Honoring “founders, risk-takers and doers who make things happen.”

by Jerry Davich

Amid rousing applause and thumping music, 22 finalists were introduced recently at the second annual Leaders as Heroes South Shore Leadership Awards. The event at Avalon Manor in Merrillville reflected a wedding reception theme, with award winners strutting, strolling and sashaying into the banquet center. The upscale affair sported a who's who of Northwest Indiana, an unorthodox marriage of region leaders, movers and shakers.

“Those who we honor tonight are the founders, risk-takers and the doers who make things happen,” Keith Kirkpatrick told guests while thanking the event's diamond sponsors, NIPSCO, Citizens Financial Bank and Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly.

“Often leaders are overlooked or not recognized because that is not what they seek or even what they want. They are the unsung heroes of our region,” says Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of Leadership Northwest Indiana. “Northwest Indiana needs to recognize and salute those who guide our communities and local organizations with the leadership that is needed to make our region a better place.”

The event was deemed a “fun-raiser,” attracting more than 300 guests while raising funds for Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) programs. The Valparaiso-based organization offers a 10-month program to leaders and aspiring leaders to better understand this region's resources, characteristics and potential.

With detailed curriculum developed from the Quality of Life Indicators Report, LNI explores multiple fields, including education, business, culture, health care, planning and diversity. The organization's 1,000 “graduates” will pass through the program this fall, following in the steps of the 11 recent award recipients.

“LNI gave me an aerial view of the three counties that I viewed before at ground level,” says Brad Hemingway. “It also gave me a network to tap into that I didn't know before.” Hemingway, a licensed and registered representative for PFS Investments, had previously signed up three times for LNI but his busy work schedule didn't cooperate. Finally, he enrolled in LNI 30, which put the spotlight on his leadership skills.

“The confidence I gained during that year helped me empower myself and others to take on new challenges,” says Hemingway, whose award was custom-made for him, as with all award recipients.

Hemingway is founder of Planting Possibilities, an organization working to provide employment, job skills training and volunteer opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in Lake County. He also is involved with the Best Buddies program and Junior Achievement, and teaches financial skills to local students.

Tavetta Patterson found the courage and strength to create the Gary Life Education Initiative, a nonprofit organization designed to provide educational and mentoring services for the region's most vulnerable youth. “Being an LNI award winner means the opportunity to amplify the voices of the students who participate in our programs,” Patterson says. “It means the opportunity to bring glory to God for saving me from the environment in which I was born and raised. It also means the opportunity to honor the memory of former students like Jamari Leflore and Kenneth Reese, two of my eighth-grade students whose dreams were not fully realized because they were murdered before the world could discover their greatness.”

During the past 15 years, her organization has helped nearly 7,000 at-risk youth. She receives no salary or stipend from the organization and volunteers up to 80 hours a week mentoring participating youth with life-changing knowledge, information and experiences they would not otherwise receive.

Steve Conger, senior pastor at United Methodist Church in Munster, was nominated five times by his supporters. “Steve's role is to build citizens up and helping them face the challenges life brings,” an LNI committee member told guests. “Like a phoenix, Steve helps individuals who were once broken rise up from the ashes and take on the world.”

Conger, an LNI 29 grad, also served as president for the Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery Initiative (LARRI), as well as vice chairman for the Munster Chamber of Commerce and chaplain for the Munster Police Department, among other committees.

One of Rondi Wightman's greatest passions is her work with Great Lakes Transplant Social Workers, an organization she's been involved with since 1996. Wightman is an acclaimed public speaker on this topic as well as an asset to the Lupus Foundation of America and its Indiana chapter. “There is no population in this region that is not affected by Rondi's leadership, whether it's seniors, children or college students,” an LNI committee member told guests.

Wightman has led five successful educational symposiums, she serves as president of the town of Porter's Park Department, and she has organized the Duneland Seniors group. “Rondi always finds a way to untangle the wiring and make connections to get the job done. We're extremely lucky to have her leadership in our region,” the committee member told guests.

At age 25, Kris Krouse was selected to be executive director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, where he demonstrated his potential for leadership early on by impressing the board of directors.

“It was an honor to be selected and even more rewarding to see others recognized for their contributions to the community they serve,” says Krouse, a first-generation college student who is laying the environmental framework for generations to come. “Cumulatively, a lot of progress is being made by these individuals and thousands of others who are committed to making Northwest Indiana a strong and vibrant region.”

Krouse, who attended the event with his wife and two young kids, is a member of the Michigan City Rotary and the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Advisory Board, the executive council for Chicago Wilderness, the board of directors of One Region, and several other committees.

Jamal Washington, director of community relations for Illinois Central, works to correct transportation issues within the communities he serves. He also has been involved in, or created, a number of community service projects in the Gary/Merrillville area. “Jamal has made it his personal mission for no student to worry about how they will get to and from school safely,” an LNI committee member says.

Washington is part of the Gary Commission for Men (a youth mentoring organization), the Kids that Santa Forgot group, and he spearheaded a partnership between Best Buy and the Gary Community School Corp. and Gary Housing Authority, involving $2,000 in donated gift cards to be used as rewards for academic performance.

“Jamal led the charge to ensure that changes were made. He fights against injustices and believes everyone deserves a chance to succeed. Plus he takes on the challenges of others as if they were his own,” the announcer told guests.

Bill Jarvis, a successful business owner, is one of the longest serving members of the Schererville Plan Commission and Schererville Board of Zoning Appeals. He has been instrumental in putting together a new 20-year master plan for the town.

“Bill brings together businesses, politicians, municipal agencies and individuals to continually improve community and to benefit thousands of children throughout Northwest Indiana,” an LNI committee member says.

In 2010, Jarvis had recently sold his businesses of 29 years, Midwest Tire in Schererville and Valparaiso Tire, when he was asked by Schererville and St. John leaders to step in as executive director of the Safety Village. He didn't hesitate. “Bill has a true passion for bringing life-saving education to the youth of our region. He's a true visionary,” an LNI committee member told guests.

Keith Bruxvoort, vice president of finance for Strack & Van Til stores, is always well stocked on offering his time, talent and treasures. Beyond his professional life, he is a part of multiple community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Wellness Council of Northwest Indiana, the Highland School Board and Highland Rotary.

“Keith is a true servant leader, describing his biggest passion as being able to help those less fortunate lead better lives,” an announcer says. “Keith's leadership is outstanding, and he's a true bridge-builder. He makes connections across organizational and political boundaries, recognizing when there is still work to be done.”

At 18 years old, David Lee King Jr. was the youngest award recipient who is heading to the fabled Morehouse College in Georgia. The West Side High School graduate is unmatched by many of his generation and he has the highest of aspirations.

Not only does he have his own Facebook page to publicize his planned mayoral run for the 2020 city of Gary election, if you ask him which future president of the United States will be coming from Morehouse College, he'll reply matter-of-factly: “Me.”

He served as president of his Student Council, was the first youth advisor for the city of Gary, and the first African-American student president for the Indiana Association of Student Councils.

Richard Reel is known for being the catalyst and chief construction manager of “Pioneer Land” at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. He also is known for designing the LaPorte High School leadership training class.

While leading this program for 14 years, Reel estimates more than 500 students have completed the popular program which introduces 4-H lessons and programs to minority students.

Through Rebecca Reiner's efforts to pull together community support, 137 students are enrolled this year at New Vistas High School, the charter school she founded and directs.

Through her role as executive director of Neighbors' Educational Opportunities (NEO), Reiner is highly involved with the Regional Adult Educational Consortium and the Adult Education Providers Group.

In May 2012, Reiner was recognized as Indiana Adult Education Administrator of the Year. She also has served on projects serving the former Hilltop House, now HealthLinc, and is working with a new project that aims to turn the former Valpo Tech building into a community arts center.

In closing the event, Kirkpatrick says true leaders accept the responsibility for addressing a problem, seeing a project through, or getting something done. “It is not an easy job. Many are unwilling to be leaders. And those who do are not always successful or popular. That's why leaders should be recognized for the hard work and sacrifice they make to move the world in a good direction.”