APR-MAY 2019 Northwest Indiana Business Magazine Serving Greater Northwest and Northcentral Indiana and Surrounding Counties

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Indiana’s leading regional business magazine since 1991 SUCCESSION PLANNING | CONSTRUCTION | THEATER | MAKING DIFFERENCE

APR-MAY 2019 Northwest Indiana Business Magazine Serving greater Northwest and Northcentral Indiana and surrounding counties

BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS In recognition of excellence 2019 Best of Northwest Indiana and greater South Bend/Michiana business awards

Terry McMahon President and CEO McMahon & Associates CPAs CHOOSE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR YOUR GROWING BUSINESS. Purdue Technology Center and AmeriPlex at the Crossroads provide the right locale and environment for new and existing businesses to create and grow. Indiana Certified Technology Park

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Purdue Technology Center 9800 Connecticut Drive, Crown Point, Ind. FOR MORE 219.644.3683 INFORMATION www.prf.org/researchpark/locations/northwest Left to right: Dan Magura, Peoples VP, Business Banker with Kurt Kropp, CEO & Owner of Kropp Equipment. Left to right: Dan Magura, Peoples VP, Business Banker Left to right: Dan Magura, Peoples VP, Business Banker with Kurt Kropp, CEO & Owner of Kropp Equipment. Bwith KurtE Kropp, CEOT & OwnerT of KroppE Equipment.R equippedBET forT ourE Rbusiness. equipped for our business. Why bank bigger… bank better with a bank that puts your business first. Why bank bigger… bank better with a bank that puts “I canyour do everythingbusiness with first.a phone call to Peoples Bank. It can be 6 am or late at night, and I always get a call back, usually within 15 minutes. When it comes to my business, I am pretty “I can do everything with a phone call to Peoples Bank. It can be 6 am or late at night, and I driven.“I can For do myeverything financial with needs, a phone Peoples call isto too. Peoples There’s Bank. always It can someone be 6 am available or late at that’s night, and I always get a call back, usually within 15 minutes. When it comes to my business, I am pretty knowledgeablealways get a call with back, options usually to fit within my needs.” 15 minutes. When it comes to my business, I am pretty driven. For my financial needs, Peoples is too.– There’sKurt Kropp, always CEO someone& Owner available that’s driven. For my financial needs, Peoples is too. There’sKropp Equipment always someone available that’s knowledgeable with options to fit my needs.” knowledgeable with options to fit my needs.” – Kurt Kropp, CEO & Owner Bank of the Year – KroppKurt Kropp, Equipment CEO & Owner for Small Business Administration 504 LoansKropp* Equipment Bank of the Year Bank of the Year for Small Business Administration 504 Loans* ** Bank Betterfor withSmall Peoples Business – one Administration of the top 200 504 performing Loans* community banks in the nation for 14 consecutive years. Bank Better with Peoples – one of the top 200 performing community banks** in Bank Better with Peoples – one of the top 200 performing community banks** in the nation for 14 consecutive years. Visitthe nationus online for 14 orconsecutive call a Business years. Banker today. ibankpeoples.comVisit us online or call| 219.853.7500 a Business Banker today. Visit us online or call a Business Banker today. ibankpeoples.com | 219.853.7500 ibankpeoples.com | 219.853.7500

Member FDIC Peoples Bank is an SBA (Small Business Administration) approved lender. *2018 Regional Development Company Award. **American Banker Magazine Member FDIC Peoples MemberBank is an FDIC SBA (Small Business Administration) approved lender. *2018Peoples Regional Bank is Development an SBA (Small Company Business Award. Administration) **American approved Banker lender. Magazine *2018 Regional Development Company Award. **American Banker Magazine NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE APR - MAY 2019 CONTENTS

PUBLISHER’S NOTE 5 Taking stock Recognizing excellence in Region’s thriving business community

BUSINESS NEWS 6 Around the Region Learn about the people and companies making 12 BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS a difference at work and in their communities

BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS 12 Recognizing business excellence 2019 Best of Northwest Indiana and greater South Bend/Michiana business awards

SUCCESSION PLANNING 26 Be smart, plan for what’s next Experts say best succession plans prepared in advance of need for them

CONSTRUCTION 30 Firms display best work online Construction and engineering firms say website portfolios useful tool for attracting future business

30 BUILDING ONLINE PORTFOLIO FOR VOTING US THE

AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF BEST Northwest Indiana Business Magazine

THE BEST NORTHWEST INDIANA

HOSPITAL GROUP HEALTHCARE FACILITY Cardiology FITNESS/ WELLNESS FACILITY Urgent/Immediate Care Physical/Occupational Therapy COMPANY TO Cancer Treatments WORK FOR CO-WINNER Mental Health Orthopedics

FranciscanHealth.org

CONTINUING CHRIST’S MINISTRY IN OUR FRANCISCAN TRADITION CONTENTS CONTINUED

ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS 34 Theater community thriving Industry leaders offer innovative programs to keep local audiences flocking to area venues ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 38 Out & About Discover interesting events, exhibits, performances to see and do in Region OFF HOURS 40 Executive leads healthy life Cline Avenue Bridge project manager says staying active keeps him fit, helps his social life 34 REGIONAL THEATRICS MADE IN INDIANA 42 Dream becomes reality Former nurse turning soap-making hobby into so much more with line of goat’s milk products MAKING A DIFFERENCE 44Rounding up donations Store checkout charity campaign makes million-dollar impact with spare change BUSINESS ADVICE 46 Anatomy of buy-sell agreement Owners usually have two choices when considering how companies will go on without them VIEWPOINT 48 Making good people great Leadership Institute at Purdue University Northwest shares resources to drive change in Region

42 BUILDING HER SOAPBOX NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T PUBLISHER’S NOTE Taking stock READ ON PHONE Recognizing excellence in Region’s thriving APR - MAY 2019 business community

Publisher/Executive Editor ach spring the magazine is and creating a partnership with one of Troy Linker honored to shine a light on many this year’s honorees. The list includes Managing Editor of the outstanding businesses new names I want to research further, Larry Avila in our Region with our Best of names that may be worth a new look, Director, Advertising Sales EBusiness awards. Too often we only and names that have been around for Melanie Aylsworth notice what isn’t working or what could years and are lead- Contributing Writers be better in our Region. It is important ers in our business Larry Avila • Lesly Bailey • John Cain to be self-aware and strive for continual community. Jerry Davich • Sheila Brillson Matias Bob Moulesong • Philip Potempa improvement, but it also is import- I ask myself, how Michael Puente • Jack Walton • Cal Bellamy ant to take stock of where we are and did these companies Editorial Advisory Committee how far we have come. As a resident, become leaders in Erika Dahl • John Davies customer and taxpayer, I am grateful the Region? What Lorri Feldt • Brett Fuller for our business community in the lessons can we learn Barbara Grimsgard • Keith Kirkpatrick Region, many areas of the country are from them and apply Leigh Morris • Raeann Trakas not as fortunate. in our own busi- Michelle Searer • Anthony Sindone Mary Wellnitz • Linda Woloshansky This year our readers selected 110 nesses? Several key businesses in 52 categories operating business concepts u Troy Linker is Photography in Northwest and Northcentral Indiana recur in the quotes Michelle Hamstra executive editor for recognition as best businesses. We and comments from and publisher of the Magazine Design/Production congratulate the winners and congratu- the business lead- Northwest Indiana Heather Pfundstein late the Region for its thriving business ers we interviewed, Business Magazine. email: [email protected] community because, as Steve Kring which include: adapt, web: nwindianabusiness.com from Horizon Bank says in this issue, positive culture, real- visit: facebook.com/nwindiananbiz visit: twitter.com/nwindianabiz “Local businesses are the fabric of our izing their dreams, passion, strong visit: linkedin.com/company/nwindianabiz communities—if we serve them to the relationships, reliable partner, happy Northwest Indiana Business Magazine best of our abilities, our communities and engaged employees, innovation and 905 Joliet St #237, Dyer IN 46311 will grow and prosper as well.” agility to name a few. Most of us should is owned and published by I am a nerd for business ideas and use these concepts in our businesses but Linker Media Group, Inc., plans. It is so bad that my daughter implementing them is a challenge. It is Troy Linker, President and CEO. hesitates to mention a product/service inspiring to read others who excel in Many contributing writers are experts from she likes because, before she can stop their fields and earn our readers’ recog- various fields and provide advice to our readers me, we are discussing ideal customers, nition in part by implementing these on their individual specialties. Experts provide general information, for educational purposes, market size, and I am keying in cost- simple yet powerful business concepts. regarding legal, accounting, insurance and other of-goods estimates into a pro forma If they can do it with a little dedication, professional issues. This information is not a income statement on my phone. I share so can we! substitute for specific professional advice given by qualified professionals who are aware of an this story for two reasons: 1) So you will Our theme this issue is recogniz- individual’s particular circumstances. pity my daughter, the poor thing, and ing excellence. Our articles showcase © Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. 2) To give you a sense of how excited I people and companies that demonstrate Reproduction without permission is prohibited. am to read this issue’s Best of Business excellence in business, in planning, in Visit NWIndianaBusiness.com/subscribe awards article where we cover the construction, in philanthropy and the Two-year subscription rate is $19.95. One-year subscription rate is $14.95. breadth of local business in one article. arts. For our upcoming June issue, our

Indiana’s leading regional business magazine since 1991 SUCCESSION PLANNING | CONSTRUCTION | THEATER | MAKING DIFFERENCE Each year I am surprised and encour- theme returns to NWI Forum’s Ignite

APR-MAY 2019 Northwest aged by the quality and variety of the Region strategic plan with articles Indiana Business Magazine businesses that our readers recognized. highlighting business development and Serving greater Northwest and Northcentral Indiana and surrounding counties I hope you can take time to dig in and marketing, one of the plan’s five pillars BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS In recognition u Cover photo of excellence review this year’s list. Hopefully, your for economic development. 2019 Best of Northwest Indiana and greater of Terry McMahon South Bend/Michiana business awards company or one of your partners is on Thank you for reading! Terry McMahon President and CEO by Michelle Hamstra McMahon & Associates CPAs the list—if not consider reaching out —Troy Linker

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR - MAY 2019 5 T BUSINESS NEWS AROUND THE REGION READ ON PHONE Learn about people, companies making difference at work and in their communities

Larry Avila president of business banking for co-owner and vice president of Centier Bank from its downtown Oakmont Development, Fort Wayne; Accounting Valparaiso branch. secretary; and Paul Schwinghammer, Jolanta Moore, a certified public Mark Sander was named presi- owner of Hallmark Homes, Anderson. accountant, on Jan. 1 was named part- dent of Illinois-based First Midwest ner in the Munster-based accounting Bancorp. Sander also serves as chief Development firm of McMahon & Associates operating officer and as a director of Commitments from businesses CPA, P.C. Moore also is chairperson the company. He also will continue his made throughout 2018 will repre- of the firm’s accounting and auditing roles as president, chief operating offi- sent more than $7.38 billion in new department. cer and director of First Midwest Bank. investments and creation of 31,112 Kruggel Lawton CPAs recently Cincinnati, Ohio-based First new jobs in the coming years, accord- promoted staff accountant Alex Financial announced Chief Banking ing to Indiana state officials. Gov. Schaeffer to partner in the firm’s audit Officer Tony Stollings is retiring Eric Holcomb said 2018 represented and assurance services practice. The from the company. Stollings has been the second consecutive year for posi- firm has offices in Elkhart; South Bend; part of the bank’s leadership team for tive economic development with the Knoxville, Tenn.; and St. Joseph, Mich. more than 12 years. The bank hired Indiana Economic Development Corp., Andy Hauck as commercial bank- which secured 320 commitments from Banking ing executive and Cathy Myers as companies across the country and Evansville-based Old National consumer banking executive. Stollings around the world to locate or grow Bancorp announced CEO Bob Jones will work with Hauck, Myers and the in Indiana. The projected investment will retire from the post after more bank's leadership team until his retire- and pledged job creation represent the than 14 years. Jones will continue to ment later this year. highest annual commitment in IEDC serve as Old National’s chairman of history, the state said. The state said the board through January 2020, after Construction the new jobs are expected to offer aver- his retirement as CEO. Jim Ryan, The Indiana Builders Association age wages of $26.84 per hour, or almost Old National’s chief financial officer, recently elected its 2019 senior offi- $56,000 annually. This average is more will succeed Jones as CEO. Ryan will cers: Don Thieneman, president and than 20 percent above the state’s aver- transition to CEO on May 2. At that CEO of The Thieneman Group in Floyds age wage of $22.32 per hour and is the time, Old National treasurer Brendon Knobs, will serve as IBA’s 2019 presi- second-highest annual average wage of Falconer will succeed Ryan as CFO. dent. Other 2019 IBA senior officers jobs committed to the IEDC. Jim Sandgren will continue to serve include: vice president: Brett Harter, as president and chief operating officer. owner of Harter Custom Homes, Education Greg Gottschalk was named vice Leesburg; treasurer: Jeff Thomas, The University of Notre Dame

ACCOUNTING BANKING BANKING BANKING Jolanta Moore Bob Jones Jim Ryan Greg Gottschalk

6 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM

BANKING BANKING EDUCATION EDUCATION Andy Hauck Cathy Myers Trisha Mileham Thomas Coley recently announced the following Porte Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Indiana Department of staff promotions and appointments: the Greater La Porte Chamber of Child Services named Jim Luttrull Shannon Cullinan, vice president for Commerce and the city of La Porte in deputy general counsel of its litigation finance, has been elected executive vice their respective initiatives. Rose grew division. president of the University of Notre up in La Porte and attended La Porte Dame, effective July 1.Micki Kidder High School. After graduating in 2009, Health care was named vice president for univer- she attended Ball State University Franciscan Physician Network in sity enterprises and events. Mike where she graduated with a Bachelor of Michigan City recently welcomed three Seamon was named vice president for Science in urban planning and devel- new family physicians: Drs. Jennifer campus safety and university oper- opment in 2013. Rose earned a Master England, Kumari Singh and Liping ations. Ann Firth was promoted to of Science in historic preservation Zhong, have joined the Franciscan vice president and chief of staff to the from Ball State in 2014. Physician Network Coolspring Health president. Laura McAleer was named William Turner Jr. was appointed Center, 1225 E. Coolspring Ave. associate vice president for federal executive director of Skillful Indiana. Porter Health Care System in and Washington relations. G. Marcus The state-backed initiative launched in Valparaiso recently named its 2018 Cole was appointed as a professor of the fall assists people without four-year Associates of the Year: Terrance law and dean of the college's law school. college degrees in landing good-paying Tooks, financial counselor, Porter Walter Clements was named associ- jobs in a changing economy. Regional Hospital, Associate of ate dean of the Mendoza College of Bruce Kettler, director of the the Year; Jayna Lasky, regulatory Business. Indiana State Department of director, Porter Health Care System, Trisha Mileham was named dean of Agriculture, was appointed chairman Non-Clinical Manager of the Year; the library at Valparaiso University. of the National Association of State Craig Locke, director of pharmacy, Ivy Tech Community College Departments of Agriculture's plant Porter Health Care System, Clinical South Bend/Elkhart campus agriculture and pesticide regulation Manager of the Year. Chancellor Thomas Coley will retire committee. from his post on May 31. Coley has Dennis Wimer was named direc- Law served in the post since June 2017. tor of the Indiana Department of Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed He joined Ivy Tech in 2011 to serve as Veterans’ Affairs. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor chancellor of what was known as the AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s Aleksandra Dimitrijevic to judge of north central region, which included initiative to promote and accelerate Lake County Superior Court. She three campuses: Warsaw, South Bend the growth of the agbiosciences sector, succeeds Judge Jesse Villalpando and Elkhart County. has added to its board of directors: who retired from the bench. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski was named Alan Tio, CEO, Kosciusko Economic Attorney Michael Durham has interim executive director of the Development Corp., Warsaw, and joined Barnes and Thornburg’s Indiana State Board of Education. Chris Lowery, senior vice president, South Bend office as a partner in Workforce Alignment for Ivy Tech the firm’s labor and employment Government Community College. department. Angela Rose was named new down- The Indiana State Department of town coordinator for the city of La Agriculture promoted Ross Newton Manufacturing Porte. Rose will focus on business to deputy director and hired Amanda The Indiana Manufacturers development in the downtown area. Williams as field auditor, both within Association recently elected the She also will represent the La Porte the Indiana Grain Buyers and organization’s 2019 executive commit- Urban Enterprise Association, the La Warehouse Licensing Agency. tee and named Mike Lunsford of

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 7 >BUSINESS NEWS

GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT Bruce Kettler Ross Newton Amanda Williams Jim Luttrull Dart Controls Inc. in Zionsville its Marketing board members include: board vice chairman of the board. The executive Jenna Kadziulis of Naperville, chair, Yolanda Davis of Horizon committee includes vice chairman, Ill., was named marketing specialist Bank; treasurer, Kristina Bailey Gary Larson, The Ford Meter Box for Des Plaines Office Equipment, of First Midwest Bank; secretary, Co. Inc., Wabash; immediate past which recently re-branded as Pulse Chancellor R. Louie Gonzalez of Ivy chair, Gary Lehman, SCP Limited Technology. Tech Community College. Inc., Lafayette; Jody Fledderman, The Dunes Arts Foundation in Batesville Tool and Die Inc., Batesville; Nonprofit Michigan City recently elected four Bill Gartland, Atlas Foundry Co. Inc., The Urban League of Northwest new members to its board of directors: Marion; Tim Hollander, Toyota Motor Indiana elected Purdue University Clarence Hulse, executive director Manufacturing Indiana, Princeton; Northwest Chancellor Thomas of the Economic Development Corp., and Jim Tuerk, Aero Industries Inc., Keon chairman of its board of direc- Michigan City; Kathleen Dolio- Indianapolis. tors to a two-year term. Other new Thorson, founder and president of

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8 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE Jennifer England Kumari Singh Liping Zhong Terrance Tooks KDT Designs; Elise Kermani, artistic Office of Tourism Development. president, strategy and chief risk offi- director of MiShinnah Productions; Weisensteiner most recently served cer. New leaders were named for the and Dale Maher, real estate agent with as the executive director of the utility’s gas operations and electric engi- Line Mullins Realty. Orange County (Indiana) Economic neering and project construction teams: Development Partnership. Dan Douglas, senior vice president of Technology NIPSCO gas; Steve Sylvester, general Nathan Powell has joined Chester Utilities manager and vice president of NIPSCO Inc. of Valparaiso as a help desk Merrillville-based NiSource, parent Gas; Jim Zucal, vice president of electric technician. company of NIPSCO, announced engineering, projects and construction. expanded roles for Randy Hulen, who Tourism will serve as vice president, investor News Misty Weisensteiner was relations and treasurer, and Shawn The Greater Northwest Indiana named director of the Indiana Anderson, who will serve as vice Association of Realtors reported

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NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 9 >BUSINESS NEWS

HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE LAW MANUFACTURING Jayna Lasky Craig Locke Michael Durham Mike Lunsford sales of existing homes in the greater received 95.3 percent of their list price, Dynamics notes the company will Region that totaled 10,849 in 2018, which was a 0.5 percent increase from purchase 75 percent of the equity up 1.6 percent from 10,683 closed the previous year. interests of United Steel Supply for sales logged in 2017. The association's Steel Dynamics Inc. recently $134 million. The deal also includes an service area includes Jasper, Lake, La announced it will purchase a major- option for Steel Dynamics to purchase Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski and ity of the equity interest of United the remaining 25 percent equity inter- Starke counties. The median sales Steel Supply of Austin, Texas. United est of United Steel Supply in the future. price and prices sellers received for Steel Supply is a distributor of painted NIPSCO is taking additional steps their homes saw increases in 2018, Galvalume flat roll steel used for roof- to move away from traditional power when compared to 2017. The average ing and siding applications. United generation to more Earth-friendly median sales price was $165,000, up Steel Supply operates a warehouse in green alternatives. Merrillville-based 6.5 percent from $154,900 in 2017. Kingsbury, south of La Porte. A state- Northern Indiana Public Service Co. The association said sellers on average ment from Fort Wayne-based Steel announced its first phase of plans

Improving efficiency in business since 1992.

10 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM to transition to renewable energy resources through buying power from three new Indiana wind farms. According to NIPSCO, power generated by these wind farms will be connected to the utility's existing system, which serves almost 500,000 electric customers. This effort is part of the company's "Your Energy, Your Future” initiative to provide more affordable and sustain- able energy. NIPSCO's goal is to be free of coal-fueled power by 2028. Halvor Lines Inc., which operates a terminal in South Bend, was named a 2019 Best Fleet to Drive For in the latest Best Fleets survey by the Truckload Carrier's Association and CarriersEdge, a provider of driver training and retention services. A total of 20 of the thousands of trucking companies operating in the U.S. earn a Best Fleet designation annually. Companies must be nominated by at least one driver to be considered for the honor. With headquarters in Superior, Wis., Halvor also has a terminal in Rosemount, Minn. About 100 of Halvor’s more-than 500 drivers consider the South Bend termi- Business is our p assion, nal their home base and rely on the facility for mechanical repairs, hospi- our singula r focus. tality services and more. And it’s what drives us to find new Schurz Communications, publisher of The South Bend Tribune, is selling solutions for our customers. its publishing division to New York- based GateHouse Media to focus If you mean business, contact: on its broadband and cloud services businesses. Schurz Communications is a privately held communications company and publisher of 20 regional newspapers, including publications Michael Martino in Indiana, as well as other specialty publications spread across Maryland, Regional President Michigan, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. The company’s Indiana publica- Commercial Banking tions include: The Times-Mail, Bedford; The Herald Times, Bloomington; 708.403.6325 The Reporter Times, Martinsville; 9561 West 171st Street The Mooresville-Decatur Times, Mooresville; Notre Dame Insider, South Tinley Park, IL 60487 Bend; Evening World, Spencer; and The Hoosier Topics, Cloverdale. La Porte-based Surf Air Wireless, a broadband service provider, announced that it raised $40 million in capital with Post Road Group and MB Financial Bank Member FDIC acquired FreedomNet Wireless of Michigan.

NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 11 BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS

Larry Avila he votes are in. Readers of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine have selected the Best awards of Business for 2019 in Northwest

ess IndianaT and Greater South Bend and in Michiana. us b

A total of 110 winners in 52 categories a

n were selected by readers, representing a i the magazine’s coverage area, which ch i includes Lake, Porter, La Porte, St. Joseph, /M

d Elkhart, Newton, Jasper, Starke, Pulaski and n

e Marshall counties. B These annual awards celebrate the outstanding service of local businesses in outh S the community. “It’s a survey that gives our readers a voice and the opportunity to say to busi- Photo by Michelle Hamstra greater

d nesses ‘you’re doing an amazing job,

n BANKING / FINANCIAL

a keep up the good work,’” said Troy Linker,

a Best bank for business

n publisher of Northwest Indiana Business

a Northwest Indiana i

d Magazine. “It’s a great feeling to inform Winner: Centier Bank n Runner-Up: Peoples Bank I businesses that they’ve been selected as a Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Best of Business in their category.” Winner: Centier Bank Runner-Up: 1st Source Bank Linker said business owners and exec- To ensure Centier’s continued success, Mike Schrage, bank president

orthwest utives appreciate the recognition for the and CEO, recognized the importance

N products and services they provide. of being able to adapt to changes in the marketplace. of “It’s a great morale booster for business “For the first 20 years of my career, I was all about growth, profit and to est owners and their employees,” he said. be the biggest bank in Lake County,” “Northwest Indiana Business Magazine he said. “It was through a personal health event that the bank and I took congratulates all 2019 award recipients for on a new identity and role for not only

2019 B Northwest Indiana but for many other Best of Business!” communities we now serve.”

12 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE RECOGNIZING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T

READ ON PHONE

Horizon Bank was chosen a Best Company to Work For in the 2019 Best of Business Awards from the Northwest Indiana Business Magazine. The bank also garnered an award for Best Business Investment Firm. Photo by Michelle Hamstra

Schrage said that, through the years, expertise at Centier. entrepreneurs have thought out how he learned how important building a Jerry Tomasic, group sales manager to be successful as they start their positive culture is for an organization. and vice president of business bank- business. “Our culture feeds every deci- ing at Centier, suggests entrepreneurs sion we make and every interaction assemble a team of experts to help Best bank for customer service we have with our clients,” he said. manage the administrative side of Northwest Indiana “Because of our ‘not for sale’ promise, their business. Winner: Centier Bank we have always been able to focus “That team should include an attor- Runner-Up: Peoples Bank on our employees first. We hire the ney, a banker and a CPA who can Greater South Bend/Mishawaka best, most talented employees with counsel you as your business starts servant hearts that match our corpo- and grows,” he said. Winner: Centier Bank rate values.” Tomasic said it also is important for Runner-Up: 1st Source Bank entrepreneurs to follow their passion Relationship building is import- Best bank for obtaining business loan but be diligent about doing their ant for long-term success, said Chris research. Campbell, senior partner in lending at Northwest Indiana “Many small businesses start with Centier. Winner: Centier Bank a passion for providing a particular “We know that if we have that strong Runner-Up: Peoples Bank service or skill to their clients,” he said. relationship as the foundation, we’ll be Greater South Bend/Mishawaka “You do your homework by writing a able to always have a high-service qual- Winner: Centier Bank business plan to make sure you can ity,” he said. Runner-Up: 1st Source Bank make money sharing your service or “We listen to our clients and put their Helping entrepreneurs realize their skill with clients.” needs ahead of ours, and our reputation dreams is one of the many areas of Tomasic said having a plan ensures grows as a result.”

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 13 >2019 BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS BUSINESS / SERVICES Best place to purchase office furniture

Northwest Indiana Winner: HDW Commercial Interiors Runner-Up: Pulse Technology Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Office Interiors Best place to purchase office equipment and supplies

Northwest Indiana Winner: Pulse Technology Runner-Up: Kemp's Office City Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: US Business Systems

Understanding customers’ needs and evolving with them can go a long way, according to Chip Miceli, CEO of Pulse Technology of Indiana in Chesterton.

Photo provided by Franciscan Health “You always need to re-invent your Franciscan Health’s Becky Tilton, left; Danielle Magana, center; and Joan Culver company, and if you have the right coordinated the second diaper drive, which collected 20,000 diapers for Northwest people, they remain the same,” he said. Indiana families. Franciscan was recognized in several 2019 Best of Business health “Always listen to the customer, give and wellness categories as well as a best place to work in Northwest Indiana. more than they ask for and make them understand you want a partnership Best credit union interest in the client’s business (demon- with them.” Northwest Indiana strates) we can be an important partner Winner: Tech Credit Union in all that they are going to be doing,” he Best information technology Runner-Up: Teachers Credit Union said. “This has helped grow our brand consulting firm as a reliable partner.” Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Northwest Indiana Winner: Teachers Credit Union Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Chester, Inc. Runner-Up: Notre Dame Federal Winner: Kruggel Lawton CPAs Runner-Up: Pulse Technology Credit Union Runner-Up: Crowe LLP Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Credit union — Best accounting firm Best wealth management Winner: US Business Systems Runner-Up: Acruity Northwest Indiana advisory firm Winner: McMahon & Associates CPAs Northwest Indiana Best ad agency/marketing firm Runner-Up: Swartz Retson Winner: Kotys Wealth Professionals Northwest Indiana Consistency of quality service has Runner-Up: Lakeside Wealth Winner: Group 7Even been part of McMahon & Associates Management Runner-Up: VIA Marketing CPAs of Munster since its beginnings. Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka “Our business philosophy has always Winner: Guidance Wealth Winner: Vala Marketing been to provide timely service and Runner-Up: Korhorn Financial Group Runner-Up: Villing and Company meaningful and technical advice,” said Terry McMahon, the firm’s president Best business investment firm Best graphic/web design firm and CEO. “Providing timely service Northwest Indiana Northwest Indiana has been a hallmark of our firm … in Winner: Centier Bank the past and in the future.” Winner: Group 7Even Runner-Up: Horizon Bank McMahon said clients are viewed as Runner-Up: SERA Solutions business partners, so his firm spends Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka time getting to know each client’s Winner: Centier Bank Winner: J2 Marketing specific needs. “(Having) genuine Runner-Up: 1st Source Bank Runner-Up: Vala Marketing

14 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM Photo provided by Centier Bank Centier Bank employees took part in the Making Strides Lake County event in October, which raised $4,655 to combat breast cancer. Centier was recognized in several 2019 Best of Business banking and financial categories as well as a best place to work in Northwest Indiana. Best commercial printer Best local internet provider

Northwest Indiana Northwest Indiana Winner: Largus Graphix Solutions Winner: Comcast Business Runner-Up: Lithographic Runner-Up: NITCO Communications Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Comcast Business Winner: Zipp Printing Runner-Up: Lithotone COMMUNITY / EDUCATION Best employee staffing firm Best company to work for

Northwest Indiana Northwest Indiana Winner: Staff Source Co-Winner: Franciscan Health Runner-Up: Express Co-Winner: Centier Bank Employment Services Co-Winner: Staff Source Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Co-Winner: Horizon Bank Winner: Integritas Search Craig Dwight, CEO of Michigan Runner-Up: Express Photo submitted by Centier Bank Employment Services City-based Horizon Bank, said for all Centier Bank President and CEO Mike businesses, regardless of size, happy Schrage scales down the side of the bank’s Best local telecommunications firm and engaged employees are the key to Merrillville headquarters as part of the success. Over the Edge fundraising event in July. Northwest Indiana “(They) will deliver exceptional Winner: Midwest Telecom customer service, go above and beyond without our competent, hardwork- of America the call of duty, seek new opportunities ing, fun-loving employees. I enjoy Runner-Up: NITCO and regularly make recommendations coming to work each day because of Greater South Bend/Mishawaka for improvement,” he said. “Horizon’s them—they truly make the job fun, Winner: Comcast Business success would not have been possible challenging as well as rewarding.”

NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 15 >2019 BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS Photo provided by Indiana University Northwest Yllka Azemi, Indiana University Northwest assistant professor of marketing, left, oversaw a student-led creation of a marketing plan for J’s Breakfast Club in Gary, owned by Joslyn R.W. Kelly, second from right. Some of the students who created the plan shown include: Rami Tadros, (second from left), Ernestine Harper Price (center), David Hertl (right) and Marissa Kolosli. IUN was recognized as a 2019 Best of Business in Northwest Indiana for Best University Online Degree Program and Best University to Attain an MBA.

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can be effective in helping to stand out Technology Pulse by provided Photo in a competitive industry. “We put our Mindy Erickson, left, with Pulse Technology, friend Megan Lamont and former Pulse customers’ needs and best interest employee Ethan Erickson, right, took part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer first and foremost in everything that event in Chesterton in October. The company was recognized as a 2019 Best of Business we do,” said Steve Kring, regional pres- in Northwest Indiana as Best Place to Purchase Office Equipment and Supplies. ident for Horizon Bank in La Porte and Porter counties. “As a community bank, Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka we know local businesses are the fabric Winner: Indiana University Winner: Linden Grill of our communities—if we serve them South Bend to the best of our abilities, our commu- Runner-Up: Bethel University Best veteran-owned business nities will grow and prosper as well.” Best minority-owned business Northwest Indiana Winner: Veterans' Cafe and Grill Best university to attain an MBA Northwest Indiana Runner-Up: Cloudbusters Northwest Indiana Winner: Chicagoland Popcorn Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Indiana University Runner-Up: Powers & Sons Northwest Construction Company Winner: Indiana Whiskey Runner-Up: Purdue University Northwest

Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: University of Notre Dame Runner-Up: Indiana University South Bend Best university for technology degree

Northwest Indiana Winner: Purdue University Northwest Runner-Up: Indiana University Northwest

Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart Runner-Up: Bethel University Best university online degree program

Northwest Indiana Winner: Indiana University Northwest Runner-Up: Purdue University Northwest

NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 17 >2019 BEST OF BUSINESS AWARDS Photo provided by Purdue University Northwest Community members join Purdue University Northwest to cut the ribbon at the White Lodging Professional Selling Lab in September. PNW was recognized as a 2019 Best of Business for Best University for a Technology Degree in Northwest Indiana.

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18 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM Best woman-owned business Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Best residential real-estate firm Winner: Epoch Architecture + Northwest Indiana Planning Northwest Indiana Winner: HDW Commercial Interiors Runner-Up: Troyer Group Winner: McColly Real Estate Runner-Up: Group 7Even Runner-Up: Coldwell Banker Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Best commercial landscaping firm Residential Brokerage Winner: Anna's Bread Northwest Indiana Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Tim's Landscape Services Winner: Cressy & CONSTRUCTION / REAL ESTATE Runner-Up: Lakeshore Landscaping Everett Real Estate Best commercial real estate firm Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Runner-Up: Coldwell Banker Winner: Foegley Landscape Residential Brokerage Northwest Indiana Winner: Commercial In-Sites, LLC Runner-Up: McColly Bennett Commercial Advantage PROUD TO BE HELPING COMPANIES WITH Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Bradley Company WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR 20 YEARS Runner-Up: Cressy & Everett Real Estate Best commercial construction firm for new construction

Northwest Indiana Winner: Larson Danielson Construction Company Runner-Up: Chester, Inc. Thank Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Larson Danielson You for Construction Company Runner-Up: DJ Construction Voting for Best commercial construction firm for remodeling or expansion Us Again Northwest Indiana Winner: Larson Danielson Construction Company Runner-Up: Chester, Inc. Best Professional Employment Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Agency in the Region Winner: Larson Danielson Construction Company Runner-Up: DJ Construction Best engineering firm Best professional Northwest Indiana employment agency Winner: DVG Team 2012, 2013, 2015, Runner-Up: Global Engineering & 2016,2012 •2017, 2013 2018,• 2015 Land Surveying 20162019 • 2017 2 company018 Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Best to work for Winner: Troyer Group 2019 Best commercial architectural design firm

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Photo provided by White Hawk Country Club We treat your business like our family business, with a promise to An aerial view shows a section of the course at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point. White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point was recognized as a 2019 Best of Business Best Golf Course for Charitable/Business Events in Northwest Indiana. remain independently owned and operated for generations to come. Best residential home Best meeting site for small groups through, and when able, get feedback construction firm and make adjustments— be informed Northwest Indiana about decisions but don’t be afraid to Northwest Indiana Winner: Gino's Steakhouse give something a chance.” • Local-decision making Winner: Olthof Homes Runner-Up: Gamba Ristorante Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Blackthorn Golf Club • Relationship banking Winner: Place Builders Winner: Inn at Saint Mary's Runner-Up: Knollwood Country Club Runner-Up: The Brick Best residential home • Family-owned remodeling construction firm Best caterer for events Best photographer for events Northwest Indiana since 1895 Northwest Indiana Northwest Indiana Winner: Pete Doherty Images Winner: Apex Construction & Winner: Dimitri's Catering Remodeling Runner-Up: Comforts Catering Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Peter Ringenberg Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Photography Winner: HM Remodeling Winner: Cafe Navarre Runner-Up: Skillet Restaurant EVENTS / ENTERTAINMENT & Catering HEALTH / WELLNESS Best hospital/hospital group Best restaurant for Best golf course for charitable/ business entertaining business events Northwest Indiana Serving Indiana businesses Winner: Franciscan Health Northwest Indiana Northwest Indiana Runner-Up: Community Gamba Ristorante Winner: White Hawk Country Club across the state in support of new Winner: Healthcare System Runner-Up: Gino's Steakhouse Runner-Up: Innsbrook Country Club and growing communities. Greater South Bend/Mishawaka When you operate in a competitive Recognizing the human side of Winner: Cafe Navarre industry, Anthony Lopez, general health care ensures all patients who Runner-Up: Lasalle Grill manager of White Hawk Country Club seek care from Franciscan Health are in Crown Point, understands how good treated in a kind, considerate and Best meeting site for large groups service can make a lasting impression. connected manner, said Dr. Daniel “We stay in touch with our custom- McCormick, president and CEO of Northwest Indiana ers,” he said. “Without them, our Franciscan Health Crown Point. Avalon Manor Banquet Center Winner: business does not exist.” “The predominance of Franciscan Blue Chip Casino, Runner-Up: This means he and his staff regularly Health as the Region's choice for health Hotel & Spa review new trends within the industry. care clearly emphasizes our strong Greater South Bend/Mishawaka “Our business is customer service and connection to our patients through our Winner: Century Center will remain at the forefront,” Lopez said. understanding of the need to provide Runner-Up: Gillespie Conference Center “The main rule is to listen and follow care to the people of Northwest Indiana

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Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Beacon Health System Runner-Up: St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Best health care facility

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The Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City was a 2019 Northwest Northwest Indiana Indiana Business Magazine Best of Business runner up in the Best Winner: Franciscan Health Meeting Site for Large Group category for Northwest Indiana. Runner-Up: Community and not just patients,” McCormick said. Runner-Up: St. Joseph Regional Healthcare System “Don’t miss an opportunity to connect Medical Center Patrick Maloney, president CEO of with the person you are caring for while Franciscan Health Dyer, Hammond you deliver the science and expertise to Best health care facility for cardiology and Munster, said being diligent about the patient.” Northwest Indiana operations hasn’t affected innovation. Winner: Franciscan Health "For Dyer, Hammond and Munster, Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Runner-Up: Community Healthcare we have been consolidating programs Winner: Beacon Health System System across our campuses to lower the cost

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24 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM protecting the company’s culture all Curran | Kuehn (We) take care Curran | Kuehn factor into the company’s success. Runner-Up: Barnes of our team- Runner-Up: Barnes & Thornburg & Thornburg “We want to help our clients grow mates, and Best insurance agency their businesses, and in turn, we “ Best law firm finally, (we) for business property continue to grow our firm,” LaDue for litigation and liability coverage said. “This focus requires continuous have fun. We improvement, creativity, agility and Northwest Indiana truly enjoy Northwest Indiana teamwork—both internal teamwork Winner: Burke working togeth- Winner: Pinnacle Insurance and collaboration with our clients. Costanza & er as a team to Group of IN Carberry General Insurance Ensuring work quality is preserved help our clients. ” Runner-Up: also means maintaining a positive and Runner-Up: Services Eichhorn & healthy work environment for staff. —John LaDue, Greater South Bend/ Eichhorn “(We) focus first on what we do best: SouthBank Legal: LaDue, Mishawaka providing high-quality legal services and Greater South Curran, Kuehn Winner: Healy Group advice for our clients,” LaDue said. “(We) Bend/Mishawaka Runner-Up: Gibson Insurance take care of our teammates, and finally, Winner: Agency (we) have fun. We truly enjoy working SouthBank Legal: LaDue | Curran | together as a team to help our clients.” Kuehn Best insurance agency Barnes & Thornburg for business health and life coverage Best law firm for business Runner-Up: Northwest Indiana acquisitions and mergers Best law firm for estate planning Winner: Pinnacle Insurance Northwest Indiana Northwest Indiana Group of IN Winner: Burke Costanza & Carberry Winner: Burke Costanza & Carberry Runner-Up: 1st Source Insurance Hoeppner Wagner & Evans Eichhorn & Eichhorn Runner-Up: Runner-Up: Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Greater South Bend/Mishawaka Winner: Healy Group Winner: SouthBank Legal: LaDue | Winner: SouthBank Legal: LaDue | Runner-Up: 1st Source Insurance

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NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 25 SUCCESSION PLANNING Be smart, plan for what’s next Experts say best succession plans prepared in advance, not out of last-minute necessity or tragedy

Geisen Funeral Homes, with locations in Crown Point, Hebron, Merrillville and Michigan City, is owned by the Geisen family. From left are: Kim, Larry and their son Anthony. Photo provided by Geisen Funeral Home

Jerry Davich Efforts were then made to search been fun and adds a sense of excite- ylese Tucker never consid- for developmental courses and key ment for those “who are in the ered having a succession plan opportunities to nurture those team pipeline to take over.” for her business, Nature's members, and to help them grow their “Until then, I figured I would just Cupboard, until she served on skill set. drop dead in my store’s aisle and some- Mthe board of the Independent Natural “I learned that I needed to have body in my family would have to take Foods Retailer Association. One of certain things in place that I had over,” she said, only half-jokingly. the group’s first strategic goals was to previously thought were only for big implement a succession plan. companies,” Tucker said. “No matter The unexpected “We hired consultants to help, so I how small, a business needs to have a usiness succession planning too was able to get professional insight vision statement, a mission statement, Boften takes place after dire circum- that my little business could not have core values, strategic goals and a map stances. Owners are unwilling to look afforded,” said Tucker, whose company to help meet those goals.” past the present into the future, or the has locations in Michigan City and Nature’s Cupboard’s succession best of plans or intentions get ignored Chesterton. “What I learned may planning is still a work in progress. until the last minute—or, worse yet, sound simple, but it is something I But Tucker now purposely is focusing never prepared at all. never took the time to do.” on where she wants her business to “Most large corporations have built She began observing those individ- be in 10 to 15 years while bringing a into place a plan for leadership and uals in her organization who had the newfound cohesiveness to her team. business succession. It’s the small desire and talent to move forward. She said developing leaders has entity—the closely held LLC or small 26 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T business corporation—which is at risk,” attorney experienced in both busi- in handy to remain unbiased said George Carberry, managing part- ness matters and estate planning; the and fair. READ ON PHONE ner at Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP, accountant familiar with the business; Next, create a training program to attorneys at law in Valparaiso. “This a business valuation professional; and begin grooming the possible succes- is often because the business owner— a financial adviser familiar with the sor. Teach him or her everything they whose work ethic and talent built the family’s history, play- will need to know from the company, and who became successful ers and investment I figured I would ground up, without cutting by thinking a jump or two ahead of his strategies. just drop dead corners or giving them competition—is often myopic when it “Consider the busi- in my store’s special privileges. Such comes to the reality of his death, inca- ness marketplace, “ enticing perks will not help aisle and some- pacity or retirement.” current and likely body in my family them when they’re poten- Carberry said that, over the years, future competition, tially at the top of your some of the most prominent business business trends, capi- would have to organization. owners in Northwest Indiana chose to tal needs and possible take over. ” Put a theoretical pin on sell their businesses to third parties or product obsolescence,” —Mylese Tucker, owner a calendar in the future competitors despite having qualified Carberry said. of Nature’s Cupboard to determine the specifics heirs who could have stepped into the Also consider the of the shift in power. This business. alternatives available deadline will allow your “This realization is that the heirs to the business owner: sale or gift to successor to understand what will would do better in the long run with children; sale to employees; sale to be needed and expected—and just family wealth than with the headaches a third party; liquidation and disso- as importantly, when their role will of running the family business,” he said. lution. The business owner should change along the way. There are essential strategies to discern, with help from the team, While these steps are in action, consider before installing a smart, profitable and enduring business succession plan. And if you plan, it cuts down on unneeded expenses toward attorneys, advisers and CPA firms. “My most important recommenda- tion is to start succession planning early,” said Terry Larson, of Larson- Danielson Construction Co. Inc., a multi-generational business in LaPorte. “Development of a good plan takes a great deal of time and thought.” Larson said businesses should leave at least five years to develop a succession plan. “For many small businesses, this is Joe Biernacki, left, particularly appropriate since succes- Ted Taylor, center, sion planning involves both the future and Jennifer transition of leadership and owner- Agate, with ship,” Larson said. General Insurance Training and development are Services Inc., collaborate, important to giving employees the which is a regular opportunity for consideration toward practice at the key roles in your organization. company. “The goal is to get the right people the Photo provided by General Insurance Services training and experience, so they have the necessary skill set, knowledge and what’s most important. Family succes- the current owner or principle mindset to fill the right jobs at the sion? Obtaining the highest and best should begin planning for his or her right time,” Larson said. price and terms in a sale? retirement, even if the idea sounds Choose a successor or successors by implausible at this early stage. Also, Making a plan searching your firm for the right type consideration of the financial aspects here are key steps to remember in of leadership, talents and future career of the plan should be outlined. Will Tthis process. They include assem- goals. For family-operated companies, there be a buy-sell agreement? Which bling the right team to pull it off; an an independent consultant might come assets will be transferred? Will private

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 27 >SUCCESSION PLANNING

“I know it’s been equally rewarding for the prior generations to see that we’re working hard to honor and build on what they started years ago,” Menne said. “It’s truly rewarding for all of us.” Keeping it in the family s business succession plans go, it is Ahighly unusual for the transition in leadership to go from father-son, father-son, father-son, especially in the funeral business. Yet this is exactly what happened with Geisen Funeral Homes, in Crown Point, now in its fifth generation of ownership. “How rare to have one of your children share the calling to become a

Photo provided by Nature’s Cupboard Nature’s by provided Photo funeral director and funeral home Nature’s Cupboard was launched by LaVora Tucker in 1980. Her daugh- owner for so many generations,” said ter Mylese Tucker now runs the business, which has two locations. Jean Lahm, the firm’s community relations manager. “Typically, there is a annuities be a part of the final agree- foundation for moving the organiza- cousin or uncle or nephew who takes ment? These are crucial questions that tion from one generation to the next,” over the business when it's not the should be addressed beforehand. Menne said. “Ultimately, it provides calling of the owner's children, and Finally, when the time is right and for a clear set of expectations so that obviously not all owners have children.” all steps have been checked everyone can plan for In 1867, thriving furniture business or completed, the plan can an orderly transition of owner Peter Geisen began making and be executed. Some plans ownership.” selling coffins in his furniture store. can be installed at a certain Naturally, this type of This was a popular thing for furniture time, with all parties on plan also helps to grow the store owners to do during the era when board simultaneously. firm during its transition funeral services became more formal. Other plans can be phased so there is sufficient capi- This commercial demand for caskets in to make the transition tal to possibly buy out the prompted the Geisen family to open easier. retiring partners. “Geisen Furniture & Undertaking” in “We’ve been working downtown Crown Point. Following the plan very, very hard to make Peter’s son Charles joined his father here are obviously that happen,” Menne in the business, with both becoming My most im- “Ta multitude of vari- said. “We’ve done a couple some of the first licensed embalmers in ables that go into a portant recom- of small acquisitions, and the state of Indiana. In 1933, Charles’ successful perpetuation, “mendation is to we’ve also hit our organic son Ralph joined his father at the but one of the most start succession growth targets. A lot of family’s funeral home, followed later simple and important planning early. that responsibility falls by another son Norbert. Ralph contin- elements is a written on the next generation, so ued to run the business for the next 25 plan,” said Craig Menne, ... a good plan there definitely needs to years. president of General takes a great be a talented bench in the Ralph’s son Robert, and his wife, Insurance Services Inc. deal of time and organization.” Marilyn, owned and operated the in La Porte. thought.” With all that said, a oldest funeral home in Northwest Menne took over for proper plan that’s well Indiana under the same family name. past president Tom —Terry Larson, executed doesn’t need to Robert retired in 1996, and his son Cipares a few years ago, Larson-Danielson be a “major ordeal,” Menne Larry became the fifth-generation transitioning the firm Construction Co. Inc. said. In fact, it’s been owner. into its third generation exciting for the company “Larry’s father didn't pressure him of ownership. because it has allowed a to be in the business,” Lahm said. “He “Over the years we’ve discussed, new group of leaders to make a mark wanted him to be sure and to explore debated and tweaked our buy-sell on the company, as well as the commu- other options before any decision about agreement, but it serves as the nities that it serves, he said. his future in the funeral business.”

28 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM The family’s succession plan involved transition of the people into the same Cupboard, which was launched by her making sure each successor was 100 roles that will replace them,” Larson mother, LaVora Tucker, in 1980, the percent sure of his intention to some- said. “The plan should not be just for ongoing plan is to locate and retain day replace his father. For Larry Geisen, continuation of the business but to just the right successor. this meant first attending college position it for future growth as well. “It’s a brand-new work in progress for for four years to explore other career “The plan should be dynamic in the us, and nobody has been named as an options, and for his son Anthony the sense that it will need to be adjusted actual successor yet,” Tucker said. same criteria held true as the firm as the organization changes, continues Still, unlike too many other firms, expanded to four locations. to evolve and adapt to their business Nature’s Cupboard no longer has an “Like his father, Anthony earn a environment.” empty cupboard when it comes to its bachelor's degree in business from For Mylese Tucker at Nature's future leadership. Purdue University,” Lahm said. “And like his father, Anthony decided the Recognized by Northwest Indiana Business Magazine 10 Years In A Row! funeral business was his calling, and he also earned a degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science.” In contrast to most other businesses facing this issue, Larry and Anthony Geisen weren't “tabbed” to be the successor. A strict timetable wasn't BCC established. A formal plan wasn't writ- LLP ten. This is one of the benefits of a BURKE COSTANZA & CARBERRY family-owned firm. “They worked all of the various jobs a A T T O R N E Y S A T L A W funeral home requires, from cleaning windows to leading a funeral proces- sion, learning the spectrum of funeral care,” Lahm said. “So they'd been in the business quite a few years before making their official decision to make a career out of it.” Consider all variables arberry typically tells clients to Advisors you want. Ckeep in mind the difference between personal feelings and business necessi- ties, which can blur or obliterate even Advocates you need. the best succession plan. “You need to be flexible,” he said. “A lot can happen between the creation of a succession plan and its execution.” Other tips to remember: improve earnings by eliminating unnecessary costs; don’t micromanage every part of your plan; and consider bring- What You Need. What We Do. ing in a CPA firm or attorney for updated insights into the latest state Business Law Estate Planning and federal regulations, as well as ever-changing tax rules. Business Litigation Immigration Never rule out the worst-case Personal Injury Family Law scenario—the unexpected death of Collections Commercial Real Estate the owner— and how the company will survive and if any contingency Construction Law and much more... plans are in place. “A successful succession plan needs 9191 Broadway | Merrillville, IN 46410 | t. 219.769.1313 bcclegal.com to address the transition of people 156 Washington St. | Valparaiso, IN 46383 | t. 219.531.0134 out of their roles, in addition to the

NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 29 CONSTRUCTION Firms display best work online Construction and engineering companies say website portfolios useful tool for attracting future business

The Ozinga concrete plant readies to pour concrete into a Superior dump truck for the 2018 Gary/Chicago International Airport runway project. Photos provided by Ozinga

Bob Moulesong Toll road plaza project -build project,” said Patrick Lockwood, uilding projects frequently pres- arson-Danielson Construction took Larson’s project manager. “ITRCC’s ent unique challenges on the Lon the challenging project of demol- main tenants (HMS Host and Sunoco) long road to completion. When ishing and rebuilding the travel plazas were responsible for hiring the design success is achieved, Region for Indiana Toll Road Concession Co./ teams, and we took it from there.” Bconstruction and engineering firms Sunoco along the Interstate 80/90 Lockwood says that one of the highlight their best projects on their Toll Road. Beginning in fall 2016 major challenges was a tight time- websites. There they describe the and completing in late spring 2018, line for demolition, construction and specific challenges presented and the Larson-Danielson built a total of eight completion. innovative solutions they developed. plazas that stretched from Portage, “We completed all of the travel plazas The hope is, professionals say, by Rolling Prairie, Elkhart to Howe. The in 22 months,” he said. “Along with the overcoming complicated hurdles to ITRCC spent roughly $70 million on tight schedule, the most challenging complete a job on time and either on the entire plaza replacement project. part of this project was construct- or below budget, the touting of their The Larson-Danielson total construc- ing two identical buildings located successes can open doors to new tion project budget was $42.5 million. on opposite sides of the Toll Road at business. “This was a traditional design-bid the same time and making sure both 30 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T

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The Sunoco Travel Plaza in Elkhart was built by Larson-Danielson as part of the ITRCC plaza project. Photo provided by Larson-Danielson Construction state-of-the-art plazas were finished tangible example of the quality of work “The amount of coordination and on the same deadline.” provided by the company. Additional team work was critical to the success of Demolition and construction of the portfolio photos display the proj- the project,” said Joe Sanders, executive Howe travel plazas began in September ects completed in retail, institutional, vice president for Ozinga Indiana. “The 2016 and finished in July 2017. The industrial, health care, educational and partnering efforts included pre-plan- Howe travel plazas are both about hospitality. Each example is crafted ning and constant communication to 15,000 square feet. to send out the message that Larson- ensure the tight schedule was met.” Construction of the new Sunoco Danielson can handle every type of Dan Sopczak, Superior Construction’s Portage travel plazas began in project. Midwest president, said the November 2016 and was completed in team worked tirelessly to April 2017. The Portage travel plazas Gary runway project complete the project ahead are both about 6,500 square feet. n a 30-day span between of schedule and under The ITRCC Rolling Prairie travel IApril 20 and May 10, budget. plazas began in April 2017 and were 2018, Ozinga Ready Mix “Our attention to detail finished in December 2017. The plazas Concrete and Superior resulted in a high-quality are about 17,900 square feet. The Construction teamed up project being completed Sunoco Elkhart travel plazas began on the total rebuild of a with time to spare,” he said. in January 2018 and finished in June 4,000-by-150-foot main Even though last year’s that same year. The plazas are both runway at the Gary/ project was a success, about 5,000 square feet. Chicago International Designing the lessons were learned and “By overlapping the projects, we were Airport. The FAA only electrical, applied to this year’s work. able to self-perform a good portion allows a runway to “We realized some mechanical, of the work and move crews from one shut down for a specific “ internal logistical improve- project to the next, which allowed us to amount of time, mean- fire protection ments we will make this have better control over schedule, qual- ing timeline deviations and plumbing for year to be more efficient,” ity and budget,” Lockwood said. “Also, are not allowed. Not Illiana Christian Sanders said. “We will set we are fortunate that we have devel- only did the duo finish was a unique up a new Erie Strayer batch oped strong relationships over the years on time, they completed mobile concrete plant to with the subcontractor community.” the work two days ahead project for us.” create concrete close to the He said these long-term partner- of schedule. —David Janney, action. The paving location ships were key to getting projects The success of that principal, Millies will be in the center of the done on time. project resulted in both Engineering Group runway this year.” “(They) understand our approach and companies’ selection Superior Construction are fully on board to tackle high-pro- to perform the second will continue to leverage file fast-tracked projects like these and phase of the runway rebuild in May innovative solutions from last year make them a success,” he said. 2019. The project will include removal that include a total robotic station that The Toll Road project is front and of existing concrete and pouring uses stringless paving and milling. center on the Larson-Danielson 25,000 cubic yards of concrete pave- “Our 3D stringless paving system website at www.ldconstruction.com. ment in a 12-day window beginning works in conjunction with Leica (Viva) Photos of the travel plazas show off May 1. Superior’s bid included Ozinga’s TS16 robotic total stations,” said Chris the finished product and provide a concrete services. Halaburt of Superior.

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 31 >CONSTRUCTION

Sanders said last year’s production removing and replacing concrete. Christian was a unique project for us,” consisted of 12-hour days each of the Photos of the runway on both said David Janney, vice president/ 12 paving days. company websites provide a tangible electrical. “The school plans called for “The plant crew averaged over 2,000 example of the type of work provided a stage and multipurpose room that cubic yards of concrete every day,” by the two companies. may or may not be fully constructed he said. “Always just-in-time to suit The Ozinga website at www.ozinga. during the first phase. The financing Superior’s needs.” com presents their portfolio by adver- was a unique situation that called for For perspective, 25,000 cubic yards tising the various services they offer. innovation on our end.” of concrete is the result of: In addition to ready-mix and specialty Illiana Christian, a private school • 21,000 tons of limestone concretes, they share photos on mate- that wasn’t privy to public school • 16,000 tons of sand rials, logistics and energy. funds, had secured more than $20 • 7,000 tons of cement The Superior Construction website million in donations and pledges when • 750,000 gallons of water at www.superiorconstruction.com the project began. It was unknown • 2,500 dump trucks of concrete displays photos of completed projects if they would be able to complete the Doug Nichele, division manager for in the fields of petrochemical, trans- stage and multipurpose room but were Superior, said a major success of last portation, energy, and water. hopeful a plan could be designed to year’s Gary airport runway project was deal with either outcome. the efforts between the owner, design Illiana Christian High School Janney and his team went to work on engineer, contractor, on-site inspectors, illies Engineering Group in a design plan that had enough wiggle subcontractors and vendors. MMunster was awarded the MEP room to allow for completing the room The websites for both Superior (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) now or later with minimal disruption Construction and Ozinga showcase the contract for the new Illiana Christian and seamless design. results of their partnership last year at High School in unincorporated Dyer. “In the event we didn’t complete the Gary Chicago International Airport. It was the company’s 11th high school room as part of the first phase, we The use of robotics and mobile concrete building project. wanted to leave it at a point where future plants brings technology to the fore- “Designing the electrical, mechanical, work would look like it was completed front of the old-school concepts of fire protection and plumbing for Illiana at the beginning,” Janney said. “It was Presenting THE NEW GOODWILL GARY CAMPUS Retail Store & Donation Drive-Thru • Career Center • Excel Center

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GOODWILL INDUSTRIES - GARY, INDIANA challenging, but we pulled it off.” An exciting reward for the Millies’ staff was based on the MEP designs they provided. They helped earn a utility grant. Illiana Christian was able to approve the completion of the room on time, and the creative designs of Millies Engineering helped make it happen. Illiana Christian was landlocked at their original Lansing location. They decided to move to Dyer in 2014 and completed the design plans in 2016. Construction began in January 2017 and finished for the 2018 school year. The first day of school was Aug. 27, and the dedication ceremony was Sept. 15. The new campus, on the corner of Photos Engineering Millies provided by 109th and Calumet, sits on a 37-acre The stage and multipurpose room at Illiana Christian High School was a variable during project planning. Ultimately, design plans helped land a grant for completion. plot. It includes a 139,500-square-foot, two-story school. The design called for Janney knows that the innovative The Millies Engineering Group 210 student and 250 faculty/events designs created by Millies Engineering website at www.megce.com tells the parking spaces; softball, baseball and Group will be an excellent selling point story of the diversity achieved by the soccer/track fields; a multi-purpose to future projects. engineering firm. Under the portfolio field; and additional visitor park- “We can explain our design process link, potential clients will find photos ing. A commons area was designed to to potential clients and help them of projects in the fields of education, encourage student relationships and create flexible plans that can be modi- municipal, health care, entertainment, to contribute to collaborative learning. fied painlessly,” he said. religious, and hospitality. A Better Option For Business Loans

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NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 33 ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS Region’s theater community thriving Industry leaders offer innovative programs to keep local audiences flocking to area venues

Lesly Bailey Landmark status he magic of live theater t the Morris Performing Arts Center continues to mesmerize Ain South Bend, guests are greeted audiences—from large to small— by an almost 100-year-old building. across the Region. Whether It was renovated in the late 1990s. Tit’s in a more intimate venue or in an The stage was expanded, and theater almost 100-year-old historic land- capacity grew to more than 2,500 seats. mark, community members are falling “It has been a treasured community under the spell of stages filled with asset for nearly 100 years,” said Jeff music, comedy or drama. Jarnecke, executive director of venues. “It’s a place where people come “The building has come to life through together in the same room and share incredible shows, performances and an experience whether it makes you events, and has been an integral part laugh, cry or think about in creating memories for something in a new way,” generations.” said Linda Fortunato, artis- Listed on the National tic director at Theatre at the Register of Historic Places, Center in Munster. “Actors the Morris had a record on stage create a relation- 102 events in 2018 and ship with the audience, is expected to have 115 (but) it’s not complete until events this year. Photo provided by 4th Street Theater the audience is in its seats.” While the theater has And no two show experi- had a significant economic “Our sole measure of success cannot ences are the same, she impact on the city, be attendance, but rather if we helped said. Performances may There is a Jarnecke feels the theater’s create an environment where our resi- vary slightly each night resurgent longevity and impact are dents and culture can thrive,” he said. based on an audience’s rooted in its effects on the Jarnecke said he is driven by the desire to reaction. “ more than 100,000 guests Morris’ legacy and the passion of its “It breathes in a support local, who grace the seats each audiences. different way depend- whether it be season. “To stand on the stage with just the ing on each audience,” food, business or “The Morris is something ghost light on staring into the vast Fortunato said. “That’s entertainment.” guests look forward to darkness of 2,500 seats and think what’s magical about experiencing not because of about the history and what this build- the theater: It happens —Aaron Nichols, what it is, but rather what ing has ‘seen’ is awe-inspiring,” he said. and then it’s gone except executive director of the it represents,” he said. “It “From our wonderful ushers who give in the memories of the South Bend Civic Theatre is a shared experience. It is of their time, to the patron who has people who experienced where memories are made. supported the symphony for so many it.” It is a sense of belonging in years, to the diversity of our audience, Industry leaders are helping preserve this community.” I’m challenged every day to ensure an what theater is all about by creating Jarnecke said, because of that, it is experience at the Morris is nearly a rite strong community connections and important to his organization to offer of passage for South Bend residents.” unique events and programs. They also a variety of artists, genres, perfor- He said he wants the next 100 years spark conversations on timely topics. mances and experiences that speak to to be even better than the first. all cultures and people. “The Morris can be a sense of identity,

34 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T

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The up-close- and-personal feel of the 4th Street Theater in Chesterton allows the audience to feel like they are part of the show. The group recently presented “Peter and the

Photo provided by 4th Street Theater Starcatcher.”

a catalyst for change and an incubator intimate environment for a variety of “Shakespeare in the Park is a culmi- for celebration of all that is positive for shows in its 65th season. nation of so many relationships,” Brant our community,” Jarnecke said. Brant said the crew strives to follow a said. “We’re able to give a great big formula of sorts when putting together cultural gift to the city each year. You An evolving story a season of shows. The goal is to enter- can see Shakespeare downtown for ith strong roots as a volunteer-led tain and engage longtime subscribers free, and we throw a big festival party.” Wtheater group, Chicago Street while cultivating new audiences. Brant himself has been involved Theatre in Valparaiso has taken a more “We have our family-oriented show with CST since his high school days professional turn since the early 2000s. during the holidays and pair it with and sees CST continuing to flourish. It added a managing director and part- an adult-themed show as an office “We’ve not really shed our roots as a time box office manager. party destination,” he said. “We have 60-plus year community theater that “It’s no longer a volunteer sitting our challenging or controversial show started as a group of people putting with a card table and cash box taking during the winter to bring in the best on plays,” he said. “We have longevity tickets—now that we have profession- talent with something ‘edgier.’” because we have established supporters alized to the point that people can They also offer a comedy and drama who believe in the validity of what we order tickets online,” said Eric Brant, show, as well as the Shakespeare in the do in terms of improving quality of life.” director of marketing at CST. Park series during the summer. That The group has grown from sharing a last one brings a classic to life outside Big city in our backyard stage at the Memorial Opera House for at Central Park Plaza in downtown eading into its 30th year, Theatre at four decades to having its own build- Valparaiso. Educational opportuni- Hthe Center in Munster brings access ing beginning in 2008. Today, the ties also are available for adults and to Chicago-style theater but in a more 130-seat theater continues to offer an children. up-close-and-personal setting.

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 35 >ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS Photo by Guy Rhodes Theatre at the Center Artistic Director Linda Fortunato, right, consults with costume designer Brenda Winstead in the theater’s costume shop about the wig creation for the 2016 holiday musical run “Annie Warbucks.” Fortunato says the theater offers Chicago-level entertainment.

Fortunato said, as a professional people, and a community is formed in her group’s shows. Heid said she often theater, TATC is a platform for Region those two hours.” hears comments after performances residents to enjoy a show, concert or such as: “Wow, I didn’t know this was musical without having to travel to Community connections going on in my backyard.” downtown Chicago. t 4th Street Theater in downtown Part of connecting to the commu- “We are able to bridge the gap as a AChesterton, first-row guests can nity for the 4th Street Theater team is lot of our actors, designers, directors literally put their feet on the stage and to offer an outlet for artistic individ- and crew have also worked at the big that is what makes it great, said Angela uals as well as a place for children on theaters in Chicago,” she said. “But Heid, the group’s president. the autism spectrum to experience live how our theater is laid out, it is a very “We’re a really small theater—50 to theater. intimate experience. 60 seats, depending on how the set Heid says the crew participates in a “It does take all kinds of theaters and is,” she said. “The stage itself is 12-feet 10-minute play festival where anyone all levels to make theater what it is deep, so it allows us to do shows where can submit a show that hasn’t been here in the Region.” the audience is really a part of it.” done anywhere else. With the Star Plaza venue’s closing, The group has been specializing “It’s a much smaller time commit- TATC has expanded its reach by adding in smaller shows since landing at its ment, and it can pull in people who concert and comedy offerings. current location in the late 1990s. haven’t done theater for years,” she “We strive to create a season with “If we’re doing a four- to six-person said. “We felt it was important to do a lot of variety to appeal to a lot of show, we can really bring the audience something unique and not get in the different people,” Fortunato said. “We close to it,” Heid said. “So, the audience habit of doing the same shows over are closing some of the Star Plaza void can literally feel like they are sitting in and over again.” with more one-night-only concerts someone’s living room or on the same Heid said the event for children is and stand-up comedian shows.” street as the characters.” led by a specially-trained group from Fortunato said theater is vital to the She said theater fans accustomed to Chicago. Region. “I am very passionate about going to Chicago, walk away pleasantly “The group’s members sense if a child theater,” she said. “It enriches us as surprised when they come to one of wants to interact or just sit there,” she

36 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM said. “We have sponsors, so we don’t Previews allow patrons to attend a THE THEATERS have to charge the family. It’s a way for pre-opening night show at an amount Theatre at The Center, 1040 Ridge us to give back to the community.” that fits their needs. “Free child care allows our large Road, Munster, (219) 836-3255 Local support number of young families the chance Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. aron Nichols, executive director of to have a date night without worry- Michigan St., South Bend, (574) 235-9190 Athe South Bend Civic Theatre, said ing about scheduling and paying for part of what keeps local theaters going baby-sitting,” he said. “Many of our Chicago Street Theater, 154 W. is the drive to support all things local. volunteers, local artists and economi- Chicago St., Valparaiso, (219) 464-1636 “I think there is a resurgent desire to cally disadvantaged can't afford a $25 South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. support local, whether it be food, busi- ticket. To meet this need, we've intro- ness or entertainment,” he said. “I think duced a performance where patrons Main St., South Bend, (574) 234-1112 that our patrons value our commitment ‘pay what they can’ whether that be $1, 4th Street Theater, 125 N. 4th to enriching and creating community. $5 or $20.” St., Chesterton, (219) 926-7875 “When you go to a show in Chicago, Nostalgia might have been at the you're engaged and entertained; base of community theater success however, when you see a show at the in the past, but Nichols said now it’s are becoming rare. Civic, you're supporting friends and something more. For Nichols, telling stories for a neighbors, putting dollars into the “It's a safe place to explore ideas and living is part of why he embraces the local economy and enabling artists to invite debate,” he said. “It's a public theater world. create positive change right next door.” space where people of all opinions and “I get to travel back—or even Nichols said his team also has backgrounds gather to be challenged forward—in time,” he said. “I get to listened to its community members and comforted as well as entertained.” see artists shine under spotlights and and recently added two programs. Nichols said theater education audiences rise in rapturous appre- Showtime Child Care is free child- programs are sparking curiosity, ciation. I get to create worlds. I get care services during Wednesday-night nurturing civility and creating connec- to make my community more kind, performances. The Pay-What-You-Can tions in a world where these interactions generous and compassionate.”

NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 37 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NORTHWEST INDIANA JOHN CAIN T READ ON PHONE OUT ABOUT One small step, one giant leap Let the feather boas fly told the Chicagoist, "I've never been he Northwest Indiana Symphony a Cage aux Folles” was the first able to find a live band in New York TOrchestra celebrates the 50th anni- “Lmusical to win the Tony Award as consistently thrilling, funny and versary of the moon landing with a for Best Revival of a Musical twice fun as the Waco Brothers." Local space-themed concert in May. It will and a Best Musical Tony for each of bands include the Blisters, Stealin’ feature the Symphony Chorus and its Broadway productions. “La Cage” the Farm, River Kittens and Robert retired astronaut and Crown Point- tells the story of Georges, the owner Rolfe Feddersen. The festival also will native Col. Jerry Ross. Cinema and of a swanky and sexy Saint-Tropez include culinary arts, featuring deli- symphony meet as videos and photos nightclub, and his partner Albin who cious local grub from food trucks, as from the historic 1969 moon land- moonlights as the glamorous drag well as craft beer and wine from local ing accompany two of Copland’s queen songstress Zaza. When their son breweries and wineries. Check out the most popular pieces, “Fanfare for the brings his fiancé (and her very conser- vendor area where you can find cool vative parents) home to dunes-related swag. And, of course, meet the flashy pair, the be sure to stop by the Save the Dunes bonds of family are put table to become a member. Check out to the test. “La Cage” is the Kids Zone from 4 to 8 p.m. All ages a tuneful and touching are welcome from 4 to 10 p.m. June 1 tale of one family's strug- at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater in gle to stay together, stay Washington Park. (219) 879-3564 or fabulous, and above all www.savedunes.org.& else, stay true to them- selves. “La Cage aux Anne of Green Gables Folles” is a musical with a hen aging siblings Matthew and The Northwest book by Harvey Fierstein WMarilla Cuthbert write to the Indiana Symphony and music and lyrics by orphanage in Nova Scotia asking for a Orchestra will Jerry Herman, the Tony boy to help them on the farm, they get celebrate the 50th Award-winning composer more than they bargained for. Because anniversary of the of “Hello Dolly!” and of a mix-up, they are left with 11-year- moon landing with “Mame.” Memorial Opera old Anne Shirley. For six years, this a space-themed House, April 26 through romantic, hot-headed and energetic concert, featuring Crown Point native May 12. (219) 548-9137 girl wins their hearts and turns the Col. Jerry Ross. or www.memorialopera- stodgy, rural Canadian community Photo provided by NASA house.com. into a bright world of "kindred spir- its." Whether the playgoer is an "old Common Man” and “Appalachian Jammin’ with Save the Dunes friend" of Anne's or meeting her for the Spring.” Popular space-themed t's time again for Jammin’ with first time, this production will solid- music from “Star Wars” and “Star ISave the Dunes! The family-friendly ify a lasting friendship between the Trek,” as well as Strauss’ “Also event brings hundreds of dunes-lov- audience and one of literature's most Sprach Zarathustra” from Kubrick’s ers to beautiful Washington Park in unforgettable characters. Written by “2001,” and a selection from Michigan City on the Lake Michigan Sylvia Ashby and based on the book by Holst’s “Planets” will delight. Ross shoreline. There are also several popu- L.M. Montgomery. Directed by Bonnie will be on hand to show his photos lar bands with local ties. This year’s Quigley. (219) 362-5113 or www. and memorabilia as he recollects his headliner is Jon Langford and the laportelittletheatreclub.com. missions aboard the space shuttle. Waco Brothers, a group classified as Visit the South Shore Arts The concert will be presented Friday, country rock combined with a little regional calendar for more infor- May 17, at Monbeck Auditorium at punk. They've produced eight studio mation on current exhibits, Highland High School. (219) 836-0525 albums with Bloodshot Records. concerts, plays and other arts events or www.nisorchestra.org. Author and music critic Sarah Vowell at SouthShoreArtsOnline.org.

38 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GREATER SOUTH BEND JACK WALTON T

OUT ABOUT READ ON PHONE Jazz jam session at Merrimans’ Chamber Music Competition. In its Live blues music returns errimans’ Playhouse in South 46th year, the Fischoff is the larg- n the late 1970s, the first out-of-town MBend recently transitioned into a est chamber music competition in Igig young Lil’ Ed Williams ever played 501c(3) organization. It operates as a America. There are multiple skill levels, was when the Chicago-based guitarist nonprofit, but the day-to-day opera- so the participants range from young performed with blues titan J.B. Hutto tions aren’t affected. Owners Stephen children to burgeoning professionals. at a gig at Vegetable Buddies in South and Mary Merriman host an open All events at the three-day festival are Bend. The original venue is long gone, jazz jam session every Tuesday night. free, although tickets for the finals but a new Vegetable Buddies has arisen They also regularly host national and should be reserved. (574) 631-2800 in the same location—with the same international touring jazz ensembles. or www.performing- On April 17, it’s straight-ahead stan- arts.nd.edu. dards with the Doug Stone Quartet. The propulsive piano jazz of the Dave Spiritual trouble Meder Trio follows April 26. Drummer o u t h B e n d Keith Hall will try not to get upstaged SCivic Theatre is by his more famous sidemen—saxo- presenting Heidi phonist Andrew Rathbun and bassist Schreck’s play “Grand Robert Hurst—for a gig by the Keith Concourse” from Hall Trio on May 15. Up-and-coming April 12 to 21. It’s the &saxophonist Seth Ebersole appears story of a nun who June 13. (574) 329-3430 or www. runs a soup kitchen in merrimansplayhouse.org. the Bronx. There she faces both day-to-day Merrimans’ Multimedia experience headaches and deeper Playhouse in he South Bend Museum of Art’s latest spiritual struggles. South Bend Tinstallation comes from multimedia On May 1, SBCT hosts holds a weekly artist Michael Dinges. His show, titled a special one-night jam session and “A Scarecrow at the Crossroads of an only staged reading of features touring Epoch,” will be on exhibit from April 20 Laurie Nathan’s “Lot’s jazz bands. Photo provided by Mary Merriman to June 30. Dinges embraces a variety Wife.” “On Golden of techniques in his pieces, with the goal Pond” became a beloved movie on of exploring notions of identity, tech- the strength of unforgettable perfor- mentality (and now with craft beers). nology and globalization, with a focus mances by Katharine Hepburn and Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials already on personal and cultural artifacts. (574) Henry Fonda, but the work began its have performed at the revamped 235-9102 or www.southbendart.org. life as a stage play by Ernest Thompson Vegetable Buddies, and they return in 1979. Norman and Ethel have a long for a show April 27. On May 18, it’s the Chamber music competition and largely successful marriage, but celebratory sounds of the part-reggae, he University of Notre Dame’s there’s still tons of issues bubbling part-jam band Giant Panda Guerilla TDeBartolo Performing Arts Center over. The tension can work as well on Dub Squad. Blues music returns May is wrapping up its 2018-2019 season stage as it did on screen. Another older 24, when Ronnie Baker Brooks comes with a pair of multi-day offerings. For character is the focus of “Between town. His father, legendary guitarist three nights, May 2 through 4, the Riverside and Crazy,” which runs June Lonnie Brooks, died in 2017 after a American Ballet Theatre Co. presents 7 to 16. Stephen Adly Guirgis won the long career as an elite blues man. The a program that’s a blend of classic and 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the good news is that the similarly talented contemporary choreography. From play, which portrays the life of a retired Ronnie is still in his prime, and we May 10 through 12, classical musicians New York City police officer named can catch him in as intimate an envi- from around the world converge at Walter “Pops” Washington. (574) ronment as Vegetable Buddies. (574) Notre Dame for the Fischoff National 234-1112 or www.sbct.org. 232-0954 or www.buddiesdtsb.com.

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 39 NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T OFF HOURS Executive leads healthy life READ ON PHONE Cline Avenue Bridge project manager says staying active helps social life too

Michael Puente mass but an increase in body fat too. Exercising also contributes to uring the day, Terry Velligan But those negative effects of quicker recovery times from nagging oversees the $140 million aging can be mitigated by exercising injuries as you get older, Velligan said. rebuilding of the Cline Avenue regularly. “Playing sports for so long, you do Bridge in East Chicago. A 2013 study published by the Journal get bumps and bruises and sprained DUnited Bridge Partners and Cline of Aging Research concluded that physi- ankles, but I think staying active helps Avenue Bridge LLC will own the new cal activity in older adults is associated you overcome that,” he said. “When toll bridge. with lower incidence and prevalence of you’re active all the time when you’re “We’re about halfway complete,” said chronic diseases such as cancer, diabe- younger, the minor injuries you can Velligan, general manager of operates, and cardiovascular and coronary recover from a lot quicker.” tions on the project. “It will be done by heart diseases. Furthermore, physical Velligan said the same practice also January 2020.” exercise can protect against dementia, applies as people age. When Velligan isn’t overseeing the the journal concluded. “You’ll be able to recover from things massive public works project, he spends For Velligan, staying active and fit a lot quicker,” he said. “I get backaches once in a while, but swimming and stretching helps a lot. Staying active helps you avoid and overcome those nagging injuries as you get older.” Growing up with six brothers and one sister, Velligan said his siblings as well as friends helped him stay active. “Terry is very competitive, and staying active is very important to him,” said Steve Bartley, a childhood friend of Velligan. “He eats right, and he has a positive attitude.” Terry Velligan Bartley and Velligan went to high of United Bridge school together. The two re-connected Partners says staying fit and about 10 years ago when Velligan being active moved back to the Region from always has been California. Velligan also worked at a part of his life. Bartley’s company, Martin Mechanical Photo provided by Terry Velligan Co. in Schererville, where Bartley is part owner. Bartley said Velligan’s his time staying physically active and fit. began in his teens. positive attitude influences others. “When I get older, I want to be able Born in East Chicago, Velligan grew “The way he interacts with every- to walk up the stairs; I want to able to up in St. John and is a 1983 graduate one around him it makes you want to live a long life,” the 54-year-old East of Lake Central High School. emulate him because of that,” Bartley Chicago resident said. “I can’t imagine After high school, Velligan moved to said. “He’s an active listener. He’s not exercising, because it’s always been California where he became a tennis attentive. He’s got a great insight even just a way of life for me.” pro. He didn’t play on the professional into items that he doesn’t know that According to the University level but instead instructed others in well. It’s very impressive to see him of Southern California School of the sport. These days, Velligan plays interact with people.” Gerontology, estimates show that one less tennis and more baseball. He plays Beyond the physical benefits of exer- of every five adults 50 years and older in a 33-years-and-older fast-pitch cising, Velligan says there’s also social suffer from at least one condition baseball league in Crown Point. aspects to staying active. that is chronic such as loss of agility, “I play a lot of baseball,” he said. “In “As people get older, they tend to get balance, endurance or strength. the summer, I play golf about three isolated if they are not active through Many aging adults also experience times a week. I stay busy, (and) I also their whole life,” Velligan said. “Then the loss of bone density and muscle do quite a bit of swimming.” they just can’t do a lot of stuff.”

40 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE MKD-8652B-A MKT-6354E-A-A2 219-924-2565 1939 W GlenPark Ave Shawn HGraham 219-865-3410 St 202 Joliet Christopher ERay 219-663-4991 1180 ESummitSt Steven Smead 219-663-4329 11426 Broadway Reid ARhodes 219-663-4991 1180 ESummitSt Alyse MHoughton 219-663-1234 420 MerrillvilleRoad Michael PDexter, AAMS® Griffith Dyer Crown Point 219-663-1234 Crown Point, IN 46307 420 Merrillville Road Financial Advisor Michael P Dexter, AAMS® c The follo Colors ENGLISH Logos palett dark c 5535, black,orwhit should beprint it these logosforpr It isacceptableto local ev Ev using inonlinemat should bedr T w or whenit doesn’t r dr T a r black logoandtagline on pr mark br Used inournational Pr olors, fonts,andlogos. he Regis he tagline canbe 219-923-1482 Kennedy8415 Ave Daniel APerez 219-923-1482 Kennedy8415 Ave Lewis,Doug AAMS® 219-924-2565 1939 W GlenPark Ave ColtonHill J 219-696-1590 17650 MorseSt Aaron PPollock, AAMS® 219-940-9642 8083 Randolph St Sam Salameh 219-654-4086 8792 ERidgeRdSuite A Michael Anderson, AAMS® ems. Inthiscase,it ell. Hobart Highland Lowell and campaign and opped onback c eferr omotional logotype - ent logotype-Usedfor ectangle of PMS 116. eting mat PMS 116C PMS 160C PMS 5535 PMS 64 e. olor fr ed tr ent v te eatment is r wing isaquickre om ourc opped when enue signage. ed (®)mark erials. T 7C ed inPMS C emium use erials. overs ead e ona olor he Member SIPC www.edwardjones.com 219-662-5999 10618 Randolph St Pat Hedge 219-365-1386 8626 Wicker SuiteD Timothy DSwallers, AAMS® 219-365-1386 8626 Wicker SuiteD Kendall Snider 219-322-5812 144 West LincolnHighway Joe Zuccarelli www.edwardjones.com MemberSIPC IT ITC F Gotham isusedforallEd Gotham used forourHNWcat F go belo piec Winfield St. John Schererville C Fr onts es. Itisprimarilyusedforbody ranklin Gothic anklin Gothicisusedfortables,charts,and w 9pt.on13Pr ference guidetoEdwardJones’speciﬁcbr egory wa eer

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MADE IN INDIANA Dream becomes reality Former nurse turning soap-making hobby into so much more with line of goat’s milk products

Jamie Fankhauser of Valparaiso, a former registered nurse, turned her soap-making hobby into BUNs Soapbox. Photo by Laura Duggleby

Larry Avila think about starting a business,” said wanted to do,” she said. amie Fankhauser never thought Fankhauser, whose shop at 506 E. After a successful surgery, about starting her own busi- Lincolnway, also doubles as her fami- Fankhauser was deemed cancer free, ness. But in 2017 while fighting a ly’s home. “It just seems like it was and about a month later, she learned life-threatening illness, she started meant to be.” how to make soap. Jto think about life's possibilities. Fankhauser traces her Fankhauser’s young- Now the Valparaiso entrepreneur interest in soap making BUNS est daughter, Ava, 13, looks to the future, which could to the 1990s. But it wasn’t SOAPBOX was among her first include additional store fronts and a until 2017, while she u Jamie Fankhauser clients to experience the production facility. battled ovarian cancer, specializes in making benefits of using soap But Fankhauser isn’t in a rush to that the former registered and selling hygiene made from goat’s milk. expand. The owner and founder of nurse investigated how to products made According to the website BUNs Soapbox, which specializes in make it. from locally sourced GoatMilkStuff.com, it is making and selling hygiene products “I had been saying to my raw goat’s milk. rich in vitamin A and the made from locally sourced raw goat’s husband for years that I mineral selenium. Both milk, understands the evolution of her wanted to make soap, and contribute to healthy skin. business will come in time. when I was facing my illness, I prayed The cream in goat’s milk is a natu- “Never in a million years did I ever and thought very hard about what I still ral moisturizer, and the raw product

42 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T

also contains alpha hydroxy acids, company’s growth. She connected new business,” Feldt said. which help remove dead skin cells. with Lorri Feldt, regional director of Feldt is working with READ ON PHONE People who suffer from eczema and the Northwest Indiana Small Business Fankhauser on marketing and how to psoriasis sometimes turn to goat’s Development Center. protect her intellectual property. milk-based products because of its Feldt said Fankhauser has passion Fankhauser knows many long days I do see passion natural proper- for her business, an important asset are ahead but is up for the challenge. ties that boost for new entrepreneurs. “(Owning a business) is hard work as a powerful skin health. “I do see passion as a powerful with a lot of hours involved, but it also “motivator, and Fankhauser said motivator, and it can drive that differ- rejuvenates you and keeps you going,” it can drive that her daughter entiation that is so important with a she said. differentiation had severe dry that is so import- skin. Using her soap helped her ant with a new condition. business.” Fankhauser’s — Lorri Feldt, daughter told NWI Small Business others about her Development Center mom’s soap and how it helped, which led to people asking for samples and eventu- ally requests to buy products. That’s when she realized she was onto something. Fankhauser’s first THANK YOU... entry into a retail store was at Aster To our clients and the community for voting us Best Accounting Firm in and Gray in Valparaiso, but she the 2019 Best of Business Awards. wouldn’t stay there long. Fast forward to 2018. Fankhauser We are honored to have been chosen as your favorite CPA firm and are had sold thousands of products, which extremely proud of the relationships we have built with all of you. were available either online or at five retail locations. In summer 2018, her www.klcpas.com husband, Jamie, suggested she needed South Bend | Elkhart | St. Joseph her own store, leading her to open her Valparaiso location. Fankhauser’s goat’s milk is supplied by Circle Bar K Farms in Valparaiso, owned and operated by Bradley and JOIN A NEW CLASS OF LEADERS Stacy King. Stacy King said she first spoke to Fankhauser in fall 2017, and they’ve been her suppliers since late summer 2018. “I like to think that God has a plan for all this,” King said. “I’m so excited to see (Fankhauser’s business) grow.” Opportunities continue to follow Calling all future regional leaders. Fankhauser as she was approached by an Illinois customer who wanted to sell Apply now for the 44th class of her soap as a private-label product. She didn’t want to turn that business down LNI: Leadership Northwest Indiana but managing a business, making the soap, running a shop and raising her family put a lot on her plate. “When I was approached about the private label product, I didn’t know how to handle that,” Fankhauser said. Fankhauser recognized she needed Learn more, visit pnw.edu/leadership-institute assistance to help manage her

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 43 NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T MAKING A DIFFERENCE Rounding up donations READ ON PHONE Store checkout charity campaign makes million-dollar impact

Jeff Strack, left center, presents a donation check to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana from the proceeds raised from Strack & Van Til’s “Round Up” program. Photo provided by Strack & Van Til

Philip Potempa Champions,” examining 2014 data— fees, and since the “roundup” happens hen it comes to charitable the most current available—and it after the grocery order is totaled with donations, several Region reported more than $390 million was taxes, that donation amount is not organizations can say every raised in 2014 by 77 major campaigns included in the true grocery bill, and cent given does matter. of $1 million-plus or more. therefore not taxed. WJust ask Steve Beekman, executive CEO Jeff Strack and Chief Operating “We’ve been doing the roundup director of the Food Bank of Northwest Officer Dave Wilkinson of Highland- program for a decade, and it’s grown Indiana. In a decade’s time, more based Strack & Van Til grocery store every year in both dollar amounts and than $899,448 has been raised for his chain and parent company Indiana in the number of requests we receive organization through Strack & Van Grocery Group are proud of their from local groups who want to benefit,” Til’s Round Up program. Customers customers’ coin commitment. said King, who has worked at Strack & are asked, when they are paying for Coordinated by Fran King, who is Van Til’s headquarters for 12 years. purchases, if they want to round up the executive assistant to Strack and “Of all of the groups our customers their total to the next dollar with the Wilkinson, the company’s cash regis- have helped us support throughout extra funds going to charity. ter “roundup” program has generated the years, the Food Bank of Northwest “You can equate every $1 of that millions of dollars in money donations Indiana is an organization that is extra amount raised to equal about three during the last decade for numerous special to us because of the nature of meals, which allows us to serve what charities around Northwest Indiana. their cause and how it relates to what results in 2.7 million meals in total in The concept is simple and proven our grocery store mission is for serving these last 10 years we’ve received the effective for a variety of causes during Northwest Indiana.” funds from Strack & Van Til’s Round selected weeks throughout the year. Beekman said his organization Up campaign,” Beekman said. When a charity organization is is fortunate to have maintained its This form of charitable contribution chosen for either a scheduled one- or annual roundup campaign tradition also is referred to as point-of-purchase two-week span, cashiers at the check- with Strack & Van Til. It typically takes fundraising, and it’s been success- out ask customers if they “would like place in November and December. ful around the country. Research to round up their total due to the next King said customer support for the from Engage for Good published the dollar to help support” a spotlight program always is strong. study “America’s Checkout-Charity charity. There are no administrative “We always want to make sure we are

44 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE 2016-2015 best printing company ad_fb.qxp_Layout 1 4/8/16 12:38 PM Page 1

selecting charity organizations that are from our communities our stores serve and which make sense to benefit from this opportunity,” King said. King said Strack & Van Til strives to assist a mix of charities annually. “We don’t want every single week of the year to be a round up week, so we’re not overwhelming our customers with too many causes,” she said. “And Proud Winner on the weeks we don’t do the roundup of program, we are often still helping Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly other organizations.” Habitat for Humanity, Trade Winds, the Humane Society and the American Best Commercial Printing Company Cancer Society are among the many organizations that have benefited 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 from the Strack & Van Til Round Up O ering Highest Quality of O set, Large Format, and program. Kevin Feldman, director of devel- Digital Printing at the Most Competitive and Honest Pricing. opment for The Salvation Army Lake We Appreciate Your Conﬁdence in Largus Graphix Solutions County, said that during the designated and its Dedicated Crew. last two weeks of July 2018, his organization netted more than $19,000 from It is Greatly Appreciated! Strack & Van Til’s Round Up program. “The company's leaders and employ- 1.219.922.8414 LARGUSGS.COM ees care about people, plain and simple. established 1977 Words aren't enough to express our gratefulness for the generosity of Strack & Van Til,” Feldman said. King said the 2019 calendar year already is filled with charity organizations chosen to benefit from this year’s roundup program. “The other important component for this program is our cashiers who extend the invitation to our customers to make a donation,” King said. “Our cashiers are a key reason this program has been such a success.” King said a little incentive helps too. “During a roundup campaign, quite often the cashier whose checkout has raised the most funds are rewarded by the charity organization who might Voted Best Voted Best Runner-Up donate a T-shirt for them or gift card,” RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Real Estate Company she said. Real Estate Company Lisa Daugherty, president and CEO for Lake Area United Way, said her organization benefited from the Strack & Van Til Round Up program in 2016, Thank You! 2017 and has been invited to have a designated week in 2019. “More than $30,000 was raised during each of our years participat- ing,” Daugherty said. “Stracks is a very generous community partner on so All Purpose Real Estate. ONE SOURCE | mccolly.com many levels.”

NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE | APR-MAY 2019 45 NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T BUSINESS ADVICE

READ ON PHONE

Anatomy of buy-sell agreement Owners usually have two choices when considering how companies will go on without them

Calvin Bellamy the redemption approach is easier to and thereby paralyzing the company? administer. These and other triggers should be uccession planning is vital Once the basic form is chosen, there carefully thought through. to the continuation of any are three additional issues to address: business. And when there are valuation, triggering event and Funding multiple owners—partners, funding. Even if the right mechanism is S members, share- chosen, the method of valuation is fair holders—no single Valuation and the trigger clear, where are the document is more Since small businesses are not remaining owners going to find the important than publicly traded, there is no readily funds to buy out the departing owner? a comprehensive, available market price. Book value, Small businesses rarely have sufficient up-to-date buy-sell multiple of earnings and professional liquid resources to buy out the depart- agreement. Failure appraisal are some of the possible ing owner. to have such an options for determining value, but Life insurance is one common fund- agreement adds valuation is not a “once-and-done” ing source but may not be available if confusion and stress situation. one or more owners are uninsurable, or at the time one of A formula that worked at one stage because of age differences, premiums u Calvin Bellamy, the owners passes of the business may not continue to be are too costly. former CEO and chair- away or becomes relevant. A review every few years is Bank financing might be available man of Bank Calumet disabled. An incom- vitally important. Above all, the valu- if the company has a strong balance and Bank Calumet Inc., plete or out-of-date ation should be fair. No matter the sheet and is profitable. It might be is a partner within agreement is bad relative age or health of the owners, no necessary to buy out the departed Krieg DeVault’s finan- too and will likely one can be sure who will pass first. owner in installments over a period of cial institutions, estate lead to unintended five or more years. consequences. Triggering event In the worst-case scenario, the planning and business The first step Death of an owner is the most obvi- remaining owners might have to sell practice groups. is to decide what ous triggering event but only one of the company. The desired options type of buy-sell many. Disability and retirement are should be set out and prioritized in the agreement best suits the ownership obvious additional triggers, but what buy-sell agreement. structure. There are two basic types: about divorce? A property settlement Buy-sells are essential but compli- cross purchase and redemption. With between the divorcing couple might cated arrangements. Owners need to cross purchase, the surviving owners result in an ex-spouse suddenly becom- involve their attorneys and accoun- buy out the deceased owner’s share. ing a co-owner. An owner’s personal tants early in the process. Such With a redemption agreement, the bankruptcy could be another event agreements should not be rushed. company purchases and retires the triggering the buy-sell agreement. With everyone in the room, all the departing owner’s share. As a rule of What if the owners have a profound issues should be discussed honestly thumb, if there are several owners, disagreement producing a deadlock and openly. 46 APR-MAY 2019 | NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE BusinessBusiness ServicesServices Business Services

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Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 ©Teachers Credit Union. The cost of membership is $12, $7 membership fee and $5 initial deposit. NMLS# 686706. TCU Insurance Agency, LLC is a subsidiary of TCU InsuranceNationalNCUAand Credit backed Union by Administration, productsthe full faith and a U.S.credit Government of the United are Agency States Government Visit offeredtcunet.com/mybusiness through various approved carriers. Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerageto Services,get Inc. (CBSI), started. member FINRA/SIPC , a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. NationalNCUA Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency ©TeachersVisit CreditNot Union. tcunet.com/mybusinessa deposit The of cost any financial of membership institution. is This $12, information $7 membership is not designed, fee and meant, $5 initialnor does deposit. it constitute NMLS# theto rendering 686706. get of legalTCU Insuranceor tax advice.started. Agency,You should LLC consult is a subsidiarywith your attorney of TCU and/or Insurance tax ad- products are offered through variousvisor before approved implementing carriers. any Securities strategy discussed sold, advisory here. Trust services services providedoffered throughby MEMBERS CUNA Trust Brokerage Company are Services, not federally Inc. insured, (CBSI), are member not obligations FINRA/SIPC of or guaranteed , a registered by the broker/dealer credit union and investment©Teachers advisor. CBSI Creditor isany underUnion. affiliated contract The entity, cost withinvolve of membership the investment financial risks,is institution $12, including $7 membership to the makepossible securities lossfee andof principle. available$5 initial MEMBERS to deposit. members. Trust NMLS# Company Not 686706.NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC is a federal TCU thrift Insurance regulated insured, Agency, by the May Office LLC Lose isof aValue,the subsidiary Comptroller No Financial of or TCU the Institution InsuranceCurrency. productsGuarantee. are Notoffered a deposit through of anyFR-2319096.1-1118-1220 various financial approved institution. carriers. This Securitiesinformation sold, is not advisory designed, services meant, offered nor does through it constitute CUNA Brokerage the rendering Services, of legal Inc. or (CBSI), tax advice. member You FINRA/SIPCshould consult , a registered with your broker/dealerattorney and/or and tax invest ad- - visorment before advisor. implementing CBSI is under any contract strategy with discussed the financial here. Trust institution services to providedmake securities by MEMBERS available Trust to Companymembers. areNot notNCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC federally insured, insured, are not obligationsMay Lose Value, of or guaranteedNo Financial byInstitution the credit Guarantee. union or anyNot affiliateda deposit ofentity, any financialinvolve investment institution. risks,This informationincluding the is possiblenot designed, loss of meant,principle. nor doesMEMBERS it constitute Trust theCompany rendering is a federalof legal thriftor tax regulated advice. You by theshould Office consult of the with Comptroller your attorney or the and/or Currency. tax ad- FR-2319096.1-1118-1220visor before implementing any strategy discussed here. Trust services provided by MEMBERS Trust Company are not federally insured, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union or any affiliated entity, involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principle. MEMBERS Trust Company is a federal thrift regulated by the Office of the Comptroller or the Currency. FR-2319096.1-1118-1220 NWINDIANABUSINESS.COM T VIEWPOINT Making good people great READ ON PHONE Leadership Institute at Purdue University Northwest here to share resources to drive change in Region

eadership. We know it when we With two campuses and students source of inspiration. see it, but more importantly, we from Northwest Indiana, the country Our emerging youth leaders partici- are adrift when it is missing. and from around the globe, Purdue pate in the hands-on “SLYCE” program That’s why the Leadership University Northwest is committed to where we explore the skills needed to L Institute at Purdue helping build stronger communities— be an ethical, transformational leader Northwest, formerly and the PNW collaboration with the who can influence our future. Then known as the South Leadership Institute is just one example. our high school students roll up their Shore Leadership By affiliating with the Leadership sleeves and put these skills to work in a Center, is commit- Institute, the university is illustrating hands-on service project. Their energy ted to developing, its commitment to strong community and passions are inspirational. mentoring and moti- connections and the diverse communi- You might wonder what it takes vating people across ties across Northwest Indiana. today to become a better leader tomor- Northwest Indiana In doing so, the Leadership Institute row. Here are a few steps to consider: to become stronger at PNW joins the stakeholders of the 1. Challenge yourself. and more insightful Northwest Indiana Forum’s “Ignite Work with intention to create u Sheila Brillson leaders. We strive to the Region” plan to help stimulate job an environment of respect in your Matias is executive explore and develop growth, retain exceptional talent, and workplace so others feel comfortable director of the the skills needed to foster a culture of connectivity and sharing their ideas. People work best Leadership Institute transform an emerg- innovation. when they can contribute and know at Purdue University ing leader into an Leaders in our communities who that their ideas are valued. effective community can communicate a shared vision 2. Use your words. Northwest and contributor who can for our Region are essential to keep- Words make a difference—how you executive director motivate, influence ing Northwest Indiana vibrant. By say them and the words you choose of the Society of and lead. investing in leadership develop- to use. Evocative language can moti- Innovators at PNW. Research shows ment, we are joining vate, coach, convince and that most leaders are other stakeholders in Leaders in our influence. Words can create not born with a genetic predisposition community building, communities perceptions—and change to excellence in leadership but rather which will, over time, who can com- them. Use them wisely. are built by life lessons and experience. result in a stronger “ 3. Be a keen observer. municate Therefore, we focus on finding innova- economy, an ecosystem By carefully observing tive ways to develop leaders who can that encourages busi- a shared vision and studying others, you have a positive impact on our commu- ness development and for our Region will likely see what works nities across Northwest Indiana. healthier, more are essential well—and what doesn’t. With the resources of Purdue connected communities. to keeping These are great life lessons. University Northwest in our corner, “Leadership Northwest Northwest If you are inspired by some- we at the Leadership Institute aim to Indiana” is a program one’s leadership, model nurture skills in local citizens—both designed to strengthen Indiana vibrant.” your own leadership style adults and high school youth—from our Region. We keep it as a reflection of that diverse backgrounds so they can have local. By learning about the practice inspiration. a positive impact on communities of leadership from local business and Whether the goal is to be a more across the Region. community leaders, we see examples inspiring leader within your family, While some of the elements of lead- of people, just like us, who have risen within your faith community, in your ership—character, integrity, empathy to the challenge and are practicing workplace or within your civic commu- and the desire to be a lifelong learner— positive leadership within their own nity, developing positive leadership might be instilled in us as children, spheres of influence. Remarkable local skills benefits us all. Developing lead- they can be further developed and leaders sharing their experiences and ers is what we do at the Leadership nurtured so we are more effective lead- their stories can serve to help us learn; Institute at Purdue Northwest, and ers as adults. we can use these examples as a great we welcome you to join us.

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