BusINess

SPRING 2012

SERVING NORTHWEST INDIANA & CHICAGOLAND

IVDIAGNOSTICS Innovating the Fight Against Cancer PROGRESSIVE PORTAGE Building a Model City LINDA WOLOSHANSKY

5th ANNUAL

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Hallof FAME MEET THE CLASS OF 2012

2012 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. JOSEPH, MI PERMIT #65

1912

Calumet Electric Company organized

in Wheatfield was Generating Plant The R.M. Schahfer inning in 1976, and today it beg brought on-line Its newest gest power plant. the company’s lar examples of the most are 18 and 17 ts, uni entally compliant modern, environm the country. generating units in

Construction of and went into the Norway Hydroelectri c know as Shaffservice in 1923. The Norway plant started in April 1922 er Lake. Th plant forms th e reservoir in 1924 and we e Oakdale Hyrdoelectric pla Lake Freeman nt into service a year later. nt was started , NIPSCO acqu Its ired both plant reservoir is s in June 1944.

1923

Midland acquires Northern Indiana Gas and Electric from United Gas Improvement Company

1924

Calumet Electric changes name to “Calumet Gas and Electric Company” - Also in 1924, employees’ representation plan emerged - Frontrunner to unionization

1926

Calumet Gas and Electric Company changed name to Northern Indiana Public Service Company - Also in 1926, merged with Northern Indiana Gas and Electric Company (establishing present form) - Samuel Insull, first chairman, and his son, Samuel Insull, Jr. became first president

1929

Samuel Insull, Jr named vice chairman, Morse DellPlain becomes company’s second president - Construction began on Michigan City Generating Station

1931

Michigan City Generating Station Project finished

1932

John Shannahan elected chairman, replacing Insull and ending Insull family involvement in NIPSCO management

1934

Shannahan took on dual responsibilities: chairman and president, continued until death in ‘38

1938

Dean Mitchell elected president after Shannahan’s death (Mitchell worked his way up from assistant auditor)

1945

NIPSCO becomes a corporation after the Indiana General Corporation Act was approved

1947

Midland Utilities Company sells stockholdings in NIPSCO, allowing public ownership of NIPSCO stock for the first time since early ‘20s

1950

Gary and Hobart Water properties, which were owned by NIPSCO, sold to Gary-Hobart Water Corporation. NIPSCO wanted to eliminate its involvement in water utilities and concentrate on its primary responsibilities - providing gas and electric services

1953

NIPSCO sells all remaining remnants of water business to Water Utilities Incorporated

1956

Dean Mitchell Generating Station in Gary completed

1959

NIPSCO signs contract with Midwestern Gas Transmission Company of Houston, Texas. Contract provided 200 million cubic feet of gas per day (triples NIPSCO’s supply of gas) - Over next decade, natural gas service extended to nearly every community in Northern Indiana

1962

First unit of Bailey Generating Station in Porter County went on production line

1967

NIPSCO announces plans or construction of Bailly Nuclear One (at this time, nuclear power was best choice for electricity both environmentally and economically)

1974

NIPSCO obtains permit for Bailly plant

1976

Edmund A Schroer promoted from legal counsel (1967) to president and chief executive officer - Also in 1976, R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield brought on line

t o o u r c u s t o m e r s ov e r t h e l a s t 1 0 0 y e a r s

1981

Official cancellation of plans or Bailly plant - Had become uneconomical to build because of persistent litigations and unresolved regulations

1986

Company restructures to better handle power supply and distribution

1989

Gary Neale elected president and chief operating officer

1992

NIPSCO purchases Kokomo Gas

1993

NIPSCO purchases Northern Indiana Fuel and Light Company in northeast Indiana

1999

NIPSCO Industries renamed NiSource but retains NIPSCO name with Indiana customers

2000

NiSource merges with the five gas distribution companies of Columbia Energy Group

2010

1931, Michigan City. As company employees and executives look on, the cornerstone Michigan City Generating Stationof NIPSCO’s is laid.

2011

nipsco.com

Jimmy Staton elected NIPSCO president and chief operating officer NIPSCO finalized a settlement outlining about $600 million in new environmental investments, conservation initiatives, and clean energy programs designed to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of northern Indiana

Contents COVER STORY

BIZ WORTHY

6

The success of U.S. Steel’s natural gas vehicle fueling pilot program spurs expansion to other facilities. Also advancement, expansion, employment numbers and mergers from around the Region.

MY TURN

13

JONATHAN MIANO | THE TIMES THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME 2012: We honor five local leaders who have made an indelible mark on the Region. The stories of the Class of 2012 — Milford Christenson, Wil Davis, Linda Woloshansky, Tom Gryzbek and Steve Pangere and their achievements in life and giving back.

36

The bottom line on encouraging customers to use less of your product. By Karl Stanley, Nipsco Vice President Of Commercial Operations

FEATURES

25

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK IVDiagnostics hopes to save lives by focusing on microscopic cancer cells. By Louisa Murzyn

IV What’s inside

Slow burn sustainability

NEW FUTURES

37

Looking for angels Restructuring Indiana’s economy

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Innovation in medicine

28

NO GROWING PAINS PORTAGE HAS BECOME A VISIBLE GEM

NO GROWING PAINS Portage is 45 years old, the third-largest city in Northwest Indiana and still thriving.

By Andrea Holecek

Sprouting from the sands along the lake shore, Portage approaches its 45th anniversary as the third-largest city in Northwest Indiana. • “We didn’t exist before 1960, and we became a city in 1968,” said Mayor James Snyder, who took office Jan. 1. “We’re now the largest city in Porter County and the third-largest between Chicago and South Bend after Gary and Hammond.” 

32

chips

PUTTING THEIR CHIPS ON THE TABLE Indiana casinos fight a slow economy and competition from neighboring states. By Lu Ann Franklin

PUTTING THEIR ON THE TABLE Indiana casinos fight a slow economy, competition from neighboring states STORY BY LU ANN FRANKLIN

T

34

First-hand experience

about their “It needs to beof

Quality Life”

A growing need

An aging population creates a need for specialized care for seniors STORY BY DIANE POULTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY THONY V. MARTIN

H

A one-stop shop

2 | IN BUSINESS

QUALITY OF LIFE An aging population creates a need for specialized care for seniors.

By Diane Poulton

Training stays high on business essentials list for 2012. By Bill Thon, Executive Director Workforce And Economic Development Ivy Tech Community College Northwest

MY TURN

38

Community banks, small businesses have similar goals. By David Bochnowski, Chairman And Ceo Of Peoples Bank

CALENDAR

40

Business calendar: Check out upcoming events in your area

Franciscan Alliance salutes

Tom Gryzbek

President of Franciscan St. Margaret Health on your induction into the

Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame!

Your leadership and service have made a meaningful impact on the strength and health of Northwest Indiana communities.

Congratulations on your success!

FranciscanAlliance.org

d

Publisher’s Letter SPRING 2012

Economic conditions are cyclical, leadership is a requirement at all times

W

BY BILL MASTERSON JR. Publisher, BusINess, The Times Media Co.

We want to hearTwitter from you E-mail bill.masterson @nwi.com or write to BusINess Magazine, The Times, 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321

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4 | IN BUSINESS

We all know people with successful careers and we know that it is not automatic that their lives are successful too. Often success in life is achieved by giving back. Allow me to introduce the 2012 class of superstars: Linda Woloshansky, the president and CEO of The Center of Workforce Innovations, knew she was destined for public service when as a newly-minted college graduate working at a social service agency, when she stepped into the homes and lives of those on public assistance.

Another Hall of Fame winner came to Northwest Indiana 20 years ago and saw an opportunity: “I came to an airport that wasn’t being served well, and I served it,” says Wil Davis, owner/ operator of the Gary Jet Center since then Davis has worked tirelessly with the local Boys & Girls Club, most recently on a project to build a new youth center at Tolleston in Gary.

Tom Gryzbek may have veered from his original plan to become a priest; he has found his many ways to serve our community as a hospital administrator, lawyer and deacon.

Gryzbek began his long career with the Franciscan Alliance right out of college. While working his way up to president of the hospital and getting a law degree, he has also always been involved in service projects including volunteer advocacy for seniors and children and prison ministry.

Milford Christenson claims he’s not a philanthropist, but many others would disagree. Christenson, president of Highland-based Christenson Chevrolet, is well-known for his generosity to schools local churches and civic organizations, as well as state and national charities.

Not only is family at the core of The Pangere Corp., family also serves as an inspiration to President and CEO Steve Pangere, who has faced the challenges of progressive vision loss from Retweet Rod-Cone Dystrophy. While his Gary-based company has grown to a full-service contracting firm, Pangere helps others through the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired and he has established the Pangere Center for Inherited Retinal Diseases.

On behalf of all of us in Northwest Indiana and the Times Digg communities, I thank you all for your vision, commitment and contributions.

Until then, Bill Masterson Jr.

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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1

Publisher Bill Masterson Jr. Founding editor William Nangle Associate Publisher/Editor Pat Colander Director of Audience Development Brett Riley Managing Editor Matt Saltanovitz Design Director Ben Cunningham Designers April Burford, Tom Hernes Contributing writers Heather Augustyn, Keith Benman, Dan Carden, Ed Charbonneau, Lu Ann Franklin, Jeremy Gantz, William Lowe, Diane Poulton, Bill Thon, Bowdeya Tweh Contributing photographer Tony V. Martin Advertising Director Lisa M. Daugherty Advertising managers Deb Anselm, Eric Horon, Jeffrey Precourt Business Advisory Board Dave Bochnowski, Peoples Bank; Wil Davis, Gary Jet Center; Nick Meyer, NIPSCO; Barb Greene, Franciscan Physician Hospital; Tom Gryzbek, St. Margaret Mercy Hospital; Mark Massal, NWI Forum; Stephan K. Munsey, Family Christian Center; Anna Rominger, Indiana University Northwest; Bill Thon, Ivy Tech State College Copyright, Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland BusINess, 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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1/18/12 5:17 PM

BizWorthy INDUSTRIAL

Steelmaker freeing itself from oil GARY | It may be difficult to

imagine drivers waiting at the pump for 15 minutes to fill up a vehicle with gasoline.

But if the lengthier fill-up could save $12,500 annually and reduce nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other pollutants, as is the case for United States Steel Corp., it may be easier to wait.

U.S. Steel officials said the success from a natural gas vehicle fueling pilot program in Gary is helping justify an expansion of the program to other facilities.

Michael Williams, U.S. Steel senior vice president and head of North American flat-rolled operations, said retrofitting motor vehicles to run on natural gas fits into the company’s goal of seeking technology to improve fuel and maintenance costs and contribute to the company’s environmental objectives.

“Environmental stewardship is a core value of our company,” Williams said. “We saw this as an opportunity to lower our greenhouse gas footprint. We operate a significant number of vehicles inside the plant.

We see it as an opportunity to showcase to others it can be done. We think the shale natural gas availability is a game changer in terms of energy independence for this country.”

Since December 2010, the company began operating a compressed natural gas fueling station and seven retrofitted

6 | IN BUSINESS

JONATHAN MIANO PHOTOS | THE TIMES

LEFT: U.S. Steel Gary Works employees Nic Ayres, left, and Randy Wlodarski fill a truck with compressed natural gas at the plant. TOP RIGHT: An employee holds a compressed natural gas fueling station nozzle at the U.S. Steel Gary Works complex. BOTTOM RIGHT: Two compressors generate high pressure compressed natural gas at the U.S. Steel Gary Works complex.

vehicles – six cargo hauling pickup trucks and a passenger van – in Gary. The total project cost was $600,000, but about $490,000 went to build the fueling station near a maintenance facility on the west side of Gary Works, Williams said.

Nick Meyer, spokesman for NIPSCO, said NIPSCO pipelines deliver natural gas to U.S. Steel, but the steelmaker doesn’t buy natural gas from the utility.

U.S. Steel also estimated the vehicle modifications yield a 23 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide, 94 percent reduction in nonmethane hydrocarbons, 85 percent reduction in carbon monoxide and 6 million grams of ozone pollutants over the life of the seven vehicles.

Williams said the company used its own resources to fund the initiative but sought outside entities for technical expertise and to lead vehicle conversion efforts. South Shore Clean Cities Inc. was one of the entities that worked with U.S. Steel, said Carl Lisek, co-director of the organization with his wife, Lorrie. Lisek, who co-owns Legacy Environmental Service Inc., said U.S. Steel is a leader with using this technology and he hopes the company’s initiative will spawn other developments with region businesses.

“U.S. Steel is one of the largest users of diesel fuel in Northwest Indiana,” Lisek said.

“It’s helping with air quality, (and) they’ve operated very well.”

The company launched a second compressed natural gas pilot test at its Mon Valley Works complex outside Pittsburgh in June. The Mon Valley Works station fuels vehicles in about five to six minutes, but that station was built at a higher expense and serves emergency vehicles and a vehicle that hauls steel coils around the complex.

Following successful yearlong trials in Gary and near Pittsburgh, Williams said U.S. Steel could look at expanding the use of natural gas to other vehicles used at mills, including front-end loaders. He said the company also is studying how locomotives could be adapted to run on natural gas and expand the use of biodiesel fuel.

BY BOWDEYA TWEH, THE TIMES

ADVANCEMENT

SALUTE

Northwest Indiana Workforce board announced

People who are climbing the professional ladder

THE NORTHWEST INDIANA WORKFORCE BOARD recently announced its 2011–12 board members, representing Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke counties.

Comprised of business, education, labor, economic development, and community and faith–based leaders, they will be responsible for carrying out the strategic vision of workforce development and governance of WorkOne in Northwest Indiana.

In addition, they will facilitate connections to key resources in the workforce and education arena, while working to determine current and future skill needs.

New officers include Gerry Scheff, Emerson Power Transmission, chairman; Adam Collins, Kruz Inc., vice chairman; Gary Miller, Prompt Ambulance, treasurer; Bob Schaefer, Community Dynamics, secretary; Judith Stanton, Hobart Law Office, past chairwoman; and Linda Woloshansky; board and staff liason.

Board members include: David Broad, Alliance E.M.S.; Kris Emaus,

NiSource; Cyndi Garnett, Braun Corp.; Tera Grinnel, Alcoa Howmet; Keith Kirkpatrick, KPM Group; Arlene Pearson, Edgewater Systems; Rudy Sutton, R.V. Sutton; Connie Ford, IU Health LaPorte Hospital; Rick Rondinelli, Touch Pharmaceuticals; Barbara Sacha–Lear Corp.; Ralph Sauceda, Republic Services; George Douglas, North Coast; Jean Phelps, Express Employment Professionals; Frank Cardello, Packaging Logic; Joe Medellin, ArcelorMittal; Mary Lewis, Lakeshore Public TV; Mark Scott, Donaldson Co.; Michael Berta Jr., Portage Twp. Schools; Tom Hargrove, USW Local 1010; Maria Becerra, Housing Authority of the city of Hammond; Kevin Groben, Family & Social Services Admin.; Gary Olund, NW Indiana Community Action; Peggy Pachowiak, Experience Works; Jim Staton, Indiana Economic Development Corp.; Lupe Valtierra, Ivy Tech; Dennis Wimer–Department of Workforce Development; Dan Murchek–NW Indiana Federation of Labor; and Bill Cook–Gary Comm. School Corp.

For more information, visit www.innovativeworkforce.com.

EXPANSION

facility at 5420 E. Ind. 8 in Knox. The company currently employ 145 people manufacturing temporary fluid storage tanks for the environmental, gas and oil industries.

Sabre Manufacturing started operating in Knox in 2005 and was employing almost 100 people by 2008.

In that year it doubled the size of its blast and paint operation at a cost of $500,000 and added 20 jobs.

Steel tank maker to add jobs in Starke County A STEEL TANK maker in Starke County plans to invest $640,000 at its plant in Knox and is promising to add 25 more jobs by the end of next year.

Sabre Manufacturing LLC has announced it will add 15,500 square feet to its existing manufacturing

BY TIMES STAFF

BY KEITH BENMAN, THE TIMES

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Porter County office announced the Shawn Spaw Team as the top listing and top selling sales associates, and Linda Rhed as the top SPAW volume sales associate for July.

Linda Reyes-Popovich, assistant vice president at Centier Bank, has been named Valparaiso Downtown branch manager.

Nancy Mendez-Lopez, REYESassistant vice president, POPOVICH has been named Valparaiso North branch manager. Valparaiso resident Jennifer Stall, bank officer, has been named branch manager of the South Haven location.

Lowell resident PARKER Andrea Parker, a registered nurse with Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, recently completed a six-month program of study to achieve a Certified Registered Nurse Infusion ranking.

Patty Duffee, of Valparaiso, and Tena Carey, of Highland, have become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc. Lia sophia has recognized Joann Keck, of Griffith, and Debbie Urban, of Highland, as Monthly Achievers for their jewelry sales efforts.

To submit an item for Salute, send information and a photo, if available, to 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321, email to business@nwitimes.com or fax to (219) 933-3249. Faxed photos will not be published.

SPRING 2012 | 7

BizWorthy INNOVATION

CP company adds pothole patch service THE ECONOMIC downturn was one of the factors that lead a Crown Point–based business to add another service for its customers.

John and Mary Ellen Kiest in 1996 started BMS Inc., which uses Biox, a technology that remediates a wide variety of organic contaminants in soil and ground water.

Because that business tends to be cyclical due to the time it takes to get regulatory approvals and funding for projects, the Kiests decided several months ago to add a new infrared technology that repairs asphalt.

“We decided we needed another service to offer to our clients to help keep the cash flow positive,” John Kiest said.

Kiest had seen a video demonstration of the infrared asphalt restoration and felt it was innovative technology.

“And of course driving around the area will tell you how many potholes we have,” he said. “That was my marketing right there. There’s a huge potential client base out there.”

Clients of BMS include small businesses in strip malls.

“Anyone with an asphalt parking lot

BMS Inc. Location: Crown Point Phone: (219) 988–2401 Owners: John and Mary Ellen Kiest Number of employees: Four Website: www.bioxtech.com could take quite a while.”

Kiest said money is tight for a lot of businesses and if BMS can give them a permanent repair as opposed to a cold patch that might “come up in a month or two,” it’s a good option for them.

“I’m just amazed at how receptive our JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES clients are to this innovative technology,” he BMS owner John Kiest, right, and worker said. “They love the permanent repairs; they Lavelle Highley regrade a pothole. love the one-year warranty. They don’t want to be worrying about asphalt and pothole is a potential client,” Kiest said. He said repairs; they want to run their businesses.” clients have taken to the service “pretty BMS currently offers its new service quickly” and saw it as a good alternative to to clients in Lake and Porter counties but remove-and-replace. as the business develops will expand to “It would be very expensive to have other Indiana counties, Kiest said. The somebody in there saw-cut all these company also plans to hire more workers little areas out, remove the asphalt and for next season. BY ROB EARNSHAW, TIMES replace it,” Kiest said. “It would also be disruptive to their business because it CORRESPONDENT

PROMOTION

NIPSCO CEO gets bigger job, but will continue to lead utility NIPSCO CEO Jimmy Staton has taken on responsibility for one of parent company NiSource Inc.’s fastest growing business segments.

Staton will immediately take charge of the NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage business unit, while remaining chief executive of NiSource’s Indiana operations, including NIPSCO, according to a company announcement.

NiSource Gas Transmission and Storage operates a 15,000-mile network of pipelines and 37 storage fields. It is positioning itself as a key player in states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia where natural gas production is expanding rapidly.

“Jimmy brings to this role a strong

8 | IN BUSINESS

track record of advancing key commercial, regulatory and infrastructure enhancement strategies,” said NiSource CEO Robert Skaggs Jr. Staton is taking charge of the gas transmission and storage business unit because of the retirement of Christopher Helms.

Staton became NIPSCO chief in 2010 and engineered a total makeover of its controversial electric rate case.

That resulted in the utility filing for a 7.9 percent residential rate increase in November 2010, while asking state regulators to rescind an earlier decision to grant the utility a 16.8 percent increase.

Recently, a number of consumer groups

signed a settlement in the second case, but the city of Hammond and others are contesting that proposal. Along with his NIPSCO duties, Staton also had responsibility for NiSource’s gas distribution business, a role which Skaggs will now assume along with his chief executive duties.

BY KEITH BENMAN, THE TIMES

JOB WATCH

ACCOLADES

Employment in the Calumet Region

Highland company recognized by business software maker

Lake County SEPT ’10

SEPT ’11

CHANGE

Labor force

221,374

218,399

2,975

Employed

196,689

197,719

1,030

Unemployed

24,685

20,680

4,005

Percent of workforce unemployed 9.5 percent

Porter County SEPT ’10

SEPT ’11

CHANGE

Labor force

80,940

80,865

75

Employed

74,348

74,737

389

Unemployed

6,592

6,128

464

Percent of workforce unemployed 7.6 percent

SEPT ’11

CHANGE

Labor force

50,835

50,089

746

Employed

45,351

45,262

89

Unemployed

5,484

4,827

657

Percent of workforce unemployed 9.6 percent

Cook County SEPT ’10

SEPT ’11

Labor force

2,600,168

2,609,818

Employed

2,345,246

2,339,493

5,753

254,922

270,325

15,403

Unemployed

CHANGE

9650

Percent of workforce unemployed 10.4 percent

Will County SEPT ’10

SEPT ’11

CHANGE

Labor force

364,690

365,438

Employed

331,177

330,364

813

Unemployed

33,513

35,074

1,561

748

9000 Indianapolis Blvd., has been named one of the top 25 partners selling Open Systems software products for the year ending Aug. 31.

Open Systems recognized its top resellers for outstanding sales performance and commitment to their clients during the 2011 Open Systems Partners in Profit Conference recently. Open Systems Inc. is a provider of business, accounting, customer relationship management and e-business software solutions.

For more information, call (219) 972–1500. BY TIMES STAFF MERGER

LaPorte County SEPT ’10

HIGHLAND | Meador Stratton LLP,

Percent of workforce unemployed 9.6 percent

Sources: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Illinois Department of Employment Security

Fitness centers alter names, set up mutual memberships TWO FRANCISCAN ALLIANCE health and wellness facilities now have reciprocal memberships and new names.

Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville and Duneland Health and Fitness Institute in Chesterton are now Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness Chesterton and Schererville.

“We have regionalized our wellness centers to create growth and efficiency in their staffing, facilities and programs,” Sharon Sporman, executive director for wellness centers for the system’s northern Indiana region, said in a statement.

“Schererville members now have access to Chesterton and vice versa.”

Gene Diamond, CEO of the Franciscan Alliance’s northern Indiana region, called the certifications “a milestone” and applauded the merger.

BY TIMES STAFF

SPRING 2012 | 9

BizWorthy SALUTE

People who are climbing the professional ladder Attorney Monica J. Conrad, of Hodges & Davis P.C. in Merrillville, presented, “Ensuring Evaluations and IEPs are Legally Defensible Under Article 7,” at the 25th Annual Fall Conference of the Indiana Association of School CONRAD Psychologists in Indianapolis.

RailCats owner and CEO Patrick Salvi, managing equity partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in Chicago, earned the Career Achievement Award from the Law Bulletin’s Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter Awards for SALVI Trial Lawyer Excellence.

Edward Jones financial adviser Tim O’Brien, of Hobart, received the A.F. McKenzie Achievement Award for his business building skills and client services.

Kathern Nuzzo, of Crown Point, recently rejoined Via NUZZO Marketing in Merrillville as an account executive.

Trooper Chris Campione, of Lake County, has been reclassified to the position of detective. He will work from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post.

John Lynam, DO, has joined Lakeshore Urology, with CAMPIONE offices in Valparaiso, Portage, Knox and Plymouth.

John Freyek, vice president and senior relationship manager at Citizens Financial Bank, has been re-elected to serve a third term as president of the Board of Directors of Jacob’s EMAUS Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center Inc. for 2012.

Kris Emaus, manager of training and development for NIPSCO, has been named to the regional board of trustees for Ivy Tech Community College Northwest for the 2011 - 2014 term.

10 | IN BUSINESS

EMPLOYMENT

Hoosier hot jobs RANK

HOT JOB

SALARY

EDUCATION

1

Computer Software Engineer

$72,268

Bachelor’s Degree

2

Management Analyst

$66,691

Bachelor’s or higher degree, plus work experience

3

Physician and Surgeon

$166,400

First professional degree

4

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst

$61,292

Bachelor’s degree

5

Registered Nurse

$56,393

Associate degree

6

Construction Laborer

$36,739

Moderate on-the-job training

7

Construction Supervisor

$57,377

Work experience in a related occupation

8

Industrial Engineer

$69,087

Bachelor’s degree

9

Counselor

$41,249

Bachelor’s degree

10

Accountant

$55,909

Bachelor’s degree

SOURCE: Indiana Department of Workforce Development

RELOCATION

Captioning firm locating at Purdue Research Park in Merrillville THE FOUNDER and president of a captioning services company said her firm has moved to the Purdue Research Park in Merrillville.

Kathy Cortopassi said Voice to Print Captioning LLC, which has been in business since 2000, provides transcription of spoken language to text either remotely or in person.

She previously owned C&S Reporting, a court reporting agency with offices in Chicago and Hammond, but closed the business to work on her current venture.

Cortopassi said her firm will begin

court reporting services in October.

Voice to Print Captioning has two employees; she said she plans to add one more next month.

Voice to Print serves corporations, government entities, nonprofit organizations and broadcast producers and others, according to a news release from the Purdue Research Park.

Cortopassi said she’s hoping to grow the business through potential acquisitions of other firms and her goal is to have a presence in every major Indiana metropolitan market.

BY BOWDEYA TWEH, THE TIMES

EXPANSION

Plant sprouts in Crete CRETE | Universal Steel America is celebrating the grand opening of its new greenfield plate processing facility formerly located in Gary.

The company, which first opened facilities in Gary and Houston in 2001, processes heavy carbon and alloy steel plate for the energy, mining, heavy construction equipment, infrastructure, oil, gas and wind power industries.

The new 85,000-square-foot plant includes the latest technology processing machinery for supplying high-definition steel plate parts to Midwestern industrial users.

The facility’s 35 employees have been relocated from a leased site on Industrial Highway near Gary/Chicago International Airport.

“We wanted to own and build our own

facility so we could expand and grow, but didn’t want to move too far from Gary because most of our employees live in that area,” said Greg Shunk, president of Universal Steel America Chicago. “Crete afforded us a green field opportunity without having our employees travel too far. And the village was very receptive to our coming.”

The plant, which buys steel plate from domestic and foreign sources, opened in April and is in a tax increment financing district and will receive TIF benefits from the village for 10 years.

Crete Village President Michael Einhorn said the village is very pleased to have the industrial development come to his community.

“It’s a big plus to the area,” Einhorn said.

“It brings jobs as well as development so its presence here is very important to our

future. I think it will be a great addition to the landscape of the village.”

The plant’s 15–acre site at 225 W. Burville Road gives the company the ability to add more than 200,000 square feet of space for future expansion, Shunk said.

“We have same size facility in Houston that employs 54, so we expect to grow to 50 to 55 workers in our new facility, and we have plenty of room to expand as we grow our business,” he said.

The ISO–certified company’s focus is on processing plate and adding value, which currently comprises 80 percent of its sales, Shunk said.

Universal Steel America is a one of almost 200 German and international subsidiaries of Salzgitter AG, which is based in Salzgitter, Germany. BY ANDREA HOLECEK, TIMES CORRESPONDENT

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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

BizWorthy SALUTE

TOP 25

Promoting local business: People who are climbing the professional ladder

Highland company recognized by business software maker

Betanda Schalsky joined Diversified Marketing Strategies, Inc. in Crown Point as a sales representative.

Debra Rasala was named Top Selling Agent of October at Century 21 Alliance Group of Valparaiso.

Gregg Calpino has joined Short Elliott Hendrickson of Indiana’s Munster office as regional practice center leader and senior landscape architect. Eric Keith joined SEH as a community development and funding specialist. Nick Minich, who specializes in civil design for residential, commercial and industrial development, also joined SEH. Dr. Ann K. Williams, who practices ophthalmology at the Williams Eye Institute in Hammond, was honored with the 2011 Catherine McAuley Clinic Gratitude Award.

The Horseshoe Casino has promoted Erin Chamberlin to vice president and assistant general manager, Sarah Opperman, of R.B. Smith Co. Inc. in Valparaiso, enrolled in and completed all three degree levels of AdminU Challenge.

The following local residents have become independent consultants with Tastefully Simple Inc.: Kelli Price, of Chesterton; Amanda St Clair, of Crown Point; Michelle Robinson, of Hebron; Katie Thomason, of Hobart; Mary Tomko, of Merrillville; Jennifer McComas, of Portage; Carlee

12 | IN BUSINESS

SCHALASKY

RASALA

CALPINO

MINICH

WILLIAMS

Kobitz, of Valparaiso; Sherri Kowal, of Valparaiso; Joanne Stengel, of St. John; and Maryann Spigolon, of Schererville. Nancy Houston, of Schererville, is now a team manager. Megan Witherspoon, of Valparaiso, is now a team leader.

Lia sophia has recognized Joann Keck, of Griffith, as a monthly achiever.

Local residents earned top honors for the company’s Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers: Kelli Yates, of Crown Point; Tiffany Tamraz, of Crown Point; Kimberly Vlcek, of Griffith; Tiffany Hoskins, of Hammond; Sarah Rearick, of Hobart; Kim Olson, of Valparaiso; and Myra Dominguez, of Hobart.

The Indiana Historical Society will present its Hubert Hawkins History Award to Jane WalshBrown of Chesterton.

Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Sarah Grcich of Porter Health System, recently won an award for her display at the Nursing Management Congress 2011, titled “Quality Improvement Intervention Results in 54% Reduction of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers.”

Kelly Shikany, a Certified Financial Planner professional and an associate financial advisor with Vogelsang Asset Management LLC in Valparaiso, took part in the second annual Financial Planning Day sponsored by the Financial Planner Association.

HIGHLAND | Meador Stratton LLP,

9000 Indianapolis Blvd., has been named one of the Top 25 partners selling Open Systems software products for the year ending Aug. 31.

Open Systems recognized its top resellers for outstanding sales performance and commitment to their clients during the 2011 Open Systems Partners in Profit Conference recently. Open Systems Inc. is a provider of business, accounting, customer relationship management and e-business software solutions.

For more information, call (219) 972–1500. BY TIMES STAFF PROMOTED

Masonry industry business appoints a new president BURNS HARBOR | Mortar Net USA

Ltd. has named Gary R. Johnson as president. Johnson succeeds founder Tom Sourlis, who continues as chairman of the board and the company’s principal inventor.

Mortar Net, 326 Melton Road, is a producer of moisture management solutions for the masonry industry.

For more information, call (800) 664–6638, visit www.mortarnet. com or email info@mortarnet.com.

BY TIMES STAFF COMPANY PRIDE

Munster Dairy Queen earns corporate award MUNSTER | The Dairy Queen/Orange

Julius restaurant, 830 Ridge Road, recently received a Pride Award from the company for achieving a high level of cleanliness and food safety.

For more information, call (219) 836-8003. BY TIMES STAFF

WELCOME TO THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Hallof

FAME

The Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame honors five distinguished local leaders who have made an indelible mark on the Region. Thanks to all of our nominators and the panel of judges, including former honorees, which helped make these awards possible.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

The Class of 2012

Milford Christenson • Wil Davis • Linda Woloshansky • Tom Gryzbek • Steve Pangere

to SHARE MILFORD CHRISTENSON LIVES UP TO HIS NAME

STORY BY ANDREA HOLECEK

M

ilford Christenson claims he’s not a philanthropist, but many others would disagree.

Christenson, president of Highland–based Christenson Chevrolet, is well-known for his generosity to the Griffith school, its foundation and sports teams; to Indiana University, Purdue and Purdue University Calumet; and to local churches and civic organizations, as well as local, state and national charities.

“I give away $50,000 to $100,000 a year,” said Christenson, who owns the almost 60–year–old Highland dealership with his son and brother. “I give to those who do good and help them do more good.

“I learned to share at an early age,” he said. “I learned to be generous by having a proper childhood. No one had very much, but no one was on relief because we helped one another and that just carried on.”

As a child growing up during the Great Depression, Christenson and his brothers, Roy and Dale, worked at their father Warner’s hardware and furniture stores, construction business and coal–delivery business. After completing high school, Milford Christenson went Indiana University.

“When I went to college, my mother told me not to get a job because it was the time

14 | IN BUSINESS

to study,” he said. “I got by on $500 my first year. I spent 70 cents a day for food, $2.50 a week for my room, and 5 cents for Coke or a Pepsi every other week. I never bought a shirt with IU on it because it cost too much. I lived very tight. I don’t need a lot of money to live on. That allows me to share.”

During his high school years, Christenson was a member of the basketball team and a student manager of its football team. He wanted the same gridiron job at IU, and vigorously pursued the position.

“In the spring of ’41 I would go over and watch team practice,” he said. “One day I asked one of the student managers how to get a job like his. He said, ‘Who’s your sponsor?’ A week later I asked another student manager and he asked me what fraternity I belonged to. Then I understood it was the fraternities and sororities that controlled things there.”

Not giving up, Christenson asked one of

For your information NAME: Milford Christianson AGE: 89 TOWN: Highland TITLE: President COMPANY: Christianson Chevrolet ACHIEVEMENTS: Member of the Griffith Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign War Post 9982 and American Legion Post 66, Griffith Board of Education, finance chairman of the Griffith Education Board, the Indiana University Alumni Association, IU football team’s 12th Man Club, former board member of its Varsity Club

the coaches for the position.

“He put me on,” he said. “He told me he had a lot of student managers – all fraternity boys – but they never did anything.”

During his senior year when World War II was at its height, Christenson was drafted. He was sent to Europe as a member of General Patton’s Third Army, and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He served as a radio operator and earned a Bronze Star for his service.

When Christenson returned home in December 1945, he decided not to return to IU for the spring semester.

“I wanted to be there for the football season,” he said. “I waited until fall to finish so I could be a student manager. I graduated IU in its Class of 1947.”

Christianson’s experiences with IU’s football team are a big factor in his life–long devotion to the school and to its football program.

“To this day I’m close to the team,” he said. “I go to all the home games and to one away game a year. I travel with them.”

Christenson is a proud member of IU’s Alumni Association and was a member of its Varsity Club Board for 10 years. Through his generosity, his dealership has supplied the university’s athletic department with an automobile annually.

In the 1970s, he was made a member of the team’s 12th Man Club after he made a large donation to help the university remodel the football stadium dressing

rooms, “I have a football jersey with my name on the back and the number 12,” Christenson said. “I wear it to all the games.”

After receiving bachelor degrees in cost accounting and industrial management, Christenson rejoined the family businesses.

In 1949, he married Margaret, his college sweetheart. She taught in the Griffith schools for 10 years before their children were born.

Son Dean Christenson is the dealership general manager. His sister, Dana Long, is a staff lawyer for the Indiana Department of Education.

In 1951, the Christiansons bought a Chevrolet dealership in Griffith and began liquidating their other holdings. Twelve years later the dealership moved to a new building, which is its current location on

as a 25-year member of the town’s volunteer fire department, and 47-year member of the Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign War Post 9982 and American Legion Post 66.

He also served on the Griffith Board of Education for 15 years. During those years, the Christianson’s came to know Robert Kurtz, former superintendent of the Griffith Public Schools.

“I’ve known him since I was principal at Franklin School in 1964,” Kurtz said. “He came on the school board a year later. He’s always there for you. He’s been very good for Griffith and the Griffith Public Schools.”

Christenson has been on the Griffith Educational Foundation Board, serving as chairman of its finance committee since the organization’s inception in the early 1980s.

“When something comes up, I talk to Milford and he helps invest the money,” Kurtz said. “We have a program of giving educational grants to teachers. ... Since the foundation was founded, it’s given 950 grants totaling $383,000. He was a gigantic part of that.”

Christenson also contributed almost a third of the funds the school system needed to raise in order to assure that its sixth grade students would have access to the Challenger Learning Center at Purdue Calumet.

“Milford has been a big part of Griffith for a long time,” Kurtz said. “He’s very free with his time and very generous. He does a wonderful job with everything he gets involved in.”

For many years, Christenson also was on Indianapolis Boulevard. the Board of Directors for the First Bank of In 2001 Christenson Chevrolet was named Indiana Dealer of The Year by Time Whiting, which is now Centier Bank.

His financial expertise has been Magazine. And out of 87 dealerships in the instrumental in giving him the ability make Chicago/Northwest Indiana zone, it was substantial donations. listed No. 3 or 4 for the last six or seven In January 1966, Christenson years, Christenson said.

The country’s recent recession has made incorporated a life insurance company in Arizona, and later bought a second one. He it tough for car dealerships, he said. remains president of the Canyon State Life “Our dealership’s survived because Insurance Co, and the Coast Life Insurance we have good employees and we treat our customers right,” Christenson said. “I don’t Co., which both sell short–term life insurance to the dealership’s customers who go on vacation two or three months to take out a loan to buy a car. The insurance is Florida every year.

“Weekdays I’m here from 8 to 8 and from in force for the duration of the loan.

“The dividends from the companies give 8 to 6 on Saturdays,” he said. “I get tired, but I want to keep this dealership open. It’s me the cash flow to contribute to non-forprofits, which is why I have to live forever,” been tough at times, but you got to keep he said. “I’ll retire when I die. I’ll die in this plugging away.” office.”

Christenson has served his community

GARY JET CENTER OWNER/ OPERATOR REACHES FOR THE SKY

A

STORY BY ANDREA HOLECEK

little more than 20 years ago, Wil Davis saw Gary and its airport as an opportunity that was his for the taking.

“I came to an airport that wasn’t being served well, and I served it,” said Davis, owner/operator of the Gary Jet Center and a member of the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2012. “A lot of people would shy away from Gary, I didn’t. I saw opportunity and I took it. It was a good move.”

A native of Brooklyn and a product of its city’s schools, Davis began his flying career when he entered naval flight training shortly after graduating from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

He received his wings in January 1968 and served on active duty in the Navy during the Vietnam War, flying more than 450 missions as a Huey helicopter gunship pilot in support of the Navy Seals. He also served on an aircraft carrier based in the

Flying

high

h

Mediterranean and as a flight instructor flying the A–4 Skyhawk aircraft in Meridian, Miss.

After leaving active duty with the rank of captain, Davis joined the Naval Reserves in 1975. He stayed in the reserves until 1987 when he completed his naval career as the commanding officer of a DC–9 squadron based at Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, Ill. Davis, who has often has called Gary’s airport the region’s “best kept secret,” first saw the airport while serving at the Glenview base. He often flew over the Gary airport while on his way to and from the air station just north of Chicago border and wondered why there was no activity on the airport’s runway.

He finally visited the Gary facility in the spring of 1989.

“I walked in and I could not believe that here was this magnificent unused terminal, and I was the only one standing in the middle of it,” he said two decades ago. “I was in awe.”

A year later, Davis, his wife, Jean, and two partners purchased Direct Air, a small regional airline, and moved its base of operations from Fort Wayne to Gary. The airline originally provided passenger air service between Gary and Pittsburgh and then added several other cities.

In 1991, the partners in Direct Air also bought what was then called the “Millionaire Chicago,” the fixed–base operation at the Gary airport and renamed it the Gary Jet Center. The Davises, who lived in and raised their two daughters in Bluffton, Ind., subsequently moved to the Miller Beach section of Gary.

When Direct Air’s operations were moved to Chicago’s Midway Airport, Davis left the company to concentrate on operating the Gary Jet Center. The following year, the Davises bought out their Jet Center partners.

“It was the right decision,” Davis said.

Direct Air ceased all operations shortly after its move to the Chicago airport, while the Gary Jet Center “has grown and thrived,” he said.

“I never expected to work out as well as it has,” Davis said.

Employment as the center has grown to 48 from 10 during his tenure and its operation include managing 10 jet aircraft

For your information

military exterior, but he’s got a heart of gold.”

AGE: 69 And Davis exhibits a lot of that heart TOWN: The Miller Beach section through his work with the John Will of Gary Anderson Boys & Girls Club of Northwest TITLE: Owner/operator Indiana, where he formerly served as its treasurer and as its board chairman. He COMPANY: Gary Jet Center currently serves on the club’s board of ACHIEVEMENTS: Member of directors. the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Indiana, the “I got involved because I thought it organization’s former treasurer and made a lot of sense in this community,” chairman of its executive board Davis said. “These children don’t necessarily come from the kind of homes that support after-school activities.

Through the Boys & Girls Club, we get on a charter certificate with worldwide them involved in a lot of programs that operational approval. Both Davis’ Jet show them what’s available. It’s a way to Center’s Repair Station and the Boeing change the cycle. And I know it has good Executive Flight Operations center, results. And it’s an organization that has a which operates a fleet of seven aircraft farther reach than others.” from the facility, hold a Federal Aviation Currently, Davis is on the club’s Administration maintenance repair station Tolleston Capital Campaign Committee, certificate. which is working to raise the millions The Gary Jet Center also handles 24/7 of dollars needed to rebuild the former operations for all of the fueling and cargo Tolleston Middle School recently bought handling requirements at airport. by the club. The building will be the Pat Lee, Davis’ friend, neighbor and new home of the Boys & Girls Club of a former business associate, said Davis’ Gary and also house the organization’s knowledge of the aviation industry has administration offices, as possibly a been one of the keys to his success. community center.

“We built a new house on the beach in “We’re pretty well along the way,” Davis Miller 11 years ago, a year later the Davises said. moved in next door,” said Lee, owner of Although Jean Davis retired from the Lee Construction Management LLC. “We business a decade ago, the jet center got to know each other and became good remains a family enterprise. Lynn Eplawy, friends.”

Lee and another neighbor, who Lee calls one of the Davis’ two daughters, serves as her father’s managing partner. Their a “financial expert,” partnered with Davis on the $6 million Gary Jet Center West other daughter, Barbara Kompare, is a hangar project. veterinarian.

“It was a pretty gutsy move to invest in The Davises have two grandchildren, the hangar,” Lee said. “It was a $6 million a condo in Chicago where their two investment in a struggling airport. But daughters and two grandchildren live, and his understanding of the general aviation “a pretty good life,” 69–year–old Wil Davis industry and corporate aircraft were said. behind his decision. Once we heard Wil’s But Davis has no plans to retire. analysis and the demand for hangar space, Last July, Davis took on a new venture, we were on board.” buying out a failing business that When the hangar was completed in specialized in removing parts from obsolete May 2008, it was immediately full, said aircraft and scrapping the remains.

Lee, who along with Davis and their other “Work keeps me going,” he said. partner made a substantial monetary And when Davis was asked whether he contribution to the project. is planning to take on more challenges, he “We did it because of our faith in Wil wouldn’t rule out that possibility. and on his success,” Lee said. “He’s the “The Jet Center’s had a pretty good year best friend you could ever have, His word and doing well,” Davis said. “My plate’s is his bond. He projects a pretty tough pretty full right now, but you never know.”

NAME: Wil Davis

SPRING 2012 | 17

Paving PATHWAYS

for the region’s future

WOLOSHANSKY IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIVES IN NORTHWEST INDIANA, ENSURING A BETTER WORKFORCE FOR TOMORROW tremendously. I realized if these women had the training to get a job how their lives would change so radically and their children would benefit.”

Woloshansky, an East Chicago native, knew a skilled, good–paying job offered a person a chance to be financially independent, raise children out of poverty, participate in our economy and become productive citizens.

Her mission since then has been to serve local business, industry, labor, community organizations and educational systems by creating a highly skilled and readily available workforce critical to the success of the economy.

university ambassador and wrote a weekly newspaper column.

“Early in my life, I could see how work inda Woloshansky’s impacted the lives of people and how it destiny of helping others was so important as a value,” she says. “I was sealed when she first realized if I had the opportunity to help stepped into the homes people find their niche in the world of and lives of those on work, I could improve their quality of life.” public assistance.

Woloshansky, of Ogden Dunes, has She had been raised been a CEO of four companies in the in a blue–collar, working–class, “Ozzie private sector, school systems, the State of and Harriet” family. Her dad was a welder Indiana, and nonprofits in many different who never missed a day of work. Her capacities. stay–at–home mom cooked daily, sewed As president and CEO of the Kankakee all her clothes and arranged for piano and Valley Workforce Development Services for baton twirling lessons. nearly 17 years, she focused on training and When Woloshansky graduated from job placement and development.

Indiana University, she knew the steel mills She developed several award-winning weren’t her niche, so she took a job with a ALWAYS INVOLVED programs with investments exceeding $200 social service agency.

Throughout her Andrean High School million. She is a certified Six Hats trainer, “It gave me the opportunity to solidify and college career, she always was in the my values,” says the president and CEO of middle of a cause and launching initiatives. School–to–Work Specialist, Certified Training Consultant and has taught at state The Center of Workforce Innovations. “I She started a race relations council, was a universities and economic development saw a whole different world when I stepped institutes throughout the country. into these homes and heard their stories.

“I grew up with the idea that if you “They lived in tiny, tiny places with make a commitment, you follow through numerous children and heated their homes For your information on it,” says Woloshansky. “You go to work with their stoves. I was so shocked because NAME: Linda Woloshansky every day and do the best job you can that was not the environment I came from.

HOMETOWN: Ogden Dunes every day. That built the framework for my “I saw people who were really trying to TITLE: President and CEO values and thinking.” make a difference in their lives and what COMPANY: The Center of Workforce She is on Centier Bank’s Board of a difficult time they had. I knew if I could Innovations, Valparaiso Directors and has been past chairman for give them a hand, it would help them STORY BY LOUISA MURZYN

L

18 | IN BUSINESS

ACHIEVEMENTS: Her career has focused on improving the educational attainment, workforce viability, and economic development of Northwest Indiana.

public education as I am right now.

“I have said for 30 years it’s our education system.” Woloshansky says. “If we can create a pipeline of students leaving high school and college, the employers will have who they need for their job. The students will have the skills they need and the ability to learn so they can progress in their lives.”

Woloshansky says the value of education was instilled by her father decades ago. “He said no one could ever take your education away from you. He said that all the time and it stuck with me.”

RIPPLE EFFECT Woloshansky’s mantra is that persistence and determination will overcome anything.

“You can set yourself apart from other people by working hard,” she says.

“You have to have a focus and goal and then execute it. When you put your mind to something and do it well, you will get recognized and have a sense of achievement you really did accomplish something.”

She says her secret to success is having a supportive family and being attentive to what’s happening around her and incorporating what she sees.

“Helping others is my motivation and that means making sure I’m running a good organization,” she says. “If we’re doing the work we need to do, it’s going to have a ripple effect on everything–on every body we touch and every organization we work The Alliance involved four community the Northwest Indiana Forum, Valparaiso with.” foundations from Lake, Porter and Economic Development Corporation, and Bob Bernth, the Center of Workforce LaPorte counties. The funding was used Porter County Community Foundation.

Innovations board chairman, says for early childhood development, helping elementary students read at grade level and Woloshansky is a master at maximizing IMPROVING LIVES the power of greater connections, better readiness for the workplace.

Woloshansky has been involved with the business and a stronger community.

Porter County Community Foundation “She is dedicated and committed to for more than a decade. “That’s in my AN EDUCATIONAL PIPELINE seeing that the region – not just one county heart and it’s a way of giving back–that’s A decade into the 21st century, or one city – as a whole progresses both important to me,” she says.

Woloshansky is helping the Region meet economically and educationally,” he says.

Barbara Young, president of the its obligation of preparing young adults in “Her devotion to this is one of her Foundation, says Woloshansky has a educational attainment as well as the skills outstanding skills. She is a person who is passion for education and a focus on best and work ethic needed on the job. driven to see Northwest Indiana become practices. “She sees how you can’t operate Woloshansky is impressed by region diverse and exceptional. She’s always in a silo – that you have to be involved in educators who are preparing children thinking ahead and has this desire and the bigger community,” says Young. with a foundation of citizenship, career dedication to see that the economy is Woloshansky was the founding development and lifelong learning. They thriving. administrator of The Discovery Alliance in are reassessing some of the tools they use “She understands we are in a global Portage, which was a $15 million dollar Lilly to insure readiness for college and careers. marketplace, the issues we face and she Endowment-funded initiative to improve “Our kindergarten through 12 school educational attainment from 2000 to systems are on fire,” she says. “I have never has this great desire to see that education 2004. It later received another $2 million. been more enthused about our potential for meets those challenges.”

FRANCISCAN ST. MARGARET HEALTH PRESIDENT AFFECTS COMMUNITY AS DEACON, LAWYER STORY BY LESLY BAILEY

W

A

pathof

hile Tom Gryzbek may have diverged from his original plan to become a priest, he has found his own ways to serve as a hospital administrator, lawyer and deacon.

“I was in the seminary system at the Chicago Archdiocese,” he says. “As people began leaving, the pendulum began to swing in the direction that you could date if you were so inclined.”

Gryzbek realized he wanted to keep the option of marriage open, so took his life in a different direction and went on to earn a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Illinois in 1974. He eventually married Marilyn and has two children, Joe and Mary.

It was right out of college that Gryzbek began his long career with the Franciscan Alliance. He joined the former St. Margaret Hospital as suggestion plan manager after graduation. “When I applied, I had no knowledge of health care and it intimidated me,” he says. “But out of all of my interviews, the place that seemed most attractive to me was St. Margaret.”

Gryzbek actually had applied for an administrator position, not fully understanding the scope of the role. “They smiled at me when I came in,” he says.

“I ended up with an entry–level position starting at the bottom of the

service

organization and what was remarkable was some years later they gave me that position ( I had originally applied for).”

Gryzbek worked his way through various leadership roles at the hospital, including progressively responsible positions in safety, security and risk management and a vice presidency and senior vice presidency in legal and support services. In 1993, he became executive vice president and chief operating officer of Saint Margaret Mercy and in February 2004, he was appointed to his current position as president of Franciscan St. Margaret Health in Dyer and Hammond.

“I am very honored to work alongside very good people and the Sisters who operate an organization that took someone with no talent and gave him every opportunity to develop beyond his expectations and make contributions right out of college,” Gryzbek says. “It is a very nurturing organization.”

With the assistance of Franciscan’s continuing education program, he earned a master of science in business administration at Indiana University Northwest in Gary in 1978 and a juris doctor from DePaul College of Law in Chicago in 1983.

“With my humble beginnings, I didn’t have the financial wherewithal to go beyond the bachelor level. I wanted a master’s in business to promote myself within the organization that I fell in love with,” he says. “It was through the Sisters’ generosity that I was able to get where I am today.

“I decided to go to law school as there weren’t a lot of specialized health care attorneys at that time. It was a niche not capitalized on back in the ’70s and ’80s. I was on the front wave of that work.”

Gryzbek was in private practice for a while, but decided to concentrate on corporate law and working to ensure the hospital is in compliance.

“The health care industry is the most regulated in the U.S. There are constantly regulations being passed regarding reimbursement, quality and safety,” he says. “I want to make sure the hospital is a good corporate citizen and make sure we are doing everything according to law.”

Gene Diamond, CEO of the Northern Indiana Region of Franciscan Alliance, has seen first–hand how Gryzbek has grown

in the 20 years since Diamond joined the network in 1991.

“As time has gone on, he has become a very remarkable leader. Much of this proceeds from his deeply held Catholic beliefs,” Diamond says. “For example, he is responsible for creating the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors Program that protects vulnerable, ill and dying patients who have no relatives in their distress. It protects them and their legal options in terms of their health care treatment. Tom conceived the idea, educated folks about it and pursued attorneys and judges to support it.”

The Volunteer Advocates’ mission includes serving the health care, social service and legal protection needs of incapacitated seniors who are inpatients in the Lake County health care system, are without sufficient support from family members or significant others to make health care decisions or address their daily living needs, are in need of support services from a limited guardian and are in need of intervention through the Lake County Superior Courts.

Gryzbek saw the need for such a program as the population continues to age.

“We needed to find a way to allow someone to step into the shoes of these individuals who was acknowledged by the state and courts. We want to treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve,” he says. Franciscan St. Margaret Health’s program currently has

For your information NAME: Tom Gryzbek AGE: 60 TOWN: Dyer TITLE: President COMPANY: Franciscan St. Margaret Health in Hammond and Dyer ACHIEVEMENTS: Long career at Franciscan St. Margaret Health, holding various leadership positions; Gary Diocese deacon at St. Andrew Parish in Merrillville, working with prison ministry and as diaconate director for post ordination; law career focusing on health care industry; development of Volunteer Advocates for Seniors Program at St. Margaret Health, which led to the creation of Indiana’s Volunteer Advocates for Seniors law; American Health Lawyers Association member; Chicago Legal Clinic board member; St. Joseph School in Dyer board member; and senior arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau

125 volunteers and has prompted interest across the state and nation. It is being expanded in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Marion counties and it also led to the creation of Indiana’s Volunteer Advocates for Seniors law, which took effect in 2004.

Gryzbek also has served the community as a Gary Diocese deacon at St. Andrew Parish in Merrillville, an avenue he followed in the 1990s after deciding not to remain at the seminary as a young adult.

“I had a calling to participate in some way beyond what I was doing. I wanted something deeper. As I wasn’t to be a priest, maybe I was supposed to become a deacon,” he said.

He has the opportunity to help with Bible study, Baptism prep classes, Masses, spiritual programs and retreats. As diaconate director for post ordination, he assists newly ordained deacons during their first few years of service.

As a deacon, he also meets with inmates as part of the prison ministry at the Westville Correctional Facility and he hopes to expand the program at the Lake County Jail.

“I find it very rewarding to visit prisoners and hold liturgical services with them. They are extremely appreciative of these contacts as I help them continue to right themselves to re–enter society,” he says. “They come across wanting to turn their lives around and get closer to God. It’s a process that touches you probably more than it touches them.”

Gryzbek believes the Sisters, hospital staff and Diamond have all helped him follow his path of service as well as his wife and kids, who have exhibited patience and selflessness over the years.

“God calls us to step away from ourselves selflessly. Those of us who have the privilege of helping those in need are unattended beneficiaries of His graces and it moves us more than those we are helping,” he says. “That I am able to work with very good and hard–working people ... you stand in the shadows of their successes and their glory splashes on you.”

“He is quite a committed and devoted guy. His commitment to service is kind of a hallmark of his personality,” Diamond says. “He is respected by his peers and the broader community. His efforts and accomplishments have a long–lasting impact here and will continue to do so.”

SPRING 2012 | 21

The

powerof

FAMILY

THE PANGERE CORP. PRESIDENT AND CEO FINDS STRENGTH IN PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL TIES after he graduated from Purdue University in Lafayette with an industrial management ot only is family at the degree.

“In 1972, I joined the company and core of The Pangere worked with my father. When I graduated Corp., but it also serves as an inspiration from college, I didn’t think that I would work at the business. My father never to President and CEO Steve Pangere, who has pushed me. All he said was ‘Can you come in and help for a little while?’” Pangere faced the challenges says. “It lasted two days that I came in with of progressive vision loss from Rod–Cone a sports coat and tie. After that, I was in Dystrophy.

In its third generation of ownership, the the paint shop in overalls working side by side with the painters. It really taught me Gary–based company has followed a path about the business and what we did and of growth and development from its roots in industrial painting at the mills to today’s also gave me respect for the people who full–service contracting company. Pangere work for the company. I was very intrigued by the type of work and the people. It was services include general construction, steel erection and repair, commercial and industrial painting, remodeling and renovation, metal roofing and siding, and conventional roofing through Culver For your information Roofing Inc., a company also owned by the NAME: Steve N. Pangere Pangere Family.

AGE: 61 “My grandfather (John T. Pangere) came TOWN: Crown Point here from Greece in 1905 and founded The TITLE: President and CEO Pangere Corp. in Gary,” Pangere says. “In 1945, my father (Nicholas J. Pangere) joined COMPANIES: The Pangere Corp. and Culver Roofing Inc., both in Gary the business after he earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of ACHIEVEMENTS: Active supporter of The Chicago Lighthouse for People Illinois and served two years with the Army Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Corps of Engineers.” and the establishment of the Pangere Pangere was exposed to the business Center for Inherited Retinal Diseases; past member of the board of during his high school years. He actually directors of SS. Constantine & Helen had interviews set up at other companies Greek Orthodox Cathedral; member

STORY BY LESLY BAILEY

N

22 | IN BUSINESS

of the American Red Cross Clara Barton Society

fascinating to me.”

Pangere learned many lessons in those early years, as he worked various jobs within the company and later directed the Painting Group. He took on more responsibility as the company grew, becoming president and CEO in 1994.

“The ’70s and ’80s were challenging decades for the steel industry, as well as for us, since the majority of our work was performed in the mills,” Pangere says.

“Things started to change in 1985 as a lot of opportunities opened up for us. We expanded our work into the commercial market. We also developed other business models, which we operate separately and together – that makes us unique and competitive.”

Painting Group manager Bruce Wright, who also started with the company after college, has watched the company flourish under Pangere’s leadership. He has known the Pangere Family since 1965.

“The company is what he is. Through the years, it is basically his vision to take the company and do more things for the people in our area. While a lot of companies have pulled up their roots and moved to other places, we have stayed in Gary. He feels it’s where we started and it’s where we’re going stay,” Wright says. “One of the things that has amazed me is he never seems to tire and he is always pushing forward. He has an open–door policy. He

wants to be involved and know what is going on.”

Georgiann Pangere, who has been married to Steve since 1977, believes his early years with the company have influenced his leadership style.

“Steve worked in the field and learned, first–hand, what this corporation did before he began his administrative work.

His experiences helped him understand the company’s culture and what it needs to continue and grow,” she says. “It is the combination of his experiences and his evident passion for his work and his family’s history that helps him in effective leadership.”

Steve Pangere feels the family atmosphere is an integral aspect of the company’s success. “We have established a corporate culture that is second to none.

We work hard together, laugh together, and sometimes cry together. I believe in the old

adage of leading by example. ‘Managers do things right, leaders do the right things,’” he says. “We have very little turnover. A great number of my employees have worked for the company for many years. I believe that is a reflection on my leadership.”

He looks to move the company into a fourth generation through his sons, Nick and Tony. Nick works for the company part-time while attending college. After receiving a degree in finance, Tony joined the company in 2009. He currently is a project manager.

“I guess I am following the same footsteps as my father. I am telling my sons, ‘Here’s an opportunity, if you want it, take it. I will stay as long as you want or need me to,’” he says. “You have to enjoy and be interested in what you are doing. My mother died when I was 7 years old. My father (who died in 1998) continued to raise the three of us. My father had a tremendous

positive impact on my life. He taught me that failure was not an option.”

Pangere has found strength in his family and employees as he has confronted the challenges of his disability, which has left him with only some sight today. His twin brother, Ross, also has limited vision from the dystrophy, and his older brother, John, is blind. “As time went on and the vision loss progressed, independent mobility became more difficult. I then took a training course in the utilization of a cane.

Shortly thereafter, I decided the best thing to do would be to get a dog guide,” Pangere says.

He met his guide dog, Hope, at The Seeing Eye Dog Guide School in Morristown, N.J. During his training, he had the opportunity to spend a month with others who are blind or visually impaired.

“Through them, I learned that you can be more disabled by your attitude than by your vision loss,” he says. “Hope guides me in the right direction in so many ways. She has given me a great deal of independence.”

Pangere’s challenges have influenced his community involvement, which includes his family’s support of The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired and the newly established Pangere Center for Inherited Retinal Diseases. The Center is led by Dr. Gerald Fishman, a world–renowned ophthalmologist and researcher, whom Pangere has known for more than 40 years.

“I would like to improve the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired through advocacy, education, technology and programs that encourage independence and self–confidence. One of my challenges as an advocate is to help sighted people rid themselves of false assumptions and learn to feel at ease with people who are blind,” he says.

“We hope to help The Chicago Lighthouse open a low–vision clinic, as well as a facility that showcases adaptive technology devices (such as a talking computer, watch and currency identifier).”

Pangere and his wife also are reaching out to those who are visually impaired and blind through speaking engagements.

“I hope Steve continues his speaking engagements to encourage others with visual and physical disabilities,” Georgiann says. “I believe his experiences will bring hope and incentive to others to have faith that success can be achieved.”

Congratulations to

on his induction into the

Northwest Indiana BusINess & Industry Hall of Fame with sincere appreciation for your commitment to and positive influence on the construction industry and the community from the Employees of The Pangere Corporation and Culver Roofing, Inc.

at a luncheon honoring the Class of 2012 for their substantial contributions to business and industry.

The Business and Industry Hall of Fame opens its doors to local leaders who have made an indelible mark on the region.

Milford Christenson Wil Davis Tom Gryzbek Steve Pangere Linda Woloshansky

March 9

BANK OF THE YEAR

11:30 a.m. luncheon Star Plaza Hotel, Merrillville

Regional Development Company

BEST BANK FOR BUSINESS Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly

THIRD-PARTY LENDER OF THE YEAR

Limited seating available.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by visiting nwi.com/halloffame Reserved corporate tables of 10 available, please call Katie at (219) 933-4199.

U.S. Small Business Administration Indiana District

Corporate Sponsors:

The Bank of Choice for Indiana Business 1-888-Centier • Centier.com

Member FDIC

Local biotech company hopes save lives by focusing on microscopic cancer cells

Takinga

closer

look

STORY BY LOUISA MURZYN

Health care is dying for innovation and IVDiagnostics has no shortage of game–changing ideas to transform medicine and save lives. • “My wife has survived for 22 years with three bouts of cancer, and she is my personal inspiration,” says Valparaiso resident and IVDiagnostics CEO Frank Szczepanski. • “If you believe in the current paradigm of using an imaging test to determine if you have a solid tumor, in our opinion, that’s too late.

Wouldn’t you rather find the cancer when it’s microscopic?” >>

SPRING 2012 | 25

IV

Diagnostics was formed to develop, test and market more effective diagnostic tools for rare circulating tumor cells (CTC), which find their way to a distant organ to start new cancer growth. CTCs are considered among the major causes for mortality among cancer patients, Szczepanski says.

With this company’s technology, doctors will be able to perform a real–time diagnosis of a patient’s CTCs without drawing blood.

The company’s cofounders are Frank’s brother, Tom, of East Chicago, and Wei He, who is a doctor of analytical chemistry and the team’s lead scientist. “Our No. 1 goal is to save lives,” Frank Szczepanski says.

What’s inside IVDiagnostics is Szczepanski’s ninth start– up company. Several years ago, he met Wei He who suggested a tactic of “in vivo,” or monitoring blood inside the body. Cells of two to 10 microns can be detected.

About 25 percent of the body’s blood can be optically scanned in 30 minutes.

The absence of needles is a benefit cancer patients are enthusiastic about, Szczepanski said.

The test, referred to as a liquid biopsy, also is more accurate and sensitive than surgical biopsies. “Once this gets to market there won’t be a single doctor who won’t want this for a patient,” Szczepanski said.

Repeated needle sticks common in intravenous disease treatment causes problems such as hardening of the arteries, bruising and even missed chemotherapy if clinicians can’t draw blood on any given day.

The test also doesn’t require administering toxic substances into the body such as radioactive materials used in some forms of images. “They have to light you up so they can diagnose and those isotopes stay in the body,” he said.

Innovation in medicine The company also is developing a molecular test for pancreatic cancer, one of the hardest for early detection, which identifies mutations in DNA or deficiencies in certain proteins.

That test could be available in one year 26 | IN BUSINESS

Co-founders Tom Szczepanski, left, Wei He and Frank Szczepanski, stand in IVDiagnostics in Valparaiso.

and also could be used as a susceptibility test. “Steve Jobs’ family should have this test because they are undoubted carrying the mutation,” he says. “It’s just a matter of who has it. It’s scary because mutations can skip generations. If it skips you, good for you, but your children may end up getting it.”

Szczepanski says in the future both testing devices will handheld and wireless.

“You can imagine the possibilities,” he says.

Patients could take the device with them so they could be monitored at home and wouldn’t have to wait for routine consultations or follow–up visits.

IVDiagnostics’ general target is metastatic cancer such as breast, lung, prostate, melanoma and ovarian. The company is doing live tissue sample testing now and with proper funding the entire portfolio of tests could be available within three years.

get where they’ve gotten. It takes passion, experience, innovation and patience to do work in biomedicine.”

In Indiana, fund investments steadily fell from $14.6 million in 2007–08 to just Slow burn sustainability $6.6 million in 2009–10. “That is the legacy It takes awhile for many young firms to of this recession – not one or two missed generate cash and survival depends on having an adequate supply of cash on hand companies, but a changed capital market,” said David Johnson, president and CEO of to meet expenses.

The company was originally self–funded BioCrossroads, a statewide life sciences organization. and in a three–year period received more Private venture capital invested in life than $1.5 million in seed capital from two rounds of friends and family funding. It also sciences within Indiana, from 2002–10 was received $400,000 in federal funding from $277 million. the National Institutes of Health and the Some of the partners are not taking a salary, but Szczepanski said the company is National Cancer Institute. good at managing its burn rate.

IVDiagnostics was recently named The Revolutionary Technology Company of Burn rate refers to the rate at which a company uses up its supply of cash over the Year by the Indiana Small Business time and tells investors whether a company Development Center. “The time it takes to is self-sustaining. Companies with high do the research and development before cash burn rates can turn an investment a product can be marketed is hugely into ashes. important,” says Bill Gregory, of the Many other biotechnology firms have a Northwest Indiana SBDC. burn rate of about $2 million per year, he “You have to be able to raise all sorts said. IVDiagnostics’ rate is 25 percent of of additional revenue and capital and find that or roughly $500,000 annually. skilled people. They’ve had to do a lot to

TONY V. MARTIN PHOTOS

“We have many people on our team that are sacrificing and taking equity instead of cash,” said Szczepanski. “But we can do that for only so long.”

Looking for angels The next major round of financing hopes to secure $3 million to $5 million from angel group or venture capitalists to cover the cost of clinical trials and additional research and development.

IVDiagnostics is poised for exponential growth because of the known demand for its testing. A single community hospital has anywhere from 500 to 1,000 new cancer patients yearly and each patient could need monitoring up to five times annually.

Within five years, the company could generate $100 million in revenues. The anticipated cost to patients for the test would be $400 to $800 compared to $5,000 to $8,000 for a CAT scan.

Monitoring patients five times a year with IVDiagnostics technology compared to twice a year for an imaging test would result in annual savings of $12,000 to $15,000 per patient annually.

Worldwide, $300 billion is spent on cancer diagnosis and the United States market alone spends $124 billion. “If we can save half that amount because of better molecular medicine, the savings to the health care industry are huge,” Szczepanski says.

Restructuring Indiana’s economy Szczepanski is a leading entrepreneur who has been involved in nine startups in the last 20 years. He looks to the future and considers himself a successful technologist.

“Unless you have the vision, inspiration and perseverance to do something new, you’re not an entrepreneur,” he said.

“Everyone in our company shares a commonality that this is a noble cause.”

Indiana’s position as a life science leader is clear and has long been thought of as the one of the state’s bright economic spots.

It has weathered the recession well but tighter capital markets threaten to starve the risky process of medical innovation.

That challenge is predicted to be permanently harder although the industry

is still producing jobs.

The Indiana Business Research Center reported life science industry employment grew 2.9 percent between 2001 and 2007 compared to 0.2 percent for total employment and a loss of 1.9 percent for manufacturing.

According to BioCrossroads, total employment in life sciences in Indiana has held steady at around 50,000 jobs since 2007. In 2010, there were 854 establishments generating $4.3 billion in wages. The average Indiana life sciences wage was $86,537 which is more than twice the state’s average wage.

The value of Indiana’s life science exports totaled $9.0 billion in 2010, up from $5.0 billion in 2006.

Szczepanski sees the life sciences as the changing face of Indiana’s economy – from a steelmaker in a hard hat and farmer on a tractor to a scientist in a white lab coat with a microscope.

The most important factors for success is an experienced and educated workforce.

The Hoosier state is a major generator of life science graduates, so it has labor pool and an industry that can fight the brain drain of college graduates.

Szczepanski’s vision for Northwest Indiana is for the university and medical communities to collaborate and form a center for advanced cancer research to accelerate molecular medicine.

“We’re looking at a new form of manufacturing,” he says. “The footprint for Northwest Indiana can change its focus on steelmaking and agriculture to nano particle production and biomedical equipment which brings a higher level of jobs. It can be a motivator in our state for a different economic force to switch from raw materials processing to biotech.”

FOR YOUR INFORMATION NAME: IVDiagnostics, Inc. TYPE OF BUSINESS: Biomedical WHEN FOUNDED: February 2008 ADDRESS: 880 Eastport Centre Drive, Valparaiso PHONE: (219)840-0007 FOUNDERS: Frank and Tom Szczepanski, Wei He NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Seven EMAIL: Info@ivdiagnostics.com WEBSITE: www.ivdiagnostics.com

SPRING 2012 | 27

Portage Mayor James Snyder, left, stands with John Shepherd, the city’s economic adviser.

TONY V. MARTIN | THE TIMES

28 | IN BUSINESS

NO GROWING PAINS STORY BY ANDREA HOLECEK ‌

PORTAGE HAS BECOME A VISIBLE GEM Sprouting from the sands along the lake shore, Portage approaches its 45th anniversary as the third-largest city in Northwest Indiana. • “We didn’t exist before 1960, and we became a city in 1968,” said Mayor James Snyder, who took office Jan. 1. “We’re now the largest city in Porter County and the third-largest between Chicago and South Bend after Gary and Hammond.” 

Right: Tim Healy, general manager of the AmeriPlex business park in Portage, stands at the site of a new building going up at AmeriPlex.

TONY V. MARTIN THE TIMES

Far right: The Portage Lakefront Park at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

JONATHAN MIANO THE TIMES

W

ith a population of about 38,000 residents and an annual household income of $49,979, Portage has taken advantage of its location on Interstate 94, its access to rail, its deep–water port and its large local workforce.

“Nothing happens without location,” said John Shepherd, the city’s economic development adviser. “But location alone isn’t enough.”

Mayor Snyder agrees, and says his administration plans to take whatever steps necessary to guarantee the maturing city continues to flourish.

“We have done several things already,” he said, just week after taking office. “We’re getting the city budget under control and making sure we run the city as efficiently as possible.”

The city’s budget was on the verge of running a multi–million dollar deficit, but going in the red isn’t an option, Snyder said.

“A sound fiscal budget helps with

30 | IN BUSINESS

economic development,” he said.

Thermostats in city buildings are being set lower, city cars are being driven less, and a workforce wellness program will be instituted to reign in mounting health care costs.

“They’re small steps, but they add up,” Snyder said.

The city also is becoming friendlier to potential and current businesses, he said.

To that end, Snyder said one of his first mayoral acts was to have signs at City Hall reserving parking spots for city officials removed and replaced with signs reserving them for visitors.

“When a business comes to see us here, they’ll find parking space available,” he said.

“I plan to present a plan on being more business-friendly.

Shepherd, who has been with the community since it was “a sand dune,” said the city’s leadership always has been instrumental in the community’s development.

In the past, the city has played a major role in bringing electric and natural gas utilities to the area north of U.S. 20 and under I–94. It also has helped to bring wastewater treatment to the Port of Indiana and to the 385–acre parcel that has become AmeriPlex, as well as helping to develop the city downtown and residential areas, he said.

“It’s wouldn’t have happened without grants obtained by the city,” Shepherd said.

PROMOTING A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT Former Mayor Olga Velazquez, who left office at the end of 2011, said she and the city worked closely with the Northwest Indiana Forum to promote the city’s business–friendly environment to potential businesses.

“In the past four years, I had a great working relationship with the council and Portage Redevelopment Commission to promote incentives, tax abatements and financial incentives through our TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district,” Velazquez said. “I worked closely with Indiana Economic Development Corp., the state agency that can offer incentives.”

As an example of the benefits of mutual cooperation and TIF districts, she points to Fronius USA’s decision to move its U.S. headquarters to the city. One of the factors in the Austrian corporation’s decision was the City Council’s approval of the expansion of the Southport Tax Increment Financing District to include personal property taxes in the district solely for the Fronius property.

The solar inverter producer’s move from Michigan to Portage is expected to create 512

business park,” said Tim Healy, AmeriPlex’s general manager since its inception. “It’s very visible and had low tax rates, proximity to Port of Indiana, a large work force. We looked for available sites with the best characteristics. It has a lot of advantages from a developer’s standpoint, and good soil and good cooperation with local government.”

And AmeriPlex still is growing.

“We still aren’t fully developed,” Healy said. “We have 50 acres of industrial property left to develop and 60 acres of retail/commercial space. We are looking to do another spec, multi–tenant flex industrial building. ... We believe there is some pent–up demand for an additional 60,000 to 150,000 square foot of space.”

A NATURAL ADVANTAGE

jobs by 2016. One of Velazquez’s other major initiatives, the revitalization of the city’s downtown, currently remains under way.

When it opens this spring, the $6 million, 32,000–square–foot building housing college–level classes offered by Ivy Tech, Purdue University North Central, Indiana University Northwest and Valparaiso University will be a major tenant of the area.

The building also may house Workforce One offices, bringing together students and potential employers. Additionally, Velazquez said her administration concentrated on infrastructure improvements during her tenure, including enhancing operations at its wastewater treatment plant, thus increasing its capacity in order to handle additional service to potential businesses.

“There’s been lots of growth, commercial as well as residential growth,” she said. “In ’08 we slow downed as you’ve seen across the country. From 2000 there were about an average of 250 housing starts. It started falling in 2007, so in ’08 my administration started to concentrate on infrastructure and roads for when the economy rebounds.”

AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT The city has three distinct areas of development: the downtown, the I–94 corridor on the city’s north side, and the

south side.

Mayor Snyder says the city’s three development areas should be marketed separately and currently is developing a plan with that focus.

Much of the city’s large retail businesses are located in the U.S. 6 corridor, including the Super Kmart being shuttered by its parent, Sears Holding Corp.

Kmart’s closing, however, is creating space that will be occupied by a new Meijer store. The big–box retailer is expected to increase the site’s number of workers to more than 200 from 80.

On the north side, AmeriPlex at the Port stands out as one of the city’s outstanding developments.

The 12–year–old park, which is easily seen by those driving along I–94, is a mixed–use development that is home to 20 buildings totaling 2,479,424 square feet representing $148.5 million in new construction, according to its owner, Holladay Corp.

Currently, 43 companies and more than 2,000 employees work at a variety of business there including Bass Pro Shops, Quaker Steak & Lube, Country Inn & Suites, Texas Longhorn Steakhouse, Egg on Your Face, Deli in Your Belly, Family Express and others.

“We felt this was the best location for a

Portage has another advantage: the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

“We plan to market our beaches,” said A.J. Monroe, the city’s Director of Public Works. “It’s been named as one of the top five in the country. We want people to understand that Portage offers that wonderful amenity.”

The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore opened in October 2008 to become the newest area of the national lakeshore available for visitors. Formerly used by a steel corporation as settling ponds for industrial byproduct and a sewage treatment facility, the project has been called “a successful model of brownfield reclamation between public and private groups.”

The land, buildings, and facilities at the site are owned by the National Park Service and operated in partnership with the city of Portage.

“There are plans to add amenities,” Monroe said. “We’re working closely with the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and our new application will produce a lot of economic development return on investment.”

Snyder, Shepherd and Monroe all agreed there’s going to be much more development coming to their city.

“When we talk about this you realize there’s so much that’s going on,” Monroe said. “Population growth has slowed in the past few years. ... But we expect our growth will continue in relationship to the economy.”

SPRING 2012 | 31

chips

PUTTING THEIR ON THE TABLE

Indiana casinos fight a slow economy, competition from neighboring states STORY BY LU ANN FRANKLIN

T

he economy may pose as much of a threat to Indiana casinos as opportunities available in neighboring Midwest states, say gaming experts.

That double–whammy seems to be reflected in the 5.5 percent drop or $65.87 million decline in Northwest Indiana casino revenues for 2011 compared with 2010.

In December, for example, the five Northwest Indiana boats realized their first year–over–year monthly revenue increase in eight months, with overall revenue increasing 3.2 percent, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission. In all, casino revenues increased in only three months of 2011 and were down in the other nine.

“The biggest threat to Indiana casinos is non–industry related. It’s the economy,” says Indiana Gaming Insight Publisher Ed Feigenbaum.

“If you don’t have enough money to pay the mortgage, you’re not going to spend money on entertainment,” Feigenbaum says. “Six to 10 years ago, people made decisions like whether to go to a Bulls or a Bears game. Now it can be a choice between putting food on the table and paying the 32 | IN BUSINESS

mortgage.”

Majestic Star Casino Manager Larry Buck agrees.

“The threats to Majestic Star Casino are primarily rooted in our continuing slow economy,” Buck says.

The economy continues to have an effect on everyone, not just casinos, says Ameristar Assistant General Manager Matt Schuffert.

“Therefore, like everyone else, we look for opportunities that will allow us to continue operating our business at its highest efficiency,” he says.

In addition, Schuffert says, Ameristar focuses on its “commitment to provide our guests with the games, outstanding service and overall gaming experience that they have consistently told us they want.”

What customers have said they want are slot machines, and that’s been a focus for the East Chicago casino, he says. Making certain potential customers know Ameristar casino and hotel are open for business despite the Cline Avenue bridge closure two years ago has also helped the operation stay afloat.

“For us in particular, continuous improvement still remains a core business value for Ameristar and we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the gaming experience for our guests,” Schuffert says.

“Based on our guest feedback,

we continue to offer new, hot and multiplier slots on our casino floor and make it easily identifiable for them to find the games that they want to play. In addition, our team members consistently deliver superior service and remain focused on ensuring a positive experience for our guests during every visit,” he says.

This approach of concentrating on the basics of business helped Ameristar realize some success in 2011 despite the struggling economy, according to Schuffert.

Ameristar Casino was the only boat in Northwest Indiana to realize an increase in revenues in 2011. The casino grossed $245.1 million for the year, as compared to $244.8 million in 2010. That’s almost a 1 percent increase, according to Indiana Gaming Commission revenue reports.

Horseshoe Casino also heavily promotes its penny slot machines to attract customers who want the gaming experience but don’t have a lot of discretionary cash. The Hammond casino added 700 new penny slots to bring its total to 1,500 penny machines.

Promotions such as January’s “31 Days of Pennies Celebration” rewarded guests for playing these slot machines at Horseshoe with top prizes including trips to Las Vegas for one penny and a grand prize of $3,100 to go on that trip.

New promotional programs and the advertising to get the word out began paying dividends in December, says Horseshoe General Manager Dan Nita.

That was the only month in 2011 when revenues at Horseshoe increased on a year–over–year basis.

Majestic Star’s Buck says casino marketers “try to provide the best products and services at the best prices.”

According to Feigenbaum, how much competition exists from casinos in neighboring states remains to be seen. So far, it seems only a small part of the overall Indiana decline, he says.

“In Michigan, there’s not a lot coming. The Pokagon Tribe is expanding, which is inevitable,” the publisher says. “But most casinos don’t have the amenities of Horseshoe, such as The Venue that brings in big–name entertainment.”

New casinos in Ohio that are slated to open this year may be another story, Feigenbaum says.

Also in late December, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced his expectation that a “simple” constitutional amendment allowing casinos at horse tracks would be introduced soon in the Ohio Senate.

The Democratic governor is working with Senate Republicans on the gambling amendment, which polls show 87 percent of Kentucky residents favor.

Kentucky is losing hundreds of millions of dollars to neighboring states that allow casino gambling, Beshear has said.

These moves in Ohio and Kentucky “will probably drive changes in the casino industry in Indiana as the state is shoring up all 13 properties,” Feigbenbaum says.

Nita attributes the overall drop in revenues at Northwest Indiana’s five boats in 2011 to new gaming opportunities across state borders, in particular the new Rivers Casino, in Des Plaines, Ill. “It’s just due to the additional competition,” Nita says. “The pie is only so big.”

Feigenbaum says the real threat would be a casino in the Chicagoland south suburbs, which is “at least two years away”.

A land–based casino in Gary is also years away from becoming a reality, he says.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman–Wilson revealed a four–year plan for her

administration in January and placed the development of a land–based casino in 2014.

Recently, Freeman–Wilson said Gary officials will wait until 2013 to concentrate on land–based casino legislation in the Indiana General Assembly as part of a comprehensive “global” economic development bill that would include support for Gary/ Chicago International Airport, an intermodal cargo port and a teaching hospital with a trauma center.

State Sen. Earline Rogers, D–Gary, introduced a land–based casino bill in the Indiana Senate on Jan. 9, co–authored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R–Valparaiso; Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D–East Chicago; and Sen. Luke Kenley, D–Noblesville, who is also the head of the appropriations committee.

The digest of Senate Bill 0385 says the legislation “Permits a licensed owner who operates a riverboat in Gary to submit to the gaming commission a plan for the construction of an inland casino. Provides that not more than one riverboat gambling operation may be relocated. Makes conforming changes. Removes obsolete provisions concerning the original riverboat licensing process.”

According to Freeman–Wilson, Kenley has told her this bill won’t come up for a committee hearing in the current short session of the General Assembly, which must end by March 14.

Rogers has responded that while she understands what the mayor and Kenley are saying, she will pursue the opportunity if the bill comes up for a vote.

Whatever the outcome in this legislative session, Buck says, “Majestic will continue to work with our elected officials and pursue landbased gaming.

Land-based casinos can be built more economically than floating casinos and most importantly it would be more attractive to our

customers.”

Feigenbaum says economic concerns must be addressed even if legislation passes the General Assembly.

“The owners would have to find financing,” he says. “It would be a $500 million investment and it takes time to build it.”

Schuffert says “it is really too early to speculate” about land–based casino legislation.”

Ameristar “will continue to take ‘a wait and see’ approach regarding this potential legislation,” he says.

“It is important to note however, that gaming markets are extremely sensitive and any regulatory change could significantly alter that market.

With that being said, our company has made a number of significant investments including a current $6.2 million hotel renovation based on casinos being in their current location,” Schuffert says.

“From a state perspective, it is our hope that we will be able to continue operating in a stable business environment with favorable regulations that allow us to not only compete, but to also succeed.”

Caregiver Deborah McCann from Home Helpers helps sort the mail with client Helen Seaman.

“

It needs to be about their

QualityofLife”

An aging population creates a need for specialized care for seniors Seamen says.

AARP estimates 7,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day. As the population ages and elen Seaman has something faces associated health concerns, coupled with the steadily increased cost of nursing anyone with Parkinson’s home care, there is a growing need for home disease shouldn’t live health care services that enabling senior without: a companion. citizens to stay comfortably in their own This companion environment. It is a quality of life issue, local helps her in her daily home health caregivers say. Most of these struggles – organizing her medications, light housekeeping and taking services were started because their owners her on errands and to doctor appointments. through personal experience saw a need that wasn’t being filled. All report substantial Seamen, 85, of Dyer, is a client of Home business growth.

Helpers of Schererville.

Tammy and Bill Spearson started Home “I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have them,” Seamen says. “They make Helpers of Schererville in 2010.

“Our motivation was caring for Tammy’s sure I get to my appointments; I don’t have mother who had cancer for 13 years,” Bill to worry about imposing on my friends.”

Spearson says. “Then Tammy’s father was Seamen said she enjoys the break in the diagnosed with lung cancer.” routine and the companion’s eagerness to Being the primary caretakers for help with anything she needs.

“The service helps keep me in my home,” Tammy’s aging grandmother, mother and

STORY BY DIANE POULTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

H

34 | IN BUSINESS

father while working two hard-hitting jobs, the couple didn’t know where to turn, Spearson says.

“It was a roller coaster ride. You want to be there for your family; it taxes you emotionally and physically.”

Home Helpers provides nonmedical daily living home care and companion care.

“If clients like to bake, the companions will help them, Spearson says.

“One caregiver, who is 82, is teaching an 84–year–old client to play the piano; I have never done anything Owner Bill Spearman of in my life that Home Helpers.

has meant so much to so many people. Our services give the elderly the opportunity to stay at home at about half the cost of nursing facilities.”

Spearson says of his 27 trained employees, 90 percent are Certified Nursing Assistants and the rest are companions.

Home Helpers provides a host of personal emergency response equipment including a fall sensor, which summons help if a person is unconscious and also has a button the patient can push to speak to a person. Care watches provide global positioning tracking systems. Automatic medication dispensers have sound and light alarms, which are activated when the patient fails to take their medication at the proper time and a call center is alerted. If the patient cannot be reached, emergency contacts are called.

Tammy Spearson is a Hospice of the Calumet Area volunteer and a Certified Senior Advisor, providing free advice on Veteran’s benefits, Medicare and Medicaid.

Spearson estimates business, which covers Lake, Jasper, Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, has increased tenfold since the first six months of operation.

A growing need

Patricia Hayes quit her job in physician reimbursement to take care of her aging parents. During the four years she helped them full-time, Hayes saw a growing need for specialized care for seniors.

“I would sit at the Veteran’s Administration Clinic with my dad and see people coming in who shouldn’t be driving but had nobody to bring them in,” Hayes says.

After her father died, Hayes, who has an MBA, obtained a degree in gerontology and was certified as a geriatric care manager.

On March 17, 2011, her late father Tony’s birthday, Hayes opened her Crown Pointbased business, Hayes Helping Hearts.

Hayes’ company has two separate divisions. The first, geriatric care management, helps families find needed legal and financial aid resources through links on the company website.

The second division provides trained certified nonmedical caregivers who help with daily living activities and transportation and serve as companions.

“It needs to be about their quality of life,” Hayes says. “Their generation was frugal. They saved; they worked their whole lives. Most of them have pension and Social

Security income, but that can quickly diminish.”

Hayes says her business, which has seven employees and covers Lake and Porter counties, has doubled in the past year.

First-hand experience

Owner Gina Kelly she started her business, ComForcare of Valparaiso, two years ago. It has 30 employees and covers Porter, LaPorte and part of Lake County.

“My father has Alzheimer’s disease and I experienced first-hand the struggles people were going through,” Kelly says. “With the population growing, people living longer and the baby boomers aging, there was a big need to be filled.”

Kelly says business has more than doubled.

ComForcare assists with daily living activities, medication reminders, safety supervision, family respite care, transportation/errands, chore services and light housekeeping both at home and at assisted living facilities.

“It is most satisfying to know that we can keep people in their homes longer through their last stages of life, making them more comfortable in their own surroundings,” Kelly says.

Kelly said she enjoys meeting and helping family members.

“Many children today live out of town because of their jobs,” Kelly says. “We give them the security of knowing their parents are being taken care of and we keep them informed.”

ComForcare has a 10–step requirement process for employees, which includes testing, professional and personal references, background checks, drug testing, orientation and training. Additional training includes the topics of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, COPD, congestive heart failure, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and a program for fraud prevention.

ComForcare provides transitional care from hospital to home and the company partners with skilled care facilities and the Visiting Nurses Association. All employees are insured and the majority of caregivers are certified nursing assistants or home health aids.

A one-stop shop

Michele Weathreford–Towle is Regional Director of Marketing Services for Total Home Health Services and Complete Home

Health of Illinois The companies serve Cook, DuPage, Will and Kankakee counties in Illinois and Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Marshall, Michele Weathreford–Towle Starke, St. of Total Home Health Joseph and Services and Complete Home Elkhart Health of Illinois. counties in Indiana with 150 employees. It provides skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapists, medical social workers, home health aides and private duty services.

Founding board member of both companies, Stan Sroka, is a physical therapist by trade. For 18 years, Sroka worked in nursing homes and home health services.

Sroka decided to venture into home health care after noticing that patients had improved in rehabilitation only to decline after a month at home. Sroka says home help in rehabilitation was lacking in Northwest Indiana. He says both the service areas and client base has increased significantly since the companies were established in 2005. He expects further growth when new Medicare regulations take effect in March.

“If a patient is admitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged, with the same diagnosis the hospital does not get paid for the second stay,” Sroka says.

“We keep people in their setting; we provide the medical care.” Sroka says. “We believe that quality prevails. We believe that the industry is on strong footing and will emerge stronger after health care reform takes full force.”

Sroka says the best part of his business is patient satisfaction. Many of their clients are repeat business or word of mouth referrals.

Sroka said his companies follow strict Medicare guidelines for providing services to home bound patients.

“From a clinical perspective, we are truly a one-stop shop,” Weatherford–Towle says. “When people come home from the hospital they don’t have to worry about their supplies or medications. We follow them from the moment they get home.”

SPRING 2012 | 35

My Turn

The bottom line on encouraging customers to use less of your product

N

BY KARL STANLEY

NIPSCO Vice President of Commercial Operations

36 | IN BUSINESS

IPSCO has put the pedal to the floor in the last four years with the launch of several new customer programs – quickly going from zero to more than a dozen offerings that make it easy for businesses, schools, nonprofits, residents and other customers to save energy and money.

Yet, a question I am often asked is, “Why would any company promote ways for customers to use less of its product?”

Not many people recognize these counterintuitive program offerings provide a range of benefits to our customers and the company.

Giving our customers greater control over their energy consumption improves our customer relationships. By strengthening the local environment, we help retain and attract more people who want to live and work in this area. And, by contributing to local job and economic growth, we are able to help foster the long–term sustainability of strong and growing communities across northern Indiana.

Let’s dissect the first and most apparent benefit – improving customer service. Plain and simple, giving customers the tools to lower their bills equates to happier customers.

NIPSCO’s operational costs and revenue stream are embedded in the “delivery cost” portion of your bill, which is a relatively flat cost month–to–month, making up a minor percentage of overall bills during the winter months. Conversely, the gas commodity costs, typically accounting for the largest portion of a monthly bill, are a direct pass–through, with no mark–up by NIPSCO. So, any efforts to improve energy efficiency will help keep money in your pocket.

The second benefit – strengthening the local environment – is primarily the result of conserving the natural resources required to provide the energy we rely on each day. The reduction in carbon emissions associated with both the generation and ultimately the consumption of electricity pairs nicely with the ongoing investments we’ve made, and continue to make, to improve air and water quality.

But, the environmental benefits don’t end there.

Our appliance recycling program, for example, pays you $35 for your old, inefficient refrigerator or freezer.

We’ll haul it away for free and the parts for each unit are dismantled and recycled in an environmentally

conscious way. A compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb discount program is also available to give an incentive to customers to purchase CFL bulbs. These bulbs last longer, use less energy, and save you money in the long run. This translates into fewer bulbs in the trash and lower emissions from our power plants. Every little bit counts.

Contributing to new job creation and economic growth – the third benefit – can be both directly and indirectly attributed to the expansion and adoption of these programs. Each of these programs provides upstream benefits to the appliance manufacturing, engineering and new home construction sectors as older, less efficient appliances are replaced with new, more efficient ones. The availability of incentives to purchase and install these more efficient products and build more green homes and businesses continues to drive growth.

Additionally, each program has created new jobs that didn’t exist prior to their availability. As an example, the home energy audit program – which is now being offered statewide as part of a unique partnership with other utilities, the state, and other consumer groups – required the addition of trained energy inspectors to conduct the home audits and assess customers’ levels of energy efficiency. Pike Research forecasts that the home energy auditing business market will nearly triple in size, becoming a $23.4 billion industry by 2014, thus increasing the overall number of locally–based jobs.

Finally, these programs help our customers and the company, as the energy saved can be viewed as a low–cost resource alternative that can help defer the construction of a new power plant. While the expected growth in energy demand will ultimately require new energy resources, our energy efficiency programs can help lower this trajectory and slow the need to build.

The bottom line is that encouraging our customers to be more energy efficient will offer substantial benefits beyond the basic opportunity to lower your bill. And, while NIPSCO continues to explore new ways to help customers save, the existing programs have already demonstrated their ability to improve the environment, support economic growth and provide better customer service – three important business objectives at the top of our list.

New Futures

Training stays high on business essentials list for 2012

B

BY BILL THON

Executive Director Workforce and Economic Development, Ivy Tech Community College Northwest

y 2015, 60% of new jobs being created will require skills only held by 20% of the population, according to a report from the American Society for Training and Development.

It is a dilemma created by successful innovators and new technology. These innovators are creating industries, technology, processes and products not seen or used before that will shift the way in which you are currently doing business. So, if innovation continues does that mean in the next few years employers will experience a worker shortage? Where will our future employees come from if only 20% of the population will have the skill necessary to perform the jobs?

Brian Tracy, business expert and business coach says “No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.”

As an employer, in order to stay competitive using these new technologies and processes in your business you will need to either: • Hire new people who know or have the new skill sets or, • Begin training your current employees so they can adapt to the changes.

As we work with our manufacturing partners for education and training, we have seen a shift in the types of skills required for jobs in their industry. Many of them are requiring their new and current employees to have an associate degree in industrial maintenance and technology. There are many more industries and companies that are requiring associate degrees of new and current employees and are assisting with education dollars.

But don’t just think industrial or office when it comes to innovation and new processes. Other businesses may need to enhance their worker’s skills on new software for a variety of office applications, which also seems to be changing rapidly. Health care has seen a shift in creating and maintaining patient records.

Even at the college, our Foundation has discovered in order to stay abreast of donor and alumni records and information, it must employ new computer

technology that will assist with database management and its marketing efforts. Using social media for marketing isn’t an ahead-of-the-curve trend but a business necessity and if you don’t know how to employ it, you could get left behind.

That brings us to the idea that training needs to be ongoing. Change is coming rapidly in all segments.

Training and skill enhancement can take many forms – from degree programs to one- or two-day training sessions. Whatever form it takes employers need to encourage their employees to be prepared to shift or expand their skills and get accustomed to life-long learning. The result is increased company productivity.

As your staff becomes more productive they will fill orders faster and production errors are reduced.

Roberto Mangabiera Unger, a Harvard professor, said incorporating training in an industry not only helps the industry but also breaks the cycle of low skills, low productivity and low wages – which impacts our economy and competitiveness with other nations as well.

So, again training plays a major role in keeping your business and our region competitive and innovative.

As we say here at Ivy Tech, your employees are your greatest asset. Your company will not look the same over the next 10 years as technologies and processes change. That makes education and professional development training among the most critical investments you can make in your business for the new year and going forward.

Ivy Tech Corporate College has reached an agreement to offer the prestigious Disney Institute at various campuses of the community college and, potentially, at business locations in Northwest Indiana.

The Disney Institute programs will give Indiana businesses the opportunity to explore topics such as leadership, customer service and creativity - topics that are world-renowned in relation to the Disney brand. As the professional development arm of The Walt Disney Company, Disney Institute helps organizations from all industries benchmark these best practices and incorporate them into their own day-to-day business.

To learn more about the Disney Institute and see a full schedule of upcoming events, please visit www. disneyinstitute.com .

SPRING 2012 | 37

My Turn

Community banks, small businesses have similar goals

T

BY DAVID BOCHNOWSKI Chairman and CEO of Peoples Bank

38 | IN BUSINESS

he financial crisis not only created uncertainty for many small business owners and entrepreneurs, but also misconceptions about the availability of bank funds for business development and growth.

As a result, owners have taken a wait–and–see approach to expand their small businesses, hire additional staff, invest in new plant and equipment and borrow money until the economy improves.

Small business lending always has been a cornerstone of community banking. Peoples Bank business lending, for instance, focuses currently on owner–occupied commercial real estate, multi– family housing, asset–based loans/lines of credit and equipment loans.

And, contrary to some opinion, community banks have money to lend. Recent government reports indicate 40 percent of all small business lending is made by banks $1 billion or less in size. Community banks continued to make loans after many bigger banks withdrew or reduced lending activity at the height of the financial crisis.

With the economy showing signs of recovery, and when you consider that we have not seen interest rates this low in a very long time, now is a good time to sit down with your community banker and explore your financing options to start up or expand a business.

Typically, commercial loans help entrepreneurs purchase real estate and equipment, and provide them with working capital.

For a startup business, you will need to bring your financial history and a solid business plan that answers questions such as: “What will it cost to start your business and maintain cash flow month–to–month?”

“Who is your competition and how will you market your product or service?” The Small Business Development Center and some university–based programs help entrepreneurs complete the business plan.

Business owners looking to expand or acquire assets should be prepared to discuss with the banker recent business operations and provide financial information from the past three years. This includes balance sheet and profit and loss statements, current year financial information, personal tax returns and a personal financial statement.

The business owner should clearly understand how any debt incurred will affect the cash flow of

the business. If the expansion will affect revenue significantly in the next 12 months, a cash flow projection will be valuable for the business owner as well as the banker.

Relationship banking is at the core of community banking. Banks such as ours have deep roots in the community, local decision–making and know their customers and their business. As Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, says, “Banks whose headquarters and key decision makers are hundreds or thousands of miles away inevitably lack the in–depth local knowledge that community banks use to assess character and conditions when making credit decisions.

This advantage for community banks is fundamental to their effectiveness.”

We have some business customers who have had to reorganize their business model in order to remain steady during these challenging times and make tough choices that have impacted their bottom line.

However, they are now seeing an increase in business and an improvement in profitability and, because of their personal relationship with the bank, they are now seeking funds to expand.

Your banker can provide you with various financing options, which may include conventional bank–only financing or financing utilizing a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee. The SBA does not make direct loans to small businesses, but rather sets the guidelines for loans and partners with a certified SBA lender such as Peoples Bank.

SBA loans are available for startup businesses or for existing businesses looking to expand or diversify.

The 504 Loan Program, for example, provides favorable terms such as 90 percent financing up to a 20–year attractive fixed rate on a portion of the loan.

This loan is administered in conjunction with your local community banker and a certified development company such as the Regional Development Company located in Valparaiso.

Community banks recognize that small business helps drive the local economy, providing jobs and sparking growth. To this end, the goal of the community banker is similar to that of the business borrower – to see the small business owner succeed and grow. There’s never been a better time for the business owner to build a relationship with their community banker than now.

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Calendar MONDAYS MERRILLVILLE | The Referral

Organization of Indiana (ROI) Business Networking Group meets Mondays at A.J. Specialties, 1308 E. 85th Ave. Networking starts at 7:15 a.m.; meetings start at 7:30 a.m. For more information, contact Tony Schifino at (219) 736-0367 or John Vurpillat at 219-669-6804.

MERRILLVILLE | Toastmasters of Southlake Club meets from 7 to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at the University of Phoenix, 8401 Ohio Street. For more information, call Kim Kosmas at (219) 218-3877.

PORTAGE | The Northwest Indiana Professional Network meets from 8 to 10 a.m. Mondays at Portage Work One, Ameriplex Commercial Park, 1575 Adler Circle, Suite A. For more information, contact Sandra Alvarez at the Center of Workforce Innovations at (219) 462-2940 or salvarez@innovativeworkforce.com.

TUESDAYS HAMMOND | The Rotary Club of

Hammond meets from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays in the Student Union Library Building at Purdue Calumet, 2200 169th St. For more information, call (219)513-0549, or visit www.hammondrotary.org.

MERRILLVILLE | Southshore Business Networking, will meet from 8 to 9 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month Cafe Divine, 9000 Taft St. Call Rick Gosser at (219) 808-9888 or visit ‌www.southshorebusiness networking.com.

40 | IN BUSINESS

HIGHLAND | BNI, Business Network-

ing International will meet from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays at Harry’s Grill, 9400 Indianapolis Blvd. Contact Michael Pelz at (815) 370-2940.

WEDNESDAYS CROWN POINT | The Referral

SCHERERVILLE | A BNI (Business Networking International) business development group meets from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Holiday Inn Express, 1773 Fountain Park Drive. Call Michael Pelz at (815) 370-2940 for more information.

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Business League meets at 7 a.m.

Thursdays at the Round-the-Clock restaurant, 217 E. Lincolnway.

For more information, visit ‌www. portercounty.com.

VALPARAISO | The Referral Organization of Indiana (ROI) Business Networking Group meets at 8 a.m. Thursdays at Regional Federal Credit Union, 2801 Boilermaker Court (behind Menards). For more information contact Kealah Parkinson at (708) 955-5131.

Organization of Indiana (ROI) Business Networking Group meets Wednesdays at Fahrenheit 212, 10805 Broadway. Networking starts at 7:15 a.m.; meetings start at 7:30 a.m. For more information, visit ‌roinetworkinc.com.

MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville Chapter of BNI, Business Networking International, will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 Taft St. Contact Michael Pelz at (815) 370-2940.

VALPARAISO | BNI, Business Network International, meets from FRIDAYS 7 to 8:30 am at The Hampton Inn, 1451 Silhavy Road. For information HAMMOND | Free business call Beckie Guffin at (219) 462-2771. counseling services are available through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) from THURSDAYS 9 and 10 a.m. Fridays at the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, MERRILLVILLE | Merrillville 5246 Hohman Ave. If you are Breakfast Kiwanis meets from 7:15 starting a business, or having to 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at Petro’s Restaurant, 6190 Broadway Ave. For problems in business, call (219) 931-1000 for an appointment. more information, please contact Mary Jane DiMichele at (219) MERRILLVILLE | Northwest Indiana 934-6318 ext. 239 or visit www.

Networking Professionals meets MerrillvilleBreakfastKiwanis.com. at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at either Cafe Divine (Inside Living Hope Church, MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville 9000 Taft St.) or AJ Specialties (1308 Noon Kiwanis Club meets from noon to 1 p.m., Thursdays at Petro’s East 85th Ave.) Check the website for location, ‌nwinetworking.org/ Restaurant, 6190 Broadway Ave. For more information call Bruce events.php. Contact Carl Watroba Woods at (219) 794-1259 over visit at carl@compdrinc.com or (219) www.merrillvillenoonkiwanis.org.

776-7423 for more information.

We want to hear from you To read more calendar, visit n ‌ wi.com/business.

To include an item in the local business calendar, send event information, time, date, cost and location to business@nwitimes.com.

ISSUE YEAR | 3

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