind of “leadership” we want to spread. This seems to describe all of us who have been recognized as 20 Under 40. We all began raising our hands early for leadership positions in student government, school bands and community organizations. All were endowed with ambition and passion, wedded to fierce work ethics. Little did we know one day we would be helping shape our world, serving the greater good of Northwest Indiana. Karen M. Lauerman is a 20 Under 40 Class of 2008 honoree.
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Calendar MONDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
HAMMOND | The Northwest Indiana
CROWN POINT | BNI, Business Network
development group meets from 7 to
Small Business Development Center
International, meets from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Holiday Inn
business adviser Bill Gregory will be
at White Hawk Country Club, 1001 White
Express, 1773 Fountain Park Drive. Call
on hand from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first
Hawk Drive, in the Members Lounge. For
Michael Pelz at (815) 370-2940 for more
and third Mondays of the month at the
information, call Michael Pelz at (219) 427-5933 or (815) 370-2940.
information.
Hammond INnovation Center, 5209 Hohman Ave. To meet with Gregory, visit www.nwisbdc.org, fill out a business assessment and call (219) 644–3513 to schedule an appointment.
CROWN POINT | The Referral Organiza-
tion of Indiana (ROI) Business Networking Group meets Wednesdays at Red Key Realty Leaders, 503 E. Summit St.
SCHERERVILLE | A BNI (Business
Networking International) business
VALPARAISO | The Porter County Busi-
ness League meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at the Round-the-Clock restaurant, 217 E. Lincolnway. For more information, visit http://www.portercounty.com.
PORTAGE | The Northwest Indiana
Networking starts at 7:15 a.m.; meetings
Professional Network meets from 8 to
start at 7:30 am. For more information,
VALPARAISO | The Referral Organiza-
10 a.m. Mondays at Portage Work One,
visit http://roinetworkinc.com.
tion of Indiana (ROI) Business Network-
Ameriplex Commercial Park, 1575 Adler
MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville
Circle, Suite A. For more information, contact Sandra Alvarez at the Center of Workforce Innovations at (219) 462-
Chapter of BNI, Business Networking International, will meet from 11 a.m. to
ing Group meets Thursdays at the Regional Credit Union, 2801 Boilermaker Ave. (Door needs to stay locked until
12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Innsbrook
9 a.m., so knock). Networking starts at
Country Club, 6701 Taft St. Contact
8 a.m.; meetings are from 8:15 to 9:15
com.
Michael Pelz at (815) 370-2940.
am. For more information, contact Sue
TUESDAYS
VALPARAISO | BNI, Business Network
2940 or salvarez@innovativeworkforce.
International, meets from 7 to 8:30 am
HAMMOND | The Rotary Club of
at The Hampton Inn, 1451 Silhavy Road.
Hammond meets from noon to 1 p.m.
For information call Beckie Guffin at
Tuesdays in the Student Union Library
(219) 462-2771.
Building at Purdue Calumet, 2200 169th St. For more information, call (219)5130549, or visit www.hammondrotary.org .
THURSDAYS MERRILLVILLE | Merrillville Breakfast
MERRILLVILLE | Southshore Business
Kiwanis meets from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m.
Networking, will meet from 8 to 9 a.m.
Thursdays at Petro’s Restaurant, 6190
on the first and third Tuesdays of the
Broadway Ave. For more information,
month Cafe Divine, 9000 Taft St. Call
please contact Mary Jane DiMichele at
Rick Gosser at (219) 808-9888 or visit
(219) 934-6318 ext. 239 or visit www. http://www.southshorebusinessnetwork- MerrillvilleBreakfastKiwanis.com . ing.com. MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville Noon HIGHLAND | BNI, Business Networking Kiwanis Club meets from noon to 1 p.m.,
Baxter at baxterdesign@comcast.net or (219) 464-9237. Visit www.roinetworkinc.com for more information.
FRIDAYS MERRILLVILLE | NWINP, Northwest
Indiana Networking Professionals, meets from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Fridays at AJ Specialties, 1308 East 85th Ave. For more information, visit www.nwinetworking.org or contact Carl Watroba at (219) 776-7423. HAMMOND | Free business counseling
services are available through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) from 9 and 10 a.m. Fridays at the
Thursdays at Petro’s Restaurant, 6190
Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, 5246
10 a.m. Tuesdays at Harry’s Grill, 9400
Broadway Ave. For more information
Hohman Ave. If you are starting a busi-
Indianapolis Blvd. Contact Michael Pelz
call Bruce Woods at (219) 794-1259 over
ness, or having problems in business,
at (815) 370-2940.
visit www.merrillvillenoonkiwanis.org .
call (219) 931-1000 for an appointment.
International will meet from 8:30 to
40 | In Business
We want to hear from you To read more calendar, visit nwi.com/business. To include an item in the local business calendar, send event information, time, date, cost and location to business@nwitimes.com.
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