Businesses and organizations share good news about new hires, promotions, accolades
Accounting
CPAs Simon Smucker and Brian Ulrich returned to Kruggel Lawton CPAs in South Bend for senior manager positions. Both are CPAs. Smucker is part of the client accounting and advisory services team, and Ulrich will use his experience at a private university to train and recruit employees.
Banking
Gov. Mike Braun presented Michael Mellon, American Community Bank president and CEO, the Sagamore of the Wabash award on June 16 at Gamba Ristorante in Merrillville. Mellon has 30 years of banking experience and has helped grow the St. John-based bank to five branches.
Rick Hite was welcomed to Purdue Federal Credit Union based in West Lafayette as a mortgage sales manager overseeing the Northwest and North Central Indiana regions.
Paul Fultz was appointed to the Muncie-based First Merchants Corp. and First Merchants Bank boards of directors. Fultz is a retired audit and business unit professional practice partner for KPMG in New York.
David Gryp was promoted to executive vice president of wealth services and market president of Notre Dame Federal Credit Union’s western region.
Jamie Mazepa joined Munster-based Peoples Bank as marketing coordinator. She formerly worked for Everwise Credit Union and Centier Bank.
South Bend-based 1st Source Bank’s Executive Chairman Christopher Murphy III received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Notre Dame at its 181st commencement ceremony.
Shane Print joined Evansville-based Old National Bank as president of commercial and industrial banking. Print succeeds C&I Banking President Kevin Anderson, who will retire at the end of this year after a 43-year banking career.
Goshen-based Interra Credit Union celebrated the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of its new business center in Granger on May 28. Krista Runkle was hired as an agribusiness lender. She most recently was a sales representative with Helena Agri-Enterprises.
Sherry Early was appointed the executive director of the Interra Cares Foundation. Early also helped establish and grow the Brightpoint Development Fund, a community development financial institution and SBA small business lender.
Construction
Frank Renaldi, senior civil engineer and project manager at Benton Harbor, Michigan-based Wightman, received the Franklin D. Meyers Outstanding Civil Engineer of the Year Award from the Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Phil Doorlag, regional director, received recognition as a Notable Leader in Architecture, Engineering & Construction from Crain’s Grand Rapids.
Andy LaFree was promoted to estimator, and Nathan McKinney to project manager at Nuway Construction in Goshen.
Leslie Hagemann was welcomed to the new companywide role of director of talent management at Berglund Construction, which has an office in Chesterton.
Economic development
Jamie Gore was named the next executive director of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.
Jennifer Rumsey, chair and CEO of Cummins Inc., was appointed chair of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership’s board of directors.
Michele Murday Pariso was promoted to environmental and public policy director at the Northwest Indiana Forum. She succeeds Kay Nelson, who retired after 28 years. Pariso formerly served as the director of the northwest regional office of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Education
Andrae Marak was named executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University Northwest. He replaces Cynthia Roberts who retired Aug. 1 as interim. She started at IUN in August 2016 as the dean of the School of Business and Economics. Marak most recently was the provost and executive vice president of academic and student affairs at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Dorothy Frink was named vice chancellor for enrollment services and student engagement. She was interim vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management since 2023.
Gretchen Meier was appointed Indiana University South Bend’s new executive director of the office of communications and marketing. Meier most recently was the head of communications at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.
University of Notre Dame alumnus Paul Popiel was named the Kenn and Pamela Ricci director of bands. The Rev. John Jenkins, president emeritus, was selected the 2026 recipient of Commonweal’s Centennial Award. Michelle Joyce will become vice president for institutional research, innovation and strategy Aug. 10. She most recently was associate vice president of campaign administration, corporate and foundation relations, and academic advancement. She succeeds David Bailey, who led the office of institutional research, innovation and strategy from 2011 until his recent retirement. Tracy Weber was appointed vice president and chief information officer and will lead the office of information technology. Ahmed Abbasi, the Joe and Jane Giovanini professor of IT, analytics and operations in the Mendoza College of Business, was named the director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society and deputy director of the Data, AI, and Computing Initiative.
Robert Wolfle, a leader at ProStar Commercial Real Estate, and Jared Sawyer, partner at Rich Feuer Anderson, will become the first Holy Cross College alumni to serve in board leadership roles as chair and vice chair. Elizabeth Naquin Borger, who is senior vice president of investments and managing director with The Elkhart Group at Stifel, was named co-vice chair.
Chris Conrad was named head coach of the varsity boys basketball program at the Tri-Township School Corp.
Loren Chandler was appointed vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer of Valparaiso University. Most recently, Chandler served as chief operations and finance officer for The Catholic Health Association of the United States. John Prizner III was appointed vice president for advancement, effective Aug. 17. Prizner most recently was associate vice president for advancement and constituent development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting welcomed two new members to its board of trustees, both alumni: Kristina Fry, vice president of resource development for United Way Northwest Indiana and the former director of development at the MAAC Foundation; and the Rev. Tim Dotson, a retired Chicago Police officer who is serving as senior pastor at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Gary.
Entrepreneurship
Faith Wolfe was hired as marketing manager at Sharper Business Solutions, based in St. John.
Alli Lindenschmidt Curtis was named chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based STARTedUP Foundation. Don Wettrick, who founded and led the organization since its inception in 2017, transitions to the role of founder. Curtis joined the nonprofit in 2021.
Finance
Jason Pruitt was promoted to financial adviser and relocated to Howard Bailey Financial’s Mishawaka office. Pruitt previously served as both a client service specialist and a service adviser at the firm’s Fort Wayne headquarters.
Government
BR Lane of Helios Consulting was named a Lake County representative on the Indiana Gaming Commission, term expiring April 2029. Alejandra Guzman Greavu of Johnson & Bell was appointed a Porter County representative to the Indiana Cultural Commission, term expiring December 2028. Gaylor Electric CEO Chuck Goodrich was appointed Indiana’s next commerce secretary. Goodrich is a former state representative from Noblesville. Pam Cross was appointed the Elkhart County representative on the Indiana Standardbred Advisory Board, term expiring June 2029. Don Fesko of Powers Health was appointed as a Lake County representative on the Commission for Higher Education of the State of Indiana, term ending June 2030. Amy Turner of IUOE Local 150 was appointed a Marshall County representative on the Serve Indiana Commission, term expiring at the end of August. John Doherty of Powers Health was reappointed as a Lake County representative to the Athletic Trainers Board, term expiring June 2030. Katie Fesko of Eye Designs was appointed a Lake County representative on the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, term expiring April 2030. Ted Niemiec of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. was reappointed for Lake County and Keelyn Cook of DLZ Corp. was appointed for Porter County to the Environmental Rules Board, terms expiring June 2030. Manass Hochstetler of Advanced Home Inspections of Elkhart County was appointed to the Home Inspectors Licensing Board, term expiring June 2030.
Erin Thornton was named the executive director of South Bend Venues Parks & Arts. She most recently was the chief experience officer.
Healthcare
Franciscan Alliance CEO Kevin Leahy will step down Dec. 31 but will continue to consult during the transition until the end of 2027, marking 48 years with the nonprofit healthcare system.
Marissa Adcock, injury prevention coordinator for Franciscan Health’s Trauma Services Department, received the Child Safety Advocacy Award from the Safe Kids Indiana Automotive Safety Program at their annual event in Indianapolis. Adcock serves as co-leader for Safe Kids Northwest Indiana. Franciscan Health Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults Director LaVonne Jarrett was honored by the Indiana Adult Guardianship Office of the Indiana Office of Court Services with the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders Star of the Year award.
Sports medicine physician Kyle Meyer joined the Franciscan Physician Network in Munster.
Janice Ryba retired as CEO of St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart after 19 years. She will be replaced by St. Catherine Hospital CEO Leo Correa. He led the hospital for nine years. Nectaria Bonner will take Correa’s place as CEO of St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago. Bonner was the director of pharmacy at St. Catherine Hospital. The two hospitals are part of Powers Health.
Dr. Anas Al-Janadiwas hired as Beacon Health System’s first chief of oncology and associate director for clinical and community research at the University of Notre Dame. He most recently was chair of the department of cancer care services at Corewell Health in Michigan.
Matthew Presley was named president of the north central region of Mishawaka-based Senior1Care. He was president and chief financial officer of Legacy Medical Academy, an affiliated healthcare training program. Pamela Morrison replaces Presley as president of Legacy Medical. She most recently led workforce initiatives at Beacon Health System, including a youth apprenticeship program.
Jamie Easterling, MBA, was named president of Memorial Hospital of South Bend. He most recently served as chief executive officer of Whitesburg ARH Hospital, part of nonprofit Appalachian Regional Healthcare, in Kentucky, and 24 years with TriHealth in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as president and chief operating officer of Good Samaritan Hospital and later of Bethesda North Hospital.
Michael Heinold opened a Seniors Helping Seniors franchise that will serve Porter and La Porte counties.
Insurance
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. based in Fort Wayne made several executive leadership changes. Scott Figgins was appointed to the new role of senior vice president and integration officer from insurance operations. Dustin Grogg was promoted to senior vice president of insurance operations from vice president of underwriting. Erica Smith was promoted to vice president of underwriting from assistant vice president. Barrett Leahy was promoted to assistant vice president of underwriting operations from director of risk control.
Law
Kyle Chamberlin founded Chamberlin Legal in South Bend. He most recently worked at THK Law in South Bend.
Stefan May of Michigan City was admitted to the Indiana bar May 12 in Carmel, leading to his promotion to associate attorney at Robbins and Seville in Crown Point. He earned his law degree from Purdue Global Law School.
Mark Chargualaf was appointed to Porter Superior Court 6. He was a public defender in Porter, Lake, Starke and Pulaski counties. He also served as judge pro tempore in the Lake Superior Court Felony Division, Merrillville Town Court, and Porter County Circuit and Superior courts.
Logistics
Jody Peacock, CEO of the Ports of Indiana, was elected to the board of directors at the Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals based in St. Louis.
Andy DeLaGarza was promoted to vice president of sales, and Amy Maxwell was promoted to vice president of marketing at Premier Truck Rental based in Fort Wayne.
Jim McDonald was appointed general manager of Northern Lines Railway at Anacostia Rail Holdings.
Manufacturing
Eric McGinnis was appointed chief executive officer of Novi, Michigan-based DexKo Global, the parent company of Dexter, which has locations in Bristol, Elkhart, Osceola and Mishawaka. McGinnis replaces longtime CEO Fred Bentley, who will transition to chairman of the board and senior adviser to Brookfield Asset Management’s Private Equity Group, which owns DexKo.
Jason Lippert retired from LCI Industries based in Elkhart after 32 years. Independent Director Johnny Sirpilla will take over Lippert’s CEO responsibilities until a search determines a replacement.
Philanthropy
The Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, announced board changes: Sean Egan, Calumet College of St. Joseph, board chair; and Lisa Goodnight, Purdue University Northwest, vice chair, and new members: Marc Ruiz, a partner and senior wealth manager at Oak Partners; Kimberly Ferrell, vice president of customer care centers at NIPSCO, and Kathy O’Donnell, community liaison and manager of bariatric programs at Franciscan Alliance.
Opportunity Enterprises based in Valparaiso welcomed two new board members: Edie Fienemann, broker with Fienemann Group, of McColly Real Estate, and Raeann Trakas, senior community relations representative for Cleveland-Cliffs.
The Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable elected executive committee officers, including Chair Robert Joseph, ArcelorMittal USA Research; Vice Chair Jacob Lenson, Purdue University Northwest; Treasurer Adam Fauth, NIPSCO; Secretary Dewey Pearman, Construction Advancement Foundation; and Executive Director Andrea Pearman.
Drive Clean Indiana based in St. John added four new members to its board of directors: Craig Anderson of Orange EV, Jeff Bonnema of Revitalize Mixers, Dave Bowers of EGA Logistics, and Andrew Takami of UPS.
Tim King will again lead the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra as interim executive director.
Real estate
Tony Ponzetti was named director of Cushman & Wakefield’s brokerage team in South Bend.
Sierra Livingston joined Crown Point-based Latitude Commercial as the property and facilities coordinator.
Tracey Schafer was appointed chief legal officer and Mike Trevillian to executive managing director of multi-family housing at Indianapolis-based Bradley Co., a commercial real estate firm. Schafer will work in the company’s South Bend office and Trevillian in Indianapolis.
Retail
LaBraun Thigpen joined the EcoShield Pest Solutions as general manager of its new Portage branch.
Technology
Carter Parks and Nathan Waldschmidt were hired as sales development representatives; and Filippo De Frenza was promoted to sales development representative supervisor in Pulse Technology’s Schaumburg office. Tim Branion, major account representative, was named to the coveted Difference Maker list by the national trade journal “ENX Magazine.” Branion leads the production print effort for Pulse Technology’s Merrillville location.
Utilities
Jason Smith Sr. was named the Jasper County REMC’s new chief executive officer and general manager. He most recently served as the director of corporate services at Berkeley Electric Cooperative in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. •
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
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Heroic values on display
One-stop print shop
Power of collaboration
Avoid the unexpected
Childcare challenge
Beyond the prescription pad
New life for dormant buildings
Banks keep branching out
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