More than 150 people gathered Feb. 19 in Merrillville for the Northwest Indiana Forum’s annual meeting.
Heather Ennis, president and CEO of the Forum, offered an overview of the Forum's accomplishments in 2024 and welcomed 2025 board members.
“Our managing board members play a critical role in our success, and we’re thrilled to introduce the leadership that will guide our organization through a dynamic phase of growth and foster significant economic impact in the community,” Ennis said.
She also thanked outgoing board leadership, including Board Chair Brian Hittinger and Treasurer Erica Domby.
Here is a list of the 2025 managing board members:
- Rick Calinski, director of public affairs and economic development, NIPSCO
- Alisha Berglund, director of Client Services, Berglund Construction
- Clarence Hulse, executive director, Economic Development Corp. Michigan City
- Dewey Pearman, executive director, Construction Advancement Foundation
- Helen Pennington, expert advisor, BCG Platinion
- Jill Ritchie, community relations and local government advisor, bp
- Matt Vessely, regional president, 1st Source Bank
- Phil Taillon , CEO, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority
- Raeann Trakas, senior community relations representative, Cleveland Cliffs
- Sara DeYoung, executive director, Jasper County Economic Development
- Tony Oss, director of pre-construction and design services, Larson-Danielson
- Jennifer Brooks, director of residential property and development, Urschel
- Anthony Kazakevicius, senior director of sales and marketing, Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
- Dr. James Leonard, CEO, Northwest Health
- Gil Rynberk, NWI market president, Wintrust
- Glenn Peterson, professional engineer, SEH
- Greg Gordon, senior vice president, business banking at Centier
- Joe Coar, vice president, Tonn & Blank Construction
- John Freyek, market president, Horizon Bank
- Lisa Daugherty, president and CEO, Center of Workforce Innovations
- Pete Novak – CEO, NIRA
- Rex Richards, president and CEO, Valparaiso Chamber/VEDC
- Dave Bareham, Griffith area manager, Enbridge
- Brian Hittinger, regional executive partner, Krieg DeVault
- Chancellor Kenneth Holford, PNW
- Dean Mazzoni, president and CEO, Franciscan Health Michigan City
- Erica Dombey, president, RDC
- Justin Mount, operations manager NW, Indiana American Water
- Lori Tubbs, owner, Lori Tubbs Development Consulting
- Matt Gower, area operations manager, Carmeuse
- Phil Greiner, vice president, Old National Bank
- Tom Dakich , CEO, Quantum Corridor
- William Gustafson, senior vice president and general manager, Horseshoe Casino
- William Hasse, president, Hasse Construction
Ex-officio board members are:
- Edwin Buswell, executive director, KIRPC
- Heather Ennis, president and CEO, Northwest Indiana Forum
- Jody Peacock, CEO, Ports of Indiana
- Lorri Feldt, regional director, Indiana Small Business Development Center
- Matt Saltanovitz, VP domestic business, Indiana Economic Development Corp.
- Nathan Origer, executive director, Pulaski County Community Development Commission
- Sherri Ziller, president and CEO, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority
- Ty Warner, executive director, NIRPC
- Mike Noland, president, NICTD
The Northwest Indiana Forum is supported by more than 150 investor organizations and serves the seven-county Region.
