BusINess Fall 2014

FALL 2014

20 40

ALSO INSIDE • NWI industrial market heats up • New attitude on master’s degrees COLUMNISTS • Jim Stanley • Joseph Ferrandino • Carly A. Brandenburg

UNDER PLUS ONE LEADER OF TOMORROW • Chris Campbell • Monica Flanagin Decker • Mackenna Dickt • Ellis Dumas III • Nick Lagina • Steven Lammers • Mario Minotti • Theresa Mudd • Jeff Myers • Dr. Rachel Niemi • Eric Newell • Randy Palmateer

• • • • • •

Brian Sheely Ryan Smiley Kathleen Szot Barry Tyler Jr. Rick Urschel Jillian Van Volkenburgh • Timothy VerSchure • Sherri Ziller and • Drake Abramson

• Steven  Lammers, Krieg DeVault LLP

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Contents BIZ WORTHY FALL 2014

6

Salute: Professionals on the move in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.

ALSO INSIDE

7

By the numbers: Get the latest employment numbers in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.

COVER STORY

8

20 Under 40: Chris Campbell, Monica Flanagin Decker, Mackenna Dickt, Ellis Dumas III, Nick Lagina, Steven Lammers, Mario Minotti, Theresa Mudd, Jeff Myers, Dr. Rachel Niemi, Eric Newell, Randy Palmateer, Brian Sheely, Ryan Smiley, Kathleen Szot, Barry Tyler Jr., Rick Urschel, Jillian Van Volkenburgh, Timothy VerSchure, Sherri Ziller and Drake Abramson

20 40

• NWI industrial market heats up • New attitude on master’s degrees COLUMNISTS • Jim Stanley • Joseph Ferrandino • Carly A. Brandenburg

UNDER

• Steven Lammers, Krieg DeVault LLP

PLUS ONE LEADER OF TOMORROW

• Chris Campbell • Monica Flanagin Decker • Mackenna Dickt • Ellis Dumas III • Nick Lagina • Steven Lammers • Mario Minotti • Theresa Mudd • Jeff Myers • Dr. Rachel Niemi • Eric Newell • Randy Palmateer

• • • • • •

Brian Sheely Ryan Smiley Kathleen Szot Barry Tyler Jr. Rick Urschel Jillian Van Volkenburgh • Timothy VerSchure • Sherri Ziller and • Drake Abramson

FEATURES

42

NWI industrial market heats up: After a slight setback this winter, Northwest Indiana’s industrial real estate market has surged back to its highest point in years.

COLUMNS

44 45

Jim Stanley, NIPSCO CEO

46

Carly A. Brandenburg, Partner, Eichhorn & Eichhorn LLP

CALENDAR

48 43

2 | IN BUSINESS

New attitude on MS degrees: There is no best answer when deciding what master’s degree is right for a student, but plenty of options exist in Northwest Indiana.

Joseph Ferrandino, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Northwest

Business calendar: Check out upcoming events in your area.

The Porter Regional Hospital Health At Work program provides a full suite of job-related medical services. Our goal is to help prevent and reduce workplace illnesses and injuries and to avoid lost-time accidents, and lower your healthcare-related expenditures. At Porter Regional Hospital, we know a healthy workforce contributes to a healthy bottom line. To learn why more employers are choosing Porter Regional Hospital’s Health At Work program, or to schedule a consult, call 219-263-7200.

• Workers’ compensation coordination • Occupational health services • Preventive health and wellness services • General health service coordination • Personalized health coaching with certified nurse health coaches

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Portage Clinic Open November 17 Portage Hospital 3630 Willowcreek Road, Portage

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Occupational Health and Corporate Wellness Porter Regional Hospital is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

Publisher’s Letter FALL 2014

Family, mentors support and sustain high-achievers

T

BY CHRISTOPHER T. WHITE Publisher, BusINess, The Times Media Co.

We want to hear from you Email pat.colander@nwi. com or write to BusINess Magazine, The Times, 601 W. 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321

4 | IN BUSINESS

here are common themes running through the stories of our 20 Under 40 honorees, one is the joy they take from watching others grow and thrive. Another is the willingness to credit others with inspiring and mentoring them, even though success has come so quickly. Consider some examples of the successful work that these relationships have produced: By leading the Power of Youth Council at the United Way of Porter County and the United Way Regional Volunteer Center including the Reading Buddies program, Mackenna Dickt sees first-hand the high degree of engagement of youth. “I love the younger generation. You don’t have to convince them to be involved,” she says.

Franciscan Alliance General Counsel Nick Lagina faces health care challenges head-on and reflects the Franciscan Sisters’ value of joy through service. Ever since “the first opportunity to see how the mission of a religious order can animate the people working within a system,” Lagina explains, “the impact on me was profound.”

Steven Lammers was inspired by mentors who saw him as genuine and caring, to become a litigation attorney. He still displays those traits in his life and work: “We adopted from birth our middle daughter, Elise, who has Down syndrome,” Lammers says. “We are passionate in that community.”

Mario Minotti’s grandfather’s dedication to finance and philanthropy has been passed down for generations. “Philanthropy was engrained in us and part of our lifestyle. We believe if you have it, you’re supposed to share it,” he says.

“I hope to make an impact by mentoring young people interested in aviation or entrepreneurship, and going out into the community to help with projects.” says Brian Sheely, who runs Epic Limo and Wings Aviation.

Beyond his work as assistant football coach at Hammond High School, Barry Tyler Jr. regularly volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, and through his job at Teach for America, he works to improve education in the community by helping match schools with teachers, and creating a network of educational resources.

Rick Urschel has been working at the family business since he was 6. Urschel is now president and CEO of the global manufacturing company based in Valparaiso, opening a new facility in Chesterton. “This is the largest project the company has ever undertaken in our 104-year history, and this will be the most important thing any of us will ever do for the company, since we are laying the groundwork for the next 100 years.”

Jillian Van Volkenburgh, director of education at South Shore Arts, supervises programs that serve 40,000 children and adults each year: “What I want to do is to inspire a different perspective on the way of looking at the world around them,” she says.

Diagnosed with epilepsy at 13, Drake Abramson founded ThinkBrave and the Betty J. Abramson scholarship program for students with health challenges. Now at age 16, the Thomas A. Edison Jr. /Sr. High School sophomore is on his way to achieving the goals and aspirations of the 20 Under 40 program, so we are presenting him with the Leader of Tomorrow award.

Though I am not able to mention all the winners in this limited space, I congratulate each one and hope they keep up the good work.

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 3

Publisher Christopher T. White General Manager and Vice President, Sales and Marketing Deb Anselm Editor Bob Heisse Associate Publisher/Editor Pat Colander Managing Editor Matt Saltanovitz Design Director Ben Cunningham Designer Deborah Hile Contributing Writers Lesly Bailey, Carly A. Brandenburg, Christine Bryant, Joseph Ferrandino, Louisa Murzyn, Joseph S. Pete, Diane Poulton, Carrie Rodovich, Jim Stanley Lead Photographer Tony V. Martin Director of Audience Development Kim Bowers Director of Digital Advertising Joe Battistoni Advertising Managers Craig Chism, Eric Horon BusINess Advisory Board David Bochnowski, Peoples Bank; Wil Davis, Gary Jet Center; Nick Meyer, NIPSCO; Barb Greene, Franciscan Alliance; Tom Gryzbek, Franciscan Alliance; William J. Lowe, Indiana University Northwest; Anna Rominger, Indiana University Northwest; Thomas J. Coley, Ivy Tech Community College; Susan Zlajic, ArcelorMittal Copyright, Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland BusINess, 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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BizWorthy SALUTE

Munster resident

Lori Nicklas

has joined Centier Bank as a director of mortgage sales of the loan Chicago originator Southland serving Convention Porter & Visitors PATCHIN NICKLAS County, Bureau, based out was recogof the 150 S. Lincolnway office in nized as an industry leader in Collaborate magazine’s “40 Under Valparaiso.

40.”

Megan Matusik, of Crown Edward J. Calderaro, of the St. Point, has joined HDW Commercial Interiors in John law firm Sachs & Hess P.C., Merrillville as a project designer. has been named to the Indiana Rising Stars list as one of the Ryan Carlson has joined the top up-and-coming lawyers for new Cedar Creek Health Campus, Indiana for 2014. opening in Lowell in the summer, Mary Patchin,

as the executive director.

Keith Evans is now

associate producer at local independent production EVANS company Digital Lizard Productions LLC. Dan Wilburn, and independent LPL financial adviser at R.B. Smith Co. Inc. in Valparaiso, was recognized as a top financial adviser and named to the LPL Financial Chairman’s Club.

Karen Vogelsang, senior financial adviser at Wells Fargo

The Times’ coverage of local prep sports will amaze you!

Check out what’s new at www.nwipreps.com 6 | IN BUSINESS

Advisors Financial Network in Valparaiso, has been named a member of the firm’s Premier Advisors Program for the second consecutive year.

Rik Piszczek

is the new manager of human resources at The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.

Michael Buczek has

PISZCZEK

joined Western Southern Life as a financial representative in the Portage office.

BizWorthy SALUTE David Jensen, John McCrum, and Lou Voelker, of Eichhorn & Eichhorn LLP in

Hammond, have been named by Indiana Super Lawyers magazine as some of the top lawyers in Indiana for 2014. Eichhorn & Eichhorn LLP lawyers Kirk Bagrowski,

Trent Gill, Carly Brandenburg, Nick Brunette, Megan Brennan, and Brett Clayton have been named by Indiana

Super Lawyers magazine as Rising Stars in Indiana for 2014.

Donald Frantz, a maintenance technician at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Schererville, was recognized as the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association Select Service Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year – Back of House.

Marc t. Nielsen Interiors in Valparaiso has added Robyn D. Boland as its new operations manager and Kathleen “Katie” Cooper as its new associate designer.

Bill Winterhaler, of St. John, has joined Centier Bank as vice president of business banking in Highland. Crown Point resident Jesse Dame, a supervisor in the commercial credit department, has been promoted to vice president at Centier.

Sara Rosenberg, of Lowell, has joined HDW Commercial Interiors in Merrillville as a project development manager.

Phil Page, who represents Jostens in Northwest Indiana region, is one of 28 Jostens yearbook sales representatives who have recently earned a Certified Journalism Educator designation.

Valparaiso-based Restore-Tech Construction Inc. recently hired new business development manager Christy Lasowski .

Bill Maar, a wealth adviser with the Greater Valparaiso Group of Thrivent Financial, has qualified to attend the Summit Circle conference.

Ken Reddish, previous owner of Rotec Inc., has joined the engineering team of Falk PLI in Portage as general manager of remote offices for the organization.

Shawn Spaw was the Top Listing, Top Selling and Top Volume Sales Associate for March at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Porter County office.

Adam Karras has joined Commercial In-Sites, LLC of Merrillville as Senior Broker in the Industrial/Commercial market.

Stephanie Crohan , of Valparaiso, has joined HDW Commercial Interiors in Merrillville as a project manager.

Ed Dumas, a reverse mortgage professional from Valparaiso, has joined American Advisors Group, as a reverse mortgage adviser to senior homeowners.

JOB WATCH

Employment in the Calumet Region Lake County JULY 2014

JULY 2013

CHANGE

Labor force

226,451

225,097

+1,354

Employed

208,974

204,657

+4,317

Unemployed

17,477

20,440

-2,963

JULY 2014

JULY 2013

CHANGE

Labor force

85,290

84,689

+601

Employed

80,094

78,439

+1,655

Unemployed

5,196

6,250

-1,054

JULY 2014

JULY 2013

CHANGE

Labor force

49,244

49,734

-490

Employed

45,803

45,258

+545

Unemployed

3,441

4,476

-1,035

JULY 2014

JULY 2013

CHANGE

Labor force

2,626,059

2,658,665

-32,606

Employed

2,436,869

2,390,550

+46,319

189,190

268,115

-78,925

JULY 2014

JULY 2013

CHANGE

Labor force

371,545

376,369

-4,824

Employed

346,392

339,808

+6,584

Unemployed

25,153

36,561

-11,408

Percent of workforce unemployed 7.7 percent

Porter County Percent of workforce unemployed 6.1 percent

LaPorte County Percent of workforce unemployed 7 percent

Cook County

Unemployed

Percent of workforce unemployed 7.2 percent

Will County Percent of workforce unemployed 6.8 percent

SOURCES: Indiana Department of Workforce Development/Illinois Department of Employment Security NOTE: Data not seasonally adjusted

FALL 2014 | 7

20 40

20 UNDER 40 | Chris Campbell For your information NAME: Chris Campbell AGE: 37 TITLE: Senior Vice President and Market President

UNDER

Twenty remarkable stories ... and room for one more From banks to nonprofits, from manual labor to the arts, these young leaders truly represent all walks of life.

Since 2005, The Times Media Co. and In Business magazine have annually honored 20 local young business standouts making a positive impact in the community.

In this special 10th edition of 20 Under 40, we have added a special Leader of Tomorrow honoree. This year’s stories tell the tale of 20 emerging leaders and one remarkable young man who exemplify the great promise of the Calumet Region.

8 | IN BUSINESS

BUSINESS NAME: Centier BUSINESS ADDRESS: 150 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 465-1073 WEBSITE: centier.com

Chris Campbell, Senior Vice President and Market President, Centier

Chris Campbell gives back to the community CARRIE RODOVICH

C

hris Campbell takes pride in giving back to the community he calls home and seeing the community thrive.

“For me personally, I take pride in seeing success in the community. I take pride in seeing people doing well and the community doing well,” he says. “Part of our obligation is to make sure everyone is functioning at a high level, and getting the tools they need to learn about what is going on in the community.”

Campbell, an executive at Centier Bank, serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Porter Starke Foundation Board, where he is finance chairman. He also serves as the treasurer for the Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events Board, and is the endowment chairman for the Valparaiso Parks Foundation board.

He also is chairman of the EF Wildermuth Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to helping people with eyesight issues.

Wes Kotys, president of the Kotys Group, said while some people participate in community events to gain exposure for their business or to promote themselves, Campbell is not one of those people.

“He gets all the way in and he participates,” Kotys says. “You can tell he is doing things for the right reasons.”

Kotys met Campbell about five years ago,

and has gotten to know him both professionally as well as personally.

“He understands people, and understands the emotional side of business. Sometimes that can get lost if you’re a part of a large organization,” he says. “But he insists on having that relationship with his clients, and he understands being a member of the community and having a balance between work and life. His integrity is solid.”

Campbell grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated with a degree in finance from Wittenberg University. He worked several jobs after college including being a trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and working as a trader in Baltimore.

He also has continued his education, attending banking schools and earning his MBA from Valparaiso University, which he did after he and his wife, Laura, relocated to Northwest Indiana in 2006 to be closer to her family.

“She wanted to come home,” he says. The couple, who have been married seven years, now have two children, Olivia, age 4, and Grant, age 1.

The family enjoys spending time together, going to the museum, playing outside and reading books.

“We enjoy learning about new things together,” he says.

See CAMPBELL, Page 40

20 UNDER 40 | Monica Flanagin Decker

The magic of inspiration For your information NAME: Monica Flanagin Decker AGE: 36 TITLE: Managing Partner BUSINESS NAME: Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

LESLY BAILEY

ith ribbons of seaweed, a shell crown and wings, Monica Flanagin Decker sparks a sense of wonder and delight as Ella Seaswirls: Ariel’s “best friend” and member of Flanagin Fairies.

“At a recent Relay for Life event, there was a girl there that just took my breath away … she believed in me. I love that I can offer something more than just giving a check,” she says. “I can give my time and heart. This is our way of giving back to the community and volunteering our time and simply bringing joy to children.”

Decker has been getting into character along with mom Donna Flanagin and sister Erica George since 2008, attending a range of nonprofit events as well as appearing in Valparaiso’s Popcorn Fest parade along with the group’s other fairies.

“Flanagin Fairies started after my mom, sister and I took the Disney Institute seminars. As a family, we are Disney fanatics — we admire how Disney pays attention to details and really puts the ‘guest’ first,” Decker says. “We loved that concept and wanted to bring a piece of Disney back to Valpo and our community.”

Decker also works side-by-side with her mom and sister at the family business: Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service, an automated mailing service.

“I am very close with my family so after I graduated from IU Bloomington, I moved back home to be part of the company. I love working with my mom and sister every day,” she says. “We all hold the same roles in this company. Everything is all three of our responsibilities. We support each other, guide each other and bring out the best qualities in each other to make this company a success.

“My greatest professional accomplishment has been growing our family business.

When I came to join the company (in 2000), we were working out of my parents’ basement. Now we are in our large warehouse with so many supportive and loyal customers. I wake up every day happy to go into the office.”

Each year, the Flanagin’s team hosts a fund-raiser yard sale after collecting donated items from the community. The proceeds support local organizations and this year, the sale raised more than $6,000 for ValPLAYso — The Next Generation.

BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 464-9871 WEB SITE: mybulkmail.com

Monica Flanagin Decker, Managing Partner, Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

10 | IN BUSINESS

W

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 802 Evans Ave. in Valparaiso

TONY MARTIN

See DECKER, Page 40

Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority

TRUSTED. TESTED. RESULTS. RDA investments in Northwest Indiana are leading to the creation of more than 5,000 jobs.

Our plans for the next decade are even more ambitious. With a single project, the West Lake extension of the South Shore, we can take more than 5,000 people daily to high-paying careers in Chicago and fuel creation of 2,000 non-commuter jobs in Lake and Porter counties.

SHORELINE More than $200 million in investment have transformed the Northwest Indiana shoreline and will create more than 1,000 jobs by 2025.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION South Shore expansion will dramatically improve access to high-paying careers in Chicago and create nearly 2,000 non-commuter jobs in Northwest Indiana.

GARY AIRPORT The runway expansion and railroad relocation project will be ďŹ nished in 2015, opening the door to private investment that will add more than 2,000 local jobs by 2025.

E CONOMIC DEVEL OPMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT T o da te the RD A has pr ovided inc entives to se ven To date RDA provided incentives seven ccompanies ompanies to e xpand in N orthwest IIndiana ndiana or rrelocate elocate expand Northwest fr om Chicag o. T ogether these ccompanies ompanies ar e in vesting from Chicago.

Together are investing mor e than half a billion dollars and cr eating nearly more creating 1,000 jobs.

FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS rdacatalyst @nwi_rda rdatransformation.com

Bill Hanna President/CEO bhanna@rda.in.gov

Sherri Ziller Chief Operating Officer sziller@rda.in.gov

Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority 9800 Connecticut Dr., Crown Point, IN 46307 219.644.3500 (p) • 219.644.3502 (f)

Jillian Huber Grants Manager jahuber@rda.in.gov

Amy Jakubin Executive Assistant ajakubin@rda.in.gov

Dave Wellman Communications Manager dwelllman@rda.in.gov

20 UNDER 40 | Mackenna Dickt

Dickt uniting the way For your information

LESLY BAILEY

M

ackenna Dickt sees firsthand the power of youth.

“I love the younger generation. You don’t have to convince them to be involved. It is innate with that group,” she says.

“They believe in things that are cause-oriented. That’s what they do for fun and to be social.

“At my first meeting with the high schoolers, I asked: ‘What changes do you want? What do you want to do?’ Someone raised a hand and asked, ‘Can we volunteer more?’”

Leading the Power of Youth Council is just one aspect of her role at the United Way of Porter County and the United Way Regional Volunteer Center.

She also coordinates the region’s volunteer efforts by connecting agencies with volunteers and those who want to get involved with opportunities. She also has a hand in the Reading Buddies program as well as Young Leaders United, which brings together young professionals through volunteer, educational and networking opportunities.

“For Reading Buddies, we have stuffed animals in the classrooms in first and second grades. Reading to them has shown to improve oral fluency and motivate kids to read,” she says. “With Young Leaders United, we are starting a new project to build Little Free Library sites (which include boxes where books can be shared). There are a handful of sites in Porter County and we want to promote this and start more. At United Way, we are passionate about education and it’s a fun project and opportunity to branch outside the city of Valpo.”

Dickt continues to build on her event planning experience as she took the reins this year on the agency’s annual Day of Caring, which celebrates the community’s volunteer spirit by helping nonprofits check projects off their lists.

She also organizes the Valpo HalfMarathon, which is a fundraiser for the Power of Youth Council.

“I feel so accomplished after

12 | IN BUSINESS

NAME: Mackenna Dickt AGE: 27 TITLE: Assistant Director ORGANIZATION NAME: United Way of Porter County, United Way Regional Volunteer Center ORGANIZATION ADDRESS: 951 Eastport Centre Drive, Valparaiso ORGANIZATION PHONE: (219) 464-3583 WEB SITE: nwivolunteer.org

Mackenna Dickt, Assistant Director, United Way of Porter County and the United Way Regional Volunteer Center.

TONY MARTIN

putting together a really big event.

It’s been really exciting to watch the race grow and thrive,” she says.

United Way of Porter County President Sharon Kish says Dickt continues to motivate community members by helping the United Way’s programs grow and develop.

“Mackenna is dedicated to increasing volunteer opportunities for all ages, thus improving the quality of life for all,” she says.

“She not only does this through her work as the assistant director of the Regional Volunteer Center, but she

also practices what she preaches.

She volunteers with a number of nonprofit organizations on her own time.

“She has certainly demonstrated her own leadership skills and has a great future as a leader in our region.”

Dickt is also lending a hand to the ValPLAYso — The Next Generation initiative bringing her volunteer management and recruitment skills to the new playground build as a co-chair for the volunteer committee.

“We have a goal of about 2,500 volunteers. I knew I needed to be part of this project … it’s such an incredible learning experience,” she says.

Her own spirit of giving has its roots in her family and is fueled by the United Way team.

“It goes back to my parents who were always very active in the church and always volunteering,” she says. “Working with the staff and Sharon … everyone works so See DICKT, Page 40

We give the very best to our patients and it makes all the difference.

That difference means more of our patients survive cardiac surgery, a heart blockage will be discovered before it causes harm and a new hip will erase pain and put new life into every step.

Giving our best is what distinguishes the hospitals of the Community Healthcare System. From stroke to cardiac care, to orthopedics and gastrointestional procedures, our hospitals rank among America’s 100 Best by HealthgradesŽ. That means better outcomes, fewer complications and a better healthcare experience for our patients.

Our best is also the nation’s best.

For physician referral call 219-836-3477 or 1-866-836-3477.

20 UNDER 40 | Ellis Dumas III

Ellis Dumas III, Deputy Director, Indiana Department of Child Services, Lake County, Region 1

TONY MARTIN

Dumas impacts many with outlook CARRIE RODOVICH

E

llis Dumas III believes he has been blessed with an abundance of gifts, and believes it is his duty to pass those blessings around in his community.

As a family man, a mentor and a child advocate, Dumas strives to make Northwest Indiana a better place.

“It was a push from God to come back to this area,” he says.

“My primary purpose is to be here and give back to my community.”

Dumas graduated from Gary West Side High School in 2004, and then earned a degree in criminal justice, political science and African-American studies from Indiana University-Bloomington.

Although he initially didn’t have any aspirations to return to Northwest Indiana after graduating, his wife wanted to pursue her studies at Loyola University, which led the couple to return to the Region.

In 2009, he first joined the Department of Child Services as a case manager, working his way up the ranks to the deputy director position, to which he was appointed earlier this year. During that time, he also earned his MBA

14 | IN BUSINESS

For your information NAME: Ellis Dumas III AGE: 28 TITLE: Deputy Director BUSINESS NAME: Indiana Department of Child Services, Lake County, Region 1 BUSINESS ADDRESS: 661 Broadway Gary, Indiana 46402 BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 881-2000 WEBSITE: in.gov/dcs

from Indiana Wesleyan University.

As deputy director, Dumas says his job can change on a daily basis. It can be a day devoted to paperwork and staffing, or it can be making critical decisions on short notice.

“As a young adult and leaving college, I wasn’t too sure of my purpose,” he says. “(But) my primary purpose, all of ours, is to be a servant leader and give back what has been given to us. In this field, I have the best chance of making a difference and really impacting my community. More so than if I was in the private sector or any other field.”

Dumas, the first member of his family to go to college and earn a master’s degree, said sometimes

the job can seem overwhelming.

However, there is always something to put things back into perspective.

“I make it a point to get out into the community, and come into contact with people. There’s always that one child or that one teenager who thanks you for making the decision that you made to help change their life,” he says.

“If you can save a child from a bad situation by putting them in a more thriving environment, you literally make an impact on someone’s life.

You give them a sense of hope.”

Dr. Janice Zunich, a geneticist at Indiana University Northwest, has known Dumas through their mutual work on the Child Protection Team for the last several years.

“He is so together, so professional and so unflappable. He says, ‘Yes, we can do that’ and it is absolutely amazing,” she says. “When you hear some of these horror stories of abuse or endangerment or deaths, it’s the kind of job that can burn you out rather quickly. But instead, you watch him constantly rise to the occasion and he knows exactly what we should be doing.

He is a breath of fresh air with his positive attitude and his sense that everything can be accomplished.”

Dumas has been married to his

wife, Jervai, since 2009 and the couple has three children: son Ellis IV, 7, and daughters Jaci, 5, and Jamie, 1.

When he isn’t spending time with his family, he is participating in activities with the Emerging Leaders of Northwest Indiana, is a member of the NAACP’s Gary chapter and is the youth leader at Faith Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Gary.

He has seven young men he mentors on a regular basis, and is acutely aware of the importance of positive role models in the lives of children.

“I had many mentors and game-changers in my life,” he says.

“There were people who pulled me to the side and told me when I was doing wrong, and they gave me direction.”

Every day, he says, children are being influenced by role models, and if there aren’t positive role models stepping up, there will be negative ones.

“My mentors were positive, and they resulted in who I am today,” he says. “I try to mentor someone every day and be a positive influence. Some people might consider me a role model, but I still have a long way to go.”

20 UNDER 40 | Nick Lagina

Joy through service DIANE POULTON

F

ranciscan Alliance General Counsel Nick Lagina says one of the biggest challenges facing health care today, and therefore to the lawyers advising health care clients, is the ever evolving nature of proving health care in a complex business environment.

“The theories about the best practices of medicine and best way to provide care continue to evolve, as do the tools for providing the care and the payment models that describe reimbursing such care,” Lagina says. “I, as an attorney for the organization, continually need to reevaluate application of the laws and regulations within those frameworks.”

Lagina says his proudest professional accomplishment is integrating an in-house legal counsel in the South Suburban Chicago Region of Franciscan Alliance.

“One of my tasks coming in-house was to help define the relationships of in-house counsel,” Lagina says. “It was an opportunity to define the interworking of the role.”

After graduation, Lagina, who received a degree in health administration from Indiana University, started a dual degree program in law and health administration at St. Louis University. Franciscan Alliance CEO Eugene Diamond says while attending St. Louis University, Lagina competed for and was awarded an academicrelated internship/residency with the health care organization in the mid 2000s.

“Nick stayed with us through that summer and we were very impressed with his ability, his personality and his leadership qualities,” Diamond says.

After graduation from St. Louis University, Lagina worked several years for the Krieg DeVault law firm, which provides some legal work for Franciscan Alliance.

Robert A. Anderson, a partner at Krieg DeVault, says Lagina operates in a very complex area of law in the health care regulatory area.

Nick Lagina, Associate General Counsel, Franciscan Alliance

For your information NAME: Nick Lagina AGE: 34 TITLE: Associate General Counsel BUSINESS NAME: Franciscan Alliance BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 662-3756 BUSINESS WEBSITE: www.

FranciscanAlliance.org

“He is just tenacious about getting an answer to a question if he doesn’t know it off the top of his head,” Anderson says. “That is what I admire about him.”

Anderson describes Lagina’s style as “easy-going.”

“The Franciscans tout their Franciscan values — joyful service is one of them,” Anderson says. “I think he does a great job living the Franciscan values.”

Lagina says he was fortunate to work with great people who took an interest in his growth and development at Krieg DeVault.

When a position at Franciscan Alliance opened several years ago, Diamond says, it was offered to

Lagina.

“He does most of the legal work for our south suburban Chicago area, which is St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields,” Diamond says. “Nick is a great guy. He has terrific leadership qualities and we are very pleased to have him. He is bright, a very effective attorney. He fits in well with our values and our mission.”

Lagina says starting as an administrative resident provided him the opportunity to work with a number of Franciscan Alliance hospitals and “probably, most importantly, to know the leaders of those hospitals.”

“It was my first opportunity to see how the mission of a religious order can animate the people working within a system.” Lagina says. “The impact on me was profound.”

Within the legal profession, Lagina says, two attorneys have been particularly instrumental in his career, Pat Downes, general counsel of Franciscan Alliance, and Anderson.

“Each of them provided me an

example of how to be a strong and thoughtful professional,” Lagina says. “Thankfully, each has also shown an abundance of willingness to help me learn, grow and mature as an attorney and person.”

Lagina says his wife, Robyn Lagina, is a source of constant inspiration.

“She leads a busy life as the mother of our two children, with a third on the way, and is a full time practicing physician, yet somehow has the energy and attentiveness to always be focused on the moment and tasks at hand,” Lagina says.

“Those characteristics of hers, as well as others, inspire me to give due attention to both my family and work life, being fully devoted to each while there.”

Lagina says his role within Franciscan Alliance allows him “to practice law, with reason and purpose.”

“I am thankful to have an opportunity to contribute in an organization guided by the charisma of the Sisters of St. See LAGINA, Page 40

FALL 2014 | 15

20 UNDER 40 | Steven Lammers

Courtroom giant and gentle soul S For your information

LOUISA MURZYN

t. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward Miller knew while she was coaching Steven Lammers’ high school mock trial team nearly two decades ago his compassionate spirit would one day illuminate the world.

“When he graduated from high school, I remember in the card I wrote to him I quoted a line from Henry V,” says Miller. “About how a good heart is like the sun and the moon because it shines bright, never changes and keeps its course.

“He has the best heart and there was honor in what he did.

Always. As a kid, that came across.

I was so happy he was going to law school because he was such a credit to our profession. He is not someone about whom you’d ever have to worry that he crossed the line. He will do the right thing. I am absolutely certain he will try to do the very best for his client and will never step over the ethical line.

That’s who we need in the law.”

Lammers, 34, a South Bend native, was inspired by both Miller and her husband, Robert, who is a federal judge in South Bend, to become a litigation attorney.

The Crown Point resident is currently an associate for the Merrillville-based law firm of Krieg DeVault. He represents businesses, hospitals, and banks in complex litigation issues in federal and state courts covering Northwest Indiana and Illinois and has considerable courtroom experience, including first chair jury trial experience.

In 2003, Lammers graduated cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in finance. In 2006, he graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law, where he met his wife, Emily, who was undergraduate. Lammers was among the Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2013-14.

Lammers says his greatest accomplishment is his litigation and jury trial experience. Arguing a case in front of the Indiana Court of Appeals is something he will never forget.

16 | IN BUSINESS

NAME: Steven Lammers AGE: 34

TITLE: Associate

BUSINESS NAME: Krieg DeVault LLP

BUSINESS ADDRESS: 8001 Broadway, Suite 400, Merrillville BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 227-6112 WEB SITE: kriegdevault.com

Steven Lammers, Associate, Krieg DeVault LLP

“I try to provide the best quality work to my clients and I think communication is imperative,” he says. “I try be as responsive as I can be in catering to their needs.”

Miller was thrilled to hear that all these years later the remarkable teenager she knew hasn’t changed. Cal Bellamy, former CEO and chairman of Bank Calumet and partner within Krieg DeVault, agrees Lammers is caring and genuine.

“He’s a gentle person by nature which is unusual for a litigator,” Bellamy says. “He’s focused,

TONY MARTIN

determined and intelligent and he proves a successful litigator doesn’t have to be bombastic.”

Bellamy says Lammers carries a significant case load at the law firm and is expected become partner in the near future.

For all the accolades in his professional life, Lammers is revered for his work with families of Chasing Dreams, a Valparaisobased organization which provides free programs and services for children with Down syndrome, autism and developmental disabilities.

Lammers is on the group’s board of

directors.

“My immediate family is the most important thing to me and a big part of our story is we adopted from birth two years ago our middle daughter, Elise, who has Down syndrome,” Lammers says. “We are passionate in that community.”

Lammers’ wife was a special education teacher with experience in severe disabilities and together they teamed up with the National D o w n Sy n d r o m e A d o p t i o n Network. “It’s been a great fit for us,” Lammers says.

Denise Babjak is the founder of Chasing Dreams. “First of all, he always has the families in mind,” Babjak says. “He’s also a parent so he sees both sides of the issues.

Many people don’t have that kind knowledge. And he’s a loyal and caring person.”

Lammers, a fierce competitor, is a marathon runner and excelled in soccer when he was younger. “Team sports played a role in shaping who I am,” he says.

Over the summer, he organized a soccer camp with 20 children from Chasing Dreams.

“It’s nice to have a person who has a strong sense of professionalism and a strong side of caring,” Bellamy says. “I am impressed with his professional prowess and his personal life because he has it together in both spheres.

“People like him are the future of Northwest Indiana. If we can’t attract and hold people like Steve then our economic and cultural life will decline. The fact that he’s interested in being here, committed to staying and being involved in our communities here — that gives us hope for the future.”

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20 UNDER 40 | Mario Minotti

Building a financial legacy For your information

LOUISA MURZYN

M

ario Minotti’s grandfather worked for the Department of Treasury in Rome and arrived in the United States from Italy with his family, a passion for finance and advice that has been passed down the generations.

“When my dad was 11-yearsold, he came over from Italy with his father,” says Minotti, 28, of Crown Point, speaking about his grandfather, Mario, and his father, Pier. “Finance is in my roots. My grandfather gave up a privileged life to come here so his family could have a better life.

“Philanthropy was engrained in us and part of our lifestyle.

We believe if you have it, you’re supposed to share it. I mean that in a lot of ways whether it’s monetary, work related financial education or mentoring. It’s just giving back to the make the Region a better place.”

Minotti, who was the first in his family to graduate college, is the president of Mario P. Minotti Group Inc., where he works with his father who has been in the industry for more than three decades. The wealth advisory firm has offices in Schererville and Chicago and specializes in retirement planning.

It also advises corporate clients on employee benefit programs and plans, including customized programs for senior executives.

“My dad bought shares of stocks for me when I was 12 years old,” Minotti says. “I was always very mature. I was like an old man.

We used newspapers and television to follow the stocks. Now it’s driven by the Internet. It’s been interesting over my lifetime because I’ve seen a lot of different market cycles.”

The Munster native attended St. Thomas More and Marion Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. In 2009, he graduated with honors from DePaul University in Chicago with a bachelor of science in finance and just this year earned his MBA from Loyola University Chicago.

Right after college, Minotti worked for a large firm in Chicago because his dad thought it would

18 | IN BUSINESS

NAME: Mario Minotti AGE: 28 TITLE: President

BUSINESS NAME: Mario P. Minotti Group Inc. BUSINESS ADDRESS: 222 Indianapolis Blvd, Suite 203, Schererville BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 440-7421 WEB SITE: minottigroup.com

Mario Minotti, President, Mario P. Minotti Group Inc.

be the best place for him to learn, but he always yearned to return to Indiana.

“I wanted to come back and work with the people of Northwest Indiana, not just high net-worth clients,” he says. “I enjoy a diverse client base. I look at managing people’s wealth as the second most important aspect of someone’s life.

Health is No. 1.”

Lessons handed down from father to son include humility and responsibility. “Dad has always been my role model and best friend,” Minotti says. “His values keep me grounded. I know that everyone has a responsibility to

people around them and to inspire them to be better.”

Robert Hanrahan, former exe c u t ive d i re c to r o f T h e Methodist Hospital Foundation, says Minotti is an energetic, young leader looking to make a difference.

Minotti was crowned the king for the Foundation’s Mardi Gras Ball this year. He and his team raised nearly $40,000 for breast health.

“He has the ability to touch people and get them involved,” Hanrahan says. “He’s all about partnerships and using a network for the common good. He epitomizes being the King of Mardi Gras because in New Orleans you have

to be the most philanthropic man in the state.”

Hanrahan expects Minotti to become a vital part of Northwest Indiana and a board member in a variety of arenas. “He’s truly one of the future leaders of our community,” Hanrahan says. “We need to be grooming our young men and women to take over for us. He is also committed to bring a young group of men like himself to be those leaders.”

M inotti is also making a difference on a global level. He has worked with Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton Foundation’s Millennium Network, a group comprised of young professionals across the country. He is an ambassador deeply involved in the Financial Inclusion Initiative, which promotes financial literacy across the world. Minotti will be participate in the Foundation’s meeting at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., in September.

Minotti says he is open-minded and driven. “That’s what has drawn me to giving back and owning my own business,” he says. “I like meeting new people from all walks of life and hearing their stories.

That’s one of the big reasons for my coming back to this area.

“I’m excited to continue to work with clients and create a much brighter future for their families and heirs. I’m going to do everything I can to be the change I want to see in the world. I’m invested and look forward to doing my part to make Northwest Indiana a better place to live and conduct business for future generations.”

PUT YOUR NEWSPAPER TO WORK WHILE YOU’RE ON VACATION Whether it’s a few days or a few weeks, we will stop newspaper delivery to your home and donate your subscription to our Newspapers in Education program. You will be giving area students the opportunity to relate basic skills to real-life issues found in The Times, as well as develop a habit of reading for life.

TO DONATE YOUR PAPER TO THE TIMES NIE PROGRAM, CALL (219) 933-3333.

For more information about The Times Newspapers in Education Program, call (219) 933-3210.

Fall 2014 | 19

20 UNDER 40 | Theresa Mudd

TONY MARTIN

Theresa Mudd, Vice-President, Retail Market Leader at First Merchants Bank

Bringing humanity to enterprise LOUISA MURZYN

W

hether nurturing employees, promoting health and wellness or teaching her young children to donate old toys, banker Theresa Mudd has a passion for people and loves touching the future.

20 | IN BUSINESS

“My biggest accomplishment is watching people develop,” says Mudd, 30, of Dyer. “Whether I am working with clients or employees, I love being able to identify their talents and skills and watch them grow. It may not be results driven or something tangible, but anytime someone gets promoted or shows

an interest in wanting to develop and I get to foster that — that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Mudd, vice president retail market leader at First Merchants Bank, is a Hammond native and graduated from Merrillville High School. She earned a bachelor of science in management at Purdue

University Calumet in 2008 and hopes one day to earn an MBA. The banking executive manages seven banking centers. Her offices include Hammond, East Chicago, Indiana Harbor and Merrillville in Indiana and Harvey, Hegewisch and South Holland in Illinois.

She works with teams to grow

and expand the current client base, prospect new clients and produce profitable results. She focuses on sales coaching, human resource development, recruiting, customer satisfaction and marketing.

Mudd knows what she is fo c u se d o n ea c h a n d eve ry moment and purposefully moves in that direction without wasting time and energy. “Be the best you can be and focus on what you can do and not what you can’t,” she says.

The oldest of nine children, Mudd grew up as everyone else’s role model. “You have little people looking up to you and you want them to look at you as an example,” she says. “That drives me on a daily basis — being something my kids will be proud of and the best mom I can be.”

Committed to a healthy lifestyle, Mudd works out at the gym about four times a week and ran her first half-marathon in April.

She is also a district manager for Arbonne, a health and wellness

For your information Name: Theresa Mudd Age: 30 Title: Vice President, Retail Market Leader Business Name: First Merchants Bank Business Address: 707 Ridge Rd, Munster Business Phone: (219) 513-5424 Web site: firstmerchants.com

company focusing on products that are safe and pure.

Among her community affiliations are Rotary Cub, South Shore Leadership Center, Haven House, and Junior Achievement. She is the immediate past president of the Friends of Hospice and raised $18,000 that was used to buy brand new mattresses and linens for the William J. Riley Memorial Residence in Munster.

“If she hears of a patient need, she pulls from her resources to make something happen,” says

Jenifer Vargo Okamura, director of development for Hospice of the Calumet Area. “She’s the type who can step up in a pinch with style and grace.”

Mudd says her children, Chloe and Caden, are her primary motivation and she even involves them in her volunteer efforts. “They see it pays off and that not everyone is as fortunate as they are,” she says. Mudd is also the mini-squad head cheerleading coach for the NWI Youth Football League and Cheer, on which Chloe, age 4, is a cheerleader.

“I’m also motivated by being able to make a difference and leaving a legacy that’s going to be remembered positively — more than just ‘she came to work every day and did her job.’ I always set the bar high and strive to achieve it. I also learn from mistakes. If somewhere I fell short of a goal, I learn from that and don’t let it bring me down. I continue to grow and learn something new every day.”

Candice Kouros Logue, Peoples Bank vice president and manager

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of the Munster Banking Center, met Mudd through the Munster Chamber of Commerce and says she is a true leader. “She’s not afraid to take action or spark discussion for the greater good,” says Logue. “She’s a great person to have in your corner. She wants to have an influence on people and making a difference is what she lives for.”

Katy Dowling, chief financial officer for the School City of East Chicago, met Mudd in the Leadership Northwest Indiana program and admires Mudd’s moral compass and the magic she works on everything she touches.

“She’s very high-producing,” Dowling says.

“When you look at the future of Northwest Indiana, you look at people like her that are selfless. She has a good heart and work ethic and is here to make a difference.

She has a genuine drive to make our communities better. When she sees an organization that’s good for people, she will be the one who jumps in the driver’s seat.”

and profitability. Whether you’re looking for an industry certification or a customized program, we can help you get the highest possible return out of your investment in your employees.

Fall 2014 | 21

20 UNDER 40 | Jeff Meyers

Jeff Meyers, Chief Operations Officer and Property Casualty Producer, Meyers Glaros Group

TONY MARTIN

Meyers set to move forward CARRIE RODOVICH

F

or Jeff Meyers, the best part of joining the family insurance business is having something new to do and someone new to help on a daily basis.

“You deal with a myriad of people, from the individual homeowner to the local Mom and Pop shop to the bar down the street,” he says. “It was never something that was pressured on us. But probably in middle school, when you take those tests about career paths, interestingly enough, my top (suggestion) was insurance, and I laughed at that.”

M eye rs, 2 8, i s t h e c h i e f

22 | IN BUSINESS

Glaros Group. Meyers was a 2005 Lake Central High School graduate.

He attended Indiana State for three NAME: Jeff Meyers semesters in its dedicated insurAGE: 28 ance program, but then decided to leave school and give the family TITLE: Chief Operations Officer business, then known as Hammond and Property Casualty Producer Insurance Agency, now in it’s third BUSINESS NAME: Meyers generation, a shot.

Glaros Group, formerly “I fell in love with it, and I’ve Hammond Insurance Agency been here ever since,” he says. “I BUSINESS ADDRESS: 222 knew if it didn’t work out, I could Indianapolis Blvd., Suite go back to school and find another 203, Schererville path to take.”

Meyers said his father, Larry BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 865-1777 Meyers, has been a mentor to him.

WEBSITE: www.meyersglaros.com Larry Meyers also entered the busioperations officer and property ness world in his early 20s, when casualty producer for Meyers he joined the family business in the

For your information

late 1970s. Hammond Insurance Agency had been started by Larry Meyers’ father in 1931.

Until recently, the business had been known as Hammond Insurance Agency. Meyers and his friend, previous 20 Under 40 winner Matt Glaros, recently joined forces to combine their respective family businesses into one, the Meyers Glaros Group.

T h e H a m m o n d I n s u ra n ce Agency had focused on property and casualty insurance and the Glaros family business, Employer Benefit Systems, had focused on group health insurance. Working together felt like a natural fit for the two companies, Jeff Meyers says.

20 UNDER 40 | Dr. Rachel Niemi “Matt Glaros and I had known each other since high school, and we decided coming together would be an opportunity to grow,” he says. “Our fathers are similar ages, and they will eventually be retiring. By combining, we will have multiple areas of expertise under one roof. That gives us a larger staff with more expertise in each field, and we see that as a benefit to current and future clients.”

Will Glaros, one of two managing partners of the new Meyers Glaros Group, says he and Larry Meyers had challenged their sons to find a new path for each of their businesses, and were pleased when they decided to work together to find a joint path with a new concept.

“These two effortlessly developed what we believe is going to be a superior business for decades to come,” Glaros says. “Their entrepreneurial business plan impressed both of their fathers.”

Jeff Meyers is an extremely impressive young man, Glaros says, who is willing to work hard not only at the business, but also within his community.

“I’m very touched by people who are willing to get involved,” he says.

Away from work, Jeff Meyers sits on the school board at Forest Ridge Academy in Schererville, even though he is unmarried and has no children of his own.

“Education has always been a big thing for me, and I had a client and friend who asked me to be involved,” he says.

He is also involved with organizations including Emerge South Shore, which is geared towards young business professionals and focuses on community projects including Habitat for Humanity, food drives and Toys for Tots fundraisers.

He also enjoys going to car shows, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his Labradoodle, Evey.

Meyers has big plans for the future of Meyers Glaros Group over the next few years as the two businesses merge and the new business grows.

“We want to see additional time put towards community involvement,” he says. “We have pretty high expectations for ourselves.”

Building a program, rebuilding lives CHRISTINE BRYANT

A

s a new psychologist, Dr. Rachel Niemi was presented an opportunity to design a program from the ground up that would bring hope and facilitate change in the lives of Northwest Indiana women.

Dayspring Women’s Center, a nonprofit organization founded in

2012, serves women – and often their children – at risk or struggling with homelessness on their journey to stability and wholeness.

“The need for Dayspring arose out of the Open Arms Overnight Shelter, and the need for women to have some place to go during the day where they could receive support and services that would empower them to make positive

and healthy steps toward success,” Niemi says.

With the organization since it opened its doors, the executive director says she feels blessed every day that she gets to be a part of the little things that make a big difference in the lives of others.

“What always strikes me is how different people’s needs are when they share similar circumstances,” Niemi says. “This is why we try to tailor our programming to meet individual needs and concerns.”

At 31, Niemi has a long history of working with the homeless population prior to beginning her work with Dayspring, covering all sectors of the population, from veterans to those struggling with multiple life challenges.

“This is how I learned that there was not one face of homelessness – anyone could become homeless and no one should be judged for their circumstances,” she says.

What drew her to Dayspring in particular, she says, was her strong desire to create a program where people could feel empowered to make positive and healthy change in their lives.

“I wanted to open up possibilities, take chances and find innovative ways to help others,” she says.

That dedication hasn’t come See NIEMI, Page 41

For your information NAME: Dr. Rachel Niemi AGE: 31 TITLE: Executive Director BUSINESS NAME: Dayspring Women’s Center BUSINESS ADDRESS: 1005 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 510-5432 Dr. Rachel Niemi, Executive Director, Dayspring Women’s Center

TONY MARTIN

WEB SITE: dayspringvalpo.org

FALL 2014 | 23

20 UNDER 40 | Eric Newell

A burning passion for community DIANE POULTON

S

c h e re r v i l l e f i re f i g h te r/ paramedic Eric Newell is the youngest president of the Professional Firefighters Union Local 4279 in its history. He has also played a key role in fundraising programs which have raised more than $30,000 for state and local charities.

Newell says he was inspired to become a firefighter by his older brother Pat, a Portage fireman, who took his younger sibling on a ride along.

“It was a truly amazing experience,” Newell says. “I was hooked right away.”

Newell says his brother is always there when needed and ready to answer his questions.

Pat Newell, who is five years older than Eric, says he finds it flattering to be the source of his brother’s career inspiration and likes having a sibling working in the same field.

Pat, who admires Eric’s “tenacity and ability to stick with something and do well at it,” says his brother’s involvement in the firefighters’ union is crucial.

“It is important to have strong leaders working hard to ensure the survivability of our profession and make sure our firefighters are all taken care of,” Pat says.

Eric has played a key role in developing programs which have raised more than $30,000 for local and state charities through boot drives and other events throughout the year, including the department’s 100-year Anniversary Gala on Sept.

26.

“Our local has donated upwards of $30,000 to children’s burn camp, MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), and other local charities,” Newell says. “Both organizations have days where we can go to their camps as counselors and see where the money is going. It is a truly humbling experience.”

Recently elected to serve as Region 1 trustee for the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI), Newell was the recipient of the organization’s International Scholarship which sent him to

24 | IN BUSINESS

For your information

NAME: Eric Newell AGE: 31

TONY MARTIN

Name: Eric Newell, Firefighter/Paramedic and President of Professional Firefighters of Schererville Local 4279, Schererville Fire Department

the International Association o f Fi re f i g h te rs ’ co n fe re n ce , where he met Vice President Joe Biden. Newell was awarded the Schererville Fire Department Medal of Honor for pulling a fellow firefighter to safety.

“A few years ago in an apartment fire at the Griffith Mansards, a firefighter went down after conditions in the building became too dangerous to continue an interior attack,” Newell says. “A mayday was called when the roof conditions worsened and a firefighter was unable to exit building. I was able to successfully rescue the firefighter to safety.”

Trained through Franciscan St. Anthony Health’s Paramedic Training Program, Newell says he loves that every day on the job and every call is different.

“The opportunity to help people on what in many cases is the worst day of their lives, is a good feeling, Newell says. “The biggest challenge in my position is working to achieve the level of staffing our department requires to operate safely. We are lucky enough to have a great chief who shares our

concerns. And working with him and learning from him has been an amazing experience.”

Newell says he has learned much and continues to learn more from both Schererville Fire Chief Joe Kruzan and Ed Lomeli, president of Hammond Firefighters Local 556.

Lomeli, who has known Newell for about 10 years through his union involvement, says Newell has worked hard to improve the Schererville Fire Department.

“He has been a big asset when it comes to working with town officials and his fire chief to make Schererville a better fire department,” Lomeli says. “He is 110 percent dedicated to the union, firefighting and the town of Schererville. I think he is very driven to come up with ideas. He sees what other fire departments do to make them more valuable firefighters to the cities that they serve. Eric is always willing to go above and beyond trying to make the services to the town of Schererville more appealing to the citizens so they see that the fire department isn’t just sitting around but is on the cutting

TITLE: Firefighter/ Paramedic and President of Professional Firefighters of Schererville Local 4279 BUSINESS NAME: Schererville Fire Department BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 322-2599

edge of trying to become much better.”

Lomeli says union involvement is extremely time-consuming.

“I think it is not an easy task,” Lomeli says. “You have to balance the time away from your family and the time it takes to meet with leaders and town officials.”

Lomeli says he sees Newell adding even more quality to Schererville firefighters’ services in the future.

Newell’s personal and business philosophy is “always lead from the front, don’t talk about it, be about it.

“And it’s not about how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit and get back up,” Newell says.

With all his successes and accolades, Newell says, his proudest accomplishment “is being a daddy to my 6-year-old son.”

“Nothing compares to it,” Newell says.

www.nwi.com

IT PAYS TO

BUY LOCAL IN NORTHWEST INDIANA

You can make a

difference

Small businesses are the heartbeat of Northwest Indiana THINK LOCAL FIRST

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NORTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

20 UNDER 40 | Randy Palmateer

Randy Palmateer, Business Manager, Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council

TONY MARTIN

Looking out for workers CHRISTINE BRYANT

R

andy Palmateer came from humble beginnings, and soon found himself fighting for tradesmen like his grandfather and uncle, who he grew up

26 | IN BUSINESS

watching and admiring.

“They made a pretty good living and had a sense of pride that I did not see before in anyone,” he says.

Although Palmateer spent much of his childhood unsure of which career path he wanted to take, at 18,

he tested for the Electricians IBEW Local 697. He now works as business manager of the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council — directing all lobbying efforts before the Indiana General Assembly under

the direction of the president and executive board of the organization.

Acting as a liaison between the Building Trades and state and local officials, Palmateer works to maximize exposure for projects and achievements to move the labor

movement forward within the state of Indiana.

“One of the biggest issues facing the organized labor community today is marketing and selling the message of the value of using union labor in construction,” he says. “We have a great product to sell — the best trained, most skilled, most professional, the best value and safest local workforce in the construction industry.”

The labor community sometimes fails to effectively communicate that message to those who buy construction services, he says.

“We need to change our thinking a little about how we secure market share away from some of the strategies of the past,” he says. “We have to have a more businesslike approach of aggressively selling the value we bring to the construction process. I see the change happening, but we need to accelerate the process.”

In representing the local union affiliates of the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, Palmateer works

to recognize and balance the needs of all the stakeholders in his industry — craft workers, customers, contractors, the government and the community.

“There can be a natural dynamic tension between the interest of these groups and we need to find ways to ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are addressed,” he says. “The unions and craft workers they represent can only be successful if our contractors, their clients and the community is successful.”

Dewey Pearman, executive director of the Construction Advancement Foundation, says the difficult environment in which Palmateer works requires a degree of leadership that few of his age, or any age, are able to demonstrate on a consistent basis.

“Randy often finds himself in the middle of divergent and conflicting interests of passionate people pressing hard for their needs,” Pearman says. “Randy has a skill for finding resolutions that address the needs of all stakeholders in these situations.”

For your information NAME: Randy Palmateer AGE: 35 TITLE: Business Manager, Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council BUSINESS ADDRESS: 6570 Ameriplex Drive, Portage BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 764-2883 WEB SITE: cafnwin.org

He believes Palmateer is one of only a handful of people in Northwest Indiana who crosses the boundaries of various spheres of influence — labor, government, nonprofits and business.

“I think he is well known and respected across the Region among these and other interest groups,” Pearman says.

When not working, Palmateer continues assisting many of the organizations and people he comes across in his position. In addition to serving on the steering committee for U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky

and serving as campaign manager for 2nd District Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, Palmateer also is a board member for the Governing and Executive Boa rd fo r t h e L a ke Co u n ty Democratic Party, Ivy Tech College construction advisory board and the Boy Scouts of America construction advisory board.

He also volunteers his time with several organizations, including the Lake Area United Way and Helping Hands.

“It is both fun and satisfying to make connections that can help market our skilled trade workers and help less fortunate people at the same time,” he says.

At 35, he says although he feels he has accomplished a lot already, he has his sights on mastering several more goals.

“I feel you always have to set goals, and once you obtain them, set higher ones,” Palmateer says.

“I want to go back to college and continue fighting for working class people and their families in any capacity God blesses me with.”

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20 UNDER 40 | Brian Sheely

Reaching new heights LESLY BAILEY

G

rowing up in the aviation world, Brian Sheely looks forward to spotlighting the Region’s offerings while helping the next generation take flight in the industry as well as in the business community.

“I was born into an aviation family with my father working as a professional pilot and my mother’s career working for major airlines.

I worked for my father’s aircraft charter company in high school washing, fueling and parking aircraft after returning from the military,” he says. “I hope to make an impact by mentoring young people interested in aviation or entrepreneurship, and going out into the community to help with projects.”

Sheely, who runs Epic Limo and Wings Aviation in Valparaiso, says aviation is a small community and he has had the opportunity to help an employee navigate the requirements and create connections for those interested in the industry.

“I meet a lot of people who stop by the airport and are interested in aviation. I had a young man about three years ago who was interested in flight training. I asked him to come work for us part time … he started by washing airplanes. He wants to be a pilot,” he says.

“It’s been a fun experience taking someone who has a passion See SHEELY, Page 41

For your information NAME: Brian Sheely AGE: 38 TITLES: CEO of Wings, President of Epic BUSINESS NAMES: Wings Aviation and Epic Limo BUSINESS ADDRESS: Porter County Regional Airport, 4601 Murvihill Road in Valparaiso BUSINESS PHONES: Wings at (219) 462-6622, Epic at (219) 462-5466 WEB SITES: wingsaviationvpz. com, epiclimoinc.com

28 | IN BUSINESS

Brian Sheely, CEO Wings Aviation and President of Epic Limo

TONY MARTIN

20 UNDER 40 | Ryan Smiley

Giving kids a helping hand For your information

CHRISTINE BRYANT

T

oday’s youth are facing a myriad of challenges Ryan Smiley never imagined as a kid.

“From childhood obesity to technology and cyber-bullying, it’s not easy growing up today,” he says.

As president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, Smiley is working to make growing up a little easier for kids in the Region by instituting programs that not only matter to kids and teens, but require accountability on the parts of staff, board members and the community.

“In order to remain relevant with today’s youth, we’ve had to adjust our programming and facilities to meet their ever-changing needs,” Smiley says.

In addition to renovating some of club’s locations, the organization under Smiley’s leadership has added evidence-based programs and is infusing technology into the culture of kids today.

“I’m very proud of the team I’ve built in our staff and board who work tirelessly to ensure the best for our kids,” he says.

Born and raised in Northwest Indiana, Smiley left the area after graduating from Chesterton High School. He spent 14 years working for several YMCA organizations in Florida, and as his experiences grew, so did his interests and realization that he had the ability to be a successful nonprofit executive.

“I moved around Florida running YMCAs, but as my children grew older, the importance on quality life, family and balance became the most important thing to me,” he says.

Gone for 18 years, he chose to return to the Region for the quality of life it provides for his family, and he couldn’t be happier being back home where he working to make a difference in the lives of youth in Porter County.

“I believe everything happens for a reason, and only fate brought me back home for this opportunity,” Smiley says. “I never dreamed I would work in the same building that I used to play basketball in 30 years earlier.”

NAME: Ryan Smiley AGE: 37 TITLE: President

BUSINESS NAME: Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County BUSINESS ADDRESS: 354 W Jefferson St, Valparaiso BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 464-7282 WEB SITE: bgcpoco.org

Ryan Smiley, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County

As president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, he and his staff are responsible for the programs and operations of four stand-along club facilities and eight school-based sites that serve more than 1,000 youth and teens every school day.

Timothy Rice, president of Lakeside Wealth Management Lakeside Financial Group and vice chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County Board of Directors, says Smiley has given the organization’s board new life in its goal of serving more children within Porter County.

“We continue to see increased attendance on a daily basis at our clubs, and our ability to do a better job of measuring outcomes has

TONY MARTIN

driven our organization to new heights,” Rice says. “I’m constantly amazed and enthused by the improvements in grade level reading with the children who attend our clubs.”

A driven leader who fully engages the board, Smiley also motivates core staff members who serve the kids, Rice said.

“Ryan will continue to do a wonderful job leading our organization and continuing to get the community support for our clubs,” he says.

Leading a nonprofit doesn’t come without challenges – many of them very different than those forprofit companies face, Smiley says.

“We have all of the same principals and responsibilities to

effectively manage our business, but we also have the challenge of sustaining our financing, or operations, through charitable giving,” he said. “The diversity of our revenue streams extend much further than just earned revenue from a product or service.”

Nonprofits must actively pursue other forms of support through grant funding, which has its own challenges, Smiley says, as well as government funding, corporate sponsorships, foundations, special events, investment income and individual charitable giving.

“The entire charitable giving landscape is changing rapidly and nonprofits must now be able to prove their impact,” he says. “It’s no longer acceptable to simply exist in the eyes of donors. We must be able to quantify our outcomes to show the value of their investment.”

As a result, the organization has made investments to improve its efficiencies and ultimately its effectiveness, Smiley says.

“The only difference is, we are in the prevention business and have the responsibility of positively impacting the future of our communities’ youth,” he said. “The stakes are higher for us because of the risk.”

For Smiley, however, the risk is worth the time and energy he puts into his job. At 37, he says he has been blessed with wonderful opportunities doing what he loves and is working to push society as a whole to invest more in the development of youth.

“Out-of-school time is so critical in the development of the whole child,” he says. “We fill a very important gap between parents and school.”

Providing an environment in which youth and teens have the opportunity to belong, with caring adults providing needs-based programming, is a very rewarding privilege, he says.

“Every day I have the opportunity to positively impact more than a thousand children and that number multiplies exponentially when you figure in all of the adults and families whose lives are improved because of our services,” Smiley says.

FALL 2014 | 29

20 UNDER 40 | Kathleen Szot

Kathleen Szot, Senior Manager for Customer Marketing and Communications at NIPSCO

TONY MARTIN

Szot comes home to community K CARRIE RODOVICH

athleen Szot loves working in public relations because it allows her to merge her creative side with her critical thinking skills.

Recently promoted to senior manager for customer marketing and communications at NIPSCO, Szot is quickly making an impression at the utilities company and impressing people with her creativity, work ethic and desire to engage with the Northwest Indiana community.

“I didn’t have a clear vision (of my career) in college. I studied art history and economics, and enjoyed both, but they didn’t seem to naturally fit together,” she says. “But all types of diverse backgrounds find their way to public relations and marketing. To me, it’s always a fun challenge, whether I’m working at a

30 | IN BUSINESS

For your information NAME: Kathleen Szot AGE: 29

TITLE: Senior Manager for Customer Marketing and Communications BUSINESS NAME: NIPSCO BUSINESS ADDRESS: 801 E 86 Ave, Merrillville BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 647-4068 WEBSITE: nipsco.com

public relations agency with M&M and thinking about marketing new flavors or educating customers about rebates for energy-efficient equipment.”

A 2003 Merrillville High School graduate, Szot went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame in 2007 with a bachelor’s in economics and art history.

During the next few years, she did internships at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and Weber Shandwick before working at Lakeshore Public Television. In 2010, she went to Indianapolis to work for Borshoff, an Indianapolis-based advertising and public relations company where she worked with clients ranging from Eli Lilly to the Indiana Department of Transportation. In 2011, she decided to return home and accept a job with NIPSCO. “I had a chance to get to know the public relations industry and what it was to represent a variety of clients,” she says. “At Lakeshore Public Television, I got to know what it was like to represent a nonprofit with a strong local presence.”

She enjoys the public relations work, she says, because you have to balance the needs of different clients and constituencies.

“You have to shift gears all the

time, and decide what the message is you are trying to get out and what audience you’re trying to reach,” she says. “I wanted to work for NIPSCO because I had seen them and heard of their reputation for being a great place to work. It felt really good coming home and reconnecting with people I grew up with and connections I had made within the business world.”

Nick Meyer, director of external communications at NIPSCO, says Szot is the embodiment of a young professional who returns home to her community. “(She) embodies the vision we all share for our young professionals and future leaders who have grown up in this region – to find successful career opportunities ‘back home’ and focus on making a difference in the local community,” he says.

In addition to her wide range of professional accomplishments, she

20 UNDER 40 | Barry Tyler Jr. has been recognized within NIPSCO as one of the company’s most talented and top young professionals, he says.

“Her personal and professional success speaks for itself, and her always-positive, ‘get things done’ attitude is what makes her such a pleasure to work with and be around,” he says.

Szot is also involved in several community organizations, including Meals on Wheels NWI, which she became involved in through a service day several years ago. She started as a volunteer, and was recently named to its board of directors.

“It’s so gratifying to bring a meal and having a positive interaction with someone who is elderly, homebound or lives alone,” she says.

“That was inspiring for me and kept me involved with them.”

Through NIPSCO, she participates in a variety of activities, including the United Way Day of Caring and helps organize several employee-centered volunteering activities.

“A huge positive I see about my job is the emphasis NIPSCO puts on employees volunteering and giving back to the community,” she says. “There are a lot of projects my team is involved with across the community, because it’s a priority for NIPSCO.” She also helps manage NIPSCO’s internship program, helping students learn about the opportunities within the company and the career paths open to them.

“Not everyone has a clear vision of what their career path will be, and there’s not one set path that works for everyone,” she says. “I tell people it’s about absorbing what you can from your experiences. There is so much you can learn and explore in different venues. It’s not clear for anyone what the future holds.”

Szot says she has enjoyed the path her career has taken so far, and is happy to pursue a career she enjoys in her hometown.

“I think I underestimated how comforting it is to have relationships within the business world and how much it can build you up and motivate you in your day-to-day work,” she says. “Having a variety of different work settings and clients and experiences has helped me develop a lot, and I like that I can apply everything I have learned in my own backyard.”

Dedicating himself to helping Hammond’s youth CARRIE RODOVICH

B

arry Tyler Jr. is entering his ninth season as an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Hammond H igh School.

He tries to regularly volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and wants to start a male mentoring program.

And through his job at Teach for America, he works to improve education in the community by helping match schools with teachers and creating a network of educational resources.

But ask him if he considers himself to be a role model, and the question gives him pause.

“I think my parents taught me to be the best me I can be. And when you do that, when you live your life that way, it’s natural people will identify attributes or qualities that you have that they want to emulate,” he says. “I try to lead by example. I guess I consider myself a role model.

I try to be a good citizen, the best citizen I can be. I try to find ways to give back and leave my community better for the next person coming through.”

Tyler, a 2002 Hammond High School graduate, went on to Wabash College, where he majored in speech and political science and graduated in 2006. He always knew he wanted to come home to Northwest Indiana, he says.

“I didn’t know what direction my career would take,” he says.

Initially, he took a job in a manufacturing plant and volunteered as an assistant football coach and head golf coach at Hammond High.

Through his connections at Lost Marsh, he was offered the position of executive director for First Tee in Hammond, a golf program designed to teach young people life skills.

When he was hired in 2008, he was the group’s first executive director, and in a few years, built the program up from helping less than 100 people to more than 4,500 students in 2010.

“We did a lot of partnering

Barry Tyler Jr., Director of Northwest Indiana Partnerships, Teach for America

For your information NAME: Barry Tyler Jr. AGE: 30 TITLE: Director of Northwest Indiana Partnerships BUSINESS NAME: Teach for America BUSINESS ADDRESS: 300 W. Adams St., Suite 1000, Chicago BUSINESS PHONE: (312) 254-1000 WEBSITE: teachforamerica.org

with schools and nonprofits, and summer school and after school programs,” he says. “It’s more than a golf program. It teaches life skills, including honesty, integrity, responsibility and how to be good citizens, all while playing a round of golf.”

After helping the organization grow, he decided it was time to step aside and let someone else take it to the next level. In September 2010, he began working for the Legacy Foundation as a community initiatives officer, where he stayed until accepting the Teach for America job in July 2013.

Eddie Melton, manager of corporate citizenship at NIPSCO, has known Tyler since his days as executive director of First Tee. “I was inspired and motivated

by his passion,” Melton says. When Melton left Legacy Foundation to join NIPSCO, he felt Tyler would be a good successor to him at Legacy.

“He just took that to another level, and did a phenomenal job,” he says. “He is willing to step up and help out in the best way he can to serve his community.”

He respects his passion and desire to help youth succeed and get ready for college.

“He is a leading voice in our community,” he says. “His future is limitless. He is young, he is talented and he can do whatever he wants to do in the future.”

Tyler continues to coach at Hammond High School, not only to help the young men excel in football, but also to help them prepare for life after high school.

“Besides teaching them the X’s and O’s, we want to get them involved in community activities,” he says. “We have them help with Habitat for Humanity, or paint houses in the neighborhood. We want to provide them with different opportunities so they can succeed at the college level.”

He also is involved in the Lake County Success Coalition and the African-American Student Achievement Council. He credits his family for laying a good foundation and setting a good example for him.

“My mom and my sisters set good examples of how to be a good citizen and be a good student,” he says. “It was easy to follow them to know what to do to be a good student, son and sibling. They were great examples.”

So he strives to leave the community a better place, one more connected between the schools, the businesses and the people who live there.

“There is a connection missing between schools and the community,” he says. “There were people in my community growing up, outside of my family, who gave me chances to showcase my talent and my abilities and to grow as a person. I want to help be that person for someone.”

FALL 2014 | 31

20 UNDER 40 | Rick Urschel For your information NAME: Rick Urschel AGE: 36 TITLE: President/CEO BUSINESS NAME: Urschel Laboratories Inc. BUSINESS ADDRESS: 2503 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 464-4811 WEB SITE: urschel.com

Rick Urschel, President/CEO, Urschel Laboratories Inc.

Cutting edge community growth R CHRISTINE BRYANT

ick Urschel’s resume isn’t long — but don’t assume that has anything to do with his experience.

In fact, at 36, he has more years under his belt working in the food processing manufacturing industry than many older than him. Working at the family business since he was 6, when he swept floors and eagerly did other gopher jobs, Urschel worked his way to the top at Urschel Laboratories. Now he’s responsible for overseeing senior level managers and their associated departments as president and CEO. The Valparaiso-based company is a world leader in the designing, manufacturing and selling of precision food cutting equipment. The company’s equipment is used by every major food processing manufacturer in the United States and in more than 120 countries worldwide.

Part of the fourth generation of

32 | IN BUSINESS

Urschels to work at the company, Rick didn’t always see himself in his current role.

“Like most boys, I aspired to be a fireman or a veterinarian, but as I was finishing high school, I felt the push to pursue a career with the family business,” he says.

His goal is to ensure the continued steady growth of the company, and one of the ways he is accomplishing that is by constructing a new facility in Chesterton. Having outgrown its existing 250,000-square-foot headquarters in Valparaiso, the company is constructing a new 350,000-square-foot facility on 160 acres. At its current location since 1958, Urschel Laboratories has experienced tremendous growth over the years, expanding the facility over 28 times to equal its current size. The new Chesterton location is slated for completion in 2015.

“This is the largest project the company has ever undertaken in our 104-year history, and I have

repeatedly told my staff that this will be the most important thing any of us ever do for the company since we are laying the groundwork for the next 100 years with the completion of the new plant,” he says. “It is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times I can ever remember in my 15 years with the company.”

Urschel’s success reaches far beyond his own company, however.

An avid supporter of the Valparaiso Family YMCA, Urschel has served on the organization’s board, as well as played an integral role in the committee that secured pledges for the new facility at Cumberland Crossing.

“Believing in the Y’s mission to serve all, he has been an annual ca m pa i g n e r fo r o u r A n n u a l Community Assistance Campaign many times over, and personally supports this campaign every year,” says Debra Koeppen, vice president chief development officer for the

Valparaiso Family YMCA. Urschel has also given his time to the local Parks Department, serving as the game emcee during the past two “Party in the Park” events, Koeppen says.

“Rick has sponsored many of our Y events, most of which would not be at the caliber they have been without such support,” she says.

As the Y’s chief development officer, she says she especially appreciates his philanthropic beliefs and his honest input into the organization’s operations.

“In addition to his philanthropic spirit, he has a great mind, wit and charm about him – one who’s hard to keep up with, but what a job to try,” Koeppen says.

As a father of two daughters, Urschel says it’s vital to his well being as a parent to ensure they grow up in a safe and engaging environment.

See URSCHEL, Page 40

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20 UNDER 40 | Jillian Van Volkenburgh

Putting the arts back in class CHRISTINE BRYANT

W

hen schools are forced to make budgetary cuts, the arts are often the first to go.

As someone who says she was painting before she could even hold a pencil, this is particularly difficult to hear for Jillian Van Volkenburgh.

Van Volkenburgh is director of education at South Shore Arts and has made it her pa ss i o n to make sure any child in t h e Re g i o n who has an interest in the arts has an opportunity to ex p l o re his or her c r e a t i v i t y.

She also wants to offer opportunities to those who may not b e fa m i l i a r with how art affects their l ive s o n a daily basis.

“I love art, but it is u n r e a l i s t i c JILLIAN VAN t o e x p e c t VOLKENBURGH, t h a t e v e r y Director of Education at South Shore Arts person that I meet will be inspired to become an artist or musician,” she says. “What I want to do is to inspire a different perspective on the way of looking at the world around them.”

Overseeing programs that serve 40,000 children and adults annually, Van Volkenburgh has been a practicing artist for more than a dozen years, specializing in fine art photography, painting and freelance design. Her love for art stretches far back into her childhood, and she still has many of the exhibition catalogs and award ribbons from the South Shore Arts she earned in junior and senior

“As of right now, we will launch 15 outreach programs beginning in late September and running through the academic year.”

Jillian Van Volkenburgh, Director of Education, South Shore Arts

34 | IN BUSINESS

TONY MARTIN

high school.

She recently came across an envelope filled with these memories while going through old boxes of keepsakes.

“I think that was a turning point where I realized that there was a sense of pride in creating something and being recognized for it,” Van Volkenburgh says. “I often tell our students and the schools that I visit that my first award was with South Shore Arts.

Now I am exhibiting in New York.

I feel as if I have come full circle.”

As the director of education for South Shore Arts, she oversees all aspects of the education department for the organization, as well as for the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. In charge of both classes and outreach, she oversees the hiring of instructors and developing and implementing new programs.

“As of right now, we will launch 15 outreach programs beginning in late September and running through the academic year,” she says. “This does not include all

of our classes at our three locations — Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Substation No. 9 in Hammond and our downtown Crown Point branch.”

The organization’s education department serves children in pre-K through adults, and outreach includes a number of programs that use art as a vehicle to address larger social issues.

“For example, our middle school program, ‘I Am Influential: Positive Living through the Arts,’ addresses issues including substance abuse prevention, antibullying and to promote positive life choices,” she says.

Van Volkenburgh also oversees popular elementary literacy-based art programs that pair books with art projects, and a lecture and film series for adults called “Arts in Focus” that run September through May. Coming up on her first anniversary at South Shore Arts, Van Volkenburgh has made many intelligent and creative changes and additions to the organization’s

For your information Name: Jillian Van Volkenburgh Age: 36 Title: Director of Education Business Name: South Shore Arts Business Address: 1040 Ridge Rd, Munster Business Phone: (219) 836-1839 Web site: southshoreartsonline.org

education programs, says John Cain, executive director at South Shore Arts.

One of those additions under her watch is a new program funded by the Foundations of East Chicago that will make arts education programming available to about 550 East Chicago students in grades 4 though 8 starting this fall.

“This will be a collaboration with a number of other arts organizations, and Jillian will be overseeing the whole program — quite a challenge, but I’m confident that she’s up to it,” Cain says.

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While he’s thrilled to have her on staff at South Shore Arts, Cain says Van Volkenburgh’s reach stretches far beyond the arts community.

Not only has she tutored s t u d e n ts a n d n o n - s t u d e n ts from Thailand who do not speak English as their first language, Van Volkenburgh also has participated in several anti-violence marches in Gary, assisted with an internationally funded community garden project and mural in Gary, was part of developing an inaugural Festival of the Trail in Highland, participates in organized beach clean ups, and is currently working on developing a crime watch in Calumet Township. She is particularly drawn to local preservation efforts – both historical and environmental – and working with the underserved.

“I am a resident of the region and I do my best to be a conscious citizen,” Van Volkenburgh says. “I am an educator by nature – I have an insatiable curiosity about the places and people around me.”

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20 UNDER 40 | Timothy VerSchure

Developing relationships DIANE POULTON

L

akeside Wealth Management Group Senior Vice President Timothy VerSchure enjoys developing relationships and making a difference in his clients’ lives.

“Every day is different and I’m always meeting new people and finding new opportunities,” VerSchure says. “It’s a great feeling to know you are doing good things for your clients and your community, and I get paid to do it.”

VerSchure worked in the mortgage business and student loan industry before earning his licenses to become a financial adviser.

“There were some fundamental changes in the marketplace that led me to consider a career change when I was working on the institutional side of the student loan industry,” VerSchure says. “I knew as far back as college that I wanted to be an adviser, but I didn’t feel like I had any life experience to help me in that role right out of college.

Who wants to give a 20-year-old their life savings?”

After working for a decade, buying and selling a few homes and starting a family, VerSchure says he felt more comfortable having the “street cred” to give people advice and manage their money.

“I was introduced to Lakeside by a family member who was a client,” VerSchure says. “I loved the culture, was fortunate that they gave me an opportunity and it’s worked out great for everyone.”

Timothy D. Rice, president of Lakeside Wealth Management Group, has known VerSchure for six years.

“Tim’s passion for helping people in Northwest Indiana solve for a better retirement outcomes in unparalleled,” Rice says. “He is the go-to expert in the Region on retirement plan issues, and does an amazing job running that division of our organization. Under Tim’s leadership, Lakeside Wealth Management now works with over 140 companies on their retirement See VERSCHURE, Page 41

36 | IN BUSINESS

For your information

NAME: Timothy VerSchure AGE: 36 TITLE: Senior Vice President

BUSINESS NAME: Lakeside Wealth Management Group BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 926-1182 BUSINESS WEBSITE: lakesidewmg.com

Timothy VerSchure, Senior Vice President, Lakeside Wealth Management Group

20 UNDER 40 | Sherri Ziller

Transforming lives, the landscape LOUISA MURZYN

F

or Sherri Ziller, true happiness has always been about giving and in serving others.

“I became a teacher when I was about 20, and I would tell my mom I couldn’t believe I was teaching students much older than me at such a young age,” says Ziller, 33, of Crown Point.

“My mom said without a doubt and with no reservation, ‘I always knew you were going to be in a profession helping people.’ She saw it early on. No matter where I am at in life, I am the happiest and most effective when I feel like I am making a difference and have some sort of positive impact on someone or something.

“Everything has fallen into place. I was able to teach our next pool of talent and get them ready for the working world. I taught for 11 years and then I was ready for the next challenge in my life. I said, ‘let’s try being a public servant.’”

The Whiting/Robertsdale native was a full-time faculty member for Kaplan Higher Education. In 2012, she was named the chief operating officer for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, a quasi-governmental development entity which makes regional public investment decisions. Its mission is to be a catalyst for transforming the economy and quality of life. To date, the RDA has funded about $230 million in projects and attracted an additional $540 million in local, federal and private investments.

Those investments have generated $1.1 billion in economic impact.

Ziller graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Hammond. She went on to earn a bachelor of arts in political science in 2008 as well as a master’s in education in 2012 from Purdue University Calumet.

“I always make the joke that it takes me longer to pick up my eyeglasses than it did to decide on where I’d go to college,” she laughs.

“There was no question. I always knew.”

Bill Hanna, RDA’s president and chief executive officer, says Ziller has a high degree of vision and a

Sherri Ziller, Chief Operating Officer, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority

For your information NAME: Sherri Ziller AGE: 33 TITLE: Chief Operating officer BUSINESS NAME: Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority BUSINESS ADDRESS: 9800 Connecticut Drive, Crown Point BUSINESS PHONE: (219) 644-3500 WEB SITE: in.gov/rda

commitment to results.

“She epitomizes those values,” Hanna says. “We are pushing change and working with a multitude of partners. It requires special skills to do that and you have to believe in it. It sounds easier than it is because you trying to get people to look at things differently and pull on the same end of the rope.”

Ziller has been recognized by many organizations and publications for her leadership. Hanna says being a homegrown Hoosier is also significant because it shows Indiana has the right resources in its own people.

“Sherri invested all the work to

make things better here and that’s exactly the kind of person we need to help us with representation in Washington, Indianapolis or the private sector,” he says. “Just by her history, she embodies that story. We can from within our own ranks generate the kind of folks that create a vision for the future and gets it done.”

Ziller improves performance and results by keeping her ears open and to do that she sometimes spends less time talking. “People might think I’m an introvert but what I’m really doing is listening to what the issue is and trying to figure out the solution to the problem,” she says.

“I like listening to what makes people tick and what their passions are. I feed off of that. I try to use where I am at in life to see how I can make things better. I am passionate about the transformation of Northwest Indiana and being in the middle of it all. The landscape is on the fast track for change in a positive way.”

Ziller says future generations will not move away to greener pastures and instead opt to stay and raise their families. “We can

TONY MARTIN

point to results but the best is yet to come,” she says. “If we are doing this the right way, we are going to become what the Chicago suburb of Naperville is in Illinois. We’re working on better connectivity to Chicago and bringing people to jobs. I want Northwest Indiana to be more alive and more vibrant and a thriving place to live.”

Hanna says Ziller excels at seeing the longer vision and has the skills to make things happen.

“She sheds light into the potential that young people can bring to Northwest Indiana,” he says.

“She’ll remain on the cutting edge of progress in a leadership role here in Indiana. What she’s done now will continue and will just widen in its impact.”

Ziller says being in the middle of great thinkers at RDA inspires her.

“I read a saying the other day, ‘don’t tell me the sky is limit when there are footprints on the moon’ and I thought, ‘That’s right,’” she says.

“I’m happy but I don’t think that I’m satisfied because I think there’s more out there for me. I’ve had many victories, both small and large – but I’m sure I haven’t reached my biggest accomplishment yet.”

FALL 2014 | 37

20 UNDER 40 | Drake Abramson | LEADER OF TOMORROW

Eyes on the future

For your information

NAME: Drake Abramson AGE 16

SCHOOL NAME: Thomas A. Edison Jr. Sr. High School FOUNDATION NAME: ThinkBrave FOUNDATION PHONE: (219) 895-6798 WEBSITE: thinkbrave.org 20 UNDER 40 LEADER OF TOMORROW: Drake Abramson

38 | IN BUSINESS

TONY MARTIN

Diane Poulton

D

rake Abramson’s life goals are to become an attorney, a senator and possibly one day president of the United States.

“I want to make a positive difference in my community, my state, my country and my planet,” Abramson, of Lake Station, says.

At age 16, the Thomas A. Edison Jr./Sr. High School sophomore and 20 Under 40 Leader of Tomorrow honoree is already well on his way to achieving those goals.

In addition to taking honors classes, being the Northwest District representative for the Indiana Association of Student Councils (representing 21 schools in 13 counties), freshmen class president, French club representative, booster club president, lettering in and wrestling and football and playing trombone in the school band, Abramson founded ThinkBrave.

Abramson, who was diagnosed at age 13 with complex partial epilepsy says his foundation promotes epilepsy education and awareness and raises scholarship funds for students with health challenges.

“Most people only think of grand mal seizures when they hear the word epilepsy,” Abramson says. “They think convulsions. There are many types of seizures.”

He says students getting in trouble for not paying attention or for missing part of a lesson could be having seizures and not even know it.

“It is important that our teachers and school staff understand this and know what to look for,” Abramson says. “It is also important to know how to react, respond and treat someone having a seizure.”

Abramson wants the public to understand that people with epilepsy cannot control or even know when a seizure will occur.

“People with epilepsy have feelings and don’t like to be labeled because of something they can’t control,” Abramson says. “We need to erase the misconceptions and stigmas associated with epilepsy.”

Abramson says he would it to mandatory for all schools to have teachers, administrators, coaches and staff trained about seizure first aid, the types of seizures and what they look like.

“Also, for epilepsy education and seizure first aid to be included in our health classes at school,” Abramson says.

This past June, Abramson awarded the first $500 Betty J. Abramson Scholarship to a graduating senior at Edison High School.

“The name for the scholarship is in memory of my late grandmother, Betty,” Abramson says. “She died in 1991 as a result of complications from diabetes. My parents found an unclaimed check in her name last summer and we used that money to start the scholarship fund.”

Abramson has hosted a number of events to raise awareness and met with State Rep. Charlie Brown, U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky,

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly’s Regional Director Justin Mount, Health Care Policy Director Brian Neale, and Gov. Mike Pence. Abramson has spoken at school board meetings, city council meetings and other events.

Abramson says he has been fortunate to have many people who support and encourage my efforts.

“My wrestling coach, Dan Mora, has been a very important person to me,” Abramson says.

“He has taught me more than wrestling. He is teaching me to become a man. Coach Mora means more to me than words could ever say.”

Abramson says his assistant principal last year Angela Ruiz, who is now principal at River Forest High School, has supported his efforts and helped with his fundraisers.

“My student council sponsor, Kristin Mantta, has helped me through some of my darkest days,” Abramson says. “She has been with me before my diagnosis, during, and since. She has always encouraged me to strive for greatness.”

Abramson says his family has also been supportive.

Ruiz describes Abramson as “a highlymotivated young man who took an ailment that could have kept him down and created a learning experience for everyone who will give him a few moments to share his story.”

“Drake, with the love and support from his

family, especially his mother Jenn, has educated the students and staff at Edison about epilepsy and has brought awareness to several politicians and even the superintendent of the state,” Ruiz says. “I admire Drake for being a true leader both in and out of the classroom. He has used his personal scars to connect with children and adults alike. Drake found a way to articulate a method for excellence in a less than ideal situation; to put it simply he was able to turn his own adversity into an advantage. Drake chose not to take the ‘why me?’ mindset knowing that this strategy would be counterproductive.”

Ruiz says Abramson found a way to deliver the message of epilepsy awareness without feeling sorry for himself.

“He applied himself with gusto and creativity to use his story as a sounding board for others,” Ruiz says. “I am pleased to work with Drake on bringing epilepsy awareness to River Forest this coming school year.”

Abramson says his philosophy of life is “despite the hardships you face in life, whether it be a disorder, disease, or any other obstacle, you still have a place in the world and can fulfill your dreams.”

“When we raise awareness we educate,” Abramson says. “When we educate we understand. When we understand we accept. When we accept we hope. When we hope we succeed.

Let’s be successful.”

Just ask b usiness

lending.

LaPorte Savings Bank offers more than just business loans. We lend opportunity to our local communities.

Visit laportesavingsbank.com/business-banking or stop by a local branch office for more information.

Fall 2014 | 39

20 UNDER 40 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Lagina

Francis of Perpetual Adoration,” Lagina said. “The pride and enthusiasm with which the Sisters live the Catholic teachings, guided by the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi and their founder, Mother Maria Theresa Bonzel, are self-evident in every

action of the sisters. Their example inspires me to preserve and protect the ministry to which they are so devoted, including within the context of providing legal advice.”

Lagina says working in health care is meaningful as it makes a difference in the lives of others.

“I enjoy knowing that my work helps create the environment in which those who provide health care are able to do so, and thereby

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Campbell

Decker

Now senior vice president and market president at Centier Bank in Valparaiso, Campbell spends his days managing loan portfolios and commercial lenders, and does some public relations work within Porter, Marshall and LaPorte counties.

“I love connecting with employees and customers, and trying to make customer’s dreams come true in a financially responsible way,” he says.

In the future, he hopes to continue with Centier Bank and work his way up through the ranks and would like to find himself in a senior executive leadership role.

“I really enjoy, and always have enjoyed helping people, whether in the community or while I’m at work,” he says. “I get to do that through helping people finance their businesses. Or I can help cultivate an employee’s career path and help push them along. I like to add value where I can, to help make someone a better person or an organization better. And the community is the beneficiary of a person or an organization doing well.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Dickt

hard here.. It inspires you to keep going and push yourself to see what you are capable of doing.”

In the future, Dickt looks to drive engagement and raise awareness of needs within the community.

“I really enjoy working with volunteers and encouraging them to find out what their passions are and ways to help the community.

I can be that conduit that helps people get involved and get engaged to solve issues,” she says. “There is so much need out there … for people with skilled labor, arts, literacy … everything under the sun, there is a way to give back.

“I can lead by example. Being a doer, I find myself attending different events and digging deeper on how to get involved. Being the person who offers to help, I often end up being the leader. By learning what is going on out there and getting involved, it inspires others to do the same.”

40 | IN BUSINESS

Decker serves as co-chair of the ValPLAYso children’s committee as well as on the Valpo Parks Foundation board.

“Being a part of the Valpo Parks Foundation has changed my life. The park staff and board members are the most amazing and inspiring human beings I have ever met,” she says. “Their sole purpose is to make this town better. Every second I get to talk to or work with them, I get motivated to do more for this community.”

Working on the ValPLAYso committee, Decker has had the opportunity to connect with about 70 kids leading up to the October community build of the new playground.

“The children on my committee are true leaders and I am so lucky to be able to be a part of their lives,” she says. “Each child has shown me and this community that one child can make a difference.”

Her mother Flanagin sees Decker as a guide for families and children who want to be involved.

“The real definition of a leader is a teacher.

She has done such a good job of teaching the children of our community to get involved in so many different ways and in turn showing the adults the value of the children’s’ involvement in CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

Urschel

“I sincerely believe that engaging with the children of our community at an early age, whether it be a program at the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Clubs or the Valparaiso Parks, can help change the course for today’s youth,” he says.

“Although none of these programs can ever be a substitute for active parenting, they are invaluable tools and I have seen firsthand the positive and far-reaching impact they can have on a child.”

Including his family’s company in his philanthropic support has been a priority for Urschel, currently working on the William E. Urschel Pavilion at Central Park Plaza.

“The pavilion will be part of the second phase of the park, and it is being constructed across the street from my great-grandfather’s house as well as on the grounds of where my grandparents used to live,” he says. “The company is thrilled to

positively impacting those patients served by the institutions,” Lagina said. “My goal professionally is to be an insightful and effective attorney and advisor in each realm in which I practice, which in health care can be a very broad swath. I enjoy pairing the needs of my clients with the advice I give. My clients deserve as much and my goal is that they feel like they have legal counsel that knows them and they can trust.” our community,” Flanagin says. “Giving them an avenue to participate is key. Many families want to help but they just don’t know how.”

Decker is finding another avenue to make a difference through her involvement with Beyond the Baby Blues, which was launched by Natalie Ladra. The support group meets once a month at the Valparaiso Library for moms facing postpartum depression.

“I suffered PPD with both my girls. This group gathers to simply give love and support to mothers in this community who are struggling. I really want to tell my story and let women know that I have been there and I made it through – no judgment – just complete understanding and compassion,” she says. “I am certain there is a need – we just need to get the word out to mothers that this group exists and is there for them.”

Decker continues to be driven by her love for Valpo and desire to create a vibrant community.

“I cannot sit back and let others make this a great place to live. I need to be a part of it,” she says. “I have tried hard to be a young female leader. I am not sure I have succeeded, but I really try hard to show this community that one person, one vision, one woman can make a difference.

“Set goals in all aspects of your life and strive for them and don’t give up.” be able to honor my great-grandfather’s legacy with this project.”

Although he never wants to force an employee to be philanthropic, he says to encourage giving among staff, many of the company’s charitable contributions are ones employees hold close to their hearts. For years, Urschel has offered employees the ability to withhold some of their paycheck for the annual United Way campaign.

“The great thing about this campaign is that it allows the company to easily collect donations through a payroll deduction, but the employee has absolute control over where their money goes in the United Way,” he says.

On a personal level, the most engrossing project he has worked on has been ValPLAYso. “I remember as a teenager working sideby-side with my mother to build one of the access ramps to the playground,” he recalls.

“Subsequently, just a few weeks ago, I also helped tear that same ramp out of the ground in order to make way for the next generation ValPLAYso.”

20 UNDER 40 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

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Niemi

Sheely

without sacrifices, says Kathy DeWitt, Dayspring director of community outreach. Dewitt first met Niemi at a volunteer training session she attended to understand what would be required of the volunteers at the new agency.

“Each time she talked about the women who would be served by Dayspring, Rachel placed her hand over her heart,” she said. “I was touched by that and thought, as I left, ‘This is someone who truly cares about the mission of this organization, truly cares about the women being served.’”

Niemi has worked through weekends, holidays and late into the night to lift up the organization and the people being served, DeWitt says.

“She has provided training to volunteers so they can understand the trauma of homelessness and how best to help by supporting rather than doing for the clients,” she says. “Because helping volunteers understand their role is so important to maintaining a viable and stable volunteer staff, Rachel’s training programs have reduced volunteer turnover and burnout dramatically.”

Dayspring has served more than 85 women since opening its doors – women who have benefited not only from Niemi’s clinical experience, but her personal experiences as well.

“What initially drew me to the field of psychology was mental illness in my own family – particularly wanting to understand my father, a veteran who at times was homeless, struggled with bipolar disorder and neurological difficulties,” she says. “From the initial interest, I began to realize how much is misunderstood about mental illness and how much stigma is attached to having a mental health condition.”

Her goal for Dayspring is not only to reduce the stigma of mental illness and homelessness, but to help those who are underserved in the community.

“I want to continue to build a community where our clients feel supported, respected, empowered and hopeful,” she says.

She also wants to increase Dayspring’s capacity to serve, as well as continue to expand and refine the types of programming being offered.

“In the near future, we hope to provide individual, couples and family counseling at a free or reduced rate to those in the community who are uninsured or in need,” Niemi says.

“We are beginning to accomplish this through our partnership with the Porter County Family Counseling Center, which is soon to become a part of Dayspring.”

Through developing partnerships with other nonprofits in the region, Niemi has been able to collaborate on how to best meet the needs of the community.

“It has been a privilege to work with so many who truly want to end homelessness, reduce stigma and heal our community,” she says. “I believe that in working together we can truly affect change in our community.”

for aviation … it can be a hard thing to get into.

He has been able to meet other pilots who are taking an interest in helping him. If someone is passionate enough about it, I want to help.”

Sheely is also using his aviation service company as a platform for helping to promote the Porter County Regional Airport, where both of his businesses are based.

“We hope to keep people aware. I run into people who don’t know we have an airport. The airport does a good job of promoting why it is a good thing to have and we want to build on that and get more of the community involved,” he says. “We have a gorgeous airport.”

The Wings Aviation team is in the process of organizing an annual event to showcase the airport’s benefits, he says.

“We will be hosting an event along with several other businesses at the airport next year that will be open to the public. This event will introduce people to aviation, and get our youth interested in aviation career paths,” he says. “We will have vintage aircraft displays, aircraft available to give rides, guest speakers, airplane model building, and we will be showing an outdoor movie at the airport in the evening.”

Through both Wings Aviation and Epic Limo, a luxury transportation provider, Sheely is able to back a range of community organizations – from Opportunity Enterprises and the Boys and Girls Club of Porter County to Housing Opportunities and Valpo Schools Foundation – by donating services.

“For the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

VerSchure

plans. Among all this chaos, Tim finds time to be an active volunteer and board member of the Valpo Parks Foundation and a completely dedicated father of three wonderful, active kids.”

VerSchure says he is proud of both his personal and professional accomplishments.

“I have an amazing wife, Gretchen, and three terrific kids,” VerSchure says. “Any free time I have is geared toward family. Professionally, it has been very rewarding to receive recognition from peers across the country that we are doing the right things. I’ve been asked to speak at industry conferences and it’s very humbling to have other advisers come to you after a presentation and ask for advice.”

The challenges in the business are many, VerSchure says.

“There are many things in our business that we can’t control for our clients,” VerSchure says. “It may be a personal life event or marketdriven event. Staying disciplined, keeping a level head and focusing on long-term goals and planning are a must. Working through those

donate rides to get the families to the airport and back,” he says.

“Brian is approached often for donations and he takes every single request into consideration of not how it will benefit Epic Limo, but how the donation can positively affect the organization Epic Limo is donating to,” says Epic Limo Marketing Director Lisa Mathis. “He is a huge supporter of other local businesses not only supporting them by utilizing their services or goods, but also referring them as well.”

The Iraq war veteran is an eight-year member of the American Legion Post 403 and he continues to support veterans’ organizations, including the VFW Post 2511 in Porter.

“Anyone who has been in the military carries that … it has an effect that you carry into your work, career,” he says. “When I am facing challenges, I remember what I have already been through serving in Iraq. Whatever I may face, it is nothing compared to what I faced in the military and that puts things into perspective.

“Many people thought I was foolish stating a new business at a time when many were failing.

I saw it as an opportunity. I accept being told it can’t be done as a challenge worth undertaking.”

Sheely finds being involved can have a cyclical effect.

“We see people with needs all around us.

Seeing that we can make a positive impact on someone else in the community is constantly inspiring us to do more. The more we get involved, the more we see the need,” he says.

“This is where I’m raising my family, this is where my customers live and work, and I think this is a great community. What could be more important than working to improve the community for our friends and family?” challenges with our clients is where we truly prove our worth as advisers.”

VerSchure grew up around a family business in Massachusetts.

“I learned at an early age how important it was to have a good work ethic, how to speak to clients in a professional way and that to be successful you have to provide your clients a positive experience,” VerSchure says.

“I owe those lessons to my parents and grandparents. More recently, I’ve learned how to really get involved and give back to this great community. I owe that to the leadership team at Lakeside. Tim Rice and Mark Chamberlain have created a culture in our business that not only allows, but emphasizes community involvement whether financial or through volunteer work.”

Besides coaching his children athletic teams, VerSchure serves on the Valparaiso Park Foundation Board of Directors.

“I try to participate in local events, especially those with a charitable cause, and support our local businesses,” VerSchure says. “It’s been great to see this area, grow and develop, that can only continue if the community is behind its own success.”

FALL 2014 | 41

FEATURE

NWI industrial market heating up Vacancy rate has fallen under 7%, considered healthy JOSEPH S. PETE joseph.pete@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316‌

A

fter a slight setback this winter, Northwest Indiana’s industrial real estate market has surged back to its highest point in years.

A recent NAI Hiffman report found the vacancy rate in industrial buildings space has dropped under 7 percent, down from a high of 12.11 percent in 2009. The region also has not seen so much new industrial space – more than 470,000 square feet – under construction since 2008.

The turnaround reflects an overall change of fortunes in the broader Chicagoland market, where more than 5.6 million square feet were absorbed between April and June, the highest amount since the market recovery began four years ago.

“Chicago’s real estate markets – both in the industrial and office sectors — have crested a ridge.

We’ve seen several consecutive quarters of positive absorption; after several years of struggle, we’re coasting and picking up speed,” wrote John Picchiotti, who is chief operating officer of the real estate firm. “Many owners and investors made shrewd moves to position themselves for these events, and they’ll use their momentum to carry them forward into the next phase.”

The overall industrial vacancy rate in greater Chicagoland fell to 8.09 percent last quarter, a drop of 18 basis points. NAI Hiffman says the rate reflects a healthy, active market that should make landlords, investors and developers confident.

Rental rates have increased.

Investors have snapped up more property. Development has surged with 11.4 million square feet of industrial space under construction and 4 million in new construction

42 | IN BUSINESS

TONY V. MARTIN

Businesses bought or leased out 108,828 square feet of space in the Northwest Indiana submarket in the second quarter, causing the vacancy rate to drop by 30 basis points. Most notably, steel manufacturer Heidtman Steel Products moved into the East Chicago Enterprise Center at 4407 Railroad Ave.

TONY V. MARTIN

The market is most active in modern business parks, such as in Hobart, Merrillville, Portage and Munster’s Lake Business Center, shown here.

completed.

Businesses bought or leased out 108,828 square feet of space in the Northwest Indiana submarket in the second quarter, causing the vacancy rate to drop by 30 basis points.

Most notably, steel manufacturer Heidtman Steel Products moved into the East Chicago Enterprise Center at 4407 Railroad Ave. The region’s industrial vacancy

rate now stands at 6.68 percent, which is more than 5 percent lower than the height it reached during the Great Recession.

A rate below 7 percent is generally considered healthy, and that has caused construction to pick up, the report found.

The market is most active in modern business parks, such as in Hobart, Munster, Merrillville and

Portage.

Currently, Valparaiso-based Urschel Laboratories Inc. is building a 350,000-square foot headquarters at the master-planned Coffee Creek Center off of Interstate 94 in Chesterton. Munster Steel, which is also relocating, is constructing a 123,000-square-foot facility in Hammond’s West Point Industrial Park.

MonoSol, Pratt Industries, Superior Truss & Panel Inc. and Illini Hi-Reach also have broke ground or intend to break ground on an additional 628,000 square feet of industrial space.

The sales market is also robust.

Industrial Realty Group LLC bought two Hammond buildings: a 267,093-square-foot property at 4527 S. Columbia Ave. and a 249,980-square-foot building at 2531 S. Columbia Ave. “Companies continue to be drawn to the economic advantages Northwest Indiana offers over neighboring areas of Illinois,” the report noted. “Nine options for 100,000 SF or larger contiguous blocks of space remain available, suggesting that Northwest Indiana can support additional tenant demand.”

FEATURE

Getting with the master’s programs Discovering the right options LOUISA MURZYN

K

aren Newlin was juggling a family of three and a job as a freelance graphics designer, so when the economy stalled and her income suffered, she knew her second degree meant refocusing her goals.

The 48-year-old Crown Point resident pursued a master’s in liberal studies at Indiana University Northwest and graduated in May. She now works in the Instructional Media Services Department at IUN. “My days had become fractured into unmanageable bits,” she says.

“I was frustrated and needed a way to rediscover my potential. Rather than jumping onto a different career track, I retooled my ability to think creatively and I’m now better equipped to work from the overlap that exists between the arts and sciences.

“The MLS proved to be a bridge between my fine arts background and the sciences. I rediscovered myself on this bridge and am now able to cross back and forth with confidence and purpose.”

Jennifer Ziegler, dean of graduate school and continuing education at Valparaiso University, agrees liberal studies allow students the flexibility to create a highly customizable course of study which blends interests, talents and experiences.

Both Z iegler and Cynthia O’Dell, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs at IUN, also believe there is no overarching answer when deciding which master’s degree is best, as it depends on career and professional goals. O’Dell strongly suggests using the services of each university’s office of career services.

In some cases, a second bachelor’s degree is logical for people looking to change fields. Someone who wants to practice nursing would need a bachelor’s in nursing as opposed to a master’s in nursing education. “It’s what’s best for your

JOHN J. WATKINS, THE TIMES

Karen Newlin, of Crown Point, earned a master’s in liberal studies at Indiana University Northwest and graduated in May. She now works in the Instructional Media Services Department at IUN.

For your information

The best degrees for jobs right now GROWTH BY 2020 MEDIAN PAY Physician assistant 38% $97,500 Physical therapy 36% $81,299 Mathematics 26% $97,000 Occupational therapy 29% $81,600 International relations 21% $97,500 Civil engineering 20% $102,000 Health care administration

59% $86,000 Political science 21% $93,000 Computer science 15% $117,000 Nursing 19% $85,800 SOURCE: FORBES

objectives,” Ziegler says.

O’Dell notes census data show individuals with master’s degrees or higher earn significantly more than those with only an undergraduate degree.

O’Dell and Ziegler say among t h e m o s t p o p u l a r m a s te r ’s programs are business, education and social work. At IUN, two of the most recent master’s programs are the master’s in clinical counseling

and the master’s in liberal studies.

The master’s in business administration is flexible and students who obtain one will acquire skills that will help them succeed in many files. It’s great for breaking into a management position or becoming an entrepreneur.

Additionally, MBA classes can be taken while still working. The coursework can take students to the next level with their employer and prepare them to excel in their company or new profession.

Locally and in the state, there is an increased need for the master’s in social work program because of state changes in licensure.

“There’s a greater need for social workers than there are trained social workers and there aren’t that many schools that offer a social work program,” O’Dell says.

Valparaiso University offers more than 40 different master’s programs. Ziegler says the most applications tend to be in the technical and professional licensure areas. Health care administration, information technology, sports administration and sports media

are among the popular programs.

In some cases and careers, simply having a master’s degree is all that is required because the employer or industry doesn’t dictate the content of the advanced degree, Ziegler says.

She encourages students to think about what their career objectives are and research the demand for their field in the labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests tremendous growth in cyber security, but if computer science is not an area of interest for the student then it’s not a good fit, she says.

“We have an emphasis on the concept of vocation and finding your calling in life,” Ziegler says.

“We have programs that are very specialized and they are a small and perfect niche for somebody looking for a unique career track.

“If you are changing careers, that’s one answer. If you’re looking for a promotion, that’s another model. If you have a certain calling or passion, that’s yet another model. Find what’s best for your career objectives.”

FALL 2014 | 43

The next generation

The road ahead for young leaders

C

BY JIM STANLEY

NIPSCO Chief Executive Officer

44 | IN BUSINESS

arrying the torch. Taking it to the next level. Leaving a place better than how you found it.

These are all aspirations we hold for the leaders of tomorrow.

A simple look at those listed within this year’s 20 Under 40 tells me that we will be in good hands.

That’s good news, given that within nearly every organization, there is a concentration of investments and resources focused on knowledge transfer, development and succession planning – “building bench strength,” as we sometimes call it.

But what makes this generation of leaders different than or similar to those of today?

What should they be prepared to face in the future?

When I look at the Gen Y and Millennial generations, the characteristics I see are a sense of optimism, confidence and the ability to adapt extremely well to change – especially technological advancements.

Many of them were beginning their careers in the wake of Sept. 11 and certainly experienced the 2008 recession.

Yet, they’ve forged ahead.

They are more socially connected than ever before.

Inclusion and collaboration, which are critical drivers behind innovation, are second nature to them.

As future leaders, I offer some advice to help tackle a few of the challenges you’ll likely face.

Don’t settle for the status quo. This becomes increasingly more challenging in organizations that have been around for a long time and have experienced success. Institutionalized thinking and processes might lead you to believe change isn’t necessary. Why fix something if it isn’t broken? However, progress would not occur if we did the same thing over and over.

Take responsibility for educating those around you by pushing back, offering suggestions and advancing ideas.

Good leaders can foster ideas, but great leaders can inspire and motivate others to change. Sustainability and evolution go hand in hand.

Continue to be inclusive and collaborative

decision-makers. We live in a world where we have access to more data and insights than ever before. With all of this information at our fingertips, top-down decision making could be perceived as being more efficient. However, it is not a sustainable practice and it can lead to negative consequences within and outside of organizations. Yes, making decisions as a team can take more time than it would for an individual. And there is always the concern that a group can be led astray to making poor decisions. It takes the right team, who is informed, diverse and collaborative, if you truly want better outcomes. As a leader, you must help create the bridge between insights and action through clear communication, expectations and goals.

Lastly, be prepared to adapt to a flexible and more lively work environment. The next generation workforce is looking for more than just a good-paying job. That doesn’t necessarily mean swapping out the board room with a yoga studio or instituting work-fromhome summer Fridays. It simply means to attract and retain talented individuals, you’ll need to be creative to ensure you’re shaping the workplace to suit your talent.

The line between work life and home life is becoming increasingly blurred. Flexibility in the working environment is crucial.

Yet, no matter the industry, the generation or the potential challenges ahead, there are some qualities that any good leader must possess. You must be credible, genuine and inspiring.

Possessing a spirit of service is a way to start, and committing yourself to an extended learning curve will ensure relevance. If you focus on those areas, success will follow.

Congratulations to this year’s distinguished list of 20 professionals under 40. Challenges await, but there’s no one better than you to create lasting, positive change.

You have the ability to do what others cannot or will not.

As the most famous and successful basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan once said: “It’s not about the shoes. It’s about what you do in them.”

As future leaders, I offer some advice to help tackle a few of the challenges you’ll likely face. Don’t settle for the status quo. This becomes increasingly more challenging in organizations that have been around for a long time and have experienced success.

The business of public safety

NWI consortium is the first of its kind

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BY JOSEPH FERRANDINO, PH.D. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Northwest‌

ublic safety agencies across Northwest Indiana are changing the way they do business to provide better services to their communities and create or maintain the environment needed for economic development and growth.

In 2014, 15 agencies across the region joined with Indiana University Northwest and NIPSCO to create the Northwest Indiana Public Safety Data Consortium, a privately-funded, universityadministered, collaborative mapping system that is the first of its kind in the nation.

The data collaborative brings mapping and analytical capability to each community to deal with their own crime and quality of life issues but also permits and encourages agencies to access information across the region. The Northwest Indiana Public Safety Consortium uses a cloud-based GIS organizational account shared by all the participants, which include: the Gary Police Department, East Chicago Police Department, Griffith Police Department, Schererville Police Department, Merrillville Police Department, Munster Police Department, Highland Police Department, St. John Police Department, IU Northwest Police Department, Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Portage Police Department, Valparaiso Police Department, Michigan City Police Department, Lake County Felony Probation and Laporte County Probation.

The approach created by this collaborative endeavor has provided departments with a wealth of information — from crime calls to rental properties and business locations — so they can analyze and respond to crime trends more precisely and in a data-driven manner.

The information uploaded, created by and used by the departments, at no charge to the departments or cost to taxpayers, is also used to help NIPSCO provide services across the region.

As the project has progressed, departments have begun to share crime maps with their communities through social media and on departmental websites, permitting citizens and business owners to get

accurate, current and detailed information about crime and quality of life issues in their communities. This approach encourages the community to participate in the process of policing through being informed and aware of problems, their location and prevalence. Furthermore, it provides police and other public safety agencies with a technological tool that they did not have prior, hopefully changing the business of public safety in the region in the coming years.

The immediate goal of this consortium is to use information to better decision making, set policy, use data driven resource allocations, plan strategically and create conditions across the entire region for economic development through enhanced public safety. This type of collaboration — privately funded, university administered, department utilized and community involved — is a model for future endeavors throughout the region.

The government, in all functions and activities, increasingly uses private sector concepts and includes private sector partners to address increasingly complex social issues from crime, to economic development, urban blight, education, transportation, environmental and public health. The Northwest Indiana Public Safety Data Consortium is predicated upon the notion that all sectors must play a collaborative part in the health and future of our communities, combining the resources of the private sector with the expertise of higher education professionals and the mission and goals of government.

Such an approach is essential if communities want more effective, efficient and equitable public safety, the main foundation upon which successful and long lasting economic growth and development is built. The longer range goal of the consortium is to have every community across the region be a part of the consortium, leading to more quality criminal justice systems, lower crime and an enhanced quality of life for all citizens, business owners and visitors.

The immediate goal of this consortium is to use information to better decision making, set policy, use data driven resource allocations, plan strategically and create conditions across the entire region for economic development through enhanced public safety.

Joseph Ferrandino was a 20 Under 40 honoree in 2013.

FALL 2014 | 45

Emerging leaders

Tips to happiness from one young professional

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s I learn about this year’s 20 Under 40 and their amazing accomplishments, I am more encouraged than ever to live and work in the Region.

I hope to see more emerging leaders take the kind of active roles that these 20 have taken in shaping our community, and I find myself wondering if I can play any part in encouraging the kind of leadership displayed among the honorees.

As a now 32-year-old partner with Hammond-based law firm, Eichhorn & Eichhorn, I look back on my career, struggles and successes and offer some advice.

It’s not advice on how to succeed in practicing law — I’m still learning and am not so presumptuous to think I can hold myself out as an authority on that topic. It’s more advice about how to enjoy what you have and embrace your leadership potential.

1. DROP THE ACT When I started practicing law, I saw the talented, established lawyers in my firm in action and wanted to be them. I studied their writing styles, watched them in the courtroom and tried to emulate their styles.

After a while, I realized that trying to act like someone else is just acting — but worse. It’s more like insisting on wearing the most beautiful pair of shoes that just happens to be three sizes too small. Now, whether I’m negotiating a settlement or arguing a motion in court, I embrace my natural qualities. I am more effective because I am genuine, believable and most confident when I play myself.

BY CARLY A. BRANDENBURG Partner, Eichhorn & Eichhorn LLP‌

46 | IN BUSINESS

2. BE IN THE MOMENT, WITHOUT THE GUILT I must focus some advice toward the young professional female audience (and their employers). It’s a great time to be a professional woman. It seems our employers are realizing more and more that promoting capable women to positions of leadership is just plain smart. Not only do we bring a unique perspective and approach to problem-solving, but we are often able to connect with clients in ways that men cannot.

When I look at my practice, more than half of my clients are women. Many of them have faced challenges I can very much relate to — mommy guilt about going off to work too quickly each day, professional guilt about setting too many workplace boundaries in an effort to ensure sufficient attention to family, uncertainty about the best way to keep up with (or surpass) male coworkers without being labeled too aggressive or “not a team player.”

It’s a tightrope we must sometimes walk as women, and we can relate to each other on a very real level.

Embracing the struggles and finding the connections with coworkers, clients and potential clients is key.

But the best advice I can give a working woman is to let go of the guilt and decide to be wherever you are

for the time you’re there. We make hard decisions and wonder if we’ve chosen the best paths for ourselves, our spouses and our children; but in the end we choose. Be confident in your choice and that you have a contribution to make. After the choice is made, guilt is nothing but the most useless of distractions.

3. SEE THE GAP, AND FILL IT We all know people who are full of complaints but lacking in solutions or willingness to help. If you recognize a problem that requires attention, try to fix it.

And it doesn’t have to be something big or showy — just something helpful.

4. TAKE YOUR 15-MINUTE BREAK Spend 15 minutes during each work day not working.

Instead, do just a few things that can help you improve.

Maybe it’s spending the time trying to solve a problem in your organization. For me, it’s typically reaching out to friends, clients or colleagues in an effort to maintain relationships. That’s largely because I’ve realized that networking events and meet and greets don’t create opportunities — relationships do. Often, the clients I have attracted are friends who happen to remember me when they or their companies need legal help.

5. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR INTERESTS (AND NO, I AM NOT REFERRING TO GOLF) We cannot underestimate the importance of supporting our local businesses and community-based organizations as we continue to shape the community we want to live in. I am trying to take my own advice on this, so I have recently become a board member with South Shore Arts. In my short time with the organization, I have found it to be a tremendous force for good that is led by some truly talented, motivated and tireless people.

Personally, I believe cultural opportunities like theater, art exhibits, art classes for our youths and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra are vital to community growth and success. They provide recreational and learning outlets for families that are not cost or distance prohibitive. The arts may not be the choice for you — but what about the Regional Development Authority, One Region, Legacy Foundation, Junior Achievement or one of the many Methodist Foundation Krewes (shout out to Krewe Athena! Wine, Women & Shoes is right around the corner)? Becoming a part of a group can allow you to make a meaningful contribution while you develop connections to new friends.

Overall, I hope you are open to learning and changing your mind. Be gentle with yourself as you grow into your occupation and your leadership potential.

nwi.com nwi.com

Your Automotive Source for Northwest Indiana

Locate Auto Dealers with Ease, in NW Indiana & Chicagoland ACURA Joe Rizza acuRa 8150 West 159th Street Orland Park, IL 708-403-7770 www.rizzacars.com MuLLeR acuRa oF MeRRiLLViLLe 3301 W. Lincoln Hwy, Merrillville, IN 219-472-7000 mulleracuraofmerrillville.com

AUdi TeaM audi 3990 E. RT 30, Merrillville, IN (One mile east of the mall) 888-805-3689 www.teamvwaudi.com

BUiCK ciRcLe buick 2440 45th Street, Highland, IN IN. 219-865-4400 • IL. 773-221-8124 www.circleautomotive.com

CHEVROLET aRneLL cheVRoLeT U.S 20 & I-94, Burns Harbor, IN 866-593-0997 www.arnellmotors.com chRisTenson cheVRoLeT 9700 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 888-999-9141 www.christensonchevy.com Mike andeRson cheVRoLeT The Chevy Giant on I-65 I-65 and 61st Avenue, Merrillville, IN 219-947-4151 www.mikeandersonchevy.com sMiTh cheVRoLeT - haMMond 6405 Indianapolis Blvd., Hammond, IN 219-845-4000 www.smithautogroupusa.com

sMiTh cheVRoLeT - LoweLL 700 W. Commerical, Lowell, IN 219-696-8931 www.smithautogroupusa.com TeaM cheVRoLeT 1856 W. U.S. 30, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-1175 www.teamchevyinc.com

CHRYSLER gRiegeRs chRysLeR 1756 U.S. 30 West, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com

dOdGE gRiegeRs dodge 1756 U.S. 30 West, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com

FORd LakeshoRe FoRd 244 Melton Rd. (US 20@I94, Exit 22A) Burns Harbor, IN 219-787-8600 www.lakeshoreford.com sMiTh FoRd 1777 E. Commercial, Lowell, IN 219-769-1090 www.smithautogroupusa.com webb FoRd 9809 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 800-533-1279 www.webbford.com

GMC ciRcLe gMc 2440 45th Street, Highland, IN IN 219-865-4400 IL 773-221-8124 www.circleautomotive.com

HONdA

RAM

TeaM honda 4613 East Rt. 30 Merrillville, IN 219-947-3900 www.teamhondaon30.com

1756 U.S. 30 West Valparaiso, IN

HYUNdAi webb hyundai 9236 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 219-923-2277 www.webbhyundai.com

gRiegeRs RaM 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com

SUBARU nieLsen subaRu 5020 U.S. Highway 6, Portage, IN 888-503-4110 www.nielsen.subaru.com

JEEP subaRu oF MeRRiLLViLLe gRiegeRs Jeep 1756 U.S. 30 West, Valparaiso, IN 219-462-4117 www.griegersmotors.com

1777 W US Route 30, Merrillville, IN

KiA

TOYOTA

aRneLL kia I-94 AutoMall, Hwy. 20 & I-94 Burns Harbor, IN 219-787-9200 www.arnellmotors.com souThLake kia Rt. 30, 1 mi. East of I-65 Merrillville, IN 888-478-7178 www.southlakeautomall.com

MiTSUBiSHi

855-423-5957 www.subarumerrillville.com

LakeshoRe ToyoTa 244 Melton Rd. (US 20@I94, Exit 22A) Burns Harbor, IN 219-787-8600 www.lakeshoretoyota.com TeaM ToyoTa 9601 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN 219-924-8100 www.teamtoyotaon41.com ToyoTa on 30 4450 E. RT 30, Merrillville, IN

nieLsen MiTsubishi 5020 U.S. Highway 6, Portage, IN 888-503-4110 www.nielsenmitsubishi.com

NiSSAN souThLake nissan Rt. 30, 1 Mile E. of I-65, Merrillville, IN 888-471-1241 www.southlakeautomall.com

219-947-3325 www.toyotaon30.com

VOLKSwAGEN TeaM VoLkswagen 3990 E. RT 30, Merrillville, IN (One mile east of the mall) 888-805-3689 www.teamvwaudi.com

Calendar BUSINESS 4 BUSINESS | Crown Point

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Mondays, Schoop’s, 1124 N. Main St. Join Business 4 Business Referrals at its weekly meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Mondays. This is a noncompetitive group with 25 members.

FYI: Contact Tony Schifino by phone at (219) 743-1177 or email ajspecialties1990@yahoo.com.

SBDC ADVISER AVAILABLE |

Hammond 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Hammond INnovation Center, 5209 Hohman Ave. Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center business adviser Bill Gregory will be on hand the first Monday of the month. To meet with Gregory, go online and fill out a business assessment and call to schedule an appointment.

FYI: Contact Bill Gregory by phone at (219) 644–3513. Visit www.nwisbdc.org.

SOUTH SHORE NETWORKING |

Merrillville 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesdays, Spill the Beans, 7992 Broadway. South Shore Business Networking group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month.

FYI: Contact Rick Gosser by phone at (219) 808-9888 or email sales@ gossercorpsales.com. Visit www. southshorebusinessnetworking.com.

REFERRAL ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA (ROI) | Schererville

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, ENG Lending, 833 U.S. 30, Suite 400.

The Referral Organization of Indiana (ROI) Business Networking Group meets Tuesdays. Networking starts at 11:15 a.m.

FYI: Contact Jane Koenig by phone at (219) 662-7701. Visit www.roinetworkinc. com.

NORTHWEST INDIANA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK | LaPorte

1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, LaPorte WorkOne, Sagamore Center, 300 Legacy Plaza. The Northwest Indiana Professional Network, or NIPN, meets Tuesdays in LaPorte. NIPN is a networking group for professionals interested in sharing information and resources that would allow them to meet their career objectives and work opportunities.

FYI: Contact Sharla Williams by phone at (219) 462-2940 ext. 43 or email swilliams@gotoworkonenw.com.

48 | IN BUSINESS

NORTHWEST INDIANA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK | Portage

1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Portage WorkOne, Ameriplex Commercial Park, 1575 Adler Circle, Suite A. The Northwest Indiana Professional Network, or NIPN, meets Tuesdays in Portage. NIPN is a networking group for professionals interested in sharing information and resources that would allow them to meet their career objectives and work opportunities.

FYI: Contact Sharla Williams by phone at (219) 462-2940 ext. 43 or email swilliams@gotoworkonenw.com.

ROI BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP | Crown Point

(219) 464-3172 or email petersdonald@ comcast.net. Visit www.score.org.

NORTHWEST INDIANA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK |

Hammond 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursdays, Hammond WorkOne, 5265 Hohman Ave. Northwest Indiana Professional Network, or NIPN, meets Thursdays in Hammond. NIPN is a networking group for professionals interested in sharing information and resources that would allow them to meet their career objectives and work opportunities.

FYI: Contact Sharla Williams by phone at (219) 462-2940 ext. 43 or email swilliams@gotoworkonenw.com.

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Crown Point Civic Center, 101 S. East St. The Referral Organization of Indiana (ROI) Business Networking Group meets Wednesdays. Networking starts at 7:15 a.m.

FYI: Contact Debra Corum by phone at (219) 769-7787. Visit www.roinetworkinc. com.

Noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Petro’s Restaurant, 6190 Broadway Ave. Merrillville Noon Kiwanis Club meets Thursdays.

FYI: Contact Bruce Woods by phone at (219) 794-1259. Visit www. merrillvillenoonkiwanis.org.

NORTHWEST INDIANA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK | Gary

NWI NETWORKING PROFESSIONALS | Crown Point

8:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Gary WorkOne, 3522 Village Circle (Village Shopping Center). The Northwest Indiana Professional Network, or NIPN, meets Wednesdays in Gary. NIPN is a networking group for professionals interested in sharing information and resources that would allow them to meet their career objectives and work opportunities.

FYI: Contact Sharla Williams by phone at (219) 462-2940 ext. 43 or email swilliams@gotoworkonenw.com.

MEETING FOR ENTREPRENEURS |

Valparaiso 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, 162 Lincolnway.

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, or are in business but need some guidance, meet with retired/semiretired individuals who have backgrounds in operating businesses, marketing, law, banking and accounting. This group of volunteers looks to strengthen small businesses and communities by providing free counseling and mentoring to entrepreneurs. The group (SCORE) serves Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties.

FYI: Contact Don Peters by phone at

NOON KIWANIS CLUB | Merrillville

7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Fridays, Schoop’s, 1124 N. Main St. NWINP, Northwest Indiana Networking Professionals, meets Fridays. NIPN is a networking group for professionals interested in sharing information and resources that would allow them to meet their career objectives and work opportunities.

FYI: Contact Tony Schifino by phone at (219) 743-1177. Visit www.nwinetworking. org.

BUSINESS COUNSELING SERVICES

| Hammond 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, 5246 Hohman Ave. Free business counseling services are available through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) on Fridays. If starting a business, or having problems in business, call for an appointment.

FYI: Call (219) 931-1000.

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

To include an item in the local business calendar, visit nwi.com/ calendar

ENERGY S Y M P O S I U M

WEDNESDAY,

OCTOBER 8, 2014 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (CDT) RADISSON STAR PLAZA

MERRILLVILLE, IN

NIPSCO Major Accounts cordially invites you, our valued commercial customer, to join us for our Energy Symposium 2014. Here, you will have the option to move through a variety of workshops led by industry experts that best suit your business needs.

DAY AT A GLANCE

Begin your day by joining us for breakfast and visiting a variety of Energy Resource booths. Attendees then may choose to attend a variety of energy related Workshop topics led by industry experts. Simply select which topic you would like to hear about, from one hour basics to in-depth enhanced offerings, and attend the appropriate workshop. Each topic will be offered multiple times during the day-long event. A luncheon will be held with the opportunity to network with your peers.

TOPICS SUCH AS: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Compressed Air Global Energy HVAC Lighting Power Factor Managing Electric Motors Renewable Power Sustainability in Practice UPS/Back-up Power Power Quality

OFFERING BASIC & NEW ENHANCED WORKSHOPS

2014

Contact us at MAS@nisource.com ec with your our name, name ommer ount number business name, and NIPSCO commercial account number.

Leading the Charge for Energy Education ducation