BusINess Hall of Fame 2015

SPRING 2015

SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPANSION Every office is a laboratory in the explosion of invention in NWI WHAT IT TAKES Cal Bellamy Tom Gryzbek Linda Woloshansky ON LEADERSHIP

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY 8th ANNUAL

OF

FAME MEET THE CLASS OF 2015

HOF Winner Michael Schrage

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

Contents FEATURE Valpo Score’s Susan Sheahan with Joseph Neal who has a new business as a guitar maker.

COVER STORY

Lorri Feldt, regional director Northwest ISBDC with the owners of new business ChicagoLand Popcorn.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFECT Leaders work to foster growth as small businesses ignite economic development

T

WORDS BY LESLY BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

34 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

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12

he entrepreneurial spirit continues to spark job creation and innovation in Northwest Indiana and beyond.

“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of America period. They are the cornerstone of economic development in our country throughout the years and throughout recessions. They are what make us great,” says Dushan Nikolovski, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Success at Purdue University Calumet. “With small businesses, you never know how big they are going to grow.”

“It takes one great idea to take off and be nurtured to provide jobs and create industry,” adds Susan Sheahan, chairperson of Northwest Indiana SCORE, which mentors business owners. “Entrepreneurs are the bread and butter of our economy.”

Lorri Feldt, regional director of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, says statistics continue to indicate that small businesses are behind new jobs.

“Entrepreneurs are so critical as more job creation is happening with small business owners than large corporations,” she says. “According to the SBA (Small Business Administration), two-thirds of new jobs are created by small businesses.”

The creation and vitality of small businesses need to be nurtured for future growth, says Greg Deason, executive director of the Purdue Foundry and Purdue Research Park, which includes the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.

“With small businesses behind the lion’s share of new jobs, I think that in particular calls up entrepreneurs to help lead the way.

Whether the entrepreneurial spirit manifests itself as a new start-up or embedding in an existing business, it is going to be a key question for future competitiveness,” Deason says. “And larger companies need to find ways to continue to be relevant in the marketplace, these same types of individuals have a vast impact on the trajectory of existing companies with their ability to introduce new methods and new ways of doing business … it’s defined as the innovative backbone of the American economy.”

Dushan Nikolovski, Center for Entrepreneurship Success director.

SPRING 2015 | 35

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFECT Leaders work to foster growth as small businesses ignite economic development.

By Lesly Bailey

BIZ WORTHY THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME 2015

We honor five local leaders who have made an indelible mark on the Region.

The stories of the Class of 2015—Roy Berlin, Richard Schepel, Michael Schrage and Beth Wrobel on their achievements in life and giving back. And the Partner in Progress award goes to Joe Coar, the role model for the building trades in NWI.

6 10

SALUTE

BY THE NUMBERS

COLUMNS FEATURES

12 20 28

BETH WROBEL HealthLinc CEO says part of focusing on the patient and impacting communities is breaking down barriers. By Lesly Bailey RICHARD SCHEPEL Six decades after he began his career in the auto industry, Richard Schepel is dean of NWI car sales.

By Andrea Holecek PARTNERS IN PROGRESS JOE COAR Joe Coar’s carpenter career is a model for opportunities outside of college.

By Lesly Bailey

16 24 31

MICHAEL SCHRAGE Centier President, CEO and Chairman of the Board Michael E. Schrage views his role as head coach.

By Diane Poulton ROY BERLIN From his first days at Berlin Metals, Roy Berlin worked alongside the best teacher.

By Lesly Bailey ROLAND PARRISH Roland Parrish continues to contribute to where he grew up in NWI.

By Andrea Holecek

37

SOWING STRENGTH Becoming a servantleader is a manager’s most important role.

By Thomas Gryzbek, President of Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond

38

RISK-ASSESSMENT Leaders envision opportunity and take a chance on the future of Northwest Indiana

By Calvin Bellamy, Partner with Krieg DeVault

39

PREPARING FOR A LEADERSHIP ROLE Seven essential life lessons

By Linda Woloshansky, President & CEO of The Center Of Workforce Innovations Inc.

COVER PHOTO BY TONY MARTIN

2 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

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Publisher’s Notes SPRING 2015

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2

Publisher Christopher T. White

NWI leaders are inspired to achieve, focused on success and helping others in the community

D

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

espite the number of nominations for our annual Business & Industry Hall of Fame (and tough choices of honorees) this year is like the past in a good way: The 2015 group of super-achievers give credit to teams, family members and mentors, those who have helped and supported them.

Read about Roy Berlin, who is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside his father Melvin, who was an excellent teacher in the business of selling and making thin metal products. The Berlin family business has been in Hammond for 30 years hiring local people, buying materials from local industries and hiring service providers such as transportation as close to the physical plant as possible. Roy Berlin takes good corporate citizenship seriously and believes in investing in the future through scholarship money for high school students in Hammond who excel in math and science.

After a six-decade career in the automobile industry Richard Schepel’s accomplishments are difficult to list and impossible to hide. His legendary fixation on customer satisfaction and the awards that have come with it are well-known, though his numerous philanthropic contributions to churches and charities are not in the news as much. Giving back and continuing to support the cycle of a sustainable community of customers is a way of life for Schepel and his family-owned business.

Michael Schrage is the fourth generation to head the Centier Bank, which was started by his great grandfather Henry Schrage in 1895. Centier is so rooted in Northwest Indiana that the family’s promise to remain independently owned and operated includes a commitment for generations to come.

Although she is best known as a pathfinder and creator of innovative solutions, HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel is an engineer, who has been at the forefront of re-tooling the health care business by putting the patient at the center. Wrobel may have learned the lessons of giving from her family, but once she started contributing she found out about the intangible rewards of service to those less fortunate. Your health, as she says, is the basis of having a job and getting an education. Health is everything and she does whatever it takes to make sure Northwest Indiana is healthier every single day.

As the recipient of the Partners in Progress award, Joe Coar, dedicated to raising awareness of the building trades in Northwest Indiana, has shown ongoing leadership and support for progress in the region. Coar is an artisan carpenter by trade but through his commitment to progress and workforce development, he has become a force in the community that goes way beyond his talents as an individual.

Finally, we thank Roland Parrish, not only for his many contributions in Northwest Indiana including donations to Purdue University and scholarships for high school students who live in the region, but also for being a role model and inspiration to so many people across the country through his hard work and self-motivation.

I congratulate these honorees as they join the leaders from years past in the Times’ Business and Industry Hall of Fame. Their work will continue to resonate for generations to come.

4 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

General Manager and Vice President, Sales and Marketing Deb Anselm Editor Bob Heisse BusINess Editor Keith Benman Associate Publisher/Editor Pat Colander Design Director Ben Cunningham Designer April Burford Contributing writers Giles Bruce, Andrea Holechek, Diane Poulton, Lesly Bailey, Thomas Gryzbek, Calvin Bellamy, Linda Woloshansky Lead Photographer Tony V. Martin Director of Audience Development Kim Bowers Director of Digital Advertising Joe Battistoni Advertising Managers Craig Chism, Eric Horon Advertising Publication Manager Lisa Tavoletti Business Advisory Board David Bochnowski, Peoples Bank; Wil Davis, Gary Jet Center; Nick Meyer, NIPSCO; Barb Greene, Franciscan Alliance; Tom Gryzbek, Franciscan Alliance; Susan Zlajic, ArcelorMittal Copyright, Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland BusINess, 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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BizWorthy HONOR

SALUTE Professionals on the Move AIM Machinery announces the following promotions: Neal G. Fedak, P.E. has been promoted to vice president – sales.

Fedak is a resident of Crown Point.

Cameron J. Leliaert has been promoted to engineering manager.

Leliaert is a resident of Valparaiso. Matthew J. Pukoszek has been promoted to project engineer. Pukoszek is a resident of St. John.

TONY V. MARTIN, FILE, THE TIMES

Munster-based Peoples Bank was named one of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Best Places to Work, along with Centier Bank, Horseshoe Casino Hammond and Lakeside Wealth Management in Chesterton.

Centier, Peoples, Horseshoe among top places to work EMPLOYEE MORALE is likely high at a few Northwest Indiana companies that were recognized as some of the state’s top workplaces.

Centier Bank, Peoples Bank, Horseshoe Casino Hammond and Lakeside Wealth Management in Chesterton were all named to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Best Places to Work in Indiana.

“A record-breaking number of applicants — approaching 200 — has made the program more competitive,” Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar said. “That shows in which organizations were selected as a Best Place to Work and in the rankings themselves. ... These are organizations that demonstrate to their employees through their culture, communication, career opportunities, benefits and more how much they value their contributions to the overall success and bottom line.”

The rankings are based on employee surveys and employer reports. All the

6 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

companies that apply for the honor get in-depth evaluations based on employee feedback they can use to retain and recruit talent.

Lakeside Wealth Management in Chesterton was named one of the top places to work among small companies with 15-74 employees, while Munster-based Peoples Bank was recognized in the category of medium companies with 75-249 employees.

Merrillville-based Centier was honored as a large company with 250-999 employees, and Horseshoe was held up as a top workplace among major companies with more than 1,000 employees.

Centier, the state’s largest privately owned community bank, has won the honor for nine straight years, spokeswoman Angela Jimenez said.

All the winners will be feted in May at an awards ceremony in downtown Indianapolis. B Y JOSEPH S. PETE, THE TIMES

FEDAK

LELIAERT

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Porter County office announces Shawn Spaw is the top listing, top selling and top volume sales associate for February. Spaw is a broker associate and PUKOSZEK the team leader of the Shawn Spaw Team.

A Purdue University Calumet engineering faculty member has received the National Science Foundation’s prestigious CAREER Award grant to SPAW enhance spectrum efficiency for cell phones and other wireless communicative devices. As the first Purdue Calumet engineering faculty NSF CAREER Award recipient, assistant SMIDA professor of electrical engineering Besma Smida will use the grant to explore a new paradigm for two-way wireless networks.

ACCOLADE

ArcelorMittal again named a General Motors Supplier of the Year ARCELORMITTAL WON General Motors’ prestigious Supplier of the Year award for the second straight year.

The honor put the Luxembourg-based steelmaker in very select company. Only 78, or less than 1 percent, of GM’s global suppliers received the award at GM’s annual ceremony in Detroit.

“ArcelorMittal is beyond proud to be recognized as a Supplier of the Year for the second consecutive year by one of our most important customers, General Motors,” said Brad Davey, chief marketing officer, ArcelorMittal North America Flat Rolled. “This award is a testament to the commitment of all of our employees, those working in our R&D labs to continue to innovate and push steel beyond its limits, those on the shop-floor producing high-quality steel products, and those who provide superior customer service to the automaker.”

GM extends the laurels to suppliers that go above and beyond its standard requirements.

A global team of GM executives in purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics choose the winners.

“These companies are the best-of-the-best suppliers, and deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “We need them to continue to bring us their most innovative technologies and highest quality services and work, and we will continue to win together for the benefit of our customers.”

The steelmaker, which operates fully integrated mills at Indiana Harbor in East Chicago JEFF ROBERSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS and Burns Harbor in Porter County, made 93.1 million tons of steel last year, generating General Motors employees work on a van assembly line at GM’s plant in Wentzville, Mo. revenues of $79.3 billion. BY JOSEPH S. PETE, in 2012. The automaker named ArcelorMittal a THE TIMES

Supplier of the Year.

TECHNOLOGY

Local police chiefs focus on accountability, technology THE NATIONAL DEBATE over how police interact with the public hasn’t gone unnoticed by several chiefs in Lake County.

It’s the paths they’re taking to increase police accountability that differ.

Police chiefs in Hammond, East Chicago, Gary, Griffith and Schererville also face the never-ending challenge of finding funding to purchase a growing list of technologies.

Hammond Police Chief John Doughty said his department is currently testing body cameras from four companies. All officers working on patrol, traffic and gang and narcotics units could begin wearing the cameras by this summer.

The cameras often are held up as a way to reduce unfounded complaints and increase police accountability. Two controversies last year in which Hammond police were accused of racial profiling and excessive force have

decreased initial resistance to the cameras among the rank and file, Doughty said.

The department is looking to purchase 125 to 150 body cameras at a cost of about $80,000, he said.

The Gary Police Department also is in the process of acquiring body cameras for testing, spokesman Thomas Decanter said.

East Chicago police have “an open mind” and are researching the feasibility of body cameras, Police Chief Mark Becker said.

One of the greatest challenges facing law enforcement nationally and locally is the recruitment of a more diverse pool of applicants, Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance said.

Most of Griffith’s officers are white men, but Mance’s administration recognizes the importance of better reflecting the community, he said. Increasing diversity is about building trust, he said.

“To gain those connections, you have to closely mirror the society that you police,” he said.

Mance has reached out to localuniversities, clergy and the community to recruit more women and minorities. He hopes to implement a more long-term solution after a review of the department’s policies and procedures, he said.

Hammond will be hiring only experienced police officers until the department refines its hiring process, Doughty said. The new system must increase diversity in a way that’s fair to all applicants, he said.

The Gary Police Department is in the initial stages of implementing a more robust community policing strategy, officials said.

The Gary Police Department added four new Dodge Chargers to its fleet in January and plans to add new Ford Explorers this spring.

BY SARAH REESE, THE TIMES

SPRING 2015 | 7

BizWorthy SALUTE

Professionals on the Move

GROWTH

Shawn Graham is a new financial adviser for Edward Jones in Griffith.

He will work out of the office of Doug Lewis at 8415 Kennedy Ave. over the next several months. He will then continue serving investors throughout Griffith from a new office.

Dr. Timothy Durnin, a chiropractic physician, has met the criteria and has become a credentialed spine physician with the DURNIN American Academy of Spine Physicians. He is with Lansing Chiropractic Clinic at 18037 Torrence Ave. in Lansing.

John J. Diederich, executive vice president of Peoples Bank and Northwest Indiana Bancorp., celebrates 40 years in banking DIEDERICH and financial services. In 2008, he was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash award for his service to the state and contributions to Hoosier heritage.

Porter Health Care System has named Craig Locke, R.Ph., as its new director of Pharmaceutical Services. He most recently served as interim director LOCKE of Pharmaceutical Services at Porter.

He receive his bachelor’s in pharmacy from Purdue University in West Lafayette.

Dan Shaner, of Merrillville, has achieved membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals.

Shaner is a 12-year member of Million Dollar Round Table.

8 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

JONATHAN MIANO, THE TIMES

Railroad construction workers in October and November “cut over” the old Canadian National Railway tracks blocking the expansion of Gary/Chicago International Airport to new tracks that loop around the expansion footprint.

Gary airport expansion has June arrival date GARY/CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT officials are increasingly confident they can complete the $174.1 million runway expansion project by its federally imposed deadline.

“We don’t anticipate any problems with meeting the June 25 deadline,” project manager Daniel Vicari told the Airport Authority board at Tuesday’s meeting.

The final details are being worked out with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on remediation and other steps for polluted areas within the expansion footprint, Vicari said.

Work on constructing the last 500 feet of runway should start in May, Vicari said. That will take the runway to 8,900 feet from its current 7,000 feet.

The Airport Authority took several actions Tuesday to move the expansion project forward at their meeting at the airport administration building.

Those actions include approving almost $1.7 million to hire environmental firms to restore sensitive dune and swale habitats at areas around Gary. That action was taken to comply with federal mandates that the airport replace environmentally sensitive habitats eliminated by the runway expansion.

The board also approved a $94,500 contract with engineering firm NGC aviation consultants to design the expansion of the airport’s fuel farm. That expansion is being done under the terms of a legal settlement the airport authority reached with the Gary Jet Center last year.

Airport General Manager Delbert Brown told the authority the fuel farm will be expanded to store 40,000 more gallons of jet fuel. An agreement with B. Coleman authorizes spending up to $650,000 on the fuel farm expansion.

B. Coleman will finance the entire upfront cost of the project and then pay itself back by withholding fuel flowage fees normally paid over to the airport. The airport will retain ownership of the entire fuel farm.

In other action, the Airport Authority hired the Gary law firm of Tolbert & Tolbert as airport attorney. The husband-and wife-team of Shelice and Michael Tolbert will replace airport attorney Lee Lane, of Genetos, Retson, & Yoon LLP. Lane has served as airport attorney since December 2013. She served in the role at a time when the Airport Authority concluded a landmark public-private partnership deal and put its expansion project back on track.

BY KEITH BENMAN, THE TIMES

...and it makes all the difference.

BizWorthy

NiSource, Ford among world’s most ethical companies TWO MAJOR LOCAL employers were again recognized as among the World’s Most Ethical Companies.

NiSource and Ford were so honored by the Ethisphere Institute, an American management consulting firm that strives to promote best practices in corporate ethics. The institute honored 132 companies in 21 countries, recognizing those that promote ethical business standards and go beyond making rote statements about doing business “ethically.”

Merrillville-based NiSource received the honor for the fourth consecutive year. The company, which is the corporate parent of the NIPSCO utility, says it has fostered a culture of ethics and transparency at every level.

“We are greatly honored to have again been recognized for our team’s commitment to ethical leadership, compliance practices and corporate social responsibility,” NiSource President and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Skaggs Jr. said.

“The World’s Most Ethical Companies embrace the correlation between ethical business practice and improved company performance,” Ethisphere Chief Executive Officer Timothy Erblich said.

Ford, which has automotive factories in Hegewisch and Chicago Heights, has received the designation of most ethical company for six straight years, and was the only automaker to do so. Ford believes the honor will help with sales, given a Harris Poll that found 53 percent of consumers research companies before doing business and more than one-third will shun companies with negative reputations.

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said: “Ethics and corporate citizenship are important factors that affect a company’s reputation and success, and we are proud Ford is the only automaker to have received this honor for six consecutive years.” B Y JOSEPH S. PETE, THE TIMES

10 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

JOB WATCH

Employment in the Calumet Region Lake County JAN. 2015

JAN. 2014

CHANGE

Labor force

232,493

220,001

12,492

Employed

211,340

200,918

10,422

Unemployed

21,153

19,083

19,083

Percent of workforce unemployed 9.1 percent

Porter County JAN. 2015

JAN. 2014

CHANGE

Labor force

84,242

82,856

1,386

Employed

78,014

77,006

1,008

Unemployed

6,228

5,850

378

Percent of workforce unemployed 7.4 percent

LaPorte County JAN. 2015

JAN. 2014

CHANGE

Labor force

48,773

48,481

292

Employed

44,380

44,130

250

Unemployed

4,393

4,351

42

JAN. 2015

JAN. 2014

Labor force

2,654,177

2,644,909

9,268

Employed

2,466,893

2,405,992

60,901

187,284

238,917

51,633

Percent of workforce unemployed 9.0 percent

Cook County

Unemployed

CHANGE

Percent of workforce unemployed 7.1 percent

Will County JAN. 2015

JAN. 2014

CHANGE

Labor force

356,759

356,103

656

Employed

330,242

322,246

7,996

Unemployed

26,517

33,857

7,340

Percent of workforce unemployed 7.4 percent

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

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HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel TONY V. MARTIN

12 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

HALL OF FAME 2015 \\ BETH WROBEL

Leader impacting health of patients, communities

“A LESLY BAILEY

s we have grown, we’ve been able to understand what our role is. Those who really need to have a medical home, that have health issues and need some kind of guidance or support … we are the place for that,” HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel says.

“That is my passion: that one day everyone will have a medical home and every day if we get a few more people, we are working toward that.”

The federally qualified health center serves Indiana communities with locations from Knox and Valparaiso to Michigan City and East Chicago, which recently expanded.

“I joke that we are re-engineering health care. We really put the patient at the center and try to get patients everything they need,” she says. “We give them the tools and find out if there are any barriers to get them there: Cost? Where to go? We follow-up to make sure they got those labs or if they need a colonoscopy, we can help them with where to go or if insurance pays for it.”

Wrobel says part of focusing on the patient and impacting the health of communities is breaking down any barriers to care. HealthLinc offers extended hours at most locations, has launched a mobile van initiative and is looking to start telehealth, which connects locations through video-conferencing.

“We are striving to get better outcomes for patients by improving the patient experience. We hear from patients that they can’t take off work to come in so we are open until 8 p.m. four nights a week (at some locations),” she says. “Our mobile van has medical and dental and we take that out to schools in North Judson and Mishawaka. If kids are healthy, studies show that they learn better.”

Pat Bankston, PhD, says he has seen Wrobel’s impact

first-hand while serving on HealthLinc’s board of directors. He is associate dean and director of the Indiana University School of Medicine — Northwest as well as dean of the IUN College of Health and Human Services in Gary.

“She is indefatigable – tireless – in her efforts and unbelievably willing to plan and give up her time to work with people and make something happen that may take years to develop,” he says.

“She has good people at her organization but if not for her leadership and abilities, Northwest Indiana would be a very different place in terms of health care.”

Sen. Ed Charbonneau has worked with Wrobel over the years as she was opening HealthLinc locations.

“She’s been an incredible leader and visionary. She sees the big picture and how different parts are interconnected.

HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, center, and East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland talk after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new HealthLinc health center in East Chicago.

JONATHAN MIANO, THE TIMES

SPRING 2015 | 13

HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel, left, shows off the new HealthLinc van to East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky.

JOHN J. WATKINS, THE TIMES

For your information

NAME: Beth Wrobel \\ AGE: 57 \\ TITLE: CEO \\ COMPANY: HealthLinc ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully leads HealthLinc since 2002; recent awards: Lakeshore Chamber Economic Development award, Not-for-Profit Leader of the Year by Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly and Asian-American Medical Association Crystal Globe award; community roles include: Indiana University Northwest School of Medicine’s advisory board, United Way of Porter County and Indiana Primary Health Care Association board member, Valpo Next committee member, Valparaiso Human Relations Council member and Rotary Club of Valparaiso president-elect

I think that is because of her background with NIPSCO and as a mechanical engineer. She is very methodical in the way she goes about her business,” he says. “She is very organized and most importantly, she is a consensus builder. She is a people person and she gets out in the community and builds consensus and collaboration and she has been doing it long enough now that she has significant credibility.”

Wrobel cites parents Ralph and Betty Eser as having had an influence on her path. Her dad had a hand in guiding her initial career choice and his terminal cancer diagnosis prompted her departure from NIPSCO/NiSource after 22 years. Her mom left her own imprint on the Valparaiso location of HealthLinc.

“My dad is really the reason why I am here. I left NiSource to take care of my dad … My dad was an engineer.

He always allowed me to be what I needed or wanted to be.

He never said females don’t become engineers,” she says.

“My mom died unexpectedly and one of the last things that we did was tour the construction site of the new Valpo clinic. I really wanted a salt-water aquarium and my mom said patients would love it. There were cost concerns …

I wanted to find a way in my mom’s memory. It gives me joy to think she is looking down on the aquarium. It is beautiful. People gravitate toward that part of the clinic.”

Wrobel also credits her parents with instilling in her the need to give back. She serves on the Indiana University Northwest School of Medicine’s advisory board as well

14 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

as the United Way of Porter County and Indiana Primary Health Care Association boards. Last year, she assisted with the Valpo Next strategic planning initiative by being a member of the committee. She is on the Valparaiso Human Relations Council and is president-elect for the Rotary Club of Valparaiso.

“It goes back to my parents who taught me about philanthropy,” she says. “There are a lot of giving people in Northwest Indiana. The more you give, the more you get. I try to give gratitude and show thanks to people every day.”

Wrobel continues to be inspired by her family, staff and the desire to make a difference.

“I want to make an impact on the health of the communities we serve. Unless you have your health, you can’t go out and get a job and kids can’t receive an education. It is just so important,” she says. “I am proud of our staff here. Every day they come to work and take care of some of the most vulnerable and needy people in Northern Indiana. Every day I see what they do and it makes me want to work 10 hours a day – 12 — whatever it takes.

“My husband (Joe) is a saint. You can’t do what I do unless you have the support of your family. I hope my children (Chris, Tom and David) see me as a mentor and my employees. I believe in servant leadership. If everybody at HealthLinc believes that I have touched their lives in some way or another … that is being a servant leader.”

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Centier CEO, Michael Schrage TONY V. MARTIN

16 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

HALL OF FAME 2015 \\ MICHAEL SCHRAGE

Centier CEO Michael Schrage has been motivational head coach through bank’s extensive growth

C

the talent that we develop and recruit here — calling the plays, setting the strategy, envisioning the future. That strategizing and envisioning really excites me and makes me entier President, CEO and Chairman want to continue to grow and perpetuate the uniqueness of of the Board Michael E. Schrage views his role at the bank as an organizational the Centier organization and team.”

Schrage grew up in Whiting and Robertsdale, graduated head coach. from Culver Military Academy, which had 810 students, “I am very competitive, as I was all and from Denison University in Ohio, which had 2400 through my school years, in athletics students. and the desire for coaching,” Schrage “I have a lot of smallness in my background,” Schrage says. “What motivates me is the thrill of explains. “I really have a background of wanting a competing in the financial arena. I see familiarity in environs that I operate in and work in.” my role as president/CEO as the head In 1972, Schrage, the fourth-generation of his family at coach of the Centier organization. I am deeply involved in

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Centier Bank president Mike Schrage talks with kindergarten students during a pizza party and movie screening at Frankie W. McCullough Academy for Girls in Gary. Centier Bank hosted the party where they viewed an episode of Money $ense featuring several McCullough students.

STEPHANIE DOWELL, THE TIMES

the bank, joined First Bank of Whiting which was founded by his great grandfather Henry Schrage in 1895. The bank’s name was changed to Centier in 1991. Schrage, who took over the bank from his father Walter E. Schrage Jr. in 1977, has successfully sustained a business legacy that includes a “Not for Sale” promise to remain independently owned and operated for generations to come. Centier has grown from 40 employees in 1971 to 750.

“Part of the goal was to take something small and develop it into something that is more dynamic,” Schrage says. “I started in 1972 right out of graduate school. I went to the University of Colorado for my MBA and it wasn’t until I went there that I really had an interest in banking.

About midway through college I started taking courses to pursue a career in athletic coaching. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to go away to Boulder and the University of Colorado to get a more defined finance/marketing type degree that I really started enjoying finance.”

Schrage is proud of his staff.

“It is a smiling, happy energetic atmosphere that everybody feels good about working together,” Schrage says. “There is a chemistry we have developed that is a little magical like Disney World. Our clients are treated as guests and they repeatedly tell me how enjoyable it is to interact with the Centier people.”

Under Schrage’s leadership, the past nine years Centier has been voted one of the best places to work in Indiana, ranking in the top ten each year, one year finishing first.

Schrage says his proudest accomplishment and legacy is the culture that he has developed at Centier with the help of others and the sustainability of that culture for future generations.

“My mission is to preserve the independent community bank for future generations,” Schrage says. “We are seeing the merger acquisition of many of the small banks in communities that find it hard to compete in today’s marketplace. I had a goal many years ago to make sure the

18 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

bank was positioned to compete in the 21st Century. I felt in order to do that we needed to be at least a billion dollars in size.”

Schrage, who reads 50 to 75 books on business management and leadership each year, said it is important to have the budget to stay abreast of technological advancements like mobile banking and smart video ATM’s.

“One needs to make a rather significant investment in today’s competitive market place to technology as well as to personal talent,” he says.

The past two years Centier has been named one of the best banks in the country to work for by American Banker, a national banking publication, Schrage says.

Terry McMahon, President and CEO of McMahon & Associates CPA’s, has known Schrage personally and professionally for 35 years.

“He is very dedicated to his family, his employees and the communities in which the bank has a presence,” McMahon explains. “He works hard with every individual who works with the bank to impress on them the importance of good service. That distinguishes him in my opinion.”

McMahon says Schrage took over the reign at Centier at a very early age.

“The bank was small at that time,” McMahon, who served on the bank’s board of directors for 30 years, says.

“He was given the reigns at a pretty young age at a time when the economy in the early 80’s was challenging to say the least.”

McMahon says Schrage turned Centier into the largest privately owned bank in Indiana.

“The reason for the success is his vision,” McMahon says. “He truly is the kind of person who looks down the road. It has been impressive what he has achieved.”

Schrage says he has had many mentors in his life including his mother Doris Schrage, coach Colin Stetson, and Centier executive Herman Stauffer. Schrage said his mother was a very stringent, extremely competitive person

who was always pushing and challenging him to do better.

“My Culver High school coach had me go above and beyond where I thought was within me to do.”

Stauffer helped Schrage during his first five years at the bank while he was going through the acclamation process and learning community banking.

Schrage said Stauffer influenced both his thinking and actions.

Schrage has been involved with many local organizations during his 42-year career.

“I have looked for organizations I could take to the next level and break out of the pattern they are in that they can only do so much and affect so many people,” Schrage says.

“I try and take them to the next level.”

Schrage has served on the American Red Cross, the Northwest Indiana Symphony, the Calumet Council of Boy Scouts and St. Jude House boards.

“Back in the 80’s I met with Dean White to allow the Northwest Indiana Symphony to use the Star Plaza as their venue, taking them from the high school auditorium stage to a more regional type of venue,” Schrage says.

For your information

NAME: Michael E. Schrage \\ AGE: 67 \\ TOWN: Valparaiso \\ TITLE: President, CEO and Chairman of the Board \\ COMPANY: Centier Bank ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Led Centier Bank through extensive growth. Under Schrage’s leadership the past nine years Centier been voted among the top ten best places to work in Indiana. The past two years Centier has been named one of the best banks in the country to work for by American Banker a trade publication. Schrage has served on numerous local boards including: the American Red Cross, the Northwest Indiana Symphony; the Calumet Council of Boy Scouts; and St Jude House. Schrage chaired the Juvenile Diabetes Walk and most recently has been deeply involved with the American Heart Association and its gala. Schrage has served on the board of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for the past five years and is a board director for Culver Academy.

Schrage chaired the Juvenile Diabetes Walk for several years and has been deeply involved for the past six years with the American Heart Association taking the annual gala from “just another banquet to what I consider one of the premiere events in Northwest Indiana.”

Schrage has served on the board of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce the past five years and is a board director of Culver Academy.

“I am honored by the nomination appointment to the Hall of Fame which is most appropriate as it coincides with the bank’s 120th anniversary,” Schrage says.

“It is certainly a milestone and celebration for us and I consider it an honor to join the other Business Hall of Fame members.”

congratulationS

Michael E.

Schrage For being induct inducted into the

2015 BusINess & Industry

Hall Of Fame.

Michael E. Schrage

Member FDIC

Centier President & CEO SPRING 2015 | 19

President of Schepel BuickGMC Inc, Richard Schepel TONY V. MARTIN

HALL OF FAME 2015 \\ RICHARD SCHEPEL

Richard Schepel, dean of auto sales in Northwest Indiana

S

ANDREA HOLECEK

ix decades after beginning his career in the automobile industry by cleaning cars, Richard Schepel has become a lauded name in Northwest Indiana’s auto sales.

Schepel, 81, is the president of Schepel Buick-GMC Inc. Despite his retirement from the dealership’s everyday operation, he remains involved through his legacy of providing superior customer service, says Bert Wories, the company’s chief financial

officer who also is Schepel’s son-in-law.

“I started my career in automobile sales because of my father’s involvement in the auto industry and my love for the American automobile ever since I was a young boy,” says Schepel, adding that as a youngster he would always buy car magazines.

After Schepel completed U.S. Army service in the mid-1950’s, he landed a job cleaning cars at a Lansing used car dealer. He soon became a used car salesman for the business, and eventually became a part-then-sole owner of the car lot, which did business as “Schepel & May.” In 1968, Schepel knew his future involved selling new

reserve your seat today!

Class of 2015 luncheon Tuesday, April 28, 11:30 a.m.

Radisson Hotel Celebrity Ballroom I-65 at U.S. 30 in Merrillville, Indiana

Limited Seating Available.

Tickets are $40. Corporate tables available.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

ROLAND PARRISH Roland Parrish, a 1971 Hammond High graduate and former track athlete, has a hands-on approach to running his Dallas-area businesses. He owns 25 McDonald’s restaurants in North Texas.

He has served as the Chairman and CEO of the National Black McDonald’s Owner/Operators and believes in giving back.

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SPRING 2015 | 21

Merrillville’s Schepel Buick GMC was once again named a GM Dealer of the Year. The dealership extended its awardwinning streak that started in 2010.

Pictured here, from left, are Ryan Van Prooyen, manager; Ron Meier, zone manager at Chicago Buick GMC; Tom Van Prooyen, vice president of Schepel Auto Group; Rich Schepel, president of Schepel Auto Group; and Jordan Van Prooyen, manager.

TONY V. MARTIN, THE TIMES

autos as well as used cars and he bought the former Ray Shem Buick in Crown Point using savings from his first venture.

“It was a failing dealership and he (Schepel) had an understanding with Buick that he could buy it if he would build a new facility in two years,” says Wories who began working for Schepel in 1969. “They (Buick) were excited because they wanted someone successful to take it over.”

And Schepel was successful, very successful.

“Rich began to build a new dealership in 1970 on Route 30,” Wories says. “He was the first one there. It was all farm land then. The other car dealers thought he wasn’t making a good decision. Back then he was a new kid on the block and they didn’t think he would make it. Within a couple of years he became the Number 1 Buick dealer in the Chicago zone.”

New vehicle sales eventually grew from 100 per year to more than 1,900.

The original dealership was completed in 1970. Fifteen years later, an 18,000-square-foot addition was added, providing room for a body shop, a new vehicle preparation area, room to expand the service department and enlarge the parts department.

In 1987, Schepel acquired the GMC Light Truck franchise and the dealership name was changed to Schepel BuickGMC Truck Inc. Only three years went by before Schepel built a 1,500 addition to accommodate sales offices plus conference and computer rooms. At the same time, other parts of the dealership were updated.

Wories and Buick credit the dealership’s success to Schepel’s devotion to customer satisfaction. In 1997, Buick used his customer service approach in a film distributed to Buick dealerships nationwide. Ten years later, an article

22 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

about the dealership concluded “Rich Schepel wrote the book on customer satisfaction.”

“Schepel Buick-GMC-Cadillac has succeeded for over 45 years in the car business because we have treated our customers like they are family,” Schepel says. “In doing so, our customers have been extremely loyal in both good and bad economies.”

A past president and chairman of the board of directors of the Buick Dealers Association and the GMC Truck Association, Schepel has served on Buick zone, regional and national dealer councils. He also has been a member of the Indiana Auto Dealers Association and the Chicago area Buick and GMC Dealer Associations.

During his career, General Motors has presented Schepel with numerous awards including Buick’s Best In Class, GMC’s 5 Star General, Buick’s Select Dealer, GMC’s Leader of Distinction, and Buick’s Image of Excellence.

A Dyer resident, Schepel has devoted the same commitment to his family and his community as he has to his business. He and Gertrude, his wife of more than 58 years, have two daughters: Barbara and Debra, and five grandchildren. They are active in their local church, Redeemer United Reformed Church, where Schepel has served as a deacon, and also chairman of the Building & Grounds committee.

Through the church, Schepel has contributed and helped many needy individuals and families. For years, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bible League International, visiting many of the countries where the League distributes bibles, and contributing his time, effort and financial resources to its mission.

Schepel has supported and served on the Board of

Directors of the Dyer-based Mid-America Reformed Seminary.

He also has served on the Board of Directors of Trinity Christian College, in Palos Heights, Illinois.

A member of several Northwest Indiana Chambers of Commerce, Schepel was a long-time member on the advisory council for Bank One. Through his leadership, his dealership has been active in local charities. Schepel’s supports area For your information high school driver NAME: Richard Schepel \\ AGE: 81 education and \\ TOWN: Dyer \\ TITLE: President several work-study of Schepel Buick-GMC Inc. \\ programs for COMPANY: Schepel Buick-GMC Inc. students as well as aiding the Red Cross ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Past president Blood Drive and and chairman of the board of directors of the Buick Dealers Association other local charities. and the GMC Truck Association.

This year, for Member of the Indiana Auto Dealers the twentieth time, Association and the Chicago area the dealership will Buick and GMC Dealer Associations. sponsor its Annual Numerous awards including Buick’s Charity Car Show.

Best In Class, GMC’s 5 Star General, The event raises Buick’s Select Dealer, GMC’s Leader thousands of dollars of Distinction, and Buick’s Image of for Elim Christian Excellence. Served as deacon and committee chair at Redeemer United Services, which Reformed Church, on the board provides programs of the Bible League International, and services for Mid-America Reformed Seminary and children and adults Trinity Christian College. Also member with disabilities and supporter of NWI chambers, “Our company Red Cross Blood Drive, Elim Christian has always supported Services and other local charities. local charities because we believe in the people of Northwest Indiana,” Schepel says. “Our business has been blessed by this community.

We, in turn, feel called to give back to organizations that improve the lives of citizens in our area.”

Schepel has been successful because he has a “good Christian moral value on doing business the right way and a real concern for the customer.” Wories says.

“We call it giving ‘customer satisfaction,” he says. “Treat customers the ways you‘d want to be treated. That became part of the way we do business.”

Schepel wants his legacy to reflect the manner he conducted his life’s work. “I would want my legacy to be a businessman who truly cared about his customers enough to impact the next generation of this company, so that they will continue in our heritage of delighted customers.”

Congratulations from everyone at HealthLinc to our Leader and CEO,

Beth WroBel,

and to the 2015 Hall of Fame Class!

We’re proud of you!

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Roy Berlin, president of Berlin Metals TONY V. MARTIN

HALL OF FAME 2015 \\ ROY BERLIN

Steel industry leader carries on family tradition

F LESLY BAILEY

rom his first days at Berlin Metals, Roy Berlin had the opportunity to work alongside an inspiring teacher.

“My father (Melvin) advised me on effective sales and purchasing strategies in my early years and then, as I gained more experience, I became his righthand man and adviser,” he says. “I was very fortunate to grow up with a father who was a smart, hard-working and

ethical businessman. And I was even more fortunate to be able to work alongside him for a number of years until he retired from the steel business about 15 years ago.

“Before he left, we were more like partners. He had been in the business a long time and had a great memory for people and companies. He was a wealth of knowledge. He was an excellent teacher.”

In 1967, the Berlin family purchased the company, which was launched in 1932 as Hokin Steel and Tinplate.

“Simply put, we’re a value-added processor and distributor of thin metals, primarily tinplate, light gauge cold-rolled steel and stainless steel,” Berlin says. “Much of

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For your information

NAME: Roy Berlin \\ AGE: 61 \\ TITLE: President \\ COMPANY: Berlin Metals ACHIEVEMENTS: Successfully leads family-owned business; company named best service center in the country in 2014 by “American Metal Market,” a national trade publication; supporter of Acorn Foundation in Hammond to provide scholarship funds to local high school students who excelled in math and science

Roy Berlin, president and CEO of Berlin Metals in Hammond, stands in the warehouse with processed steel and aluminum.

JOHN LUKE

and distributors.

“This association works to educate employees of companies in the metals distribution business so that they can make smarter decisions and grow larger and more successful companies,” he says. “This association also awards hundreds of thousands of dollars every year of scholarship money to the high achieving, college-age children of employees of member companies.”

Family has been a source of strength for the company, Berlin adds.

“We have made being a family business part of our the steel we buy is made in Northwest Indiana. We’ve been success. I think that our customers and suppliers enjoy in the same location in Hammond for over 30 years, having working with our company as they feel there’s a sense moved here from Chicago. of connectedness and continuity they can count on and “About half of our employees live in Indiana, the others trust,” he says. “The company had an accessible, friendly, in Illinois. We pay taxes here, we eat lunch here, we hire knowledgeable and hard-working leader before I came into local companies to help us maintain our equipment and physical plant, hire transportation companies here, and even the business and, if I could be immodest for a moment, I think the company has that same kind of leader now, one for those of us who don’t live here, we spend one-third of with the same last name. our lives here.”

“I should also add that part of the enjoyment I get Berlin’s background helped build a base for his career at from this business is a certain sense of pride that I have Berlin Metals, which began in 1988 with the role of outside maintained the good reputation of the family business that salesman. He moved to director of purchasing in 1992, my father created.” executive vice president in 1995 and president in 1999.

Berlin also enjoys his roles because he is able to work “Previously, I had a number of different jobs — taxi driver, commercial photographer and Realtor — that helped toward making improvements.

“I enjoy making things better today than they were me learn a great deal about people and business. You could yesterday. I enjoy knowing more today than I knew say I’ve been involved in business all my life,” he says. yesterday, that’s always been my mantra,” he says. “I get a Berlin says the company maintains a successful path by chance for both of those things with the job I have. I don’t continuing to focus on people. know why I enjoy this … I suppose it was how I was raised or “At the end of the day, this company, like most how I’m built.” companies, is about people. Working hard to satisfy our While many people are an inspiration to Berlin, customers, our suppliers and our own employees is what grandfathers Joseph Berlin and Maurice Lamm have been we do. And when you do all three well, that usually equals key sources. success,” he says. “I think what I’m most proud of is that “I’m generally inspired by people who work hard to this company maintained its profitability even during the support themselves and their family, working to make a recession years of 2008 to 2009. Very few companies in the better life. I’m especially inspired by people who were born steel distribution space were able to do that.” in this country into difficult economic and/or emotional Bill McDunn, Berlin Metals vice president of finance, circumstances but set those difficulties aside and look says Berlin guides the company and employees by example. forward with a positive attitude, working hard to make “He’s good to his people and has ingrained in us to a better future for themselves, not letting themselves always be fair,” McDunn says. “He’s a great person, very get stuck in the past, not blaming anyone for their past open and honest and generous with his time, money and problems, taking ownership of their futures. That’s always sharing of his knowledge.” inspiring,” he says.

The company supports the community through “And I’m also tremendously inspired by immigrants donations to educational efforts. who come to this country knowing no one, not speaking the “Berlin Metals has tried to be a good neighbor to the language, taking any job they can find, working multiple community,” Berlin says. “As I believe strongly that a good education is important for everyone, we’ve made donations jobs to support themselves, who then get an education, raise a family, put their kids through college, and make a for many years to the Acorn Foundation in Hammond to provide scholarship funds to local high school students who successful life for themselves and their family.

“Both my grandfathers were people like this and I think excelled in math and science.” that they and others like them were and are very brave and Berlin is also active in the Metal Service Institute admirable.”

Center, a national trade association of metal processors

26 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

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For more information on how your company can be a part of this two-day event including the Career Fair on June 10, visit nwi.com/diversity or please contact Roxanne Olejnik at roxanne.olejnik@nwi.com or 219-548-4376.

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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS AWARD RECIPIENT \\ JOE COAR

Industry leader raises awareness of building trades opportunities

J

LESLY BAILEY

oe Coar’s carpenter roots blossomed into a long career at Tonn and Blank Construction – an example, he emphasizes, of what can be done with opportunities outside of college.

“I continue to sell the building trades to the school systems in Northwest Indiana. I do it because of the emphasis on career paths in high school. Kids are pushed and pushed and pushed to go to college,” he says. “You can see how I became successful and how it worked out for me … not every kid has to go to college. Parents have to realize we can train kids in the building trades and how to succeed in life.

“I want them to know the Joe Coar success story. If someone picks up on it, then maybe they will think that trades are the way to go. Set a goal for what you want to be and go for it.”

As the recipient of the Partners in Progress award, Coar has shown ongoing leadership and support for progress in Northwest Indiana.

He started with Tonn and Blank in 1967 as a carpenter apprentice in the company’s custom wood shop. Over the years, he moved from the wood shop to the field as a carpenter and into supervisory roles as assistant and superintendent. He worked his way up into management as manager of operations and eventually vice president of operations.

“I was very fortunate to be able to work with and for very talented people who supported me and helped me become a superintendent,” he says. “Before moving into management, I worked on-and-off out-of-town for six years. This is when I really grew up. Each location, I had to start fresh and supervise projects of various sizes utilizing the local talent.

This is when I really began to understand the importance of JOHN J. WATKINS, THE TIMES surrounding yourself with good people.”

Portage Mayor James Snyder and Construction Advancement Coar held the VP of operations position for 25 years Foundation President Joe Coar cut the ribbon at the before retiring in December 2014. He now serves as a Construction Advancement Foundation safety facility in 2013.

28 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

Joe Coar, former Vice President of Operations at Tonn and Blank Construction TONY V. MARTIN

SPRING 2015 | 29

Left: Portage Mayor James Snyder, Construction Advancement Foundation President Joe Coar and board members, contractors and architects celebrate the ribbon cutting at the Construction Advancement Foundation safety facility.

JOHN J. WATKINS

Right: Joe Coar sits on a panel of building trades, union representatives and local educators at a workshop held at the Construction Advancement Foundation in Portage.

JOHN LUKE

For your information

NAME: Joe Coar \\ AGE: 69 \\ TITLE: Former vice president of operations, consultant \\ COMPANY: Tonn and Blank Construction ACHIEVEMENTS: Worked way up through Tonn and Blank from carpenter apprentice to management; community involvement includes: Construction Advancement Foundation, Ready Northwest Indiana Workforce Development, Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwest Indiana Business Round Table, the local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio Carpenter Training Fund, Duneland Health Council, Dunebrook and Northwest Indiana Contractors Association; driving force in awareness of building trades opportunities for next generation

consultant for Tonn and Blank.

“I was responsible for the hiring of all of our field work force. We employ carpenters, iron workers, laborers, cement masons, brick layers, roofers, Teamsters … this was and still is quite a task. I also managed all related equipment that was needed to perform various projects,” he says.

Throughout the years, Coar has left an imprint on the region participating in a range of projects for Urschel Laboratories, Sisters of St. Francis facilities and Computer Services Inc. “The Sisters are very special to me … I have worked with the Urschels in some capacity since the time I started with Tonn and Blank. I have been blessed to become business partners and close friends with three of the four generations,” he says. “What I have loved more than anything else are the friendships that I have built with so many people during my time in this business.”

Larry Moore, vice president of Computer Services, has known Coar for more than 20 years. Tonn and Blank built the CSI facility and has added on to it six different times, recently completing an upgrade.

“He has an infectious personality and passion for his profession. He is one of the few leaders in Northwest Indiana who is welcomed and effective in both board rooms and union halls,” Moore says. “That is a very unique characteristic.”

Moore says Coar’s passion is surfacing in his drive to spotlight the career opportunities beyond college.

“Every meeting, he is talking about a career center and how to integrate it into school systems. The critical need is to provide that early on – start in junior high to make a difference,” Moore says. “In his spare time, he is one of the best custom furniture makers in Northwest Indiana.”

30 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

Coar has been sharpening these carpenter skills since a young age.

“My dad had me cutting on a table saw when I was 9.

In those days, wood-working was a form of entertainment.

There were no electronics or computers. You could only play sports so much,” Coar says. “I have always enjoyed wood-working.”

Through his roles, Coar has also had the opportunity to connect with the community. He has served on various economic development and industry boards including for Construction Advancement Foundation, Ready Northwest Indiana Workforce Development, Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwest Indiana Business Round Table and LaPorte County Redevelopment. He also has been Duneland Health Council executive board grant chair and on the Dunebrook LaPorte County executive board.

Coar says Tonn and Blank served as a catalyst for his involvement in non-profit organizations.

“I have learned that community involvement is not just good for the community, it’s a strong corporate value that enhances a company’s culture and supports a company’s connection to the community,” he says. “Personally, I believe it’s important to be involved not just because of what I have put into it, but because of what I have gotten out of it. When I see how my involvement in a community organization changes the lives of people who have really benefitted, it changes my life as well. Whenever I have given, I get back double. What I get back is joy and appreciation from the people who we’ve helped and a reminder of how fortunate I am and that inspires me to do more.

“So what started out as good business ends up being a lifetime of joy and satisfaction in learning how we can all make a difference in our communities by serving.”

KEYNOTE SPEAKER \\ ROLAND PARRISH Roland Parrish, a 1971 Hammond High graduate, is President, CEO and owner of Parrish McDonald’s Restaurants in Texas.

KYLE TELECHAN, FILE, THE TIMES

Entrepreneur Roland Parrish keeps close ties to Northwest Indiana

R

ANDREA HOLECEK

oland Parrish, the former Hammond High School and Purdue University track and field star, hasn’t let the nearly 1,300 miles from his Dallas home stop him from contributing to enhance the quality of life where he grew up in Indiana.

Parrish, a 61-year-old Hammond native, moved to Texas after receiving bachelor and master degrees from Purdue University West Lafayette. Despite being tied to the Dallas area through his ownership of 25 local area McDonalds, Parrish keeps close contact with both Hammond and Purdue.

“I love my hometown,” says the president, CEO and owner of 24 Parrish McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd. in north Dallas “I love the town and the neighborhood.”

Parrish graduated from Hammond High School in 1971, the year he was the state champion in the 880-yard dash and a member of the National Honor Society. He was MVP of the school’s track and field team in 1973 and 1974 and was named to the Hammond, Indiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

His high school accomplishments earned him a scholarship to Purdue University West Lafayette, where he made the Dean’s List seven of his eight semesters and received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management degree from the university in 1978.

He has displayed his affection for his Alma Mater in various ways, most recently by donating $2 million Purdue’s Library Renovation Project. To honor his donation the former Management and Economics Library reopened in April 2012 as the Roland G. Parrish Library of Management and Economics.

Parrish has also received Krannert’s Business Leadership Award, which is the highest honor given by the business school and is a recipient of the Purdue’s Pinnacle Award, the highest honor given to an alumni.

SPRING 2015 | 31

Roland Parrish, 1971 Hammond High grad and former track standout.

PROVIDED

32 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

Through that phone discussion Parrish finally got a The former All-American high school athlete credits his “green light” but it was just to get an interview to get into journey from local Hammond boy to restaurant industry McDonald’s franchisee training program. mogul to the hard work, dedication and financial discipline He aced that interview, but once he was accepted into learned from his late father, Rev. John H. Parrish as well as to the program, he worked 50 hours a week on his Exxon job, his own tenacity.

“My dad worked in the steel mills (U.S. Steel Gary Works) commuted 10 hours a week to then train at the McDonald unpaid position for an additional 25 hours a week. for 30 years,” Parrish says. “The thing I remember about his “I did that for two years,” Parrish explains. “I graduated work ethic is after a got an award for perfect attendance, he from Hamburger University with honors and made the replied that he worked 10 years and he didn’t miss a day.

Dean’ List. They were hard on me which I appreciated. I “He was a great role model, and all the men in the typically take the harder path and I think that made me a church I grew up in all worked in the mills and to church better person.” on weekends,” Parrish says. “I had good strong men as role Parrish purchased his first McDonald’s with $180,000 models.” he had saved while working at Exxon. He currently owns 24 After receiving his undergraduate degree from Purdue, McDonald’s Restaurants in North Texas with sales of more Parrish did an internship with Exxon Corp., and then than $60 million annually. returned to the university to earn an MBA, while teaching “My basic philosophy is to run lean and mean, keep finance, and probability and statistics to fund his education. overhead down and try to build an “After getting my MBA, I looked organization of talented people: at my options and most were in the identify them, train them, develop South,” Parrish says. “Exxon’s U.S. them, promote them and then headquarters are in Houston and reward them financially,” Parrish I ended up there in 1984. I was on says. “Because I have a strong the general management track and financial background with financial did stints in various departments: discipline to save money I’ve been engineering, financial capital able to continue to buy locations budgeting, supply, distribution, and from the company.” direct retail and innovation.”

His business has been He stayed with the company for recognized by “Black Enterprise 13 years, surviving three downsizing Magazine’s BE 100,” as one of the that included massive layoffs during Top Black-Owned Businesses in his tenure. the nation based on sales volumes.

“I went through two and was And Parrish currently is serving his promoted,” Parrish says. “In the third term as chairman and chief third (in 1988) I stayed at a lateral operating officer of the National position and that’s when I decided Black McDonald’s Operator’s to needed become an independent Association. business person. I always had a PROVIDED He and his wife, Jewel, live in dream to become independent CPA This painting of Hammond grad Roland DeSoto, Texas. They have three one day, to have a small accounting Parrish was done by Dallas artist children: Jade, who graduated from practice.”

Christopher Rayson to celebrate Parrish’s 25 years as a McDonald’s franchisee. It Purdue in 2012; Roland, who works But fate intervened. Parrish now hangs in his office. for Sports 120 in Chicago, and, walked into a fellow Exxon Wesley, who graduated from the Art employee’s office and saw an eightInstitute of Chicago and works for a page application on his desk for local advertising firm.

McDonald’s management training Parrish, who has a condo in Chicago’s Loop, is a frequent program. He called the fast-food chain’s corporate office for visitor to the Region and his family includes Maurice an application the same day and immediately filled it out.

Parrish, a Hammond minister and Gary Parrish, a retired “Two weeks later I got a rejection letter,” Parrish says.

Gary police officer. He annually funds a scholarship for high “It said they had a lot of mid-managers. They weren’t school seniors in the name of Maurice Parrish and his wife, impressed with my degrees from Purdue. They didn’t feel Joan, and contributes to the Hammond Foundation.

I was a good fit. I was devastated. I thought I was a winner Jim Mullins, Purdue University West Lafayette, has and McDonald’s would love me and when that didn’t known Parrish for 7 years. Their first meeting was in Dallas, happen I couldn’t believe it. But I wouldn’t quit.”

He began calling McDonald’s corporate office three times where Mullins had accompanied the president of the university. a week in an attempt to reach Ruth Anderson, its licensing “When she introduced us, he jumped up and said ‘I love manager. It took six weeks before she came to the phone. libraries,’ “Mullins says. “Not only was he a track star at She kept rejecting his credentials until he began telling Purdue, but a dedicated student who spent the time when her about his customer service work. he wasn’t on the track in the library. I think he is one of the “I talked about customer service and how I had worked most honest, forthright people I’ve ever known.” in service stations in Memphis, and a small town in Parrish’s interest in his family and his extended family is Arkansas, then to Jackson, Mississippi to run 15 service stations,” Parrish says. “Then I started to tell her about how highly unusual, Mullins says.

“He’s made sacrifices to help them get an education and during the oil embargo — a lot of customer complaints at a good start in life,” Mullins says. “Not everyone takes the that time – wiping windshields, uniforms, and I could tell initiative to help others when they don’t have to, and he does.” she was listening. And I talked about what I had learned.”

SPRING 2015 | 33

Valpo Score’s Susan Sheahan with Joseph Neal who has a new business as a guitar maker.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFECT Leaders work to foster growth as small businesses ignite economic development

T

WORDS BY LESLY BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY V. MARTIN

34 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

he entrepreneurial spirit continues to spark job creation and innovation in Northwest Indiana and beyond.

“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of America period. They are the cornerstone of economic development in our country throughout the years and throughout recessions. They are what make us great,” says Dushan Nikolovski, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Success at Purdue University Calumet. “With small businesses, you never know how big they are going to grow.”

Lorri Feldt, Regional Director, Northwest ISBDC with the owners of new business ChicagoLand Popcorn.

“It takes one great idea to take off and be nurtured to provide jobs and create industry,” adds Susan Sheahan, chairperson of Northwest Indiana SCORE, which mentors business owners. “Entrepreneurs are the bread and butter of our economy.”

Lorri Feldt, regional director of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, says statistics continue to indicate that small businesses are behind new jobs.

“Entrepreneurs are so critical as more job creation is happening with small business owners than large corporations,” she says. “According to the SBA (Small Business Administration), two-thirds of new jobs are created by small businesses.”

The creation and vitality of small businesses need to be nurtured for future growth, says Greg Deason, executive director of the Purdue Foundry and Purdue Research Park, which includes the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana.

“With small businesses behind the lion’s share of new jobs, I think that in particular calls up entrepreneurs to help lead the way.

Whether the entrepreneurial spirit manifests itself as a new start-up or embedding in an existing business, it is going to be a key question for future competitiveness,” Deason says. “And larger companies need to find ways to continue to be relevant in the marketplace, these same types of individuals have a vast impact on the trajectory of existing companies with their ability to introduce new methods and new ways of doing business … it’s defined as the innovative backbone of the American economy.”

Dushan Nikolovski, Center for Entrepreneurship Success director.

SPRING 2015 | 35

Entrepreneur Terri Metro, CEO and Founder of My Patient Advocate.

Area organizations and leaders are striving to cultivate success by focusing on mentoring emerging and current entrepreneurs through workshops, programs and one-on-one consulting.

SCORE, based out of the Valpo Chamber offices, utilizes volunteers to help guide business owners who are facing obstacles and challenges.

“There is such a high failure rate for small businesses it is important to have someone who has done it and succeeded give you advice. You have the benefit of their experience,” Sheahan says. “Our unique niche at SCORE is we provide mentors who have come from a wide background of businesses and expertise levels that are a valuable resource to those coming in.

“We have expanded our expertise with subject matter experts whether it’s in accounting, insurance, marketing, technology or patenting.”

In 2014, the NW-ISBDC served 435 clients, including working with 25 start-ups. The organization offers workshops, resources and business advisers who work directly with clients.

“We meet them where they are and try to help them with whatever issues they run into,” Feldt says. “I love the example of a baker … someone who has a real passion for baking. We can help them understand how many cakes and cookies they need to sell next week and on an ongoing basis to cover costs and make money.”

Nikolovski says by being a mentor he can help entrepreneurs avoid the classic mistakes many make.

“I have been in business since I was 18 years old. One thing is they are always underfunded. They tend to underestimate expenses and overestimate income. I tell them to do the opposite: overestimate expenses and underestimate income,” he says.

Beyond financing, entrepreneurs often face the challenge of not truly knowing their customers. Methodologies, such as Lean LaunchPad, have surfaced to encourage potential entrepreneurs to do research before starting a business.

“Sometimes people don’t pay enough attention to the market. They have a passion for something they love and may not think of what is out there,” Feldt says. “You need to understand the market and know what your

36 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

competition will be. Do ‘windshield research’: Get out there and see what your competition is doing and what they are offering.

“The more homework you do upfront, the sharper and more successful you will be.”

“Do as much pre-planning as you can. Do everything you can ahead of time,” Nikolovski says. “Interview as many people as you can. Develop the product before you really start the business.”

Deason says this shift is one component of the Purdue Foundry, which is working with individuals before they launch a business.

“We have added a significant number of ideation techniques to help entrepreneurs figure out how to go forward,” he says. “That’s different than in the past when we would engage with a client who had already made the decision to go forward. They are trying to figure out if the idea is viable and the basis for a start-up.”

Entrepreneur Terri Bakker Metro is building her business after seeing a need to be filled in the health care insurance industry. With more than 24 years of experience in the medical billing field, she launched My Patient Advocate in 2013. The service serves as a liaison between health care consumers and providers, including understanding coverage and denials as well as helping with medical claims processing and payment negotiations.

“My vision is to help more patients who feel like they got lost somewhere,” Metro says. “I like helping people and I want to get back to doing that.”

Metro says she is facing the challenges of getting the word out and clarifying how her service can be a benefit for both providers and consumers.

“I can’t give up my day job until I get the word out and I am trying to do this without a huge marketing budget,” she says.

Driven by her belief in what she is doing, she advises potential entrepreneurs to stay the course.

“Don’t give up. If this is truly something in your heart that you feel, stand behind it. This is a good service and I have something to offer. Don’t let anyone discourage you.”

Sowing Strength

Becoming a servant-leader is a manager’s most important role

I

BY THOMAS GRYZBEK

Thomas Gryzbek is president of Franciscan St. Margaret HealthDyer and Hammond and a previous Hall of Fame winner.

have had the privilege of spending my entire career working for the Sisters of St. Francis, who own and operate Franciscan St. Margaret Health.

I started in 1974, fresh out of college. I had neither real business skills nor work experience, but learned about leadership, being mentored by, and watching and following, the sisters’ examples.

These amazing and talented women taught me early on the value of being a servant-leader. I learned to treat each person I encountered with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstance. I was taught that we never know what life experiences (good or challenging) another person has faced, nor may we be able to fully understand what that person may be going through.

I learned that empathy, understanding and active listening are the pathways to achieve a fruitful resolution of an issue, as well as the tools to use in working toward a common goal.

In setting goals and expectations, I learned how important it is to be a good communicator. A leader works collaboratively with those he is privileged to work beside, seeking input, listening to different opinions, explaining one’s vision and finding the path that leads to common ownership of the direction being set.

At the same time, it is important to give those who are participating creative space to use their talents to achieve the organization’s goals. One should avoid the temptation to micro-manage. A good leader presents challenging work that empowers those helping to use their talents.

The participation of the whole often results in a better product than the contributions of one or two people.

I learned to not ask anyone to do something I would not do. I quickly came to understand that we all form the organization’s mosaic and each person is a key piece to the final picture of what is accomplished.

Just because someone has a title does not mean his or her position is worthy of more recognition. Quite the contrary, it is the person who has the title that stands in the shadow of the reflective glory of those whose hard work and sacrifice gets the work done, day in and day out.

A good leader realizes his or her job is to work for those he or she is privileged to lead. Credit and accolades

A good leader seeks feedback on his or her performance.

One should not be afraid to ask members of the workforce what can be improved (even with the leader’s management style) and then, when necessary, change one’s approach to help the organization do better. must go to those who accomplish the goal. Celebrations of small successes can be important as announcements of major organization achievements.

Even more important is the need to recognize each person’s hard work and dedication, which requires patience, humility, an ability to listen closely to divergent views, and understanding that most employees want to help and do well.

A good leader seeks feedback on his or her performance. One should not be afraid to ask members of the workforce what can be improved (even with the leader’s management style) and then, when necessary, change one’s approach to help the organization do better.

It likewise is important to have a genuine concern for each employee and his or her family. That means learning to reach out when an employee is hurting, sick, or suffering, or dealing with the death of a loved one.

It is so very important, in my opinion, in a very real and spiritual way, to always remember the humble reality that God has placed us in the position in which we find ourselves and that we must see in each other Jesus in disguise. That is servant-leadership. It is God working through us. We are not doing this on our own. We did not create our ability; God did.

Without God, we are nothing. He deserves the ultimate credit. We are his handiwork.

SPRING 2015 | 37

Risk-Assessment

Leaders envision opportunity and take a chance on the future

M

BY CALVIN BELLAMY

Bellamy is currently a partner with the law firm of Krieg DeVault.

Previously, he served as Chairman and CEO of Bank Calumet for nearly 24 years. He remains active in the community and is President of the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission. He is a previous Hall of Fame winner.

uch has been written about leadership.

Countless definitions have been offered, but this whole subject can be thought of as just two basic questions: Where do leaders come from and why are some more successful than others?

There are various routes to the corner office. Sometimes a person is born to it – acquires the top job by inheritance. Other times, people say they were just “lucky” or in the right place at the right time. Others rise up through the ranks and are recognized for their outstanding performance. All these explanations have an element of truth; sometimes more that one of these factors is in play. Whatever the real reason someone rises to leadership, there are some common traits leaders display and we have many local examples.

It’s an overworked word, but vision is certainly an important element in leadership. Where most people saw vacant land, Don Powers saw a major medical center, quality subdivisions and a unique veterans memorial. Who but Dean White could foresee a nationally recognized entertainment center at the then remote intersection of US 30 and I-65?

Leaders are also risk-takers. When Wil Davis opened the Gary Jet Center to the Gary Airport, it did not have (and still does not have) scheduled airline service. Yet Wil saw a niche opportunity; he was willing to take the risk and, as they say, the rest is history. Adela Ortega is a successful woman in a very male dominated business. Her business, Professional Locomotive Services, repairs and refits train locomotives. To break into such a business, even where the market need is great, took courage on this lady’s part.

But vision and even prudent risk-taking will not produce success unless the leader has drive, stamina, and attention to detail. The devil is always in the details and, therefore, the ability to carry through and actually turn your vision into reality requires great skills of execution, including day-to-day direction, oversight and full engagement. At times, Gus Olympidis managed three jobs as he sought to support his family and build capital to start his business career which has now grown into the highly successful Family Express chain. He had the stamina to grow Family Express from nothing and he continues to have the ability and interest to manage the details, along with learning from experience. Even when a family member takes over an existing business, there are no guaranties. If hard work, careful attention to details and the openness to learn from others are present, an inherited

38 | IN BUSINESS | SPECIAL HALL OF FAME ISSUE

The devil is always in the details and, therefore, the ability to carry through and actually turn your vision into reality requires great skills of execution, including day-to-day direction, oversight and full engagement. business can grow well beyond what was inherited. The Mamon Powers family and also the Korellis, Bochnowski and Schrage families have demonstrated this truth.

The business world is a tough taskmaster and setbacks occur. Overcoming handicaps and obstacles can be a key ingredient in leadership. Steve Pangere is blind, yet he actively manages his construction business. He can “see” in his mind what others might miss with their eyes.

Leaders can even turn disabilities into advantages. Ralph Braun is confined to a wheelchair. His disability led him to focus on the issue of mobility, resulting in the founding of Braun Industries, which is internationally known for designing and building wheelchair accessible vehicles.

I should mention another important trait of leadership — the ability to motivate and inspire others. All of the above referenced individuals have been able to do this in their own unique ways. This factor is not always on public display but it is there nevertheless. When we do see inspirational leaders, even at a distance, we remember them. Think of Lincoln or Martin Luther King, Jr. John Kennedy was President for less than three years, about the same number of days as Millard Fillmore. Which man’s words and inspiration are remembered today?

There is also a particular danger in leadership — the feeling of infallibility. This is a highly dangerous and destructive belief that self-confident people are particularly susceptible to. Yes, leaders have to be tough and audacious. They have to believe in themselves and their future. But nobody knows everything. Good leaders are open to the ideas of others. They lead, but they also listen. They make mistakes, but learn from them. They are assertive, but respectful of others. They draw on their experience but cannot let themselves be hidebound and close-minded. Above all, leaders must believe in the future. These lessons are not just for businesses. They apply equally to Little League coaches, girl scout leaders and non-profit executives. Good leaders make things happen and we are all better off for their efforts.

Preparing for a Leadership Role

Seven essential life lessons

Y

ears ago I was preparing for a presentation I was to make to my college class on leadership. What did I know about leadership in the early years of my career? Not much really, so I tried to watch, listen, and learn from folks around me. Years later I am still learning from some of NWI’s outstanding leaders as they are shaping the landscape of NWI. Many of them model the attributes of individuals who either are great leaders, such as General Colin Powell, or individuals who have studied leaders and identified many of their common traits such as Kenneth Blanchard or Warren Bennis.

What is leadership? Some say it is the “art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.” There are hundreds of definitions and thousands of books. We all have our favorite lessons. Let me share some of mine.

Lesson 1 – “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Leaders have a vision, and see a world that most people cannot as it doesn’t exist yet. But leaders commit to that vision, declare that the world they see is possible, and commit to making that possibility a reality.

BY LINDA WOLOSHANSKY Linda Woloshansky is the President & CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations, Inc. and The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board. She is a previous Hall of Fame winner.

The true function of leadership is to produce more leaders and this sentiment is shared by many well-known leaders including Ralph Nader. So when you have a moment, think about those people in NWI whose name can be associated with the lessons above. Those people are our leaders. They are the ones who are accomplishing great things and inspiring others to do more within our communities.

Lesson 6– A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be. There is a story about a Chechen commander who was killed. On his body was a diary that compared fighting the US with fighting Russians. He noted that when you take out the Russian leader, the units stops and mills about, not sure of what to do next. But he added when you take out a US leader, somebody always and quickly takes his place with no loss of momentum. It may be a private that steps Lesson 3 – The key to successful leadership is up to the plate before they can iron out the new chain of influence, not authority. Leaders communicate in command. And the darn thing is that the private knows ways that inspire actions, shift perceptions and evoke what the heck he is doing. commitment from the people around them, resulting in shared commitment.

Lesson 7 – Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers who can cut through argument, debate, and Lesson 4 – A leader exhibits perpetual optimism. doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.

The ripple effect of a leader’s enthusiasm and optimism Effective leaders really do believe in the K.I.S.S. principle, is awesome. A gung-ho attitude that says “we can change Keep It Simple, Stupid. things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best” is a powerful influencer.

In the end, the true function of leadership is to produce more leaders and this sentiment is shared by Lesson 5 – Never neglect details. When everyone’s many well-known leaders including Ralph Nader. So mind is dulled or distracted, the leader must be doubly when you have a moment, think about those people in vigilant. The great ideas and vision in the world are NWI whose name can be associated with the lessons worthless if they can’t be implemented rapidly and above. Those people are our leaders. They are the ones efficiently. Good leaders delegate and empower others who are accomplishing great things and inspiring others to do more within our communities. literally but they pay attention to details every day.

Lesson 2 – A leader must have the courage to act against an expert’s advice. They are not afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard. You can learn from pros. Observe them, seek them out as mentors and partners. But remember that even the pros may have limitations in their learning and skills, or did the work so long ago that the world has changed.

SPRING 2015 | 39

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