Innovating the Future Developing the Region’S Brain Power

Northwest Indiana’s Leading Business Magazine Since 1991 Election Preview n Women in Business n Health Care Honors n Business Law Q&A

SUmmer–Fall 2012

Serving Greater Northwest Indiana and Surrounding Counties

Innovating the Future Developing the region’s brain power.

DR. CHENN ZHOU Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation Purdue University Calumet Imagine a larger, more advanced E.R. You can stop imagining 8/25/12.

When the new Porter Regional Hospital opens its doors on August 25, it will introduce a new level of emergency care to Northwest Indiana. Find out more about the steps we’ve taken to bring you patient-centered care. Visit PorterHealth.com/MyNewHospital.

• Large, private exam rooms • Multiple trauma and cardiac rooms tailored for the special needs of seriously ill or injured patients • A fully equipped O.R. steps away from the E.R., making lifesaving surgery available within minutes • Full-service surgical, medical and cardiac intensive care units located within steps of the E.R. • Access to advanced imaging, lab testing, and other diagnostics without leaving the facility 85 East U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso, IN • Advanced communications technology to get fast results and reports to physician specialists • Access to more than 50 physician specialties on Porter’s medical staff • Easy access for ambulance and helicopters • Convenient parking

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

63347_PORT_NewHosp_8_375x11_125c.indd 1 6/28/12 7:26 PM Imagine a larger, more advanced E.R. You can stop imagining 8/25/12.

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

63347_PORT_NewHosp_8_375x11_125c.indd 1 6/28/12 7:26 PM Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly SUMMER–FALL 2012 Vulingis a zi the Future Dr. Chenn Zhou p14 helps focus the region on research. contents Publisher’s NOTE 5 Preparing the Region for the Future NOTEWORTHY NEWS BITS FROM... 6 Around the Region Cover Story 14 Innovating the Future Northwest Indiana has been a brawny region for generations, with an image led by steel manufacturing. In the coming years, it may become just as famous for its brains. Publi c Service 22 Ballot Box Candidates say jobs are the top priority— but how to create them? Sp c ecial Fo us: Women in Business 28 A Woman’s Touch Across the region, thousands of businesses have a woman at the helm. 36 Resources for Cartingh a Path Women- p28 owned Via Marketing in Women-Owned Businesses Merrillville opened in 1986. 37 Ladies, Grow Your Business SBA can help with the financing for launch or expansion. 38 Business World Taking Notice Women business leaders are taking a proactive approach to educating themselves on the financial requirements, bid process and political aspects of business developments. 39 Top Businesswomen 20 leading women-owned businesses in Northwest Indiana. Sp ecial Feature 40 Health Care Honors p40 Our readers suggest some of the A dVANCING Care region’s standouts in medical care. Dr. Mary Nicholson leads in innovation and compassion.

2 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Every day, I get up knowing I have the chance to help people.

It’s the best alarm clock known to mankind.

Mostly, I try to offer comfort, and listen.

When people aren’t feeling well, they may open up. Or keep to themselves.

So I try to meet them where they are.

Admittedly, that’s not high tech.

But I believe it’s just as important.

I am a Sister with Franciscan Alliance. And I walk in the footsteps of St. Francis.

Recipient of Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly Healthcare Honors for n Community Benefit by St. Clare Health Clinic of Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point n Volunteer Service by The Heart Institute of Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point

When St. Francis walked out into the world and began his ministry, he left everything behind. It was a selfless act, symbolic of his desire to care for those in need. Today, in the halls of our hospitals, we follow in the footsteps of a single man whose timeless mission continues to inspire the 18,000 doctors, nurses and health care professionals of Franciscan Alliance.

FranciscanAlliance.org Keeingp Busy Dennis and Sons built the p51 railroad depot at Taltree Arboretum & Gardens.

B usiness Law 46 Legal Q&A Our annual roundup of answers to business law queries. R eal Estate and Construction 51 After the Storm Surviving the downturn in construction and real estate. Pioneering Online Education p61 Dr. Marlon Mitchell and Indiana 54 Construction Honors Wesleyan offer new alternatives. Area construction and real estate firms bask in regional recognitions. Enducatio 55 Workforce of Tomorrow Area colleges take their cues from the real world. 61 Learning Online For a growing number of students, cyberspace is the classroom. Makif ng a Dif erence 64 U nsung Heroes Shining the spotlight on outstanding leadership. Arts 67 Arts at Miller Beach Special district aims to revitalize economy and quality of life. Sports 68 On the Run Summer weekends are filled with running events, both serious and fun. Econome ic For cast Gvingi Everyone a Chance p64 Pastor Ben Polhemus honored for leadership. 70 Rocky Road Ahead Demand for consumer goods slowing down. Media and Marketing 71 Share of Mind Effective branding can help you boost this important metric. p68 Cover photo by Shawn Spence. Collecting the Prize Running 4 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 events fuel the region’s economy. Publisher’s NOTE Summer–Fall 2012

Preparing the Region Glee Renick-May Indianapolis Office Publisher / Advertising & Marketing GLEE RENICK-may Michigan City Office Editor for the Future Rick Richards

Contributing Editor Steve Kaelble he infrastructure now in The challenge for candidates is ener- Administrative Assistant place will soon establish gizing the voters, who, like myself, Rebecca L. Isaacs Northwest Indiana as a hub are questioning what is going on Editorial Assistant/Research T for advanced technology, thanks to in Washington these days—and as Denise C. Buschmann the Purdue Technology Center in a small business owner, remain- Art Director ANDREW ROBERTS Crown Point and Purdue Univer- ing optimistic but with a wait-and- Contributing Creative Director sity Calumet’s Center for Innovation see attitude. Inside, writer Michael Vicky Rockwell through Visualization and Simula- Puente talks with congressional can- Photographer tion. The South Bend area is also didates and examines the governor’s Shawn Spence positioned with the MIND center race, discussing job creation and Contributing Writers Kathy Cabello • Lauren Caggiano housed on the Notre Dame campus other critical economic issues. John Cain • Gail Gesell • Shari Held Michael J. Hicks • Bob Kronemyer doing extraordinary research. Read Regional construction companies Michael Puente • Michaline Tomich more in our cover story about how share how they have survived the Editorial Advisory Committee Dr. Chenn Zhou conducts virtual downturn and are eager to bid on Speros Batistatos • John Davies Barbara GRIMSGARD • Carol Highsmith reality research to integrate tech- projects. Read more inside on “Sur- Keith Kirkpatrick • Joshua Lybolt nology and help businesses use it. viving the Downturn.” Institutions Nicole MacKowski • Janis Moran Eric Servaas • Ei l zabeth Simmons Kathy Cortopassi’s “Voice to Print of higher learning also have positive Mary Wellnitz • Linda Woloshansky Captioning” has forever changed news to report. More graduating col- Circulation Rebecca L. Isaacs the lives of those who have hear- lege students will be better prepared New Media Intern ing loss. And Legacy Environmental for the demands of tomorrow’s work- Janice L. Dixon Services takes on eco-projects such force. Writer Shari Held talks with Tech Support as developing a network of charging leading institutions on how they are KIT MALONE stations for electric cars and helping making it happen. Leadership North- e-mail [email protected] corporations to reduce their carbon west Indiana launched the inaugu- Web footprint. ral “Leaders as Heroes” awards gala www.nwibq.com Women-owned businesses are back in May, honoring day-to-day contributing millions to our econ- community leaders. Read what they omy and are among the fastest- are doing every day that is making Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly is owned and published by May Communications Group, LLC, growing businesses in our country. a difference in the communities they Glee Renick-May, president and CEO. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Our annual “women in business” serve. And on that note, we also have Reproduction without permission is prohibited. focus section inside profiles a few a few to recognize for their contribu- Two-year quarterly subscription rate is $19.95. Single magazine price is $3.50. Requests for regional women-owned businesses tions with our first annual “Health additional magazines will be billed shipping charges. Total circulation: 12,000. Send payment with sharing their stories of success and Care Honors” profiles. your name, company address and contact information to: Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly how they overcame obstacles. Thanks for taking the time to read 9801 Fall Creek Rd. #247, Indianapolis, IN 46256-4802 The sluggish economy and the Northwest Indiana Business Quar- lack of jobs are the two critical issues terly. Enjoy our current issue! being addressed this election year. —Glee Renick-May, Publisher MEMBER

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 5 NOTEWORTHY NEWS BITS FROM... Around the Region

AGIL R CU TURE relationship manager for Citizens will fund a Hoophouse Farming The U.S. Department of Agricul- Financial Bank of Munster, has Eduventure to support year-round ture has closed the Farm Service been named director and treasurer greenhouse farming at the college. Agency office in St. Joseph County of The Association for the Wolf … Valparaiso University’s part- because of federal budget cuts. The Lake Initiative, a bi-state organi- time MBA program has been rec- office was one of three in Indiana to zation and land trust. … Jeff Stur, ognized as one of the best in the be closed. Clients are being asked senior vice president, retail loan United States by U.S. News & World to use the FSA office in Marshall management, has retired from Citi- Report magazine. … Purdue Uni- County. … Fair Oaks Farms in zens Financial Bank in Munster versity Calumet’s School of Tech- Newton County and Belstra Milling after 40 years of service. He joined nology and Mitsubishi Electric Co. of DeMotte have announced a the bank in 1972 as a loan trainee. Automation have formed a partner- partnership to create an attraction ship for a new mechatronics engi- that tells the story of pig production, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT neering technology laboratory. The the same way the Fair Oaks Dairy Area Development magazine has laboratory will contain five automa- Adventure tells the story of milk named two Northwest Indiana proj- tion simulation rack unit stations, production. … Fair Oaks Farms ects among the 10 best in Indiana. each valued at $13,000. The stations in Newton County has announced Receiving 2012 Silver Shovel Awards were donated by Mitsubishi. … Val- that by this fall its delivery fleet of were Canadian National’s expan- paraiso University has announced 42 trucks will switch from gasoline sion of the Kirk Yard in Gary, and that beginning this fall, it will offer and diesel to a renewable fuel made Fronius USA’s decision to locate its master of ministry in administra- from cow manure. U.S. headquarters in Portage. tion and master of health administration degrees at its new Chicago BANKING EDUCATION campus. … Purdue University KBW Inc. has named two region The University of Phoenix has Calumet in Hammond has received banks to its Bank Honor Roll for partnered with Porter County a $5,000 scholarship to support an superior financial performance.United Way to open a Success By engineering technology student They are 1st Source Bank of South 6 trail at the Valparaiso Public from Summit Media Group. … Bend and Horizon Bank in Michi- Library. This is the third trail in the The Challenger Learning Center gan City. … Kristin Trapp has been region. Others are at Valparaiso’s in Hammond has received a $3,000 named vice president and regional Hilltop Neighborhood House and grant from the Lake County Retired manager for Citizens Financial Munster’s Centennial Park. … St. Teachers Association. … A team of Bank in Munster. … Kelly Mamou- Joseph’s College in Rensselaer is Purdue University Calumet engi- zelos has been named Valparaiso one of three Indiana independent neering students placed third in the Banking Center manager for Citi- colleges that will receive the 2012 College Division of the NASA Great zens Financial Bank of Munster. Ball Brothers Foundation Ven- Moonbuggy Race. Team members … Jason Rebar, a business banking ture Fund grant. The $25,000 award were Benjamin Moul of Hart, Mich.;

Kelly Mamouzelos Jeff Stur Patricia Nowak Maria Fruth

6 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Brenda Rocha Linda Satkoski Matt Soellner Matt Soellner

Maria Frebis of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and improve water quality in North- tion. … Beacon Health System is Philip Mann of Burr Ridge, Ill.; Mark west Indiana. … South Shore Clean the new name of the parent com- Bauman of Goshen; and Kudjo Cities and Ozinga Ready Mix Con- pany for the recently joined Elkhart Achem of Chicago. … A team of crete Inc. have completed a collabo- General Hospital and Memo- Purdue University North Central ration in which Ozinga will use two rial Hospital of South Bend. … students recently took first place in concrete mixer trucks that are pow- Brenda Rocha has joined IU Health the American Society of Mechani- ered by compressed natural gas. The LaPorte Hospital as vice president, cal Engineers Student Design trucks, which idle constantly, will not nursing clinical effectiveness. She Competition. Team members were be emitting diesel fumes into the air is a graduate of Sawyer College Pat Jarosak of Chesterton; Elizabeth when they do so. By converting to of Business, Indiana University Bennett of Hebron; James Morton CNG, Ozinga said it will save about Northwest, Valparaiso University of Chesterton; Ben Kienzynski of $1.50 a gallon over diesel. and Governor’s State University Chesterton; and Anthony Kueck of in Illinois. … St. Catherine Hos- Valparaiso. … Students in Michi- GOVERNMENT pital in East Chicago has received gan City High Schools’ Wild Wild The Porter County Board of an ‘A’ for patient safety from The Wolves 3936 robotics club were Zoning Appeals has unanimously Leapfrog Group. … Franciscan able to receive a hands-on lesson in approved a proposal to build an St. Anthony Health-Michigan City the use of the da Vinci Si Surgical 11-acre solar farm. Portage Solar has received an ‘A’ for patient safety System at Franciscan St. Anthony LLC will operate the solar panel from The Leapfrog Group. … Med- Health in Michigan City. … Purdue operation at Robbins Road and Point Express, a walk-in health University Calumet has named County Road 450 West. Energy clinic, has opened inside Memorial Jane Mutchler dean of its School generated by the site will be sold Hospital in South Bend. It will offer of Management. Most recently, to NIPSCO. … The Northwest treatment of minor health conditions Mutchler was associate dean at Indiana Regional Development for patients 2 years old and older. Georgia State University and a Authority and officers fromGary … Memorial Children’s Hospital professor of accounting. … Patricia and the South Shore Conven- in South Bend has announced the Nowak has been appointed chief tion & Visitors Authority recently addition of Wahaj Mustafa Zaidi, of police for Indiana University marked the grand opening of the a pediatric gastroenterologist. He Northwest in Gary. She is the first newly restored Marquette Park completed his residency at State female police chief in the IU system. Pavilion in Gary. The $28 million University of New York’s Syra- IU Northwest has 12 officers. Most project restored the landmark pavil- cuse College of Medicine and has recently, Nowak was with the East ion on the Lake Michigan shore. been a pediatric gastroenterologist at Lansing, Mich., police department. Children’s Hospital of New Jersey HEALTHCARE and the John Muir Medical Center ENVIRONMENT Indiana University Health in Walnut Creek, Calif. … Shoreline Save the Dunes is marking its 60th LaPorte Hospital has received an Surgery Center in Portage will be anniversary this year. The organiza- ‘A’ in patient safety by The Leapfrog the newest addition to the Porter tion is one of Indiana’s oldest envi- Group, an independent, nonprofit Health System when it opens in ronmental groups. Its focus this organization. …IU Health LaPorte August. … Linda Satkoski, CEO of year will be to protect the national Hospital has been recognized as IU Health Starke Hospital, is now resource of the Indiana Dunes ‘Best in Class’ for its diversity prac- chief operating officer for the IU National Lakeshore, support the tices by the Institute for Diversity Health LaPorte Hospital system, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Health Management, an affiliate overseeing operation for the LaPorte and Indiana Dunes State Park, of the American Hospital Associa- and Starke County hospitals. …

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 7 NOTEWORTHY NEWS BITS

Merievelyn Stuber, patient safety Bar Association for her dedication Pauline Arnold is chief nursing and officer at Methodist Hospitals, is to community service. … The Ultra- quality officer for IU Health LaPorte; the new president of the Northwest sound Practice Accreditation Don Yurkovich is vice president Indiana Patient Safety Coalition. Council of the American Institute of hospitality services at IU Health She is a 23-year employee of the of Ultrasound in Medicine has re- LaPorte; Rosie Heise is vice presi- hospital. … Maria Fruth, execu- accredited the ultrasound practice dent of business improvements at IU tive vice president and chief oper- of Memorial Maternal Fetal Medi- Health LaPorte and IU Starke County; ating officer of LaPorte Hospital cine in South Bend. … IU Health Jared Beasley is vice president of Foundation, has received the Lib- LaPorte Hospital has announced clinical and diagnostic services at IU erty Bell Award from the American several changes and staff additions. LaPorte; and Brian Donnelly is vice president of strategy and ambula- tory services for IU LaPorte. … Alice Blakesley of Memorial Hospital The Region’s Top Leaders 2010 & 2011 of South Bend and Safe Kids St. Joseph County has received the Who will make the list for 2012? Connie K. Gibbs Child Safety Advo- cate Award. She was honored for CEOs CFOs her dedication to the prevention of Speros A. Batistatos Susan Bublitz injuries and deaths among children. Joann Birdzell Loren Chandler … Methodist Hospital of Gary has David A. Bochnowski Jeffrey P. Costello received the Get With the Guide- Mark Chamberlain Mary Idstein lines Gold Performance Achieve- John Davies Jim Lipinski ment Award for Stroke Care from Gene Diamond Robert Lowry the American Heart and Stroke Craig Dwight Association. This is the second year Mike Falk in a row Methodist has received the James W. Fleming COMMUNITY LEADERS honor. … Medical Specialists Inc., an independent physicians group Mark Maassel Howard Cohen with 330 employees at 12 locations in Stephen A. Massa Heather Ennis Ian McFadden Northwest Indiana, will be acquired Andrew Fox by Franciscan Alliance. Stewart McMillan John Gorski Christopher J. Murphy III Noel Reitmeister INSURANCE Pete Novak Sharon Sporman Andy Metsker has joined Gibson, Sarah Oudman May and Willie Thomas a regional insurance broker in South John T. Phair Bend, as a loss prevention consul- Thomas F. Prisby tant in risk management services. … Michael G. Rippey Matt Soellner has joined Gibson as Julie Rizzo a loss prevention consultant in risk Rick Rondinelli management services. … Theresa Desila Rosetti Burns has received the Accredited Rocco Schiralli Advisor in Insurance (AAI) des- Michael E. Schrage ignation. Burns is affiliated with Laura Smith-Wynn Gibson, a regional insurance broker G. Thor Thordarson in South Bend. … David Walters Brad Toothaker has received the Associate in Sur- Theresa Valade plus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designa- Linda Woloshansky tion from the Insurance Institute of America. He is affiliated with Gibson, a regional insurance broker in South Bend. … Erie Insurance Enter your nomination by going to Co. has awarded Anton Insurance WWW.NWIBQ.COM of Valparaiso and Chesterton with its 2012 Giving Network Agency of the Deadline for entries is September 1, 2012 Year Award for community service. Michael Anton Jr., agency principal, accepted the award.

8 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 LEGAL LLC of Griffith has announced it will Building. … Korellis Roofing Inc. Robert F. Park, a partner with close its operation this summer. The has been recognized by Firestone Burke Costanza & Carberry in company manufactures bulk egg Building Products Co. LLC with Merrillville, has become a Fellow cartons and employs 48 people. … the 2012 Firestone Master Contractor of the American College of Trial Selected Furniture LLC will move Award. … ArcelorMittal has com- Lawyers. He is only the third its distribution and manufacturing pleted a $60 million upgrade of its actively practicing attorney in North- operations from Chicago to Knox in 160-inch plate mill at Burns Harbor. west Indiana to achieve Fellow Starke County. The company plans … New Carbon Co., a South Bend status. … Tuesley Hall Konopa to invest $1 million to renovate the company that provides waffle and LLP of South Bend has opened a 201,000 square foot former Rockwell pancake mixes to restaurants, hotels, satellite office in Cassopolis, Mich. The new office will allow the firm to enhance its services to clients in southwest Michigan.

MANUFACTURING Amsted Rail in Hammond has announced plans for a $7.7 million expansion and renovation. The company manufactures springs for rail cars and has been in Hammond for 110 years. … Leggett and Platt Inc. of Kouts has announced a $275,000 expansion that will create 30 new jobs. The company is moving its Kentucky operation to Kouts. … United Technologies, which operates Sullair Corp. in Michigan City, has announced it could sell the Michigan City operation as part of its effort to raise $3 billion in cash to acquire Goodrich Corp. … Fronius USA has announced that its new North American headquarters in Portage will be completed and operating by the end of this year. It will be located at the AmeriPlex at the Port complex… Rodney Miller has been named manufacturing engineer for Schafer Gear Works Inc. in South Bend. He will be responsible for engineering support for all gear manufacturing processes. … Jeffery Basham has been named advanced manufacturing engineer for Schafer Gear Works in South Bend. He will be responsible for all advanced planning of new parts. … Glenmount Global Solutions of Portage recently completed work on a flare gas pulpit control room that was shipped by a special truck to the ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor plant in East Chicago. … Sager Metal Strip Co. of Michigan City will invest $430,000 to add technology equipment to its plant. … Pactiv

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 9 David Walters Rodney Miller Sandy Gleim John Sturgill

universities and other food service The Minnesota company also has a ers. … Royal Adhesives & Seal- groups, has been sold to PNC Riv- smaller, 52,000-square-foot office in ants of South Bend has acquired erarch Capital. New Carbon has the city. The company provides sup- Extreme Adhesives of New Hamp- annual sales of $30 million. PNC Riv- plies to veterinarians and dentists. shire. The company manufactures erarch is part of PNC Capital Group … Eric Foss, a native of Lowell, adhesives and sealants for transpor- of Pittsburgh. … The Braun Corp. has been named president and CEO tation, assembly, printing, packag- of Winamac has begun producing of Aramark in Philadelphia. Most ing, lamination, and commercial and Braun Taxi, a vehicle that will be recently, Foss was in charge of Pepsi residential construction. … Wilson fully wheelchair accessible. The taxis Beverages, a division of Pepsi Co. Industrial Sales of Rensselaer has are now in use in New York City. … … Federal-Mogul has announced it announced construction of a new Patterson Logistics Services Inc. will spend $22 million for new equip- 10,000-square-foot building that has opened a distribution center in ment for its South Bend operation. will add 15 jobs within three years. South Bend in a 208,000-square- The company manufactures pistons Wilson currently has 35 employees. foot building on Cleveland Road. for domestic and foreign automak- The company distributes inorganic

McMahon_1-2HorzAd_outlined.indd 1 3/23/12 1:47:21 PM 10 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 NOTEWORTHY NEWS BITS

chemicals to a variety of industries. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES rior Engineering-Illinois, SEMAC, … Hostess Brands of Dallas has Shawn Kelly, a registered land- Superior Design-Build, Superior announced it could close dozens of scape architect, has joined the Engineering Technical Services, locations around the country, includ- Duneland Group Inc. in Chester- S/E Products, Water and Waste- ing four in Northwest Indiana, as part ton. The firm provides engineering water Associates and Superior of a Chapter 11 reorganization with and surveying services. … William Engineering Services Michi- the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The clos- C. Hills has been named CEO of gan. … Carlisle Funeral Home ings affect 53 employees at stores in S/TEC Group Inc. in Hammond. in Michigan City is now owned by Hobart, Merrillville, Michigan City S/TEC is the parent company for Geisen Funeral Homes of North- and Munster. … MC Industrial of Superior Engineering LLC, Supe- west Indiana. Carlisle has been in St. Louis has opened an office in Por- tage. The company serves the pet- rochemical and steel industries with construction design and consulting. … Kuraray, a Japanese company, has acquired MonoSol LLC, which has operations in Merrillville, Portage and LaPorte. The company manufactures water-soluble films for a variety of consumer and high-tech uses. … Karen M. Barnett, president and CEO of Valley Screen Printing in Mishawaka has received the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

MARKETING/MEDIA VIA Marketing of Merrillville has been recognized by the Service Industry Advertising Awards. It received a gold award for its Porters Restoration radio ad and a bronze award for its Hammond Port Author- ity logo/letterhead design.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT Kris Pate has been named the new executive director of the United Way of LaPorte County. Most recently, Pate was with Dunebrook, a child abuse prevention advocacy group in Michigan City. … United Way of Porter County has recognized veterinarian Larry McAfee as its 2011 Dorothy M. Porter Outstand- ing Volunteer Award recipient. … Caroline Shook, executive director of Housing Opportunities, has been named the 2011 Outstanding Agency Professional by the United Way of Porter County. … Sandy Gleim has joined the Unity Foun- dation of LaPorte County as vice president. For the past 11 years she was executive director of Healthy Communities of LaPorte County.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 11 NOTEWORTHY NEWS BITS

Michigan City for 50 years and will has an office in Fort Wayne and in site, will receive $6.1 million from now be known as Geisen-Carlisle Benton Harbor, Manistee and South the redevelopment commission to Funeral and Cremation Services. Haven in Michigan. convert the seven-story building into … Kyle Lundy has been named technology offices. Union Station director of golf operations for Sand REAL ESTATE will spend $10 million of its own Creek Country Club in Chesterton. Two new tenants have been money. … IV Diagnostics of Val- Most recently he was head golf pro- announced for Toscana Park in paraiso has opened a satellite office fessional at Harrison Lake Country Mishawaka by CBRE/Bradley. Tui in the Purdue Research Park in Clubs in Kokomo. … John Sturgill Sei Bella, a dance/fitness studio, Merrillville. The company develops, has been promoted to partner and and Progressive Insurance have tests and markets diagnostic systems stockholder for the Valparaiso office opened offices in the commercial/ for cancer treatment. of McMahon, an engineering and retail plaza. architecture firm based in Neenah, TOURISM Wis. … CDRN of Northern Indi- TECHNOLOGY White Lodging Services of Mer- ana, based in Crown Point, received Ommyx Ltd., an Israeli company rillville will manage the SpringHill several awards from the national that specializes in monitoring sys- Suites hotel in Bloomington when it Certified Restoration Dryclean- tems for flood warnings, sewage opens next year. KPM Hotel Group ing Network recently. It won the systems, water tanks and fuel tanks, owns the hotel, which will have 158 Century Club Silver Level and the has opened an office in the Purdue rooms. … Seven Peaks Waterparks Sales Per Household by Territory Research Park in Merrillville. … of Utah has acquired Splash Down awards. CDRN specializes in textile The South Bend Redevelopment Dunes of Porter, which has been restoration for the insurance indus- Commission has approved a plan closed since 2009. Seven Peaks plans try. … Abonmarche, an engineer- to convert a remnant of the former extensive renovations, but said the ing and architecture consulting firm Studebaker Complex into a hub water park likely won’t be open until based in South Bend, will open an for technology research. Union Sta- 2013. … The Dunes National Park office in Portage. The company also tion Properties, which owns the Association has been formed to support efforts to increase tourism to the Indiana Dunes National Lake- shore. The organization wants to raise funds to improve park facilities, Set the Standard for Environmental Stewardship including restoring the historic House of Tomorrow in Beverly Shores.

TRANSPORTATION The St. Lawrence Seaway Devel- opment Corp. has announced that shipments thus far in 2012 are up 3.7 percent over 2011. Some 8.9 million metric tons of cargo have been shipped. Shipments through the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor are up 6 percent … Gary/Chicago As a business leader, you play a vital role in setting the standard for International Airport, the Cana- environmental stewardship. By spreading the word in your workplace, dian National Railway Co., and the you’ll increase employee morale, reduce absenteeism and health Regional Development Authority costs, and increase productivity. have reached an agreement that will Join Partners for Clean Air allow extension of the main runway & Be a Clean Air Leader at the airport. The $166 million project will receive $50 million from the Get Strategies and Easy Suggestions RDA. … South Bend Regional Air- on HowYou Can Make a Difference Think Green. Breathe Easy. port has announced that Allegiant NWICleanAir.com Air has added a fifth flight to Florida. The twice-weekly flights will go to Punta Gorda Airport in southwest Northwest Indiana – where it all adds up to cleaner air. Brought to you by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, a Clean Air leader. Florida. … Calumet Harley-David- son in Munster has received the Har- ley-Davidson Co. Silver Bar & Shield

12 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Circle of Achievement Award for 350Green LLC of Los Angeles. … of Transportation for its pipeline 2011 for product sales and customer Ian Rolland, chairman of the board upgrade projects. NiSource is replac- service. … Armstrong Aeromod for NiSource Inc., of Merrillville, was ing aging pipelines with noncorrosive of Itasca, Ill., has announced it will honored by Gov. Mitch Daniels with ones. … Northern Indiana Public move its avionics test bed operation Indiana’s Sachem Award, the highest Service Co. has announced a pro- to the Gary/Chicago International honor the state can present to a resi- gram for customers who want their Airport. The company is locating dent. Rolland is the retired CEO of electricity to come from renewable in facilities owned by the Gary Jet Fort Wayne based Lincoln National energy sources. The Green Power Center. … Dennis Hirsch, owner Corp. … NiSource Inc. has been Rate will be slightly higher than the of Hirsch Ford in Michigan City, recognized by the U.S. Secretary regular electric rate. has retired after nearly 50 years in business and sold his dealership to Sauers Ford of LaPorte. … John Clark, the former CEO of the Indi- anapolis Airport Authority, has been hired by Gary/Chicago Inter- national Airport Authority as a consultant. … Anthony Kuk has been named director of the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. Most recently Kuk was general manager for Nexeo Solutions in Chicago. … The Gary Jet Center is a final- ist for the U.S. Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award demonstrates outstanding support of the National Guard your single source and U.S. Army Reserve. … Gary/ Chicago International Airport has st. Joseph county economic Development partnered with Allegiant Airlines to provide $30,000 in marketing support Business Attraction | Business growth & expansion | startups | to the airlines to promote its flights Destination marketing | community leadership | resources & more from Gary to Orlando, Fla. Previously, [email protected] | 574.400.4000 the airport agreed to commit $75,000 to the effort. … Martin Associates, a maritime economic consulting com- Executive Retreat? pany, recently completed a study of Awaken to a gourmet the economic impact of the Ports of breakfast, meet for a while, Indiana and its shows the Port of enjoy lunch, continue your Indiana-Burns Harbor handled 56 successful percent more ship tonnage in 2011 retreat, relax in your Jacuzzi, dress for a 5-course dinner and than it did in 2010. Barge tonnage an evening with friends was up 75 percent. The state’s three followed by dessert and a good ports have an economic impact of night’s rest. Perhaps, make it a more than $6 billion. Mystery Dinner for fun. Own The Inn for your next business UTILITIES meeting and guarantee success! NiSource Inc. has begun work on Gift Certificates: Order Inn at Aberdeen Gift Certificates to a $150 million natural gas pipeline show your family, friends and business associates that you REALLY care. in western Pennsylvania. The Big Pine Gathering System will move The Inn at Aberdeen NIPSCO natural gas through the Bed & Breakfast and Conference Center system to XTO Energy Inc. in Pitts- 3158 South State Road 2 • Valparaiso, IN 46385-7765 burgh. … Northern Indiana Public Toll Free 866-761-3753 • 219/465-3753 • www.innataberdeen.com Service Co. has begun a project to As seen in Midwest Living, Chicago Magazine and Chicago ABC TV’s 190-North. Voted BEST B&B by readers of SHORE Magazine & TIMES newspaper. provide a series of electric car charging Voted BEST Meeting Site for Small Groups by the readers of Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly. stations in Northwest Indiana through

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 13 Cvo er Story

Innovating the Future Northwest Indiana has been a brawny region for generations, with an image led by steel manufacturing. In the coming years, it may become just as famous for its brains.

by Rick A. Richards Indiana. We are doing this by through research, technology trans- orthwest Indiana is known recruiting high-tech companies to fer and diversifying the economy.” for a lot of things – steel the Purdue Research Park of North- While all of the projects at the N mills, urban sprawl and west Indiana, providing competitive Purdue Research Park of Northwest traffic jams, but soon the list could pricing for research and office space Indiana have promise, Hornett says include being a hub for technology and providing unique partnership the one with the biggest upside at research and development. opportunities with Purdue.” this point is agri-science. “It has Few people view the region that Currently, the Research Park of shown a marked increase in recent way, but cutting edge technology Northwest Indiana has 25 tenants years, as has IT, life sciences, energy is being developed at the Purdue specializing in life sciences, engi- and engineering. Manufacturing will Research Park in Crown Point, at neering, manufacturing, information remain strong.” Purdue University Calumet in Ham- technology, agri-science and energy. Dr. Chenn Zhou, interim associ- mond and at the MIND Center on While Hornett points out that ate vice chancellor for research and the campus of the University of steel remains the economic engine graduate studies and director of the Notre Dame in South Bend. in Northwest Indiana, the effort at Center for Innovation through Visu- Much of what is taking place is the research park is aimed at com- alization and Simulation at Purdue in its infancy, but the infrastructure plementing steel. “We’re working to University Calumet, is already find- has been put in place to encourage diversify the economy in this area ing practical applications for vir- research and development that ulti- and enhance the economic base. tual reality research going on at the mately could lead to new industry in “Our economy, our nation’s econ- campus.

the region. omy and our global economy is “Technology plays a key role in shawn spence sh Joseph Hornett, senior vice presi- always changing and growing. An Northwest Indiana’s economy,” dent, treasurer and chief operat- important aspect in staying strong says Zhou. By focusing on how to

ing officer of the Purdue Research economically is through technol- integrate technology, how to apply a w n Foundation, oversees the Purdue ogy research,” says Hornett. “We are its use and educating businesses sp ence Research Park in Crown Point. “One working with officials and leaders in about it, she is creating a platform . com of our goals is to continue support- Northwest Indiana and throughout for business expansion in North- ing economic diversity in Northwest Indiana to help build the economy west Indiana.

14 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Electrified Lorrie and Carl Lisek’s Legacy Environmental Services is developing a network of electric car charging stations. They’re shown here outside NIPSCO headquarters.

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“We’re working directly with companies to form partnerships in virtual design,” says Zhou. Already, Purdue Calumet is working with NIPSCO on designing a virtual power plant in which to train employees and a virtual hospital to train healthcare workers. In Gary, Zhou’s lab is working on a virtual design to improve the city’s transportation system and the airport. “Absolutely industry is high tech,” says Zhou. “It’s how we remain competitive. It’s a great tool for training on all levels. We’re doing a lot of projects with companies around the world, and it’s all being done by students. And when they’re done, they tend to stay in the region.” That means Northwest Indiana is building a base of technology experts that will be attractive as new businesses look to come to the region. “I see this as the future of Northwest Indiana,” says Zhou. “This region has image issues, but we’re helping with that by using our technology to help design a new lakefront for the region.” It’s in that vein that the Purdue Research Center of Northwest Indi- ana is nurturing small start-up companies. One is Voice to Print Captioning, a company owned by

Kathy Cortopassi of Dyer. shawn spence sh Her background is as a court reporter, but Cortopassi wanted

to expand what she did and using a w n

her ability to transcribe court docu- sp ments has been working to create a ence . technology that provides real-time com closed captioning. Mkinga life accessible to everyone Kathy Cortopassi’s Voice to Print Captioning “As a court reporter, I felt I wasn’t has been working to create a technology that provides real-time closed captioning. in charge of my own destiny. I depended on their schedule. This something new, the disability cul- people who need it, the captioning gives me time to be with my kids; it ture. I learned sign language. I system is unobtrusive and simple helps balance my life.” learned not to be afraid. to use. And while she loves help- Among the services Cortopassi “I did this at a stage performance ing others, Cortopassi also is doing is working to perfect is real-time and afterwards a woman came up the research for a highly personal weather reporting, and real-time and hugged me. She said it was reason – her first grade daughter has communication for things like the best birthday present she could a hearing loss. church services, graduation ceremo- have. She loves going to plays but “I spent a lot of time dragging my nies and weddings. couldn’t enjoy them because of a feet on this,” says Cortopassi. “I real- “What we’re doing is making life hearing loss. Now, she said her life ize now there are new things you accessible to everyone,” says Cor- was back.” need to do, and when you learn topassi. “We took the time to learn By providing a small device for them, it makes life more exciting.”

16 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 For Legacy Environmental Ser- vices, the atmosphere at Purdue Research Park is a vibrant place to “Forty percent of all new jobs in Indiana exchange ideas. “We were intro- will come from fast growing young firms duced to the research park through the Small Business Administration,” like those being developed at technology says Carl Lisek, vice president of Legacy. He and his wife, Lorrie, the centers in the region.” company president, are partners in --Charlie McGill, Elevate Ventures the business. “We made the move to this busi- situation for us. By working with is developing is a network of elec- ness nine years ago. We were a us and our monitoring technology, tric car charging stations that could clean-up business and would come our clients received $14 million in make electric cars more plentiful on in after the fact. Today, we’re in the grants. Along with its Northwest region roads, thereby reducing the business of working with companies Indiana operation, Legacy also has carbon emissions of gasoline-pow- to prevent cleanups. offices in Milwaukee, Wis., and Fort ered engines. “We’re eco-partners with busi- Myers, Fla. nesses and organizations in North- “Our goal was to make a living by A Healthy Innovation west Indiana,” says Lisek. “We help being green and Purdue has given Ecosystem them become green and help reduce us the tools to do that. They have Charlie McGill, entrepreneur-in-res- their carbon footprint.” Among the helped us think bigger and helped idence for Elevate Ventures in Val- clients for Legacy Environmental are us focus on our strengths. paraiso, knows the importance of schools, governments, NIPSCO, BP “Our mission is to help companies developing a solid base of technol- and Fair Oaks Dairy. be green, sustainable and profitable ogy research. In 1992, he founded “The capabilities of Purdue at the same time,” says Lisek. Among Machine Tool Specialists, later leav- Research Park have been a win-win the projects Legacy Environmental ing to become director of Valparaiso

SERVING INDIANA FOR 100 YEARS • 1912-2012 ank you to our customers.

Record Clerks at the Gary District headquarters in the mid-1950s received and manually recorded customer information on cards filed in pullout drawers. Today, our Customer Service Representatives use computers to instantly access electronic files. In the center is Carolyn Mosby, the first African American clerical employee hired by NIPSCO. Each year, the company awards a scholarship in her name.

In August 2012, NIPSCO celebrates its

NIPSCO linemen during the late 1920s get prepared for work in the 100th year Angola District. These men, and thousands like them over the past 100 years, have helped bring electric service to hundreds of of powering life thousands of customers across northern Indiana.

Summer–FALL 2012 NOinRTHW NorthernEST INDIANA BUS INIndiana.ESS QUARTERLY 17 Cvo er StorY

Economic Development and then McGill says the people who come checked most of those items off its as executive director of the Entech up with the ideas for new products list, it has yet to develop a fully- Innovation Center. and technology are just as important funded and vibrant angel network “It’s important to have these cen- to the economy as skilled workers. of investors. “We’re closing the gap ters of excellence, these centers of “We need places for them to incu- on that, but we’re not there yet,” research in Northwest Indiana,” says bate their ideas. We need the coop- says McGill. “It’s the last piece of the McGill. “A lot of people believe it just eration of higher education, the puzzle and it’s the most essential.” happens, but that’s not true. It’s neces- media, and organizations like the McGill says Elevate Ventures, sary to have a healthy entrepreneurial Society of Innovators and investors.” which has six entrepreneurs-in- eco-system in place for it to happen.” While Northwest Indiana has residence in different regions of the state, is working with Indiana to provide advice and analysis to young entrepreneurs and help connect them with the experts who can help them thrive. “This is really an economic gar- dening program,” says McGill. “Forty percent of all new jobs in Indiana will come from fast growing young firms like those being developed at technology centers in the region.” Elevate Ventures, which manages the state’s money for entrepreneurial development, has $60 million to use. Currently, its limit for any company is $1 million. “This is long over- due. The only condition we have in accepting the money is that the GET YOUR TEAM TO THE company brings in a CEO or director PFEIL INNOVATION While at the of marketing who has experience. CENTER. Pfeil Innovation Center We’re teaching them that innovation is a team sport.” Are your teams spending “training I was exposed to an more time whining about the The combination of research and Innovation culture that taught me to think development in real world circum-

challenges of our economy outside the current paradigm. I learned stance is no more evident than at

than they are reinventing Innovation celebrates new information and the Midwest Institute for Nanoelec- themselves and finding new tronics Discovery (MIND) in South risk-taking rather than just successes. “ ways to delight your Bend. Located on the campus of customers? And best of all, I took what I learned and the University of Notre Dame, it is a partnership with Purdue University, You and your team can applied it to my job. Penn State University, the University Reimagine Relevance by - Al Greek, City of South Bend of Texas-Dallas, Argonne National attending the 2-day Innovation Laboratory, the National Institute of Immersion at the Pfeil Standards, and the National High Innovation Center in South Magnetic Field Laboratory. Bend at 420 N. Niles Ave. Managing Director Robert M. Dunn and gain new perspectives and says the work being done at MIND has put South Bend on the map. “It skills to “future-proof” your has raised the image of Notre Dame organization. and Purdue and the others involved in the projects going on here.” An exceptional program at Dunn says MIND also is work- an exceptional price. Reimagine Relevance. ing with the city of South Bend to funnel start up business to the city’s Innovation Park. Additionally, he www.WakeUpandSmellTheInnovation.com says students from around the community, most notably from Ivy Tech,

18 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 are taking advantage of the research facilities and laboratories at MIND. Arnold Phifer is director of external relations for MIND, and he said the effort is part of the vision of the Rev. John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame. “When John Jenkins became president, he was interested in making it a great research university. One way we felt we could do that was to grow in technology.” While the primary mission of MIND is to create the next generation of microprocessors for computers, the research to get to that goal has spun off in many different directions. shawn spence sh One area is microfluidity in which small amounts of water are moved around on microchips to make them a w

operate more efficiently. Phifer also n sp says work is being done to create a ence . portable real-time test for e-coli that com can look for a single molecule of the bacteria. It has the potential to trans- Tehe N w Reality Dr. Chenn Zhou’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation at Purdue University form the food safety industry. Calumet finds practical applications for virtual reality research.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 19 Cvo er StorY

Researchers have also begun work in quantum tunneling, which is aimed at making semiconduc- tors operate better by taking advantage of the behavior of electrons at the quantum level. Tunneling is described as electrons moving through – tunneling – solid material. While it seems impossible at the human level, researchers say it is normal behavior at the quantum level and would allow a current to flow through an object instead of over it. Phifer also says one of the most remarkable discoveries could trans- form power generation, particularly in Third World countries. It is paint that generates electricity through small solar cells contained in the Faster computing Just one of the areas of research going on at the MIND Center at the University of Notre Dame involves microfluidity, in which small amounts of paint. water are moved around on microchips to make them operate more efficiently. “By incorporating power-producing nanoparticles, called quantum tive surface without special equip- and in large quantities. While it isn’t dots, into a spreadable compound, ment,” says Notre Dame researcher a major conductive source thus far, we’ve made a one-coat solar paint Prashant Kamat. the surface of its possibilities have that can be applied to any conduc- The paint can be made cheaply only begun to be discovered.

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SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE Public Service Ballot Box Candidates say jobs are the top priority—but how to create them?

by Michael Puente Daniels himself was being courted ment and create new investment n most general elections in as a possible vice presidential nomi- in manufacturing. We have the best Indiana, the race for gover- nee on the Republican ticket before educated and best skilled workforce I nor would be the top attention deciding to become Purdue Univer- in America.” getter in the field of candidates and sity’s next president. Meanwhile, his Democratic oppo- races for state offices. But Indiana’s rosy glow isn’t with- nent, John Gregg, echoes the call But not this fall. out some pain. Manufacturing and that job creation needs to be the The race for U.S. Senate between unemployment continue to be trou- state’s main priority and having edu- Republican Indiana State Treasurer bling factors. cation play a leading role. Richard Mourdock and Democrat So how will candidates tackle job “That means investing in educa- U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly is being creation and economic development tion and working to build the best watched not only here in the Hoo- in Indiana if elected? From a state workforce in the country,” Gregg sier state, but across the nation and, level, let’s start with candidates for says. “That means giving Hoosiers in fact, the world. governor, Pence and Gregg. a reason to have faith in their gov- That’s because the winner will “First and foremost, I think the ernment again and that begins with replace longtime and internationally next governor of Indiana needs job bringing an end to the Washington- respected U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. creation job one,” Pence says. “As style politics of fighting just for fight- The outcome could play a role in I’ve traveled around the state over ing’s sake and focusing on divisive determining if Republicans take back the last year, Hoosiers say they want social issues. … We’ve got oppor- the U.S. Senate in the fall. Mourdock to see us move our state from reform tunities in this state in agriculture, beat the 80-year-old Lugar in the to results. I believe we’ve made advanced manufacturing, energy, Republican primary in May. extraordinary progress over the life sciences and transportation.” Which candidate wins this race last year. We’ve become, in many Gregg says Indiana won’t be able could be decided by the voter turn- respects, the fiscal envy of the coun- to attract good jobs without a well- out for the White House. try. I think we can take our state educated workforce. It’s likely that President Barack from good to great.” “The best ideas don’t come out Obama won’t spend much time cam- Pence says he wants to increase of Indianapolis or Washington, D.C. paigning or spending money in Indi- private sector employment with an We’ve got to give teachers, admin- ana like he did four years ago, and that emphasis on manufacturing, agri- istrators and folks at the local level could impact the turnout for Donnelly. culture, life sciences and logistics a seat at the table. We need to use Both Donnelly and Mourdock are in order to find jobs for the 250,000 some Hoosier common sense and getting campaign funding help from Hoosiers who remain jobless. bring everyone to the table to work outside interests, but this race isn’t Pence plans to get there by enhanc- together instead of forcing mandates the only one generating buzz. ing career, technical and vocational on our educators,” Gregg says. The race to replace Gov. Mitch Dan- career opportunities for high school The other races will take the gen- iels between current U.S. Rep. Mike students by engaging local employers eral election winner to the nation’s Pence, a Republican, and one-time and educators in “demand-driven” capital to work for Hoosiers. Indiana House Speaker John Gregg, curriculum and by providing applied In Congress, representatives and a Democrat, will have arguably the learning opportunities. senators have to craft legislation not most impact to everyday Hoosiers. “Indiana has the third highest only for their own district, but the Races for the 1st and 2nd District percentage in the country of high nation as a whole in mind. Congressional seats in Northwest school-only graduates in our adult and Northern Indiana will also help population. And, only 1 percent of First Congressional shape economic policy for not only high school graduates last year grad- District Indiana, but the nation. uated with a core 40 with technical In the First Congressional District Under Daniels’ watch, Indiana’s honors. We can do better,” Pence race, longtime Democrat Congress- reputation nationally has been says. “It’s going to take marshaling man Pete Visclosky takes on Repub- uplifted for economic growth and all of the focus on state government lican political newcomer Joel Phelps. keeping taxes down. to increase private sector employ- The district includes most of the

22 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Former Indiana House U .S. Rep. Mike Pence, Joel Phelps, Republican for U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, Speaker John Gregg, Republican for governor U.S. House District 1 Democrat for U.S. House Democrat for governor District 1 counties of Lake, Porter, Newton, not only in Northwest Indiana but their unfair labor practices and no Jasper and Benton, along with the across the nation through infrastruc- environmental standards. The Chi- northwest corner of LaPorte County ture investment. nese manipulate their currency every that contains Michigan City. Congress passed a massive high- day; that must stop,” Visclosky says. “I’m very aware that jobs and way bill in late June that hopes to “There would be less people in Lake economy must remain our first pri- salvage highway and transit pro- and Porter county working in steel; ority because the recovery has been grams thereby saving three million in Chicago in steel; in Toledo in steel; so tepid. And that the government jobs for the next 2½ years. in Pittsburgh in steel if we were not of the United States does have a Visclosky’s bread and butter, how- as aggressive in trying to enforce our responsibility to invest in our infra- ever, is protecting steel jobs. As chair- trade statutes,” Visclosky says. structure because that is what makes man of the Congressional Steel Caucus, Phelps is a married father of three the private sector efficient and pro- Visclosky has pushed for a permanent boys who lives in Portage. He’s an ductive,” says Visclosky who has steel import monitoring program, and industrial engineer by trade. served in the U.S. House of Repre- works against unfair trade policies “There are two things we do well sentative for 27 years. from countries such as China. in Indiana – make things and grow Visclosky hopes to increase jobs “China is a huge problem as far as things. Here in Northwest Indiana,

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation The Corporate Council for the Environment is a organization, working around the world to protect group of environmentally concerned corporate citizens ecologically important lands and waters for nature and who share The Nature Conservancy’s vision to save our people. natural heritage, here in Indiana and all over the world.

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Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 23 Jackie Walorski, Republican Brendan Mullen, Democrat for U .S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, Indiana State Treasurer for U.S. House District 1 U.S. House District 2 Democrat for U.S. Senate Richard Mourdock, Republican for U.S. Senate

we should be a manufacturing pow- willing to relocate or set up shop in Phelps says he’d also like to secure erhouse. But it’s going to take some- Northwest Indiana. more federal dollars to develop the one to be a cheerleader in Congress “We need to develop our shoreline Gary Chicago International Airport. for Northwest Indiana,” Phelps says. better. With all the incentives Indi- “We need a lot more federal money Phelps disagrees with the focus of ana can offer, there’s no reason we to make the Gary airport the center the Marquette Greenway Plan pushed shouldn’t be able to get businesses of intermodal transportation that it by Visclosky. It’s an initiative to clean into those areas,” Phelps says. can be. If we could develop our stra- up the region’s lakeshore and develop Visclosky says the Marquette Plan tegic objective at the Gary airport, improved access for visitors. doesn’t attempt to return all land off that could be like a new steel mill “Parks are nice, but I think we Lake Michigan back to public uses, in Northwest Indiana. That would ought to attract business or a manu- only where it might make sense, create an immense amount of prof- facturing base,” Phelps says, adding such as the development of the Por- itability, jobs and opportunity for he’ll work hard to attract companies tage Public Marina. local businesses,” Phelps says.

24 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Public Service

2nd gCon ressional same model, she says, that helped dent Obama’s Affordable Health- District lower property taxes, keep unem- care Act is overturned by the U.S. In Indiana’s 2nd Congressional Dis- ployment in check and allow Indi- Supreme Court. But the Court trict, Democrat Brendan Mullen faces ana to have a triple A bond rating. upheld most of the law in late June. former Republican Indiana state repre- “I think the same model applies,” “When I talk to small business sentative Jackie Walorski. The district Walorski says. “I think we have owners, the number one thing they encompasses most of north central something to share from the state say to me is stop the uncertainty. Indiana and includes the cities of of Indiana when it comes to pro- It’s not that private industry doesn’t South Bend, Elkhart and Mishawaka. growth and pro-business policies.” have money to invest. They are Democrat Joe Donnelly currently Walorski says small business will unwilling to invest because of the fills the seat but is not running for be able to grow and thrive if Presi- uncertainty of ‘Obamacare,’” Wal- re-election, instead opting for a run for the U.S. Senate. Mullen, a West Point graduate 2005-2012 who served in Iraq, says he wants to Voted best develop small business and force the insurance agency government to stop giving money to for business eight bailout big banks. years in a row “We need to make sure we close the loopholes that give our largest employers tax breaks for sending American jobs overseas,” Mullen says, adding that his experience as operator of a small informational technology firm will help in creating jobs for his district. “We are building a grassroots cam- Call paign to take on special interests and overcome partisan finger-pointing to solve the tough problems that face our state, our country and to create good jobs. Hoosiers want someone whose priority is to stand up for our middle class families and protect seniors and Medicare not millionaires and billionaires at the expense of everyone else,” Mullen says. Coverage for your most precious assets Mullen says one way to help the economy in South Bend and Auto | Ho me |business | Life | H e ALt H throughout the nation is by developing a fair tax code. “One that doesn’t give tax breaks nortHwest indiAnA’s most trusted to the wealthiest Americans and oil insurAnce Advisors for over 75 yeArs companies when our deficit con- • Workers Compensation • General Liability • Boiler and Machinery tinues to grow out of control and • Commercial Fleet • Product Liability • Builders Risk ensures Hoosier workers and middle class families aren’t paying a higher • Property • Professional Liability • Group Health tax rate than millionaires,” Mullen • Equipment • Umbrella says. “As a small business owner and a father, I understand how challeng- ing it is to grow a small business, contAct An Agent in your AreA make payroll, and provide health- to discuss your poLicy needs. care and other benefits for employees and still have enough left over to Michigan City LaPorte Valparaiso care for my family.” 219.879.4581 219.362.2113 219.464.3511 Walorski says she hopes to use her www.genins.com time in the Indiana legislature as a model for the U.S. Congress. It’s the

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 25 Public Service

orski says. “The uncertainty with “It’s the uncertainty of government have a friendly environment for our healthcare premiums; the average regulations with tax laws.” business growth.” healthcare premium increase was Mourdock says American business Donnelly, too, wants to ensure fair almost 45 percent. can adjust to just about anything but trade with other countries. “I want “No one is willing to spend money they must know what the rules are. to make sure that we have fair trade, or to invest or hire, expand or take “I believe we are on the verge of an and not just free trade. We want to risks until they realize that there is American renaissance in manufac- make sure the rules are the same for a plan. The uncertainty comes from turing and business.” both sides. This has helped create red tape,” she says. Mourdock says he’s excited to sup- jobs in the steel industry by stepping Walorski says small business owners port new technologies to help find up and making sure that Chrysler want less government interference oil and natural gas that can make the had a chance to get additional loans with regulations, tax structure and a United States energy independent. that they have paid back. The mills lack of permitting. “The number one But he says those technologies can’t in Northwest Indiana are extraordi- thing people say is get this govern- emerge by over regulation by the narily busy because they are making ment off my back,” Walorski says. federal government in areas such as so much steel for automobiles.” the environment. Donnelly has developed a multi- U .S. SenATe “Government regulation, such as point jobs plan that includes As a U.S. Senator, policies are devel- cap and trade, must be based on developing the country’s energy oped less to do with a specific geo- sound science, not just popular sci- production and expanding educa- graphic location and more with overall ence,” Mourdock says. tional opportunities while reducing effectiveness for the entire country. Democrat Joe Donnelly, the cur- government regulations. With that in mind, Republican rent U.S. Representative in Indiana’s “What we are trying to do is focus Richard Mourdock says he wants to 2nd district, says his priority will be on the growth of small and mid- remove obstacles to job creation. about jobs not politics. sized businesses and give them the “I see it as a national job and what “What we want to continue to do opportunity to compete with anyone is causing business not to make is create jobs in Indiana,” Donnelly in the world,” Donnelly says. investment today,” Mourdock says. says. “We want to make sure that we The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

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26 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Regardless of who you work with at Team Quality Services, including those you may never meet face-to-face, you will ﬁnd that this company is really about great people working hard to satisfy our “ customers. We are truly honored to be recognized for our work and very proud to be part of the Indiana Companies to Watch class of 2011. Chris R. Straw, President & CEO

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation and its ” Small Business Development Centers, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation, proudly announce the 2012 Indiana Companies to Watch Awards program.

Companies will be honored at >> an awards event on August 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at >> http://ctw2012.eventbrite.com

For more information, visit 2012 www.indiana.companiestowatch.org

>> Find us on twitter at #inctw

2012 SPONSORS

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PRESENTED BY Special Focus: Women in Business A Woman’s Touch Across the region, thousands of businesses have a woman at the helm.

by Rick A. Richards accounting. I really liked that side of educate herself on the products the urviving in business is tough the business, crunching numbers.” store sold and on how to deal with no matter who you are. Toss It paid off. When Corley came customers, employees and run the S in a sluggish economy, politi- back to LaPorte, the company was business. cal uncertainty and a legislative land- expanding. At the time, it had stores What she learned then she’s eager scape that could include higher taxes in Michigan City and LaPorte. Today, to pass on to younger women entre- and it’s a wonder anyone would Kabelin has seven hardware stores preneurs. “You have to have good want to take on the challenge. – two in LaPorte, in Michigan City, support and build a team. Don’t try Now, add to that the glass ceiling South Bend, Plymouth, Walkerton to do it all yourself,” says Corley. and it’s easy to see why many women and Granger. The company also “You’re working late at night, you’re can find it stifling in today’s corpo- has a Commercial Supply division working on weekends. That’s what rate world. But some have shattered in LaPorte, and owns Roxy Music, owning a business is all about. It’s a their glass ceiling by taking on the a musical instrument retailer in 24-hour business.” challenge of going out on their own. LaPorte. Today, family members hold vari- According to the Small Business Corley says the company has more ous positions in the company from Administration, there are more than than $16 million in revenue and 220 vice president to store manager. 2,000 women-owned businesses in employees. It has created a dynamic mix that Northwest Indiana. Their companies “We aren’t a typical hardware allows the family to remain close and range in size from 500 employees to store,” says Corley. “We have house- feel a part of a growing company. just one or two and have revenue of wares, gifts, toys, and there are a “Being a family business is challeng- more than $30 million to just a few variety of divisions with crafts and ing but it’s fun. I love doing what I thousand dollars. other things.” do and working with my family. It And many of those are doing so Corley remembers her father never adds a dimension of love and trust. in what would be considered a non- being concerned about whether a You’re going to have your fights, but traditional field – trucking, construc- job should be held by a man or a you know people have your back.” tion, and in the case of Diana Corley, woman. “He was a believer that if This year marks Kabelin’s 100th hardware. somebody could do the work, they anniversary, a milestone of which should get the job.” Corley is especially proud. “Reach- Kabelin Ace Hardware Instead, the biggest hurdle for ing this milestone means there is Corley is president of Kabelin Ace Corley was acceptance by custom- opportunity for the next generation.” Hardware in LaPorte and has been in ers. “Many times in the 1980s I had the family business since she was in customers tell me they wanted to talk Michiana Brick & the sixth grade. There was really little to a man. One experience I remem- Building Supply doubt she would someday be in the ber vividly was talking to someone Jayne Flanagan is a nurse, but she’s business, because it was something about a lawnmower,” says Corley. “I also the owner (with her husband, her father encouraged. Besides, she told them about the mower, but they Barry) of Michiana Brick & Building said, there were three daughters in said they wanted to talk to a man Supply in South Bend. The company the family and no sons, so what else instead. At that time Sol Berkowitz supplies a variety of custom bricks, was her father going to do? ran our lawn and garden department pavers, custom stone and retaining When Corley graduated from Indi- in Michigan City. I grabbed him and wall supplies to contractors. ana University in 1983, it was the told him what was going on and he “I was looking to start a business worst job market for college gradu- was great. He walked over and told and my dad said he could use some ates until the current economy. “My the customer, ‘You know, she knows help at the brick yard,” says Flana- shawn spence sh dad made me an offer and I came more than I do about these mowers.’ gan. That was in 2005 when she back,” says Corley. What can I help you with?” moved back to Indiana after 25 years a “I was ready to come back and But even though Corley grew up in Florida. She began spending more w n sp

make that commitment. I majored in in the business, she didn’t get a free and more time there and in February ence . business and my dad encouraged me pass. She had to prove she knew 2011, she bought the business from com in high school as a sophomore to take the business. She had to continually her dad, Gregg Gluchowski.

28 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 “nyMa times in the 1980s I had customers tell me they wanted to talk to a man,” says Diana Corley, president of Kabelin Ace Hardware in LaPorte.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 29 Special Focus: Women in Business

While her husband is a partner, percent from last year.” She says that He was involved in real estate, but he is a software manager and it’s while her dad still drops by the busi- when the market bottomed out, they Jayne who spends her time at the ness, it’s not as frequent as it used to began looking for something differ- brick yard. Still, she spends two be. “I think he trusts me more,” says ent. Leeanne had a jewelry business days a month as a nurse for local Flanagan. and thought the metal etching busi- hospice. Flanagan’s brother, Duke But the growth hasn’t been easy. ness would be a good fit. Gluchowski, also is a fixture around The tough economy forced Flanagan It was. While she only spends a the brick yard when he’s not busy to make some difficult decisions. few days a month at the company with the Clay Township Fire Depart- She laid people off and she cut back to take care of the books, she still ment. on expenses. Today, the business keeps close tabs on the company’s Flanagan is busy getting the com- has four employees and Flanagan is operation. pany certified as a woman-owned confident about the future. “Six or seven years ago, I was a business enterprise through the “I am under a microscope because stay-at-home mom,” says Brekke, Small Business Administration. I’m a woman. People test me so I who marvels at her transformation. “At first when I started, a lot of the have to make sure I know what I’m Indiana Micro Metal Etching is a contractors blew me off. But I have talking about. But it’s clear to me specialized business that uses brass, thick skin and I learned to talk less now that contractors respect me.” copper, and stainless steel sheets of and listen more. I started building film in which a series of metal parts relationships. I changed my attitude Indiana Micro Metal are etched using a variety acid baths. and I began proving myself.” Etching “The depth varies on each etching. For the 49-year-old Flanagan, the Leeanne Brekke, owner and presi- It’s very thin material,” says Brekke. hard work is paying off. Contractors dent of Indiana Micro Metal Etching 40. “Never in a million years did I are now working with her and she in Elkhart, did what a lot of people think I’d be doing something like regularly quotes prices for projects. did when the economy went south this.” “I learned I had to appreciate their – she and her husband, Dan, bought The small parts are used in com- knowledge base. Sales are up 200 their own business. puters, but Brekke also uses them

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30 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 GainingPeace of Mind

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• H I G H R I S K • Breast Clinic Community Hospital’s Women’s Diagnostic Center 10020 Donald Powers Drive | Munster, IN 46321 in her jewelry business and they’re used on scale model trains. For the future, Brekke hopes to adapt the business to handle the demands of nanotechnology. One thing the company did to illus- trate its ability to etch metal is make business cards out of brass. That led to a special job from the 9/11 memorial in New York. Brekke’s company was asked to make a metal book list- ing all of the names of the victims of the terror attack on Sept. 11, 2011. It was a tedious project, but the 18-page brass book is now on dis- play in New York. While working with her husband “I was looking to start a business and my dad said he could use some help at the brick yard,” says Jayne Flanagan, a nurse who with her husband owns is a benefit, Brekke says it also can Michiana Brick & Building Supply in South Bend. be a curse. “When we’re making big decisions, sometimes we’ve kind of butted heads.” In the end, they’ve what she says was a crossroad in her That led to creation of Life Strate- reached a consensus and the com- life, she acted on her belief she could gies, a Chesterton company that pro- pany is moving ahead. create a company that was “ben- vides counseling services. eficial to employees while providing “I always wanted to be in mental Life Strategies services to improve the lives of chil- health and psychology,” says When Patricia Hoogestraat reached dren, families and individuals.” Hoogestraat, a South Dakota native

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32 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012

Special Focus: Women in Business

who received her degrees from the terton, Hoogestraat also has an office University of Sioux Falls and Purdue in Schererville and one in Wausau, University Calumet. Wis., which is where her husband Hoogestraat, 33, admits a big lives. She splits her time between influence on her career was her par- Indiana and Wisconsin. ents’ divorce when she was in high Her business partner, Autumn school. “I wanted to learn how to Drummond, plays a big role in the help other families. I’m interested in company, overseeing much of the why people do what they do.” operation in Indiana while Hoog- In addition to her office in Ches- straat is in Wisconsin. The year-old

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T A N N “We value a team approach and ® believe that we can provide better today! services to families by combining Education • Networkingtoday! the unique talents of our team,” says LeadershipEducation Skills • Networking • Mentoring Hoogestraat. “By starting our own Leadership Skills • Mentoring business, we gained creative control National Association of and freedom to develop the pro- WomenNational in Association Construction of gramming and systems that we were Womenwww.nawic.org in Construction restricted from creating in our previ- www.nawic.org ous job.” Local NAWIC Contact: Hoogestraat says she loves going JessicaLocal Vargas NAWIC • nawic. Contact:@att.net to work every day. “For us, it’s the 311 freedom of being able to adapt. It’s Jessica Vargas • [email protected] hard work. We ask a lot of questions and we can never assume that we know it all. To have your own business, you also need a lot of humility.”

Via Marketing When Julie Olthoff opened Via Mar- keting in Merrillville in 1986, it was a huge risk. Not a lot of women were taking the business plunge then, but she and a co-worked at another advertising agency decided they needed to go out on their own. She has since bought out her partner. “Another lady and I went out for coffee to talk. We were afraid but ready for the challenge. We needed a $50,000 loan to get started with typesetting equipment, but the bank wouldn’t give us the money unless our husbands co-signed the loan.” Now 25 years later, Olthoff says she had no idea she would be where she is today running an award-winning advertising, marketing and public

34 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 woman-owned business enterprise, good advice to help clients make it and Olthoff says she works hard to through all the various media out make sure her business reflects her there. It’s more complicated than clientele. She believes in pay equity ever.” and she thinks her biggest asset is Even though she’s been in the her employees. “They have great business for more than a quarter ideas and provide good practical of a century, Olthoff says she’s still solutions in marketing. Today, this learning, and that’s something she business has many more channels to says all successful business owners choose from. You have to provide should do. Need an

“I wanted to learn how to help Upgrade? other families. I’m interested in why people do what they do,” says Patricia Hoogestraat, who started Life Strategies, a Chesterton company that provides counseling services. relations agency with 15 employees. “This is a dream that I never thought about as a little girl,” says Olthoff, whose real background is art. In fact, away from the business, she still enjoys the challenges of pot- tery and ceramics. She’s willing to impart what she has learned over the years to other young women entrepreneurs. “If you think you’re going into business to get rich, that you won’t have to work and you’ll achieve fame, you need to check your motivation,” says Olthoff. “None of that is true.” To gain the competitive edge, you’ll have to upgrade your business to As a business owner, Olthoff says meet the growing demands of your customers. it’s not uncommon for her to still be answering the phone at 6 p.m. or For the insight and experience for the financing you need, turn to the later each night, long after employ- trusted business advisors at Horizon Bank. We’ll work with you to deliver solid business solutions today and continued financial guidance ees have gone home. “Owning your to meet your future needs. own business isn’t what a lot of people think.” While Via Marketing has been a success, Olthoff says it hasn’t come Let Us Customize Your without a few bumps in the road. “Have I been shut out because I’m a Business Loan woman? I lost a client to an agency 888.873.2640 owned by a man because he was accesshorizon.com/cash4 able to talk to the client on the golf course and in the locker room. Sure, I was shut out because I couldn’t do that, but you just go on.” Via Marketing is a certified

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 35 Maximize your company’s impact in Resources for Women- Northwest Indiana Owned Businesses

by investing in Locae l N tworking Commonwealth Bank & Trust Co. Organizations Community 1st Bank of Indiana ** United Way! Business Women United Network Compass Bank ** Amy Petri and Angela Crosslin Crossroads Bank Crown Point, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Evansville Commerce Bank ** Michigan City, La Porte and South Bend Farmers Bank Frankfort www.business-women-united.com Farmers State Bank – La Grange All new and Fifth Third Bank ** Engaging Northwest First American Bank ** increased Indiana Business Women First Bank Richmond N.A. Kris Falzone, President First Capital Bank (First Colorado) ** corporate [email protected] First Farmers Bank and Trust www.engagingnwibusinesswomen.org First Federal Savings Bank (Huntington) and individual Kosciusko Association First Financial Bank N.A. (Oh) for Female Enrichment (KAFE) First Harrison Bank gifts of $100 or PO Box 2071 First Midwest Bank Warsaw, IN 46581-2071 The Fountain Trust Company [email protected] or [email protected] First Merchants Bank N.A. ** more will be Freedom Bank Women’s Advisory Group The Garrett State Bank matched! Andrea Cook, Founder German American Bank 200 N. Michigan St. Grabill Bank PO Box 1264 Hanmi Bank ** Plymouth, IN 46563 Heartland Community Bank 574.933.3999 The Hicksville Bank [email protected] Home National Bank – Thorntown Horizon Bank N.A. ** Mary Nommay Keil The Huntington National Bank ** [email protected] Indiana Bank and Trust Company Women Business Owners of Michiana Indiana Business Bank ** 401 E. Colfax, Suite 310 Jackson County Bank South Bend, IN 46617 Keybank N.A. ** www.wbom.org La Porte Savings Bank Lafayette Community Bank Women in Leadership Lake City Bank Kris Demoret Legence Bank La Porte County Live Oak Banking Company ** www.women-in-leadership.com M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank ** Mainsource Bank Invs e tor Capital MutualBank North Salem State Bank Magnet Investors Old National Bank Granger, IN 46530 PBI Bank http://gust.com/angel-group/magnet- Peoples Bank SB investors Peoples Trust & Savings Bank StepStone Business Partners PNC Bank, N.A. ** 351 W. 10th St. #311 Primetrust Financial Fcu Indianapolis, IN 46202 RBS Citizens N.A. ** 317.635.9070 Regions Bank ** Republic Bank & Trust Company SB A and Commercial The Riddell National Bank Ridgestone Bank ** Business Lenders Royal Banks of Missouri 1st National Bank of Carmi Standard Bank & Trust The First National Bank of Dieterich Star Financial Bank 1st Source Bank ** State Bank of Lizton Alliance Bank Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co Ameriana Bank Superior Financial Group, Llc American National Bank ** Tower Bank & Trust Company American Savings, FSB U.S. Bank N.A. Bank of Indiana United FC U Borrego Springs Bank, N.A. ** United Midwest Savings Bank ** Centier Bank Wayne Bank and Trust Co. Centrebank Wells Fargo Bank N.A. ** Chase Bank N.A. ** ** Denotes Preferred Lender Program Participant Citizens Financial Bank Information sources provided Citizens National Bank – Paris by the Small Business Administration

36 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Special Focus: Women in Business Ladies, Grow Your Business SBA can help with the financing for launch or expansion.

estaurants, dental offices, is that Denna continued to build funeral homes, personnel sought after elements to her business R staffing agencies, healththat enhanced the bride’s prenuptial and beauty spas, clinical testing planning and help reduce the stress laboratories – what do they have in on the day of the event. She land- common? These Indiana companies scaped the grounds to offer garden are owned by women and they all weddings and she created an on- have received SBA guaranteed busi- site bridal boutique, Affairs, which ness loans from their financial insti- conveniently sells gifts, decorations, tutions in the past three years. Yes and apparel items brides need for – they received these loans during their wedding festivities. In 2007, an the Great Recession. authentic replica of an 1800s country Some of the women used the church was constructed on the site. money to launch a new business. This meant that couples who wanted They needed money to lease a a church wedding could have both building, buy equipment or inven- their wedding and their reception at tory, and have working capital the same location. Denna repaid her to pay employees and everyday SBA guaranteed loan and continues expenses until their sales turned to her success with beautiful Aberdeen cash. Others built assets by purchas- Manor. F UNDING HELP Denna Fyock got ing major equipment or construct- Commercial lenders are look- an SBA loan to build a facility for ing a building to expand operations. ing for businesswomen who have weddings and other events. Some of the money was used to guided their companies to produce expand sales in the lucrative export new products and update existing strategy for more customers. SBA market. In the past two years, SBA merchandise to keep their custom- has a network of counselors who guaranteed more loans in Indiana ers buying. They want to see loan will provide free guidance for your for start-up and expansion of restau- proposals and business plans with business. Also, SBA counselors con- rants than it has guaranteed in the strong sales prospects, new delivery duct seminars on business financ- preceding five years. channels, or contracts with existing ing, business start-up, exporting, SBA guaranteed loans have customers. selling to the federal government, financed many successful small SBA encourages business lend- and other business topics. Get the businesses. In 1995, Denna Fyock ing through 90 participating Indiana facts from www.sba.gov/in or call received a $417,000 guaranteed loan banks, credit unions, and microloan the SBA Indiana District Office at to construct a facility to be used for intermediaries. If you lack collateral 317/226-7272. weddings, as well as business and or your business is new, it may be Gail Gesell has served as the U. S. community events. Denna proved difficult for you to get a commer- Small Business Administration dis- to her bank that there was substan- cial loan. SBA offers a guarantee of trict director for Indiana since 2003. tial demand for a wedding venue repayment for up to 85% of the loan She manages the delivery of agency in Valparaiso, Indiana, and that she to financial institutions as a major programs, financial assistance, and had the experience to deliver the incentive for them to loan money to business counseling to small busi- special options and quality service creditworthy business owners. The nesses in 92 counties. She oversees that would cause brides to select her guarantee is for the financial institu- administration of a total business location for their events. While the tion. The borrower is responsible for loan portfolio that exceeds $917 mil- majority of brides using Aberdeen repaying the entire loan amount. lion; four Microloan Intermediaries; Manor are from Indiana, Illinois Perhaps you need guidance for the Indiana Small Business Develop- and Michigan, through the years the developing a business plan to take ment Center (SBDC) network, SCORE venue has been selected by brides to your lender. Maybe you need and the Women’s Business Center in from across the country. One reason help identifying a new marketing Indianapolis.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 37 Special Focus: Women in Business Business World Taking Notice Women business leaders are taking a proactive approach to educating themselves on the financial requirements, bid process and political aspects of business developments.

omen business owners obstacles remain the same, regard- are a unique breed–with less of gender–access to capital, W characteristics that are bonding capacity, limited bidding both consistent and contradictory– opportunities and influence. These and the business world is taking challenges are slowly being over- notice. On one hand, they may be come as women actively seek strong and courageous in negotiating out education and political clout. a business agreement with a client, Women business leaders are taking yet subdued when dealing with a a proactive approach to educating banker for a loan. Firm when dealing themselves on the financial require- with a non-responsive supplier, then ments, bid process, and political gentle with an employee trying hard aspects of business development. to learn a new role. Understated in At the local level, women-owned the limelight of recognition, while businesses are increasing in num- outgoing and energetic in business bers. This is evident, as the local networking settings. These traits are chapter of the National Associa- helping women business owners tion of Women Owned Businesses fuel our economic growth–locally (NAWBO) has grown in member- and nationally. ship. The Indianapolis chapter Women are creating work envi- recently became the second largest IN A STRONG PLACE Women leaders in ronments based on teamwork and chapter in the nation, only behind Indiana are represented at the national collaboration, where knowledge the Los Angeles chapter by a few level by Billie Dragoo, a member of the dozen. As women business owners executive board of directors for NAWBO. seek new and innovative ways to is able to influence national policy Women are creating grow and increase their economic through her participation in Wash- impact, NAWBO provides the ington, D.C., Small Business Asso- work environments avenue to influence through busi- ciation (SBA) summits and regular ness advocacy and business devel- Capitol Hill meetings with our legis- based on teamwork opment. Through collaborative lators. The drive and tenacity of our seminars, bid previews and informa- NAWBO members keeps women and collaboration. tion sharing, members of NAWBO– business owners in the forefront to sharing is emphasized in order to Indianapolis are positioning their ensure access to business opportu- achieve high productivity. These businesses for growth. In addition, nities for women-owned businesses. woman leaders are fueling our they are increasingly participating in Women represent a breed of busi- economy–generating nearly $1.3 tril- the political process through PACs, ness owners whose influence is lion in revenues from an estimate driving the message to our legisla- evident. With their persistence and of over 8.3 million women-owned tures that women-owned businesses commitment, they are poised to businesses in the United States–that are a voice to be heard. propel our State and our Nation on means 8,345,600. It is interesting to Women leaders in Indiana have to greater economic growth–and our note that the traits of these women leveraged strong position and are nation is taking note. are underlined by their drive and now represented at the national Kathleen G. Cabello, MBA, is presi- commitment to succeed, regardless level by Billie Dragoo, as a member dent of Cabello Associates, a full- of the obstacles. of the executive board of direc- service marketing consultancy in For many business owners, the tors for NAWBO. In her role, Billie Indianapolis.

38 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012

Top Businesswomen 20 leading women-owned businesses in Northwest Indiana.

1. Janet Furman, president, Dyer Construction Dyer. $32.7 million. 40 employees. 2. Diana Corley, president, Kabelin Hardware LaPorte. $17.2 million. 220 employees. 3. Georgette Fairchild, president, Carroll Chevrolet Crown Point. $15 million. 50 employees. 4. Patricia Parchem, CEO, Tri-Union Express Griffith. $12 million. 14 employees. 5. Johanna Plank, president, Hawk Enterprises Inc. Crown Point. $10.1 million. 40 employees. 6. Janette Burkhart-Miller, CEO, Burkhart Advertising South Bend. $9.6 million. 130 employees. 7. Karen Lagrou, owner, American Encoder Repair Michigan City. $9.5 million. 99 employees. 8. Bettina Brown, president, Performance Plus South Bend. $8.5 million. 500 employees. 9. Melissa Neff, president, Mechanical Concepts Inc. Gary. $8.2 million. 55 employees. 10. Maryann Lacay, CEO, Lacay Fabricating & Manufacturing South Bend. $8 million. 24 employees. 11. Sandra Hurubeam, vice president, Actin Inc. East Chicago. $7.6 million. 95 employees. 12. Elizabeth Carlsson, president, Calumet Flexicore Corp. Hammond. $7 million. 75 employees. 13. Shannon Kaser, president, Kaser Enterprises Inc. Mishawaka. $6.2 million. 85 employees. 14. Eleanor Snemis, president. R.A. Snemis Construction Hobart. $6 million. 18 employees. 15. Ann Wilson, vice president, Small Business Transportation Inc. Merrillville. $6 million. 27 employees. 16. Leslee Young, president, Young Bros. Trucking Valparaiso. $6 million. 20 employees. 17. Charlotte Tuuk, president, V&H Excavating Hebron. $5.5 million. 35 employees. 18. Linda Fogus, CEO, Circle “R” Mechanical Inc. Portage. $5.3 million. 40 employees. 19. Janis Overbey, president, Overseas Advantage Inc. Crown Point. $4.5 million. 5 employees. 20. Maria Slager, president, Office Interiors Inc. Granger. $4.5 million. 23 employees. Source: Small Business Administration.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 39 Special Feature Health Care Honors Our readers suggest some of the region’s standouts in medical care.

housands of people work in health care across Northwest T Indiana, serving patients at hundreds of different sites of care. They’re all helping patients get healthy and hopefully stay that way. We wanted to find out who is excep- tionally good at doing so, and who serves the community with unusual empathy and dedication, so we asked our readers. The result of our survey is our first annual compilation of Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly Health Care Honors. We’re spotlighting providers whose work is advancing the field of medicine, who are outstanding in the care they provide, who go about their work with exceptional compassion, and who devote their “hS e continually searches for new advancements in time to improving quality of life breast care” The Women’s Diagnostic Centers that Dr. Mary Nicholson across the region. Read on for their helped form are providing more comprehensive and compassionate care. stories. Dr. Nicholson (right) is pictured with patient Shelley DeYoung. count before therapy starts, and it’s tor of breast imaging for Commu- Advancements now leading to a pilot and pivotal nity Healthcare System, and she was in Health Care trial sponsored by IVDiagnostics. instrumental in forming the Wom- Tom Galouzis, M.D. According to the company’s presi- en’s Diagnostic Centers throughout More effective and successful cancer dent and CEO, Frank Szczepanski— the system. treatment is at the heart of the who submitted the nomination, “Dr. What’s so special about these work of Dr. Tom Galouzis, general Galouzis should be noted as one of centers? Technology, for starters, surgeon with the Franciscan Alli- the clinicians in Northwest Indiana including advanced digital mam- ance. He was principal investor for who really is making a difference in mography with same-day results, a preclinical study on monitoring trying out new molecular diagnostics breast ultrasound and non-surgical circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, in for the purposes of creating better breast biopsies, along with breast patients with metastatic cancer. The patient prognosis and ultimately magnetic resonance imaging biopsy idea is that if you know a patient’s better cancer patient management.” for detecting breast cancer in high- CTC count before therapy begins, risk patients. Following exams, you can measure the change in CTC Mary Nicholson, M.D. Dr. Nicholson provides immedi- levels to determine whether the Cancer. It’s one short word that ate results, allowing her to quickly therapy is effective or not. strikes fear in the hearts of patients address patient concerns and offer The concept makes use of the CTC more than just about any other. And treatment guidance. Speeding the Assay from IVDiagnostics, a Val- the time spent waiting to undergo process is helpful when the diag- paraiso-based designer of diagnos- diagnostic tests, and then waiting nosis is cancer, so treatment can get tic tools, on whose advisory board for the results of those tests, can be going as soon as possible, but it’s Dr. Galouzis sits. The preclinical excruciating. Dr. Mary Nicholson also a positive when cancer is ruled trial involved a dozen patients and knew there had to be a more com- out quickly, bringing relief a lot covered both breast and colorec- passionate way to care for patients. sooner. But the changes didn’t just tal cancer. The study suggests that She’s a fellowship-trained dedicated happen. It required development of each patient has a unique CTC breast radiologist and medical direc- new processes that were innovative

40 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 enough to win the Chanute Prize for board certification as a specialist in knowledge is essential, but her bed- Team Innovation from the Society oncology nutrition. The Commission side manner is a plus, too, according of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. on Dietetic Registration awarded her to the nominator. “The patients love The health system’s breast cancer that designation, which is based on her because she is very gentle, com- program has been accredited by the meeting rigorous practice require- passionate, reassuring and support- National Accreditation Program for ments and passing a certification ive. She encourages her patients and Breast Centers. Says the nomination exam. Oncology nutrition specialists works very closely with their family for Dr. Nicholson, “She continually work with those either diagnosed members.” searches for new advancements in with a malignancy or a premalignant breast care and is diligent in imple- condition, or at risk for such a condi- Richard C. Turk, D.O. menting those advancements to tion. The right nutrition is important Some time ago, a couple took their make a positive difference in the for everyone, of course, but for the daughter to the pediatrician, con- lives of her patients.” cancer patient it’s particularly help- cerned about a black lump on her ful. “There’s a wealth of evidence neck that was growing quickly. Outstanding Health that supports the importance of The pediatrician referred the girl Care Worker nutrition in cancer care, from pre- to a surgeon, who recommended Leelarani Chigurupati vention to treatment,” Chigurupati surgery. But the parents then con- Effective cancer treatment attacks says. sulted Dr. Richard Turk, who imme- the tumor, wherever it is. But truly “She has very specialized knowl- diately asked “has she been around complete cancer care is not just edge in her area of expertise about cats lately?” He recognized right about the tumor, but the whole the nutritional needs of oncology away that the strange condition was patient, because the cancer care patients, which are very different an infection sometimes known as experience has an impact that goes from other types of patients as they “cat scratch fever,” and all it really far beyond the tumor site. Leelarani are dealing with the side effects of needed was the right antibiotic. Chigurupati, a registered dietitian, radiation and chemo,” Chigurupa- “He has an uncanny ability to focuses on the nutritional aspects of ti’s nominator points out. Optimal diagnose and treat that puts him oncology in her work for Methodist nutrition can support the cancer above the rest,” says Dr. Turk’s nom- Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville. patient’s immune function, reduce inator, an attorney who also knows Chigurupati is one of just 13 dieti- the risk of infection, help to rebuild something about medicine thanks to tians in the state to have achieved body tissue, build strength, boost years of medical malpractice work. energy and help the patient better “Rich is an incredible diagnostician.” tolerate cancer treatment. In fact, the How does one develop such a skill? National Cancer Institute says mal- His nominator believes part of it is nutrition plays a role in as many as a a natural intellect, but part is also a third of cancer deaths. dedication to keeping up with the Chigurupati provides cancer nutri- medical journals, which he reads tion education every week to radia- avidly. tion and chemotherapy patients at Dr. Turk has been practicing both Methodist Hospital campuses. medicine in Porter County since the She also provides a lot of outreach late 1970s, when he finished up at at health fairs and other venues the Chicago College of Osteopathic where she stresses cancer preven- Medicine. He earned his board cer- tion through better nutrition. Her tification in family practice in 1991, and now practices with Porter Hos- “C s oMPAs ion, pital from an office in Chesterton. understanding and love Dr. Turk, originally from LaPorte, of people” Amanda Elkins, is from a medical family—his four LPN, is memory care brothers are also doctors. coordinator at Rittenhouse Senior Living. Val Urello Excellent health care could not happen without the work of talented practitioners, of course, but there are plenty of others who may or may not deal directly with patients every day but whose contributions are essential. Val Urello, who serves as

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 41 Special Feature

chief operating officer for the Scher- tor. “When both cardiac training and to the 1980s. She left the cardiology erville Immediate Care Center that is EMS education for pre-hospital per- group in 2002 and became involved owned by Aberdeen Ventures Ltd., sonnel was in its infancy, she took with Immediate Care Center, an has made a mark through manage- on the added responsibilities of part- urgent-care clinic. ment style, mentoring, training and time teacher after her regular clini- Says her nominator: “Val is known testing. cal management role, subsequently throughout Northwest Indiana and Prior to 2002, she oversaw a car- training most pre-hospital personnel to many at the state level for the diology group that started small and in Porter County and overseeing the quality of her training and testing blended into a larger group in Porter state testing of cardiac programs and programs and the quality of her County, according to her nomina- EMS training programs dating back management style, mentoring new staff and allowing more senior staff to grow—over 30 years of dedication and continued enthusiasm in health care services.”

Compassionate Care Amanda Elkins, LPN Exceptional nursing is both a science and an art. The science part requires rigorous study and training plus con- tinuing education that never really stops. The art is the human touch, the ability to deliver that top-notch, science-driven care with a level of empathy and compassion that sees each patient as an individual in a difficult place—not just a diagnosis. Amanda Elkins, an LPN at Rit- tenhouse Senior Living of Portage, delivers well on both of those counts. As her nomination notes, “she is versed in everything from wound care to Alzheimer’s dementia care, but that is not what makes her an outstanding health care worker.” What makes the difference? “It is her compassion, understanding and love of people that takes Amanda to the next notch.” Elkins is memory care coordinator at Rittenhouse Senior Living, and has been a nurse working with seniors for more than a decade. She spends 7am—10 pm 7 days 365 days a year her days on the Memory Care Unit, including ALL holidays focused intently on enriching the AlWAyS seen by a PHySICIAN quality of life of those in her care through creative programming. Her Most major insurance, cash, check, credit/debit card. compassion spreads beyond the No appointment. No hospital fees. walls of Rittenhouse, where Elkins Children & adults Illness & Injuries is active in community programs, Occupational Medicine & Sports exams. volunteering to help with community benefits, and even organizing Serving NW Indiana since 2003 a benefit for a coworker battling US Hwy 30 & Burr St—SE corner “Pointe” breast cancer. Says her nominator, 219/769-1DOC (1362) “Amanda has the unique ability to turn the ordinary into extraordinary.” It can be a challenge understand-

42 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Northlake Campus Midlake Campus Southlake Campus Better health is everything. Methodist Hospitals has been the Northwest Indiana leader in high level, complex acute care since 1923.

In that time, our commitment to delivering quality healthcare has never wavered. From treating the most serious injuries and illnesses, to providing education and prevention services, Methodist is a place of compassion, care and expertise for the many communities we serve.

They chose Methodist.

We don’t seek awards and recognition merely because we like the applause. Instead, we approach these tangible, honest assessments as opportunities to push ourselves even harder, and to further improve our patient care. So, while our trophy case continues to get more and more crowded, it’s more important that our neighbors know that Methodist Hospitals strives to deliver the highest quality care possible.

2012

Leading the Way to Better Health Special Feature

the center may help some people to understand what domestic violence looks like, to help them realize they are in an unsafe situation. “She and her team at St. Jude are some of the most compassionate people I have ever known and work in a field that is so very difficult,” her nominator says. “She herself is an advocate out in the community and interacts with many law enforcement agencies throughout Lake County. Mary is well respected in the community.”

Community Benefit Franciscan St. Anthony Health—Crown Point, St. Clare Health Clinic When people think of health care organizations, many think of big, sometimes fancy hospital buildings and medical bills with an amaz- ing number of digits. What a lot of people miss is the fact that most of the biggest hospitals around are not-for-profit organizations, and they really are not turning big profits despite those large-seeming bills—in fact, much of what they do actually loses money. They “hS e is very gentle, compassionate, reassuring and do those things anyway because supportive” Leelarani Chigurupati is a registered dietitian they’re fulfilling a non-profit mis- with specialized training and certification in oncology. sion of caring for those in their ing the needs of some patients in the operation of St. Jude House in communities; the legal term for the Memory Care Unit, Elkins says, Crown Point. those ways non-profits serve that because “some are not able to tell “One of the major reasons women aren’t expected to pay for them- you what the problem is.” The go to the ER is due to injuries from selves is “community benefit.” important thing is to approach each domestic violence—it is a health In the case of Franciscan St. patient as an individual, and apply care problem,” says Mary Govert, the Anthony Health—Crown Point, the as much empathy as possible. “You executive director of St. Jude. “It’s mission of caring for others is spiri- have to personalize it—if I were much more prevalent than people tually inspired, and the hospital fea- feeling this way, or if this was my think. It’s underreported.” tures the typical array of services, mother, how would I like to see this It’s the job of Govert and a staff of such as cardiac, cancer, maternity, resolved?” about 30 to take in these victims of rehabilitation, emergency, surgery domestic violence, primarily women and neonatal intensive care. But it Mary Govert and children, some 400 or more also seeks out and serves those who Improving the health of a commu- every year. St. Jude House has eight don’t qualify for government assis- nity certainly involves healing the bedrooms and can house guests up tance through its St. Clare Health sick and providing for those who to six weeks, during which time they Clinic. The clinic offers non-emer- need ongoing care. But it also means receive a variety of services, from gency primary medical care that striving for economic and social jus- legal assistance to medical help to emphasizes prevention, early detec- tice and keeping watch over those preparation to keep themselves safe. tion, health screenings, patient edu- facing threats that go beyond ill- “Sometimes people who get caught cation and physical examinations, ness—threats such as domestic vio- up in situations for a long time forget and also handles chronic disease lence. That’s why the mission of what a healthy relationship looks management and assistance with Franciscan Communities extends to like,” she says. Similarly, the team at medications. Rather than just service

44 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 those who are sick, the clinic goes the extra mile to keep vulnerable populations healthy, providing the kinds of preventive care that many people skip when they’re having financial difficulties. The care at St. Clare is provided by Franciscan St. Anthony Health— Crown Point, which coordinates a volunteer physician staff and a supporting crew of nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, social workers and others. The hospital also donates a variety of services such as lab, diagnostic and radiology. The whole point has nothing to do with making money, but with living Franciscan values in the service of others.

Volunteer Service The Heart Institute at Franciscan St. Anthony Health A cynic might wonder why health care providers would volunteer their time trying to help people stay out of their health care facilities. The fact is, people go into health care because of a passion for serving others and making a difference, and that passion carries over to their volunteer time, too. That’s what drives the volunteer work conducted by the professional staff at the Heart Institute at Franciscan St. Anthony Health. Staff members donate time out in the community providing a wealth WIN $225,000 CASH of preventive care. They’re out doing blood pressure, pulmonary function or A NEW HOME! and asthma screenings, EKGs, educational outreach and other kinds of 2012 Northwest Indiana House Raffle guidance. Since 2010, they’ve served 75 CASH PRIZES | ODDS ARE 1 IN 80 TO WIN A PRIZE some 6,000 people across North- west Indiana, at multiple sites rang- SAVE THE DATES ing from the Crown Point YMCA to TICKET SALES END OFFICIAL DRAWING the Lake County Fair to the Arcelor TUESDAY, FRIDAY, Mittal Employee Picnic to Centier Bank. Out in force are nurses, echo SEPTEMBER 25TH SEPTEMBER 28TH and cardio techs, radiologic tech- nologists and respiratory therapists. PROCEEDS Meanwhile, physicians such as Tim BENEFIT Mullally and Sunthorn Muingmang- FOR MORE INFORMATION suk volunteer time to the athletes of 219.663.5810 / Toll Free 888.663.5810 Crown Point High School, where the www.nwihouseraffle.org / [email protected] Heart Institute provides EKGs and NWI House Raffle, P.O. Box 802, Crown Point, IN 46308 other preventive services for young athletes.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 45 Business Law Legal Q&A Our annual roundup of answers to business law queries.

by Michael Puente ummer is the time for beaches, backyard barbeques and just S having fun. But it’s also a time for Hoosiers to adjust to new laws passed by the Indiana General Assembly back in the spring. Indiana has a host of new laws – namely a statewide smoking ban and a designation as a so-called right-to-work state. Each summer, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly asks local attorneys to help explain new laws.

Right to Work “When you negotiate a contract with Indiana is now a Right to Work “Employers must affirmatively a union, you can’t have a provision state. What does this mean for advise all employees and prospective in your contract that requires companies and how they chose employees that smoking is not employees to be a member of the to follow this new law? permitted in the workplace.” union.” Gerald Lutkus, Barnes & Thorn- –Melanie M. Dunajeski, Drewry –Gerald Lutkus, Barnes & Thornburg, burg, South Bend Simmons Vornehm LLP, Merrillville South Bend “It’s a pretty clear-cut law. When you negotiate a contract with a union, you can’t have a provision in right to control the operations. Indiana’s new statewide your contract that requires employ- To the extent that during working smoking ban ees to be a member of the union. hours, aggressive behavior between What are the legal ramifications It’s just a matter of eliminating those the unionized worker and the for businesses who don’t want to union shop clauses from the collec- worker who opts out, you have to follow this law and how are busi- tive bargaining agreements. take your normal disciplinary steps nesses to implement such a new “Contracts that were entered into to address that situation. I think the requirement? before March 14 that includes a guys who do decide to opt out are Melanie M. Dunajeski, Drewry union shop clause will remain in going to be subject to a lot of pres- Simmons Vornehm LLP, Merrillville effect until the contract expires or sure. The problem is you don’t have “For starters, businesses need to when a new collective bargaining much control over that outside the remove all ashtrays and smoking agreement is reached. There poten- workplace. paraphernalia from any area con- tially could be tension between guys “As an employer, you have a duty sidered a public place. Businesses who worked next to each other for to protect both employees. That also need to post a prominent sign a number of years and one of them employee who decides to opt out, he at each public entrance to the effect decides to opt out. They could be has a right under the National Labor that smoking is prohibited by state called freeloaders and I do think Relations Act not to be a member law. there could be a lot of pressure put of a union. So, the employer has an “Presumably the legislature did on them by the union. obligation to be on alert for that kind not authorize or require businesses “As an employer you’ve got the of action.” to physically remove a non-compli-

46 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 ant smoker, but advising a person and especially those concerning to leave and then calling the police ‘reasonable accommodations.’ The if they will not are well within the ADA does not apply to businesses intent of this statute. Further, there is with 15 or fewer employees. a process for confirming any exemp- “Recent amendments to the law tion to the law that a business claims. broaden the interpretation of what “The procedure and forms are amounts to a protected disabil- available through the Indiana Alco- ity. Almost anything can count. It’s hol and Tobacco Commission. nearly impossible to describe how Employers must affirmatively advise the ADA rules play out in specific all employees and prospective employment situations because the employees that smoking is not per- law’s requirements are designed to mitted in the workplace. vary based on unique circumstances. “Employers can accomplish this “For example, an employee with through postings on their bulle- a heart condition who cannot stand tin boards, making amendments for more than 15 minutes most likely to employee manuals, making has a disability under ADA defini- “Recent ADA amendments to the law announcements at meetings or tions. If the employee works on a broaden the interpretation of what sending e-mail notices designed to factory floor where standing for amounts to a protected disability.” reach all employees. For prospec- hours is the norm, the employer –Michael J. Hayes, Tuesley Hall tive employees, a notice on a writ- may need to accommodate her by Konopa, LLP, South Bend ten application or a separate written adding a chair to her workspace. notice would be advisable. The risk to an employer who fails to “The purpose is to design a noti- participate in the interactive process fication process that will ensure that or does so half-heartedly is civil lia- all employees are aware and remain bility. An employee can seek famil- aware that the workplace is a no iar remedies such as back pay, front smoking area. Employers can pro- pay, reinstatement, lost benefits, and vide a smoking area for employees, the like.” but it must be outside of a structure and more than eight feet away from The Americans with Disabili- any public entrance. Fines for viola- ties Act was amended in 2008. tions range from $1,000 to $10,000.” What impact do those amendments have on businesses? The Americans with Richard W. Castleton, Burke Disabilities Act Costanza & Carberry LLP, Merrillville The ADA became law in the United “Congress passed the Ameri- States in 1990. Most people might cans with Disabilities Act Amend- assume the act deals with mainly ments Act in 2008 to reverse several “Many employers will likely providing ramps on sidewalks or Supreme Court decisions that had see an increase in requests for elevators for wheelchair-bound been considered employer friendly. accommodations under the ADA.”– individuals, but the act covers The ADAAA significantly expanded Richard W. Castleton, Burke Costanza so much more ground and there the definition of what constitutes & Carberry LLP, Merrillville is a steady stream of civil law- disabilities, making it much easier suits aimed at enforcing the act. for an employee to establish the def- while at the same time minimizing So what must companies do to inition of what constitutes disabili- the impact the accommodation will comply with the ADA and what ties, and making it much easier for have on the business. This is par- are the requirements? an employee to establish that he or ticularly true when an employee is Michael J. Hayes, Tuesley Hall she has a disability within the mean- in a customer service position and Konopa, LLP, South Bend ing of the ADA. This means many requests an hour of leave on a daily “There are two broad categories of employers will likely see an increase basis, or the ability to arrive late to rules under the ADA: Those concern- in requests for accommodations work on a regular basis. Employers ing employees and those concern- under the ADA.” should review job descriptions and ing building accessibility. Indiana “A common issue employers have emphasize that timeliness and reg- businesses generally have the most difficulty with is finding a reasonable ular attendance are essential func- questions and concerns with the accommodation that will adequately tions of employment in these types employment provisions of the act address the needs of the employee, of positions.”

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 47 Business Law

Social Media infringing on someone’s per- Many employers are now requir- sonal activities? ing job applicants to allow access Robert J. Dignam, Hoeppner of their social media accounts. Wagner & Evans LLP, Merrillville Some states have clamped down “Many employers investigate social on this practice. Is this generally media activity of job candidates considered good practice for a when deciding whether to offer company to peek into someone’s employment. One prominent social social media activities such as media entity prohibits users from Facebook or Twitter, or is that sharing password information, and

“Viewing prospective employees’ social media activity may expose employers to claims of discrimination.” –Robert J. Dignam, Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP, Merrillville

considered suing employers who required prospective employees to share passwords so they could view the applicants’ personal information. “Although the invasion of privacy litigation was not pursued, viewing prospective employees’ social media activity may expose employers to claims of discrimination under Title VII or other anti-discrimination laws, which also apply to the hiring process. If an employer determines a job applicant’s age, religious affili- ation, disability or membership in other protected classes, it could be accused of discriminatory failure to hire on those bases. “The Indiana Civil Rights Law applies to employers of six or more employees and has similar prohi- bitions. Based on such concerns, Maryland became the first state to ban employers from requiring prospective employees to provide user names and passwords. Other states are expected to follow suit.”

Protecting Intellectual Property Musicians, writers, movie directors and even videogame designers or developers of new smartphone apps painstakingly

48 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Talk v. Walk It’s easy to talk value – law firms do it all the time. At Barnes & Thornburg, we’d rather walk it than talk it. It’s a distinction our clients appreciate. They like their matters staffed with less leverage and more partner involvement. They like their lawyering practical, efficient, and predictable. measuring value not by time spent, but by results obtained. By how well we have walked their particular walk.

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come up with their ideas to get omy in which we operate, protect- them to market. But in this global ing intellectual property rights merits economy, how can one protect significant attention by businesses. their intellectual property? “Perhaps the most frequently- Nicholas J. Chulos, Krieg DeVault encountered form of intellectual LLP, Schererville property involves trademarks. A “Intellectual property (such as trademark is any word, name, trademarks, copyrights and patents) symbol or device, or any combina- affects virtually every business in tion of these, that identifies and dis- some fashion. In the global econ- tinguishes the products or services

LEGAL SOLUTIONS We Have Attorneys for That

“Trademarks can be surprisingly fragile, and businesses must protect their trademarks not only from infringement but also from misuse.” –Nicholas J. Chulos, Krieg DeVault LLP, Schererville

of a business from those of others. “Trademarks are commonly seen in advertising, displays, packaging, labels, literature and correspon- dence of a business. Trademarks are often among the most important and valuable assets of a business and a distinctive trademark allows a business to build public goodwill and brand reputation in the goods and services the business sells. “However, trademarks can be surprisingly fragile, and businesses must protect their trademarks not only from infringement but also from misuse. Even if accidental, a misuse of a trademark can diminish the degree of protection to which a trademark is entitled and, in extreme cases, can even result in the loss of trademark rights altogether. The companies that own some of the most well-known trademarks in the world are both vigilant and vigorous in the protection and use of their trademarks. Protecting trademarks includes complying with a number of technical requirements, and Krieg DeVault LLP www.kriegdevault.com proper professional guidance should 833 West Lincoln Highway, Suite 410W Schererville, Indiana 46375 INDIANA ILLINOIS GEORGIA always be obtained, particularly Phone: 219.227.6100 FLORIDA MINNESOTA because trademark requirements can © Krieg DeVault 2012 vary from country to country.”

50 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 R eal EstATe and Construction After the Storm Surviving the downturn in construction and real estate.

by Bob Kronemyer eathering the devastating economic downturn W and subsequent anemic growth cycle has not been easy for most industries, but the construction and real estate sector has been particularly hit hard. To survive, several regional firms have sharpened their pencils through downsizing and concentrating on strategic planning. Maintaining a positive attitude, servicing the customer, bidding on smaller or different kinds of projects and expanding geographic reach are also vital. “The first key is to right size your staff,” says Jon Gilmore, president and CEO of Tonn and Blank Con- struction LLC in Michigan City. “However, you still need to keep your key people. What we’re seeing, though, is that some of the companies that made it through the eco- “We trimmed the fat but not the meat,” says Jon Gilmore of Tonn and Blank Construction, which got through the downturn with all of its key people in place and nomic downturn are now having worked on such projects as a Franciscan Alliance hospital expansion in Indianapolis. problems trying to grow again. For- tunately, we kept our key people all their notes. They had to close their spend a lot of time on that portion the way through the downturn. In doors that day.” of the project,” Gilmore says. Such a other words, we trimmed the fat but Among the company’s commer- strategy quickens the entire building not the meat.” cial, institutional and industrial timeline. Gilmore believes that this delicate projects over the past five years To survive, “the first thing is to trust balancing act will prove to be the cor- are three replacement hospitals: St. God, the second thing is don’t panic rect move if the construction indus- Joseph Regional Medical Center in and the third thing is to keep work- try picks up because, in his opinion, Mishawaka, St. Elizabeth hospital in ing,” says Sarah Oudman, owner of “one of the biggest mistakes people Lafayette and St. Francis hospital in Treasure Homes Inc. in Wheatfield, made during the great times is that Indianapolis. A new cancer center in Jasper County, although most of its they thought they would never end.” Michigan City is also slated to open residential construction is in Porter Likewise, they thought the bad times this summer. County, ranging from $215,000 to “would last forever.” Gilmore expects 2013 will be the $325,000. Founded in 2009, while The large general contracting and best year for his company since the market was slowing down, the construction management firm has 2010. “There is a lot of pent-up company has completed one new zero debt, yet cash in the bank. “It’s demand,” he observes. Meanwhile, home in Burns Harbor in 2010 and much easier to survive when you the firm is intent on servicing its cus- one total remodel near Rolling Prai- don’t have bank payments and wor- tomers and letting them know they rie in 2011. The company expects rying about if the bank is going to are still around. “We’ve also done to break ground soon on four new call in a note,” Gilmore says. “We a lot of strategic planning with our homes (three in Burns Harbor, one saw several contractors go out of customers, so when the day comes in Aberdeen). business because the bank called in to start building, we don’t have to Reducing nonessential expenses

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 51 R eal EstATe and Construction

such as office equipment and delay- productive and keep you on your of commerce, provides networking ing software purchases has helped edge,” Oudman says. Increasing opportunities,” says Oudman, who keep Treasure Homes afloat. “These one’s knowledge and skills are also suggests that builders talk to people investments make your life easier, but beneficial. about what is new and exciting in are not 100% necessary,” Oudman Treasure Homes makes an effort the industry. points out. And during slow periods, to continually meet people. “Some- Oudman predicts gradual improve- concentrating on internal record- times, when there is a slow period, ment in residential construction. keeping and improving job costing you tend to isolate yourself. But we “Certainly the low interest rates on can enhance the overall efficiency have found that participating in vari- mortgages are encouraging,” she of a business. “This is a way to stay ous organizations, like the chamber says. “I also believe that more people are becoming aware of the advantages that can be built into a new home as opposed to improving an existing home.” These advantages include energy and water efficiency and improved indoor air quality (e.g., reduced allergies) for a health- ier home. Dennis and Sons Builders in Val- paraiso handles both residential and commercial projects, which up until four years ago “served us well because when the commercial side was down, residential real estate was usually hot, and when the residential side was down, normally the commercial side was good,” says owner Dennis Seramur. “By keeping a mix, we were lucky to stay busy throughout those years. But then in 2008, both sides of the business crashed and neither one has recovered.” The last major project for the general contractor was constructing the railroad depot at Taltree Arboretum & Gardens near Valparaiso, which The 2012 Readership Survey was completed in 2008. Seramur characterizes the current is now online for your viewing. building environment as “extremely slow.” Still, his company has survived by “taking any type of small job we can get our hands on,” he says. These are projects that in The 2012 Readership Survey better times the company would typically refer to a smaller contrac- is now online for your viewing. tor or not accept at all. The largest project the builder has completed this year is a $30,000 remodeling of a Chesterton home that had been in foreclosure. The general contractor has laid off Go to www.nwibq.com people, reduced coffee consump- tion and maintained a lower tem- perature in the winter at its facility Thanks to all of our readers who participated in this survey. to decrease cost. “We’ve also been spending our savings, using a line

52 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Go to www.nwibq.com

Thanks to all of our readers who participated in this survey. of credit and some of our retirement tic beer-distributor North Coast Dis- and maintain our competitive edge to keep the doors open, hoping that tributing Inc. in Valparaiso and last through increased productivity,” things will turnaround,” Seramur fall the new Walmart Supercenter Larson says. This consists primarily explains. in Hammond. Ongoing projects of ensuring that field personnel have Simply having a positive attitude include improvements to spectator all the correct information. “We do can go a long way in creating good- areas (additional seating) and the our plan-ahead work so that work will. “Come in with a smile every plaza at Coveleski baseball stadium flows smoothly and we have fewer morning and find a way to solve a in South Bend and a new Toyota interruptions,” Larson conveys. customer’s problem,” says Jeff Brant, dealership in Schererville. “Interruptions in the construction a partner at Brant Construction LLC “We are working hard to improve business cost time and money.” in Schererville, Lake County, a full- service real estate company. The company has been able to reduce some of its overhead expenditures; foremost, shaving the number of employees. Curtailing office space and investing in more Taking Care technology (e.g., updating software) has also allowed for increased efficiency. Having a property management company that owns real estate of Business. generates revenue as well. Earlier this year, Brant Construction Business Counseling completed a roughly 9,000-square- foot fabricating and manufacturing facility for Quintel Inc. (heat When it comes to starting, growing exchangers) in Schererville, Lake or protecting a business, owners and County. And this summer, a 35-bed, executives turn to Hoeppner Wagner off-site student housing project at the & Evans. We represent some of the University of Notre Dame opened. region’s largest manufacturers and The company is also in the process of remodeling the Inn of Hammond service employers, mid-size family in Hammond. run enterprises, and small start-up Larson-Danielson Construction companies, advising on a wide Company Inc. in LaPorte has seen variety of legal and business issues: a major decline in business, starting ■ about 2009. “In fact, we had sev- Entity Formation eral clients who stopped projects in ■ Employment and Labor Counseling progress,” recalls president Timothy ■ Financing and Restructuring Transactions Larson. Since then, the balance sheet ■ has improved somewhat, “but not to Real Estate Development and Zoning the level it was back in 2006 and ■ Federal and State Taxation 2007.” ■ Litigation The general contractor for com- ■ mercial, institutional and industrial Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Sales has maintained its viability in part ■ Business Succession and Estate Planning by more aggressively pursuing infra- ■ Bankruptcy and Collection Matters structure projects, namely bridges ■ (both state and county). The com- Dispute Resolution, including pany has also marketed itself to a Mediation and Arbitration Valparaiso (219) 464-4961 wider geographic area. Adjusting expenses to revenues have included Merrillville (219) 769-6552 letting go employees or trimming www.hwelaw.com hours to part time. In February, the company com- Hoeppner Wagner & Evans – We Care About Your Business pleted a new 200,000 square foot warehouse/main office for domes-

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 53 Bu ilDING a reputation The North Coast Distribution project from multiple award winner Larson-Danielson Construction Company. Construction Honors Area construction and real estate firms bask in regional recognitions.

e at Northwest Indiana Larson-Danielson Construction pany Inc., Gary, 2011 Gold Summit Business Quarterly are Company Inc., LaPorte, 2012 Com- Safety Award from Indiana Construc- W proud of the recognition mercial Project of the Year from Con- tion Association. bestowed on area construction and struction Advancement Foundation. Superior Construction Com- real estate companies by their col- Larson-Danielson Construc- pany Inc., Gary, 2011 Excellence leagues and the industry. Here is a tion Company Inc., LaPorte, 2011 award from Northwest Indiana Busi- sampling of honors received over Award of Excellence from MACIAF. ness Roundtable. the past 12 months. Larson-Danielson Construction Thatcher Foundations Inc., The American Group of Con- Company Inc., LaPorte, 2012 Best Gary, 2012 Sub-Contractor of the structors Inc., Hammond, 2011 Commercial Construction Company Year from Construction Advance- Achievement award from Northwest from Northwest Indiana Business ment Foundation. Indiana Business Roundtable. Quarterly. Tonn and Blank Construction Brandenburg Industrial Service Martell Electric Inc., South LLC, Michigan City, Leadership and Company, Gary, 2011 Contractor Bend, 2011 Award of Excellence Education award from Construction of the Year from Northwest Indiana from MACIAF. Advancement Foundation. Business Roundtable. Middough Inc., Munster, 2011 Tonn and Blank Construction Brown & Brown General Con- Excellence award from Northwest LLC, Michigan City, 2012 Historian tractors Inc., Wakarusa, 2011 Indiana Business Roundtable. of the Year (organization award), Award of Excellence from Michiana Midland Engineering Com- LaPorte County Historical Society. Area Construction Industry Advance- pany, South Bend, 2011 Award of Tonn and Blank Construction ment Foundation (MACIAF). Excellence from MACIAF. LLC, Michigan City, Excellence CBRE/Bradley, South Bend, Midwest Tile & Interiors Inc., Award for Safety from Northwest employee Regina Emberton a Mishawaka, 2011 Award of Excel- Indiana Business Roundtable. winner of 2012 Salute to Business, lence from MACIAF. Treasure Homes Inc., Wheat- sponsored by The Chamber of Com- Ritschard Bros. Inc., South field, owner Sarah Oudman inducted merce of St. Joseph County. Bend, 2011 Award of Excellence into the 2011-12 class of The Society Commercial In-Sites, Merrill- from MACIAF. of Innovators at Ivy Tech Commu- ville, 2012 Best Commercial Real The Robert Henry Corporation, nity College Northwest. Estate Company from Northwest South Bend, 2011 Award of Excel- Walsh & Kelly Inc., Griffith, Indiana Business Quarterly. lence from MACIAF. 2012 Highway Contractor of the Crane Industrial Service Co. Superior Construction Com- Year from Construction Advance- Inc., Granger, 2011 Award of Excel- pany Inc., Gary, 2012 Industrial ment Foundation. lence from MACIAF. Contractor of the Year from Con- Ziolkowski Construction Inc., Indiana Earth Inc., Osceola, 2011 struction Advancement Foundation. South Bend, 2011 Award of Excel- Award of Excellence from MACIAF. Superior Construction Com- lence from MACIAF.

54 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Ed ucATion Workforce of Tomorrow Area colleges take their cues from the real world.

by Shari Held Keeg pin the pcoming grads can breathe curriculum current a little easier. Their odds Educational institutions also are U of snagging a job upon modifying their curriculums, empha- graduation, while not as good as sizing soft skills and creating new five years ago, are certainly better courses in anticipation of future job than last year. Statistics compiled opportunities. by the National Association of Col- St. Francis University in Crown leges and Employers and the Colle- Point responded to a request from giate Employment Research Institute Franciscan Alliance, one of the larg- show hiring in the Midwest region est employers in Crown Point, and is up 7.7 percent compared to 10.2 will begin offering an associate’s percent overall. While Indiana falls degree in Clinical Lab Science in short of the national average, the 2013. state is trending in the right direc- “It is projected that there will be tion. Furthermore, hiring is up in a major retirement wave in these most industries. clinical lab scientist positions,” says Northwest Indiana graduates are Matt Smith, Ph.D., and dean of the already experiencing the benefits of Employers are hiring Job postings School of Arts & Sciences, St. Francis that trend. For example, the overall are up, according to Cynthia Roberts, University-Crown Point. “Many hos- Ph.D., at Purdue University North Central. placement rate for 2010-11 gradu- pitals even now are starting to see a ates (with a 91.2 percent response for,” says Roy Austensen, Ph.D. and shortage and are working to recruit rate) was 96.1 percent, up 3.1 per- acting dean, College of Business, students in this field.” cent from the average placement Valparaiso University. “They are Franciscan Alliance and other area rate of Valparaiso University gradu- expecting us to get students ready to hospitals will host students as they ates for the past five years. hit the ground running ... and arrive complete their clinicals in the inten- Job postings also are up. “Last fully prepared.” sive hands-on curriculum. “We are year at PNC there were about 70 Valparaiso University recently cre- happy to meet [hospitals’ and busi- registered employers; this year there ated a new campus-wide writing nesses’] needs now and in the future are 103,” says Cynthia Roberts, Ph.D. program to provide an organized for clinical lab scientists, and we are and chair, Department of Business support system for students with hoping this provides a career path- and Leadership, Purdue University writing projects. “We put this into way for students,” Smith says. North Central in Westville. effect to make sure they can write St. Joseph’s recently added an and to be able to prove it,” Aus- MBA program, an athletic training Giving employers what tensen says. Other colleges and uni- program and a paramedic program. they want versities are also ramping up writing The paramedic program, based Part of the reason grads are in requirements and availability of writ- mainly in Lafayette along with its demand is that they possess skills ing resources. nursing program, has been in place employers want: a solid base of The core program at St. Joseph’s for two years. knowledge in their chosen field, College puts students through “It has been a rather successful problem solving, flexibility, commu- “intense experiences” to address the program for us that grew out of a nication, obtaining and processing skills employers seek. “When you statewide need that we saw coming,” information, and planning and orga- talk about a leg up, our alums tell us Riegelnegg says. St. Joseph’s year- nization. They also want employees this really makes a difference,” says old athletic program was developed who are team players and quick F. Dennis Riegelnegg, Ph.D. and in response to the expansion of learners. president of St. Joseph’s College in sports facilities and the emphasis on “Colleges and universities are Rensselaer. “We rely on this general sports and fitness. much more cognizant these days education core program very heavily The Department of Business and of what businesses are looking to give them high-level skills.” Leadership at PNC utilizes gradu-

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 55 Ed ucATion

ates’ and alumni feedback to help sionals onto campus so students steer curriculum changes. “We ask can hear first-hand what employers them what they would have liked expect. Sessions are open to sopho- to have seen in the program, what mores, juniors and seniors. “They they were really well-prepared for can act on the information they get and what we should know going in terms of their curricular choices forward,” Roberts says. Recent addi- and choices in terms of activities, tions to curriculum include experi- Tillhe sk s employees require David work experiences and part-time jobs ence in human resource information Gidcumb of Ivy Tech Community College between now and the time they systems and a social media market- in Gary says many of the skills needed graduate,” says Tom Cath, director, ing and branding course. to learn online happen to also be those Career Center, Valparaiso University. PNC is nimble in responding. needed for today’s jobs. Students at St. Mary’s College can “Even though we are connected One consulting team helped a hair participate in a first-year outreach to the main Purdue system we are salon integrate two software pro- program introducing them to the able, on the local level, to offer new grams. “That saved the business Career Crossings Office. “We edu- and experimental things as we hear owner hours of time every month cate students early on about career that there is a need for it,” Roberts by getting the information from one development being a process,” says says. This spring PNC rolled out a software package to talk to the other Stacie Jeffirs, director. “It’s not just certificate in Organizational Admin- software package,” Merryman says. an event that happens during senior istration. Designed specifically for year. They build the necessary skills non-business majors, it includes a Giving students before they get to the end so they smattering of budgeting, marketing a head start feel more confident about their job and supervisory skills to make stu- Historically St. Joseph’s has spon- search.” More than 6,000 alums dents more marketable. sored networking receptions where are active in the college’s Alumni The Women’s Entrepreneurship senior business majors could meet Resource Network and it also has an Initiative has been a focus at St. alumni and business professionals. active LinkedIn alum group. “There Mary’s College in South Bend since Based on the program’s success, the are great resources already out there the college received a $245,000 college expanded it to include stu- for students to take advantage of,” Small Business Administration grant dents in all fields of study. Jeffirs says. to support women’s entrepreneur- St. Joseph’s Puma Pro program ship. “Much of that initiative has facilitates two networking recep- Gaining real-life involved external opportunities, like tions – one in Chicago and one in experience working with low-income women Indianapolis – each year. “Many Perhaps nothing is more valuable for in the community, but a big chunk times students end up getting jobs, giving students a jump-start on their of it has also revolved around cur- but even if they don’t, it gives them careers, than interactions with real riculum,” says Mary Ann Merryman, contacts they can use to create a net- businesses, whether that involves outgoing chair, Business Adminis- work,” Riegelnegg says. internships or special projects. tration and Economics Department. PNC professors rely upon an The College of Business at Val- “Entrepreneurship is a really hot informal network of connections paraiso University has a partner- area in business these days. Over developed from local professional ship with Michigan-based Whirlpool the last couple years we’ve offered organizations and professional rela- Corp., with Whirlpool executives four brand new courses dealing in tionships with community employers serving as guest lecturers at the entrepreneurship.” to give students a leg up on oppor- undergraduate and MBA level. Last The one that’s garnered the most tunities. “We hear about internships semester members of the Strategic publicity has been the New Venture and job openings and we funnel that Management class worked on a cap- course where students learn how information to our career develop- stone project relative to Whirlpool’s to launch companies and have the ment department or pass it along to e-commerce business strategy. option of actually going on to start students we know would be a good Students conducted research and their own business. Student Hannah fit,” Roberts says. Companies are came up with solutions and sug- Hupp launched “Twist O’Luck,” a invited to hold their own recruiting gestions, which they presented to green-colored citrus soda that has days on campus, and starting this a panel of Whirlpool executives at been picked up by Notre Dame and fall each college at PNC will hold its Benton Harbor. “The presentation other venues. own networking night so students was half-an-hour and they answered St. Mary’s also now offers a course can connect with faculty and busi- questions for another half-hour, in small business accounting sys- ness professionals in their major. defending, explaining and rational- tems for start-up companies and a Valparaiso University invites izing their suggestions,” Cath says. small-business consulting course. employers and business profes- “In effect, they were consultants

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who came in to present their ideas.” Whirlpool looks for smart, moti-  vated people who can work in a collaborative environment and think through a process. Chris Richards,  director Integrated Supply Chain  Strategy & Solutions, Whirlpool   Corp., says partnering with the university is a great opportunity for everyone. “It provides students insight to real-world challenges that businesses face,” he says. “Often in the real world, you don’t get the luxury  of just optimizing on one axis; it  requires people to work together in  teams in a collaborative setting, to deliver solutions that balance cost,  service and quality.  “From a Whirlpool perspective, we get a number of benefits. Work- ing closely with the students we get a good look at future candidates, and they get an inside look at a large company like Whirlpool. The students also bring a unique perspective in not only the ideas/ solutions they bring, but also the  perspective they bring as future consumers of Whirlpool products. The students did a fantastic job at quickly understanding the issues as well as developing ideas that we plan to implement as part of that strategy.” PNC’s Human Resources and Leadership degree programs feature similar capstone projects. In addition, many courses have embedded experiential learning components. “Every marketing course has students working on real projects in the community,” Roberts says. “They can make connections within the community while they are adding to their portfolio.” Service learning projects, such as the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, also offer students ways to interact in the business arena. Michael R. Leep, Sr. Board Member St. Mary’s students also participate in VITA, and the college requires all seniors, regardless of major, to complete a comprehensive presen- Indiana’s Top 10 Places to Work. tation. Business majors often do an 6 consecutive years. in-depth strategic assessment of a MEMBER FDIC company and a final presentation to a faculty panel. “When students

58 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012

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OUTPUT AT 100% St. Joseph’s has an active, well- organized internship program thanks to a Lilly Grant. “This gives them opportunities over the course of the year to get real-world experience, receive a small stipend and have an opportunity to expand their network,” Riegelnegg says. St. Joseph’s also offers a program to provide edu- “We offer opportunities for students who cannot attend cation majors with field experience in traditional classes,” says Jennifer Khadivar, University of the classroom during their first year. Phoenix associate campus director in Merrillville. Students can take “Not everyone does that during the a few classes in person if they choose, but most work is done online. first year,” Riegelnegg says. “Students bring this up in interviews, employ- world. “Qualified graduates who get a sense of whether teaching is ers can’t believe it,” Merryman says. have internship experiences have a career they would like over the “Students tell me time and time practical real-world experience and course of a lifetime.” again, that the bulk of their inter- can make a bigger impact quicker,” Valparaiso’s College of Business views sometimes revolve around Whirlpool’s Richards says. requires students to do an intern- this project.” St. Mary’s students also “We work with non-profits in the ship and created a Manager of gain invaluable real-life experience local area to help them build their Experiential Learning position to through competitions such as the internship programs,” Jeffirs says. In provide support for students during Indiana Certified Public Accountants return, these employers or non-profit the internship process. “Not surpris- Society case competition and the organizations are able to recruit our ingly, many of our students go to National Team Selling Competition. students for internships, and some work for those organizations,” Cath Internships are key to giving stu- of them have converted their intern- says. “Certainly employers are using dents an entry into the business ships into full-time jobs.” internships as a recruiting device.”

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60 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Ed ucATion

Styingud on the Internet The state of Indiana has partnered with WGU Indiana, a new virtual university where students interact with professors and each other online. Learning Online For a growing number of students, cyberspace is the classroom.

by Rick A. Richards about a decade older that tradi- dent of Purdue University in January. he landscape of traditional tional college students, which means “There is, as far as I can tell, zero four-year colleges in Indiana they’re not as interested in the overlap between the students who T hasn’t changed all that much social activities of a college campus. are going to go to Purdue Univer- in the last half century. The same Indeed, Gov. Mitch Daniels recog- sity and those for whom WGU is the universities that were around then nized that shift and his administra- right fit, so I think these are really are here today. tion created WGU Indiana, a virtual complementary institutions,” says But that doesn’t mean the higher university where students inter- Daniels in a prepared statement. education landscape hasn’t changed. act with professors and each other Chancellor Allison Barber says There are more options open to stu- online. an education through WGU is less dents than ever, thanks to online “WGU Indiana gives working Hoo- expensive than a traditional four- technology. Students who found a siers a great opportunity to obtain an year institution. In fact, she says, at traditional college experience didn’t affordable, accessible, high-quality $6,000 a year, it’s about one-third the work for them because of a job or online degree that meets the highest cost. Additionally, she says the aver- family commitments are signing up academic and professional stands,” age age of a WGU student is 37 and for college, this time using their says Daniels. more than 70 percent of them work laptop for a classroom. Daniels says that philosophy won’t full-time. Those students are, on average, change when he takes over as presi- “I’m very passionate about this,”

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 61 Ed ucATion

says Barber, whose roots are as able to interact with each other, just group of students enrolled. Our goal an elementary and middle school as they would at a student center or is to do what we can to help them teacher in Merrillville. “One in five in a study group. get a college degree,” says Khadivar. people in Northwest Indiana have The University of Phoenix has Another pioneer in online educa- enrolled in traditional higher edu- been at online education for 25 tion is Indiana Wesleyan University. cation and haven’t finished their years. It was founded in 1976 as a Its traditional four-year campus in degree. WGU allows them to keep traditional college campus and today Marion has about 3,500 students. their job, attend college and make it it has campuses and students across Online enrollment, however, is cheaper for them.” the United States. The University of nearly 16,000 students. An online education allows Phoenix has created a unique mix of Marlon R. Mitchell is dean of IWU’s people who couldn’t otherwise regional campuses where students Northwest Indiana Region campus in afford to go to college to get a can take a few classes if they choose, Merrillville. The university also has degree, says Barber. She points out but most work is done online, says campuses in Fort Wayne, Kokomo, that over the past 10 years, costs Jennifer Khadivar, associate campus Lafayette and South Bend, along at traditional colleges have risen director for Northwest Indiana in with a campus in Naperville, Ill. nearly 100 percent. Merrillville. Mitchell says the online student “We have more people in Indiana The University of Phoenix has two profile for IWU is similar to other with college debt than we do with a campuses in Indiana and more than online universities. The average age college degree,” says Barber. 200 across the country. Besides Mer- is somewhere between 33 and 34, “What I hope WGU does is rillville and its 1,800 students, it also compared to 20 to 21 on a traditional advance our state. By 2018, it’s pre- has a campus in Indianapolis, where campus. dicted there will be 900,000 new jobs about 4,000 students are enrolled, 70 “We’ve been working with adult in Indiana, and of those, 500,000 percent of them female. learners for 25 years. We’ve learned will require post-secondary educa- In Merrillville about 72 percent of to keep up on what adults desire tion. We have to do better because the students are female. For both in an education and we’ve made a Indiana ranks 42nd in states with campuses, the average age of stu- shift on offering our classes,” says residents with college degrees,” says dents is 34. Mitchell. Barber. “We offer opportunities for stu- That shift has moved from class- The Center for Business and Eco- dents who cannot attend traditional room study to a blend of class nomic Research at Ball State Uni- classes,” says Khadivar. “For the work and online programs. “Our versity says only 28 percent of the people who want to go to college largest enrollment is for our health state’s 3.1 million workers have col- today, we simply don’t have enough care, human resources, information lege degrees, compared to 39 per- bricks and mortar facilities to edu- technology and general business cent nationally. Additionally, just 19 cate them all.” degrees,” says Mitchell. “We’re also percent of all Hoosiers have a col- She points out that some major seeing an increase in the number of lege degree. universities like MIT and Stanford students interested in counseling.” In the two years WGU has been are now offering online classes. Because most of Indiana Wes- in existence, 2,600 people have “Maybe someone is working full- leyan’s students are older, Mitch- enrolled. So far, 260 have gradu- time or has children and can’t attend ell says the university has worked ated, but Barber sees those numbers a traditional classroom. For them, hard at providing flexibility so they climbing rapidly in coming years. we provide a dynamic and rigorous can work their study time into their “Every one of our students is part- classroom they can attend on their schedule. “That’s why remote learn- nered with a faculty member who laptop,” says Khadivar. ing is so important,” he says. calls once a week to make sure The numbers speak for them- Years ago when online learn- they’re up to date with their stud- selves, she says. Only 27 percent ing was first taking hold, Mitchell ies,” says Barber. of undergraduate students enrolled says an online degree was viewed She brushes aside the critics who today are in what is considered a tra- by many as inferior to a degree say college is more than just class ditional university. granted by a traditional university. work. “Because our students are “We think we’re redefining what That has changed over the years older, they’re not interested in the a traditional classroom is,” says because more online schools have social aspect of campus life. Eighty Khadivar. become accredited and built a solid percent have been to college once At its root, she says any university reputation. or they’re at a point in their lives should impart two basic skills to its “We work hard to maintain our where they don’t need a fraternity or students – critical thinking and col- accreditation,” says Mitchell. “Our a football team.” laboration. “Those are skills every biggest challenge over the years was Through online peer-to-peer com- employer wants,” says Khadivar. to smoothly get technology in place munities, Barber says students are “We have such a tremendous that would complement the human

62 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 capital we have in our instructors.” and they’re comfortable with it.” using smart phones and tablets Mitchell points to statistics com- David Gidcumb also has seen an for online learning so we’re con- piled by IWU that show between increase in the number of online stu- stantly updating our capability,” says 70 and 75 percent of its graduates dents enrolling at Ivy Tech Commu- Gidcumb. remain in Indiana to work. He says nity College’s Northwest campus in Part of the reason for the uptick that’s better than some traditional Gary. Gidcumb, the executive direc- in enrollment, says Gidcumb, is the campuses in Indiana, where the tor of computer services and dis- down economy. As people lose retention rate can be as low as 20 tance education, says Ivy Tech has jobs, they want to become proficient percent. made a considerable investment in in something else. Numbers from the Center for Busi- computer hardware and software to A side benefit of the online effort, ness and Economic Research at Ball accommodate students. says Gidcumb, is that it’s making the State University show that 58 per- “We’ve found out that online is campus more “green” because it and cent of Indiana college graduates simply more convenient for many students are using less paper and were working in the state for one of our students,” says Gidcumb. less ink to print reports. year after graduation. But by five “What we’ve learned about the skills Even though Ivy Tech has 14 years after graduation, only 47 per- required for online education are the regional campuses, Gidcumb said cent remained in the state. same skills that are the bible for the each has autonomy to provide “What we have allows our students workplace as well.” classes that its students want. to have the best of both worlds,” This past spring semester, Gid- “You know, we started as a voca- says Mitchell. “The technology cumb said some 50,000 students tional school, but we’ve come a long allows us to create a diverse world were enrolled, both on campus and way,” says Gidcumb. “We’re provid- for our students and our faculty. Any online. ing a personalized, hands-on degree time there is change like this people “We can’t afford to build new for our two-year and four-year stu- get concerned and bad information buildings like we used to. That’s dents. Our reputation has skyrock- gets out. Now that we’ve been at why we’ve gone this route. We’re eted in recent years because of this. it awhile, people see how it works now seeing a lot of our students People know about Ivy Tech.”

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Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 63 Making a Difference Unsung Heroes Shining the spotlight on outstanding leadership.

I t’s in the water Through his work at NiSource, Daniel Plath makes long-term decisions that affect Northwest Indiana’s water resources and environment. by Lauren Caggiano “The top leaders, the big names for Northern Indiana Public Service community’s unsung heroes in our region do get recognized in Co. He serves as a public affairs are often the least recog- many ways. Yet the leader who, day resource in Lake and Porter County, A nized, but deserve equal after day, struggles with the chal- and manages company-wide com- credit as those in the limelight. lenges, shoulders the burden, and munity projects. He and his wife, That’s the premise behind the inau- takes the risks, often are not noticed Crystal, live in Merrillville with their gural Leaders as Heroes awards from or thanked for all that they do for four children. Leadership Northwest Indiana. their communities.” As a community volunteer, he “We do a great job of recogniz- Leadership Northwest Indiana participates in numerous neighboring business success, entrepreneur- operates under nine values which hood projects, the latest of which ship, innovation and contribution were considered throughout the was clean up day in Gary’s Tolleston to quality of life in this region, but award selection process: aware- neighborhood. we have not celebrated outstanding ness, connectivity, boundary span- “I believe the mentoring and leadership,” says Keith Kirkpatrick, ning, inclusiveness, courage, hope, emerging leaders programs I have executive director of Leadership engagement, active, and innovation. developed are building blocks to Northwest Indiana. “When people the future of our community. I am see great examples of how some- Eddie Melton excited to work with my peers from thing is done well, they will follow it Eddie Melton is manager, commu- across the region to establish a more and appreciate it more. nications and community relations, inclusive and diverse set of strate-

64 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 gies for leadership development,” Melton says.

D.E. “Sonshine” Troche Sonshine is executive director of Worthy Women Recovery Inc. She recently purchased a home for her “Worthy Women” and has been fundraising for its renovation. She was able to raise enough money in 2½ years to pay for the home in full. The home helps women make the transition from incarceration to active community citizenship. Opening doors to mental health Tracy Traut of Porter County “I truly do not see myself as a hero; Family Counseling Center in Valparaiso finds that socioeconomic however, when I shared the winning status can hamper a person’s ability to access needed services. of this award with the ladies I work with in the LaPorte County Jail, I was describes her journey over the past House not only possible but suc- astonished that so many of them 15 years as “exhausting, exhilarating, cessful, even transformational in the stated ‘You are our hero Sonshine, and difficult.” Serving 1,500 people a lives of our clients.” because you are helping us!’ Win- month, she is fighting homelessness Spindler finds housing for 50 to 60 ning the Leaders as Heroes Award in a big way for all of Northwest women and their families per year validates the fact that many others Indiana region. and emergency food and personal are realizing that an addict’s life can “Not only does (the award) show items for more than 1,000 people a change, and that many really want appreciation for my efforts in North- month. help,” says Troche. west Indiana, but it gives me a glim- mer of hope that the devastating Danny Lackey Sister Peg Spindler issues of poverty and homelessness Danny Lackey, coordinator of diver- Sister Peg Spindler, executive direc- are becoming more visible and more sity programming for Merrillville tor of Sojourner Truth House in cared about,” she says. “I could not High School, is known for break- Gary, saw a need in her commu- have accepted this award but for my ing down barriers that stand in the nity and started work to address the fantastic staff and volunteers who way of people being successful in problem of homelessness. Spindler make the work of Sojourner Truth high school. A board member of the Race Relations Council of North- west Indiana, Lackey has a passion for building a community through heightened awareness of issues of diversity among students, staff and faculty. For example, this year Merrill- ville High School STAND (Socially Together and Naturally Diverse) students have provided “Challenge Ed Day,” modeled after MTV’s “If You Really Knew Me,” opportunities for more than 300 students at the high school, as well as giving students from eight others schools in the region the chance to participate. “I truly believe that one of the greatest assets that we have here in Northwest Indiana is our diversity,” says Lackey. “When we truly acknowledge and embrace the Tan r siTIONs Keith Kirkpatrick of Leadership Northwest Indiana congratulates uniqueness in others, we are able D.E. “Sonshine” Troche, whose Worthy Women Recovery Inc. helps women to also appreciate what everyone make the move from incarceration to active community citizenship. brings to the table and therefore

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 65 enhance the quality of our tax dollars to the region and own lives.” promoting economic growth. Most notably he headed the Ben Polhemus Cedar Lake Complete Count Ben Polhemus, 35, is pastor Committee for the Census. of Sacred Ground alterna- The Census is important for tive worship at Liberty Bible the town, as for every person Church in Chesterton. “I feel not counted, the town would that the one thing I can do lose $8,260 over the next is care, love and encourage 10 years. Carnahan said the people. There are so many Chicago regional director people that are looked down Getingt involved Eddie Melton manages company-wide selected his team as an instru- community projects for Northern Indiana Public Service Co. upon or forgotten in our mental part of promoting the society. I feel that every person has It is as much an award belonging Census and he was asked to take the something to offer our community, to people like Ken Stelter, Maggie presentation to Washington, D.C. and sometimes we don’t give them Byrne, Gayle Macbride, Kenneth a chance.” Nesbitt, Gina Darnell, Erik Sprenne Tracy Traut In spring 2011, he helped deliver and many others as myself.” Tracy Traut is among those trying clothes to families living in a trailer to save the world – one client at a park near his home. He also spends Larissa Hoyt time. As executive director of Porter time teaching, assisting the homeless Indiana’s dismal child poverty rate County Family Counseling Center in and mentoring inmates at Indiana is the driving force behind Larissa Valparaiso, she has seen a correla- State Prison in Michigan City and at Hoyt’s work. She is family case man- tion between socioeconomic status the Porter County Jail. ager supervisor in the Lake County and a person’s ability to access His long-term goal is for people’s office of the Indiana Department needed services. attitudes to change about those mar- of Child Services. Her office cel- “It has become clear to me that ginalized in society. “When the walls ebrates when kids go home after offering a full range of community- start to break down, it makes for a being placed in foster homes due based alternatives is more effective better community,” Polhemus said. to neglect or other horrific circum- than emergency room treatment or stances. no treatment at all. Without choice Daniel Plath Hoyt continually brings hope to and the availability of quality, afford- For Daniel Plath, leadership is about the hopeless and she encourages able treatment options, people with collaboration and empowering staff and children to have courage mental illnesses or substance abuse others. As water program leader in despite the often terrible circum- issues are unlikely to engage in treat- NiSource Inc.’s Corporate Environ- stances they face. ment or to participate in appropriate mental, Safety and Sustainability “Advocating for children and fami- and timely interventions,” she says Department, he makes long-term lies can be a thankless task,” she about her agency’s work. decisions that affect Northwest Indi- says. “Many families just need some The nonprofit executive says the ana’s water resources, and environ- new skill sets and to learn better award serves a reminder that the ment. He works with environmental parenting skills. I believe this award work she has done for five years stakeholder groups, such as the Shir- helps showcase the work that social “means something.” ley Heinze Land Trust Board, the workers do and the impact they have “The award means I am doing the Quality of Life Council, the Depart- on the community. When injustice right work, in the right place at the ment of Natural Resources Coastal is aimed at children, the cost to the right time. I am thrilled, honored, Advisory Board and similar groups. community is too great to ignore,” humbled, amazed and grateful. He may be best known for found- she cautions. (You) don’t have to be one of the ing the Northwest Indiana Paddling ‘big guns’ to make a difference.” Association, which has grown to 450 Robert (Bob) Supporting Leadership Northwest members since its 2009 founding. In H. Carnahan Indiana and the event were NIPSCO 2010, it was awarded the Stroke of For more than three decades, Bob and Northwest Indiana Business Achievement by the American Canoe Carnahan has volunteered his time, Quarterly as Diamond sponsors; Association, the national organiza- energy and talents as a public and Citizens Financial Bank as Platinum tion’s highest recognition. community servant to improve the sponsor; and The Times Media Co., “For me personally, it is something region. As a Cedar Lake town coun- Southlake Limousine Service, Allan that I feel is as much an award for cilman, he has worked to find solu- and Frances Katz, McShane’s Total the entire Northwest Indiana Pad- tions to issues affecting the region Graphic Solutions and The Ross dling Association as it is for myself. – such as returning federal and state Group as Gold sponsors.

66 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Arts Arts at Miller Beach Special district aims to revitalize economy and quality of life.

by John Cain he Miller Beach Arts and Cre- ative District was founded T just a year ago for the purpose of revitalizing the economy and quality of life in Miller Beach and Gary by focusing on the arts. The goal of the district is to attract artists and businesses through efforts that promote the advantages and environment of Miller Beach with its location on Lake Michigan, the neighboring national park and its diverse population. Miller is blessed with a unique natural environment and has a long tradition of attracting Puop- p art The Miller Beach Arts & Creative District hopes and promoting artists and people the works of Leona Jurincie and artists will bring in visitors. who appreciate what they create. application. The Aug. 11 show is home for the District. The Arts and Creative District has called “Emerging Perspectives” and South Shore Arts reminds you to been defined as an area surround- is being produced by the Calumet visit the online Regional Art Calen- ing Lake Street running from U.S. Artist Residency, whose goals are dar at www.SouthShoreArtsOnline. 12 to the Indiana Dunes National to provide quality living and studio org. The Regional Arts Calendar lists Lakeshore on the north end of Lake space for artists, incorporating com- all local arts happenings in North- Street. The District has a goal of munity outreach, in Miller. west Indiana, and is a great place to completing two major capital proj- The Oct. 13 show is being coor- plan cultural activities for the week ects: the old Miller Drugs building – dinated by the Master of Arts in or month ahead. The calendar lists now the Marshall J. Gardner Center Administration and Policy Program exhibits, concerts, plays, lectures, for the Arts – and Market Hall with at the School of the Art Institute of film series, dance performances and 30 exhibit spaces and an aquaponic Chicago. The Dec. 8 Pop-Up will more, all taking place in or near your garden, to be situated between the feature Jon Langford and Damon neighborhood. You can access the South Shore Rail Line and the old Locks, both musicians, as well as calendar by visiting the South Shore Miller School, currently the home of visual artists, who will be exhibiting Arts home page and then clicking on South Shore Dance Alliance. and performing at the same time. Regional Art Calendar on the menu In the meantime, the Miller Beach Dance and music are represented on the left side of the page. Arts & Creative District has already at each event through the partici- Don’t forget the South Shore Arts developed an Arts Series designed to pation of students from the South Facebook page where you can also bring visitors to Miller Beach. The pri- Shore Dance Alliance and various keep up to date on exhibit sched- mary components of the Arts Series musical guests in performances at ules and opening receptions, class include Pop-Up art exhibits and a Miller Pizza and other venues. Artist sign-ups, outreach programs and weekly farmer’s market as weather exhibitions are spread throughout special events. Local artists also post permits, April through November. venues on Lake Street provided by their events and share local art expe- There are three remaining Pop Up local businesses, professional offices riences. The arts truly are alive in the Art events to be held this year on and organizations. The centerpiece Northwest Indiana. Aug. 11, Oct. 13, and Dec. 8. Art- of Pop-Up Art events is the Mar- Find out more about area arts ists working in all types of media shall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, activities and events by watch- including, but not limited to, paint- recently donated to the Miller Beach ing John Cain on Lakeshore Public ing, photography, sculpture, fash- Arts and Creative District for the pur- Television’s “Eye on the Arts,” every ion design, and video are accepted pose of creating exhibition and artist Thursday evening at 9 p.m. on Lake- into each show through an on-line studio space, as well as an official shore News Tonight.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 67 Sports On the Run Summer weekends are filled with running events, both serious and fun.

by Rick A. Richards the region who spend money and s soon as the spring thaw help stabilize our economy.” arrives, so does the running The Sunburst Races are the first, A season. By the time summer and so far, only marathon in Indiana. arrives, there isn’t an empty week- Besides that distinction, finishing the end on the calendar for a 5K or 10K race inside Notre Dame Stadium has run someplace in the region. been a draw that has lured some Organizations like the Michiana 10,000 people to participate. Runners Association, the Calumet Molly Sullivan, race director for Region Striders and the Chicago Sunburst, has been involved for the Area Runners Association all pro- past decade. The race is sponsored mote running events, some for seri- by Memorial Hospital, and Sullivan ous competitors and others simply explains it’s part of Memorial’s mis- for fun and fitness. sion to promote a healthy lifestyle, It’s impossible to know precisely something the Sunburst Races do. how many runners there are in the THE WINNER Moses Mosop of Along with a marathon, there’s also Kenya won last year’s Chicago region, but it’s safe to say there are Marathon in record time. a half marathon, 10K run, 5K run and thousands of them. There are enough, a 5K walk. “It really brings people in fact, that two major running events communities and we have a lot more into the community,” says Sullivan. – Leon’s Triathlon in Hammond and people involved in active lifestyles.” The races are held the first week- the Sunburst Races in South Bend – Wolek has been around Northwest end each June in conjunction with have become among the major events Indiana all his life. He’s a graduate the annual reunion weekend at the of their kind in the nation. of River Forest High School and says University of Notre Dame. On top of that, the region sits in the triathlon that bears his name is “Notre Dame wanted to do some- the shadow of the Chicago Mara- a way to promote the region. “I’m thing to promote the university and thon, one of the world’s premier very humble and honored to be a the community that wasn’t on a running events. Since 1990, it has small part of it,” he says. “I’m so football weekend. They decided that been organized by Hammond native humbled because Northwest Indiana reunion weekend would be a good Carey Pinkowski, a star runner at has pulled together to promote it.” time,” says Sullivan. Hammond High School and at Vil- The cities of Hammond and Whit- The partnership with the university lanova University under legendary ing, along with Lake County and a has proved beneficial to both, giving track coach Jumbo Elliott. host of corporate sponsors like Fair the race a unique backdrop and pro- “Leon’s Triathlon is an opportunity Oaks Dairy and T&H Timing have viding a major event for Notre Dame to showcase Northwest Indiana,” gotten involved. This year’s event fea- graduates and their families in which says Jason Sands, director of sports tured world-class triathletes, includ- to participate. development at the South Shore ing winner Ben Knute of Arizona, “It is a huge boost for the com- Convention and Visitors Authority. one of the leading contenders to be munity. It’s great for fitness and it “It’s broadcast on Comcast Sports, on the U.S. Olympic team in London. shows off Notre Dame and the great and that means it will be seen in 25 “We haven’t gotten a lot of over- neighborhoods in South Bend,” says million households in the country.” night stays with the event yet,” says Sullivan. “And while the runners are With some 700 participants this Sands, “but the impact on the region in town, it boosts business at restau- year (the event is run the first week- with the television coverage really rants and hotels.” end in June), founder Leon Wolek enhances people’s view of the region Sullivan points to an economic has been a part of each event since and raises our profile. It shows off impact study of the event that shows the first one in 1983. “Back in the Wolf Lake Pavilion, our lakefront Sunburst brings in $750,000 to the day, things were different. Triath- and some of the unique neighbor- local economy. lons were just getting started and no hoods in Northwest Indiana. This is Sunburst has turned out to be one knew a lot about them. Today, an opportunity to create an event good for Memorial Hospital, too. In they’re having a major impact in that brings thousands of visitors to addition to promoting a healthy life-

68 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 ylor a E tt T a P hotography/

style, the event has raised thousands million annually for the city, according C of dollars for its Children’s Hospital. rown to a University of Illinois study. P

This year’s race helped pay for a spe- oint “For the first marathon, all our cially equipped pediatric ambulance. runners stayed at one hotel,” says “We’ve gotten phenomenal H EALTHY ATTENTION Leon’s Wagner. “Now, they’re staying at 36 reviews from participants and the Triathlon has grown to become a hotels in the city and suburbs.” community. The participants love major national event, putting the Pinkowski says the outreach region in a positive spotlight. finishing in the stadium. It’s a huge the marathon does in the commu- draw for us,” says Sullivan. ily used city streets into a marathon nity, including Northwest Indiana, Since 1990, the organization of course isn’t easy. We get help from helps organizers find out how many the Chicago Marathon has been led literally every city department in people from the neighborhoods and by Carey Pinkowski, a Hammond Chicago,” says Pinkowski. suburbs are involved in the event. native. But he’s quick to point out This year’s marathon is sched- “We’ve learned that 25 percent he can’t do it alone and needs every uled for Oct. 7 and is sponsored by of our participants each year have one of the 12,000 volunteers it takes Bank of America. The marathon is a never been to Chicago before,” says to put on the annual event. major part of the bank’s outreach in Pinkowski. But many of the par- Add in 36,000 participants and Chicago, says Diane Wagner, senior ticipants and volunteers have taken some 1.7 million spectators along vice president for media relations part before and do so year after year. the 26.2 mile route, and it’s easy to at Bank of America. “There is a big Being a part of the organizing see why the Chicago Marathon is a charity component to the marathon. effort, Pinkowski says he doesn’t get world-class event. “Absolutely this About 10,000 of our runners are run- the opportunity to run in the event is one of the world’s great running ning for charity. Since 2002, we’ve any more, but that doesn’t mean the events,” says Pinkowski, who ran in raised $85 million for charity.” competitive itch to run isn’t still there. the event back in 1984, finishing in Beyond that, the impact of 36,000 run- “You know, I would like to do it a time of two hours and 20 minutes. ners and more than 1.7 million specta- again someday, and I think I will. I “Transforming 26.2 miles of heav- tors creates an economic impact of $171 just don’t know when.” NWIBQ_AD_4.pdf 1 3/27/12 5:13 PM

CMY

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 69 Economic Forecast Rocky Road Ahead Demand for consumer goods slowing down.

by Michael J. Hicks for American made goods will tem- near zero real growth in the first he economy of Northwest porarily slow, and in Canada, our half of 2013. As recession strikes, Indiana faces some diffi- largest trading partner, the govern- the demand for motor vehicle parts, T cult challenges through the ment has announced it is preparing steel and metal products, electricity, coming year. The single biggest for a fresh recession. and transportation services will slow. factor facing the region is an impend- Response to this slowdown has Manufacturing firms will reduce ing slowdown for the demand in consumer goods that will reverse the trend of recovery the region has The recession of 2012-13 will be milder so recently enjoyed. The dominance of manufacturing in counties in the than most. Firms are especially lean, with region suggests that the remainder of 2012 and 2013 will be a difficult reduced and productive labor forces. period for residents and businesses of Northwest Indiana. been varied. In Europe, the central hours, and in some cases idle shifts. Europe is now in recession, with bank and most governments struggle They will purchase fewer raw materi- almost every new forecast revis- to secure the viability of the mon- als and services from local vendors, ing downward the projections for etary union. In China, a stimulus who will also face reduced demand the continent. While Germany’s package that rivals the 2009 United from workers whose take-home pay growth hovers at near zero, other States stimulus has been enacted, in is lower. This recession will be appar- large continental economies such Brazil interest rates are at a record ent in the region by winter. as the United Kingdom and France low, and throughout the remainder Reduced factory orders will be are clearly seeing all the signs of a of the world, central banks work to especially pronounced in the vola- recession, with rising unemploy- ease monetary policy. tile automobile market, and for firms ment, declines in home values and Exports account for a significant providing machinery, tools and dies declining consumer sentiment. share of economic activity in the and other equipment for businesses. Elsewhere the story is worse. In region. While supply chains are These sectors, which are the leading Greece, many Balkan states, Italy, hard to track with great certainty, it or second largest employer in each Spain and Portugal residents face is likely that 15 to 20 percent of all of the counties in Northwest Indi- depression-like performance in their the consumer durable goods manu- ana, will struggle well into 2013. economies. In Greece, the monetary factured in the region eventually The recession of 2012-13 will be system has begun to crumble, with find themselves exported to Canada, milder than most. Firms are especially barter replacing the exchange of Europe, China or South America. lean, with reduced and productive currency as Euros migrate out of the Even a slight tumble, which now labor forces. These businesses and country. seems inevitable, will challenge those which provide them financial In Spain, the unemployment rate profitability of firms and lead to less- services are flush with cash reserves. hovers near 25 percent, which is ened demand for workers and inter- There is no bubble economy in place, modestly worse than the U.S. expe- mediate inputs. so the downturn should be among the rienced in the darkest months of the While manufacturing looks robust more modest in history. That will be Great Depression. The variability in in Northwest Indiana – and its fun- sore consolation however, as unem- economic performance across the damentals surely are – the slowdown ployment rates rise and new jobs continent strains the monetary and that is spreading across the globe become again scarce in the region. diplomatic union and will increase will not leave the region untouched. Michael J. Hicks, Ph.D, is direc- cross border migration. While recent forecasts by Ball State tor of the Center for Business and Growth in China is near recession University for manufacturing output Economic Research and associate levels, as it is in Brazil and India. This show continued growth through professor of economics at Ball State source of emerging market demand 2012, these same forecasts indicate University in Muncie.

70 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY SUmmer–Fall 2012 Media and Marketing Share of Mind Effective branding can help you boost this important metric.

n boardrooms across the nation, CEOs and their teams discuss I the metrics of success. A key measure often analyzed is Share of Wallet, the percentage consumers spend on you vs. your competitors. Rarely discussed, though, is Share of Mind. It is an easy metric to determine and correlates directly to sales. Increasing Share of Mind is the direct result of effective branding, and it involves far more than bill- boards or new letterhead. Branding is storytelling, and we all know the best stories are the ones that immerse us completely. The good stories take up a space in our minds, are easily remembered and are often shared. The most memorable stories engage all of our senses. Sight, MAKING YOUR BRAND STAND OUT It needs to be simple, sound, touch, smell—these elements concise and memorable, says Michaline Tomich of Mixdesign. bring a story to life. By effectively these employees to embody our mis- and simplify that with a defined branding a company, this story is sion? How do we make our adver- story. Whether you are a restau- told in 3 dimensions. Good branding tising authentic and ensure that our rant franchise, a corporate office takes up space in a person’s mind by new rollout embodies our brand? or a new online concept, design fully integrating a customer’s expe- Ask yourself this, “What is the an experience your employees feel rience, by shaping every customer benefit of using our company?” the honored to work within that reflects touch point to create a positive and answer may be “we provide this your brand’s interest. Then, acquire consistent experience. great service” or “this fine product x”. people that believe in your story. Share of Mind increases when res- But you need to dig deeper. “What Once your customers experience the taurants understand that architecture is the benefit of that benefit?” Why passion, the people and the design enhances the taste of a meal. Share is our particular service important of all these efforts, they will feel the of Mind grows when professionals to the customer? How does it ulti- effects of the brand and ultimately acknowledge that interior design mately make them feel and why is gain passion and emotional ties. sets an expectation for quality of ser- this important? Therein lies your true Effective branding leaves that mark, vice. Share of Mind multiplies when differentiator. You need to find that tells that story, creates that experi- B2Bs represent themselves with differentiator and then bring it to life ence, and increases Share of Mind mature design. Powerful branding is through experiences and touch points so that Share of Wallet will follow. a fully immersive experience—one that establish you as being true, real, Michaline Tomich is the CEO of that extends to every interaction. believable, and reliable. This experi- Mixdesign, a branding firm (and To increase Share of Mind, you ence can happen by design. WBE) in Schererville, celebrating must ask: How does our logo speak In today’s marketplace, consumers 10 years of national and regional to the core truth of who we are? see many messages every day. The brand building. Along with her hus- Does our space reflect our mission? brand that stands out is the brand band, Jared, she is the co-founder of Have we created an environment that is simple, concise, meaningful The Halo of Hope Foundation, an that engages our guests and empow- and ultimately, memorable. “Deter- organization dedicated to assisting ers our employees? How do we train mine the benefit of your benefits” children with cancer.

Summer–FALL 2012 NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY 71

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