Jessica Granger is the new owner of the floral and gift shop and will add artwork and handmade crafts to the business’s inventory. Granger has worked at Thode for 13 years.

The seven-story hotel will have 4,448 square feet of meeting space and a two-level parking garage with room for 124 cars.

Hyatt Place was launched in 2006. REI Real Estate Services of Carmel was founded in 1994. White Lodging, based in Merrillville, operates 161 hotels in 20 states.

The company’s site is known as Advocare and serves state administrators and case management professionals who support underserved populations, including people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

The company founder is Richard Metzger, a Purdue graduate.

If you look forward to the color provided by pots of flowers throughout the summer, you’re not alone. What’s not to like about container gardening? You can have a riot of color in a pot that can be moved around for the best view and situation, and it can be changed out each season. It’s moveable art, which means you can position it in full view of your dinner table, or within sniffing distance from your favorite patio lounger.

If you’ve had less success than you’d like, keep these tidbits in mind:

Pairing a prima donna with a field hand. Of course you must feed your potted plants. But here is how this particular relationship plays out: The field hand will eat all that is placed in front of him and bulk up like crazy. Keep him hard at work by regularly pinching and pruning or he’ll run over the prima donna like a tractor over a daisy. The prima donna must have lots of food, too, but her goal is to look beautiful, not bulky. Any plant can become a prima donna when paired with a field hand. Be prepared to mediate that marriage with a pair of pruners.

Try, try again If a container plant like this nasturtium doesn’t live up to its potential one year, try a different location or soil.

The try, try again rule was made for container gardening. Years ago I’d failed to grow Nasturtium to its full potential. It was a magnet for leaf miners and it was very tightfisted with its flowers. I tried again last year when, by all accounts, it should have wilted in the heat. If a plant doesn’t live up to its potential, it could have been the variety, the soil, the location, or simply bad karma. Repeat after me: “It wasn’t my fault, it wasn’t my fault.”

Give tropicals a try. In the throes of the summer heat, tropical plants don’t miss a beat. And here I am talking about the plants that thrive in Florida, like Gardenia, jasmine and citrus. Local garden centers are jumping on the tropical plant bandwagon and should have a good variety of Mandevilla, Passion flower, Jasmine and citrus just to name a few.

Bargain hunting Watch for price cuts at the garden store in early August.

The season doesn’t end in September. Think ahead to when the evenings cool down a bit and you can once again spend time on your patio without having to sit on a pan of ice cubes. Tuck a fall-blooming plant like Japanese anemone into a big pot with Coleus. By September, you’ll not only have a bonus of crisp white flowers, but a reminder that early fall rivals spring for the best time to be outdoors.

Keep an extra pot available for late arrivals. Visit your garden center in late July or early August and you’ll find bargains that are crying out for a home. There is plenty of time to nurse your treasures back to their potential to enjoy in the fall. I found Abutilon ‘Souvenir de Bonn’, a leggy specimen left on the shelf of shame along with some overgrown Petunias. I pinched back its branches and planted this variegated flowering maple in a pot by itself. It was just what was needed to brighten up a drift of red Zinnias. Abutilon can withstand a light frost, so you could even have it through early November if the weather cooperates.

A big pot Make sure container plants like these geraniums have plenty of room to grow.

Don’t skimp on pot size. Those plants may seem small when we bring them home, but if you’re going to keep them outside through the summer you will need to put them in a big pot. For outdoor containers I would go no smaller than 12 inches in diameter. Use a good, lightweight soilless mix, add some time release fertilizer, and your plants will reward you with a long season of color.

Jean Starr is a garden writer and long-time gardener who has been potting up plant combinations for 30 years. You can reach her at starrjean@comcast.net or visit her blog, www.Petaltalk-jean.com.

ACCOUNTING

Andrew Kominowski, manager of the accounting firm Kruggel Lawton CPA in South Bend, has completed requirements to earn the designation of Certified Valuation Analyst from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts.

AGRICULTURE

Cargill’s Greater Indiana Farm Service Group, which includes its operation at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan, has received the Spirit Award from Housing Opportunities of Valparaiso for its support of housing for the area’s homeless.

BANKING

1st Source Bank in South Bend has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Banks in its annual review of the nation’s 100 largest publicly held financial institutions. 1st Source is 25th on the list. … Austen Kesling has joined LaPorte Savings Bank as a mortgage loan originator. He is a lifelong resident of LaPorte and a graduate of Purdue University.

CONSTRUCTION

Robins & Morton, one of the contractors for Porter Regional Hospital, has received the Associated Builders and Contractors Award of Excellence for quality control, safety, scheduling, value engineering and unique challenges faced in completing the project. … Rieth-Riley Construction has received the Pavement Award – Non Governmental New Construction, by the Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana for its work on the Porter Regional Hospital project. … Tranco Industrial Services has received the 2012 Contractor Safety Award from the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association. Tranco, based in Burns Harbor, is a railroad construction and maintenance company.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Kevin Kieft of the Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City recently completed a leadership training and certification seminar through the International Economic Development Council. … Tonn & Blank of Michigan City has purchased 100 acres of land just south of the Michigan City Municipal Airport. The land was previously used for agriculture and will be marketed for warehouse and commercial businesses. The sale was coordinated by the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Indiana. … The Regional Development Company has hired Jennifer Seefeldt as credit officer, a new position with the agency. She is responsible for underwriting loans, appraisal review, assisting in client closing processes and performing annual reviews on loan portfolios. … Renae Vania-Tomczak has earned designation as a Housing Development Finance Professional and Economic Development Finance Profession from the National Development Council. She is the project director for South Shore Commons, a 60-unit permanent, supportive housing development under construction in Gary sponsored by Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living.

EDUCATION

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business has been ranked 13th in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek. The Kelley School received an A-plus grade for its job placement efforts for its graduates. … Purdue University’s programs in engineering, education and business have been ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report magazine. Purdue’s College of Engineering was 8th, the College of Education was 32nd and the Krannert School of Management was ranked 44th. … The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana has received a $10,000 donation from Praxair Inc. to help fund the purchase and redevelopment of teacher professional development programs and to buy supplies for the upcoming space adventure camps. … Susan K. Bolt has been named vice president for finance and administration at St. Mary’s College in South Bend. Most recently she was at Kettering University in Flint, Mich. … Roger Huang has been named dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Previously, he was at Vanderbilt University, the University of Florida and Purdue University. … Kimberly Valich has joined the staff of the University of St. Francis-Crown Point as a full-time assistant professor. She is a graduate of St. Xavier University and the University of Phoenix. Most recently she was with Franciscan St. Margaret Hospital. … The University of Notre Dame has added a new microelectronics research center. The Center for Low Energy Systems Technology will explore ways to lower the power requirements for electronics.

ENVIRONMENT

Doreen Carey has been named special projects coordinator for the Lake Michigan Coastal Program, operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Carey most recently was environmental director and storm water coordinator for the City of Gary. … The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has received a $351,073 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for stormwater management around the Marquette Park lagoon in Gary. The lagoon is the site of a $1 million EPA dredging project to remove decades of sediment.

FINANCE

Jeff Twohig, a native of Whiting, has been named a principal with Jones Financial Companies LLP, the holding company for Edward Jones. Twohig is a financial adviser in Missoula, Mont.

HEALTH CARE

Jared Beasley has been named interim president of Indiana University Health Starke Hospital. He takes over for David Hyatt who took over at Jay County Hospital in Portland. Beasley was previously vice president of clinical and diagnostic services at IU Health LaPorte Hospital. … Vickie Wipperman has been named medical director of Indiana University Health Occupational Services of Northern Indiana. She operates an independent occupational health clinic in South Bend … The National Committee for Quality Assurance and the American Diabetes Association have honored Dr. Joseph Arulandu for providing expert care to patients with diabetes. He was cited through the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program sponsored by both organizations. … Beacon Health System chief financial officer Jeffrey Costello has been awarded the 2013 Distinguished Business Alumni Award from Indiana University South Bend. … Porter Health Care has named EMS Office Manager Darcy Jackson its 2013 Associate of the Year. She has been with the hospital since 2002 and is responsible for the day-to-day business of the EMS Division. … St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka and OB/GYN Associates of Northern Indiana, have joined forces to offer an OB Hospitalist Program. The program offers 24-hour care for OB/GYN patients. … The Memorial Kidney and Hypertension Center has opened in the Schwartz-Weikamp Medical Group in Mishawaka. The center is led by medical director Arif Goreja and specializes in chronic and acute kidney disease, hypertension management, glomerular disease, poly cystic kidney disease and other types of kidney disease. … Porter Health Care System has named Cathy Pera, director of the IMCU and the Progressive Care Unit, as Porter’s Clinical Manager of the Year. … Porter Health Care has named Tracey Knapp, director of Porter Physician Group as Porter’s non-clinical Manager of the Year. … Community Hospital has been named one of the best hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades, an independent healthcare ratings organization. Community has been listed among the 50 best hospitals in the nation for the sixth year in a row. … Community Hospital in Munster has expanded its outpatient services to Schererville. The 11,400-square-foot Community Hospital Outpatient Center is scheduled to open in June. … Methodist Hospitals’ diabetes self-management education program has received recognition from the American Diabetes Association. It is a voluntary process that assures approved education programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. … Methodist Hospital has expanded its Methodist Physician Group into St. John. The new office is led by Dr. Anemarie Lutas. … Dr. Thomas J. Reid III has joined Memorial Regional Cancer Center in South Bend. He specializes in Hematology-Medical Oncology and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Most recently he was at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. … Community Hospital in Munster has begun offering the Positron emission Mammography, a new 3D imaging service that improves the breast cancer diagnosis services at the hospital’s Women’s Diagnostic Center. … Community Hospital in Munster has announced it will begin a $53 million expansion with a four-story addition to the emergency department. The project will add private rooms, double the capacity of the neonatal intensive care unit, expand the main surgical services area and increase the capacity for stroke and heart patients. … Press Ganey Associates Inc. of South Bend has partnered with Catholic Health Partners of Ohio to provide survey information services from patients. … Indiana University Health LaPorte Community Health and Dental has named Rick Zastoupil as its new director. He was previously a volunteer EMT/firefighter in Washington state and most recently was coordinator of the neuro/sleep department at IU Health LaPorte Hospital. … Doctors Express Granger has opened an Urgent Care Center. Doctors Express is owned by Richard Sullivan and Michael Martino. The center is designed to bridge the gap between primary care physicians and the emergency room for non-life-threatening medical conditions. … Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital has named the Rev. Dale Wratchford as the new assistant director of the Center for Spiritual Care. He previously worked for Seton Healthcare Family and is a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary. … Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital has promoted Heather Manley to director of SameDay, Endoscopy and Infusion Center. She also is director of surgical services at IU Health Starke Hospital. … Indiana University Health LaPorte Hospital has named Patricia Navarro executive director of critical care service. She will be responsible for operations and strategic planning for the emergency department, intensive care unit and critical care unit.

INSURANCE

Leea Ashfeld has joined Gibson as a client executive in the employee benefits practice. She is responsible for providing support for new and existing employee benefit clients in the development and implementation of their plan renewals. … Andy Barker has joined Gibson as a client executive in the property and casualty practice where he will focus on bringing clarity to strategic, business and hazard risks for clients. … Gibson of South Bend has been named as one of the 2013 Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. … Jenny Toth has joined Gibson in South Bend as an account manager in the business and private client group. She is responsible for servicing and processing risk management plans. … Ryan Colvin has been named to Gibson’s Executive Leadership Team. He is a principal in Gibson, the chief growth officer and managing principal of the Indianapolis office. … Tania Bengtsson has been named a principal at Gibson. She is director of marketing and responsible for all aspects of marketing, advertising, public relations, social media and branding. … Missy Mitchell has joined Gibson as account manager in the property and casualty practice. She is responsible for the day-to-day service needs of clients.

LEGAL

Robert J. Konopa, partner at Tuesley Hall Konopa, has been named to the 2013 Indiana Super Lawyers list as one of the top attorneys in Indiana. He was recognized for his work in civil litigation defense, personal injury plaintiff and business litigation. … Louis W. Voelker III of Eichhorn & Eichhorn LLP of Hammond has been named Defense Lawyer of the Year for 2012 by the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. Voelker lives in LaPorte and is a graduate of the Indiana University Law School. … Mallory Reider Iniselberg of Eichhorn & Eichhorn LLP of Hammond has been named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year for 2012 by the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. … Jamie R. Kauther has joined Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP in Merrillville as an associate. She focuses on labor and employment law and litigation. She is a graduate of the Valparaiso University Law School. … Keith Wolak has been voted to equity partnership at Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP in Valparaiso. He joined the firm in 2008 and specializes in estate planning, wealth planning, probate and taxation. … John E. Hughes, a partner at Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP in Merrillville has been named to the Indiana Super Lawyers list for 2012. Only 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers. … Shelbie J. Byers has joined Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP as an associate in the Merrillville office. She will focus her practice on labor and employment law and litigation.

MANUFACTURING

American Licorice in LaPorte has announced a $10 million expansion that will create 35 new jobs by 2015. The candy maker currently has 150 employees and will renovate its 285,000-square-foot factory and install new production equipment that will add a production line to increase production. … Dawn Food Products has announced it will combine its Munster and Crown Point operations into a new building in Merrillville. The company grows and processes organic and convention food and will build a new 120,000-squre-foot plant in the Ameriplex at the Crossroad near Broadway and 101st Avenue. … Bakker Produce in Griffith has closed its produce and fresh food operation after 70 years in business. The closing put 28 people out of work. … John C. Ulrich has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of AM General in Mishawaka. He is a former executive with General Dynamics. He will oversee the company’s operations, product development and program management.

MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS

The “My Road” TV campaign that was produced on behalf of Purdue Federal Credit Union by Villing & Co. of South Bend, won the Gold at the North Central Indiana chapter of the American Advertising Federation ADDY Awards and received Best of Show. … VIA Marketing of Merrillville has earned a Silver designation from Service Industry Advertising Awards: a Gold Award for a series of magazine ads created for Smith Animal Clinic of Crown Point. VIA Marketing provides online and offline marketing solutions for all media, websites, graphic design and public relations. …Candace Shaw has joined the Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly team as advertising account manager, responsible for developing new business in NWI and Greater South Bend/Michiana. Jacqueline von Ogden has also joined Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly as managing editor.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Success Trek of Chesterton has marked its seventh anniversary. Owner Theresa Valade hosted 100 people at an event to talk about the leadership consulting services she has provided to area companies. … Rick and Susan Riddering, owners NorthStar 360 Business Solutions in Dyer, recently served as presenters at a national conference in Dallas. The company provides organizational advice to businesses to help them run more efficiently. … Two members of the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board took part in the annual National Association of Workforce Boards conference in Washington, D.C. They were Bob Schaefer, president of Corporate Dynamics in Michigan City, and Linda Woloshansky of the Center of Workforce Innovations in Valparaiso. … Life Strategies LLC has opened an autism and learning center in Chesterton. The Blooming Potential Autism & Learning Center is designed for children with autism and other developmental delays who demonstrate communication, learning and social challenges. … Roseland Animal Hospital has moved its office to Indiana 933 in South Bend. Owners Dr. Rachel Sparke and Dr. David Visser have moved into a refurbished former Bank of America office. … Advanced Imaging Solutions of Merrillville, has purchased Pinnacle of Indiana in South Bend. Both specialize in print services, copiers, printers and managed IT services. … Derek Frazier has been named development director for Frontline Foundations, a faith-based substance abuse treatment provider in Valparaiso. … WeGoShop.com is now available in Porter County say owners Sally and Michael Moyer. The service provides grocery shopping services for busy families and professionals in Valparaiso and Chesterton. … Danita Johnson Hughes, president and CEO of Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living has been inducted into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame for her contributions to business and industry in the region.

REAL ESTATE

The Emporium Restaurant building in downtown South Bend has been sold to developer Dave Matthews. He did not announce his plans for the building, but he has been involved in other transactions in downtown. He said the building would be upgraded with new fiber optics and high-speed Internet. …Holladay Properties has been chosen as developer of the NewPorte Landing redevelopment project in downtown LaPorte. The project covers 150 acres of the former Allis-Chalmers factory site. … Mack Elliott of Prudential Executive Group has been named to the Prudential Real Estate President’s Circle for 2012. The honor recognizes the top 3 percent of residential sales professionals. … Jeff Brant has been named 2012 Commercial In-Sites Co-Broker of the Year for his dedication to do deals together with other brokers. … Nick Arnold, Debbie Miller, Mitzi Wingenroth and Michele Civanich of Prudential Executive Group have been named to the Leading Edge Society for 2012 by Prudential Real Estate. The award recognizes residential sales professionals who closed 35 residential sales in the year. … The Plaza 833 Building at U.S. 30 and U.S. 41 in Schererville, is being renovated. The four-story, 115,433-square-foot building is owned by LM Commercial Real Estate of Clarendon Hills, Ill. Work will include a new entryway, lobby, atrium and lower level conference rooms. … Inland Real Estate Corp. has completed a deal to acquire Valparaiso Walk shopping center for $21.9 million. The 137,509-square-foot center is on Valparaiso’s east side and is home to Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshalls, Best Buy and Michaels.

RECOGNITION

Four Northwest Indiana businesses have been recognized by Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves. The companies are ArcelorMittal in Burns Harbor, the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, the Westville Correctional Facility in Westville, and Bulldog Brewing Co. in Whiting. … Porter Health Care System was named Company of the Year by United Way of Porter County. During the recent campaign Porter Hospital helped lead effort to raise $1.8 million in Porter County…. The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce has been named the 2013 Chamber of Commerce of the Year by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association. It’s the second year in a row the Valparaiso Chamber received the honor. … The St. Joseph County Airport Authority Board has honored retired executive director John Schalliol with a bronze plaque in the atrium at South Bend Airport. Schalliol led the airport for 35 years until he retired one year ago. … Enbridge Energy in Griffith has been presented with a Community Excellence award from Lake Area United Way for its outstanding financial support during the 2012 community campaign. … The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 697 in Merrillville has received a Community Spirit award from Lake Area United Way for its outstanding treasury and employee support in the annual campaign. … James Dworkin, chancellor of Purdue University North Central, has received the Paul J. Alinsky Excellence Award from the Rotary Club Foundation of Michigan City for his involvement in the community. … Hoosier Bat Co. of Valparaiso has received the Charlie Hum Club Service Award from the Pitch and Hit Club in Lombard, Ill., said owners Dave and Debbie Cook. … Justin’s Tree Service in Porter has received The Super Service Award from Angie’s List for exemplary customer service. … Dean’s Landscaping of Schererville has received the 2012 Belgard World Class Award Best in Class LaFitt and Best in Class Versa Lok. Owned by Dean Savarino, Dean’s Landscaping has been in Northwest Indiana for 20 years. … The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has received The Daniel Burnham Award for 2013 from the American Planning Association for its 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan.

SPORTS

The 30th annual edition of Leon’s Triathlon will be held June 2 in Hammond. The triathlon is the world’s largest amateur triathlon and last year had 750 participants. … The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and the Valparaiso University Athletic Department have formed a partnership that will bring a state-of-the-art scorer’s table to VU and streamline the hotel booking process for teams and spectators visiting the university.

TECHNOLOGY

ICE Michiana, a free smartphone app that provides first responders with access to life-saving patient information in the field, and emergency rooms with critical pre-arrival health information, is expanding to include the Community Hospital of Bremen. ICE already served St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka as well as IU Health hospitals in Goshen and Starke County. … IV Diagnostics, based at the Northwest Indiana Purdue Technology Center, and StableBody Technologies of Wisconsin, has joined together to offer a diagnostic instrument for early detection of cancer cells in the blood. The two organizations announced they are about a year away from FDA trials of the product. … Competitive Support Options Inc. has moved from Mokena, Ill., to the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville. The company provides clients with servers, storage solutions, and other services and products.

TOURISM

The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority has received first place for large show event poster from the 2012 International Council of Air Shows. The ICAS Marketing Awards are meant to recognize outstanding achievement in event, product and service promotion by air shows, air show performs and air show support service providers. … The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza are 2012 recipients of the Supplier STAR Award for their Bring It Home Campaign. … The Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission has named Jack Arnett, executive director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, as its president. … Indiana Dunes Tourism in Porter County announced that tourism and travel was up 5.9 percent from 2009 to 2011. The numbers were provided by Certec Inc. of Kentucky, an independent tourism analysis provider. According to the study, tourism generated $82 million in tax revenue in 2011.

TRANSPORTATION

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. has announced the opening of the 2013 navigation season. Cargo through the system this year is anticipated to top last year’s 40 million tons. … Christenson Chevrolet in Highland has completed work on a 17,000-square-foot expansion that includes a used car showroom and 14 new service bays. … Gary Chicago International Airport has received a $30 million grant from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority to extend its main runway. The total cost of the project is $160 million.

UTILITIES

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. has sold its Extra Service Protection plan that was a contract service for home appliance maintenance. AGL Resources Inc. purchased the business for $120 million and will now service all former NIPSCO appliance customers. … Northern Indiana Public Service Co. has begun an upgrade in the way it reads natural gas and electric meters. It has installed an Automated Meter Reading System that will allow gas and electric usage to be read through a receiver mounted in a NIPSCO vehicle rather than walking door to door to read meters. … Columbia Gas Transmission, a subsidiary of NiSource in Merrillville, will spend $1.5 billion to upgrade its Appalachian pipeline network. The project, which will spend $300 million a year through 2017, has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

by Bob Kronemyer

Two of the six major recipients of this year’s “Salute to Business” awards bestowed by the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce (along with title sponsor Lake City Bank) are in healthcare. This comes as no surprise, considering health expenditures represent nearly 20 percent of our country’s gross domestic product.

“These annual awards represent a cross section of individuals and businesses transforming our community,” says Paul Laskowski, executive vice president of the chamber. The individuals honored “have and continue to move others to action to create business and community success,” he says, whereas the enterprises singled out “have shown growth and reinvestment in our community. They demonstrate innovation, a strategic focus and commitment to excel.”

This year’s theme is “Building Champions” and emphasizes “the collaboration and win-win relationships that lead to positive community transformation,” Laskowski notes.

HEALTHY PATIENT EXPERIENCES Athena Award recipient Diane Stover-Hopkins of Beacon Health
System (center), pictured with Philip Newbold, Beacon CEO, and Lora Tatum, their assistant.

Diane Stover-Hopkins, chief marketing, innovation and experience officer of Beacon Health System (encompassing Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend) was presented with the Athena Award for attaining and embodying the highest level of professional career excellence, plus assisting women in realizing their leadership potential.

Experience design is one of Stover-Hopkins’ professional fortes. “There is a unique connection between the brand – how we represent ourselves to the world – and the actual patient experience,” she says.

An example of how the brand and experience were designed was the launch of Memorial’s bariatric surgery program. Interviews with patients who had the procedure performed elsewhere revealed “that these people struggled with acceptance before and after surgery and there was a need to look beyond just the typical surgery experience,” Stover-Hopkins explains. “We learned it was a transformation, not just a surgery. We designed experiences focusing upon a bridge from your heavy self to your healthy self.”

The valuable patient feedback was used to enhance staff communication as well as placement of a decorative bridge in the lobby used for a crossing-over ceremony during discharge from the program and a way to begin to embrace a new life.

Stover-Hopkins is active in grooming high school and college women for leadership roles though internships at Beacon Health System. She is also a volunteer for youth projects at the Y and created the HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum in downtown South Bend in 2000. “The museum allows kids to learn about the importance of their decisions about living a healthy lifestyle,” she says.

Data Realty LLC, the first technology-based company to locate in South Bend’s Ignition Park on the former Studebaker grounds, was one of two recipients of the Economic Impact Award. “All the organizations in our region are collecting more and more data,” observes president and COO Rich Carlton. “We are a collection of data scientists with a customized infrastructure that is state-of-the-art.” He says mid-size firms normally would not be able to afford to contract such an infrastructure and talent pool. “We not only store and protect a client’s data, but more importantly we analyze that data. Mid-market companies can really gain a competitive advantage by learning more about their customers and suppliers and using data to make better, faster and smarter decisions,” Carlton says.

To date, Data Realty has spent $15 million in building a 47,000-square-foot facility, which it occupied in November, and is projected to spend an additional $20 million in expansions over the next three to five years. The company has also been able to reverse the area’s “brain drain” by hiring several Notre Dame graduates.

Furthermore, the technology firm has created an operational model in which clients (currently nine) participate as investors. “Instead of a client-vendor relationship, we have a partnership relationship,” Carlton says.

ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARD Kristen Gillespie, director of business development for Sprenger Health Care Systems in Mishawaka, the first Indiana location of a third-generation, family-owned and -operated Ohio business.

Sprenger Health Care of Mishawaka also received an Economic Impact Award. The $17 million rehabilitation, skilled nursing and assisted living care center opened in December and is the first location in Indiana for the third-generation, family-owned and operated Ohio-based Sprenger Health Care Systems. The facility can accommodate 100 residents (30 skilled nursing and 70 assisted living).

“Our mission is to provide the best in quality care and employee satisfaction,” says Nicole Sprenger, CEO of corporate services. “Through state-of-the-art therapy, equipment and therapists, we basically rehabilitate residents back to their top functioning level, whether that be home or assisted living.” Employees are valued by having a safe and welcoming work environment.

The Mishawaka site expects to reach full capacity by the end of the year, at which time it will employ around 100 people. Meanwhile, assisted living apartments offer a contemporary, open-design concept with private bathrooms, refrigerator and microwave, and an emergency response system. These residents are also provided 24-hour nursing staff oversight, housekeeping and laundry services. Other amenities for all residents (including skilled nursing) include fine dining, a theater room, an outdoor putting green and free transportation to scheduled appointments.

Foegley Landscape in South Bend is Small Business of the Year. It is owned by John Foegley, whose father started the enterprise in 1959. The company offers a wide range of landscape contracting and maintenance services, ranging from landscape design and plant installation to irrigation maintenance and turf fertilization. The younger Foegley, who took over management in the mid-1990s, is guided by the Native American proverb, “Treat the earth well; it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

This commitment is reflected in designing landscapes that are well thought out and sustainable. “We try to be leaders and innovators when it comes to technology,” Foegley says of his firm that has annual sales of roughly $3.4 million. “In the late 1990s, we were one of the first companies in the area to use a bark mulch blowing truck, instead of relying on a pitch fork and wheelbarrow to spread bark.” What used to take two or three trucks and a large crew to distribute bark can now be accomplished with one truck and two employees.

Foegley Landscape has also switched to several propane-powered lawn mowers for less pollution and cost-savings. The company is also a supporter of the South Bend Symphony and South Bend Civic Theatre.

Outstanding Young Business Leader Tim Leman, 38, is CEO of Gibson Insurance in South Bend and attributes much of his success to the number of “great mentors over the years. Those are two-way relationships, though. I think a lot of young folks are waiting for someone to mentor them and they don’t put enough effort into it. I really try to do the best I can to give my mentor something out of the relationship as well.”

For instance, Leman shares information and updates with his mentors, as well as keeping them abreast of what is going on in his life. “That might sound like it’s all about me,” he admits. “But I love to hear from people I’ve mentored. Perhaps I’ve meaningfully impacted their lives.”

Leman joined Gibson Insurance in 2005, and in 2010 was instrumental in establishing the Gibson Employee Stock Ownership Plan. “Our employees are engaged deeper and we are able to share the financials in a more transparent way and help them understand why we make the decisions we make,” he explains. “As a result, the employees are more supportive of those decisions because as owners it impacts them.”

One of Leman’s mentors is his predecessor, Greg Downes, who handed over the CEO reins to Leman in 2011. It was Downes’ example of community service that led to Leman’s involvement and becoming vice chair of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County. Leman also serves on the Dean’s Executive Council at Indiana State University and as a youth basketball coach for Upward Michiana.

The W. Scott Miller Distinguished Business Leader award for entrepreneurial spirit, significant contributions to the area business environment and personal involvement and commitment to the community was given to Pete and Wilma Veldman, who emigrated from The Netherlands in 1949 and settled in South Bend in 1956. A year later, the couple opened their first service station, which led to other endeavors, including an automotive repair equipment business and a tire, battery and accessories distributorship.

The Veldmans also encouraged their son-in-law to open a retail tire store. The Tire Rack opened in 1979 in South Bend and is now the country’s largest mail-order and e-commerce distributor of tires, wheels and accessories. In addition, the Veldmans are longtime supporters of community projects for youth and Catholic education.

Approximately 19,000 tickets were purchased by visitors from outside South Bend to see WICKED with an estimated economic impact of more than $5 million. Ticket buyers from areas outside of South Bend included Pennsylvania, Georgia, California and many other states. Local expenditures of cast and crew, marketing, production and venue staffing are estimated to be over $200,000.00, according to venue officials.

“We are so pleased that audiences were spellbound by the show’s two week engagement and we hope WICKED’S popularity meant big business for area merchants,” said Kathy Boes, President of the Broadway Theatre League. “Our thanks to the patrons and loyal subscribers who supported this blockbuster production.”

WICKED was the highlight of the 2012-2013 BROADWAY IN SOUTH BEND SERIES. However, more great shows are planned for the upcoming 2013-2014 BROADWAY IN SOUTH BEND SERIES. Upcoming shows include Jersey Boys November 26^th-December 8^th, Bring It On: the Musical February 7-8, Million Dollar Quartet March 14-15, and West Side Story May 9-10. Special Engagements include Stomp January 16-17 and American Idiot on April 13^th.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website, www.verabradley.com.

Lakeshore PAWS dogs and cats will be available for adoption from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso, 1151 Morthland Dr, Valparaiso. The free cruise-in night takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. and also will feature fun for all ages with live music, bikes, hot rods, food by Suzie’s Café, and a beer garden by Leroy’s.

To learn more about Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso’s Southpoint Cruise-In Nights, call (219) 462-2223 or visit www.hdvalpo.com.

For more about Lakeshore PAWS, call (219) 476-PAWS (7297) or visit www.lakeshorepaws.org.

NIRPC has narrowed its choices to three, including its present location at 6100 Southport Road in Portage. The other options are the Thomas Rose Industrial Park in LaPorte and at 5243 Hohman Ave. in downtown Hammond.

NIRPC shares office space with the Northwest Indiana Forum. It is a planning organization and serves government entities throughout Northwest Indiana.