Excellence and Milestones
On our 25th anniversary, we spotlight the best and welcome new leadership.
Welcome to our spring issue! In this issue we recognize the Best of Northwest Indiana and Greater South Bend/Michiana Business, as voted by our readers across the region. Thank you for taking the time to vote, and we applaud this year's recipients!
Read on for an issue packed with thoughtful articles. In celebration of our 25th anniversary, Laurie Wink asked five area leaders to reflect on the region's growth over the past quarter century and share their visions for the next 25 years. Lauren Caggiano's article on coworking looks at shared workspace options available in the region, and explores how these spaces can enhance productivity and spark creative collaborations. Writer Lesly Bailey examines innovative workplace programs that are helping employers protect their businesses by improving worker health and safety. Michael Puente talks to area executives and experts who are promoting Northwest Indiana's presence in the world economy. Jerry Davich spotlights some of the region's bright young professionals, discussing why they do business here and what will keep them in the region for the next 25 years.
Also in this issue, Ben Smith profiles the Indianapolis 500's historian, Donald Davidson. Laurie Wink interviews representatives of five of the region's communities to learn how they are thinking differently about their downtowns. Phil Britt shares comments from Northwest Indiana real estate agents, homebuilders and banks about current real estate trends. John Cain and Jack Walton once again share a regional arts and entertainment update. Barbara Eastman profiles a made in Indiana success story, Ben's Soft Pretzels, as well as the Sojourner Truth House that is making a difference in the region.
After 25 years of publishing, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly has reached a major milestone. Some milestones mark one's progress along the same path, while others mark an intersection where one must choose the path for the future. Our 25th anniversary milestone is an opportunity for me to choose a new path. My wife, Glee, and I spent a lot of time planning our retirement, but before we could retire, we needed to find a new publisher for the magazine. Not just any publisher would do. We needed someone who would put as much heart and soul into the magazine as Glee did for the past 25 years.
We have found that person in Troy Linker. I am pleased to announce that Troy is the new publisher of Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly. Unfortunately, Glee's health didn't allow her to see this day, but I know she would be as proud as I am to see Troy take over the magazine.
Troy has more than 20 years of publishing experience and an entrepreneurial spirit. Having grown weary of the long commute to Chicago, Troy has been searching for an opportunity to use his publishing experience in Northwest Indiana. We are so blessed to have found each other. Troy and his wife, Lee Ann, both attended Purdue University and live in Dyer with their teenage daughter, Rachel.
Now with Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly's future in good hands, I can retire and pursue a new path in life. Glee and I thank you, our readers and advertisers, for 25 wonderful years. I hope you will join me in wishing Troy great success for the next 25 years!
–Conrad May
