Congratulations Charles Christopher Dubes On being a 40 Under 40 Chris is a partner with Barrett & McNagny and concentrates his practice in the areas of Medical Malpractice Defense, Risk Management and Litigation, including business litigation and insurance defense. He works with doctors, dentists,, hospitals, and medical groups in defending againstt claims. n, He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana and the Defense Research Institute. Chris is a frequent d speaker for the IU Medical School in Fort Wayne and the University of Saint Francis where he speaks on Risk Management in the Health Care industry. Chris is a member of the board for the Mad n Anthonys Children’s Hope House and has served on the Fort Wayne Civic Theater’s Board of Directors for or several years, including serving as Vice President and President of the Board. He is a graduate of the Leadership Fort Wayne program and was a speaker for the “We the People” program for local middle school and elementary school students. We congratulate Chris for being a 40 Under 40 nominee and for his dedication to his community and those he represents. :PUJL )HYYL[[ 4J5HNU` OHZ ILLU WYV]PKPUN YLZWVUZP]L HUK LɉJPLU[ JV\UZLS [V LU[YLWYLUL\YZ PUKP]PK\HSZ HUK I\ZPULZZLZ PU 0UKPHUH UVY[O^LZ[ 6OPV HUK ZV\[OLYU 4PJOPNHU C A L L O R V I S I T U S T O D AY
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GREATER FORT WAYNE
Business Weekly
Editor’s letter
3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 (260) 426-2640 Fax: (260) 426-2503 www.fwbusiness.com
Terry R. Ward tward@kpcmedia.com Publisher
Lucretia Cardenas
Diverse talent abounds
lcardenas@kpcmedia.com Editor
Linda Lipp
The individuals making up this year’s Forty Under 40 class are a testament to the region’s ability to attract diverse talent. Coming from a variety of backgrounds and places, these individuals are making a difference in northeast Indiana. While many of the winners can be seen at community events, Editor championing a local cause, others are quietly making a name for themselves from behind the office walls. It is refreshing to learn about the positive work being conducted in our region by individuals of whom we can all be proud. We encourage you to take time to read the following interviews with
llipp@kpcmedia.com Associate Editor/Reporter
Peter Ambrose pambrose@kpcmedia.com Reporter
Doug LeDuc dleduc@kpcmedia.com Reporter
Aaron Organ aorgan@kpcmedia.com
Lucretia Cardenas
Reporter
Claudia Johnson cjohnson@kpcmedia.com Marketing Manager
Maryann Ulmer mulmer@kpcmedia.com Multi-media Sales Manager
Ann Saggars asaggars@kpcmedia.com Creative Manager
Garrett Shaw & Tracey Robideau Graphic Designers
each winner and learn about what they are doing to make northeast Indiana a better place for themselves and their children. By discovering what lit the flame for these individuals to serve their communities, excel in their workplaces or dedicate themselves to causes, we may be able to encourage another generation to do the same. For some of the winners, their jobs are what brought them to and are keeping them in the greater Fort Wayne area. For others, the lifestyle the area offers for their families is helping them extend roots here. As we celebrate these 40 individuals, we need to continually ask ourselves how can we ensure that the region remains a place that attracts young talent and allows it to thrive. We congratulate our winners this year and look forward to their continued contributions to the region. We also hope they inspire others to follow their lead in our communities and places of work.
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Mark Davis Nathan Hensley Bobbi Jenks Wendy Krzyzanowski Nate Woenker
THANK YOU
George O. Witwer Publisher Emeritus
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:
Terry Housholder President
Ray Steup, Ray Steup Photography
Terry Ward Chief Executive Officer
Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana
S. Rick Mitchell Chief Financial Officer
Each Forty Under 40 winner is being gifted professional portraits, a membership to YLNI and a 1-year subscription to Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.
Lynette Donley Advertising Director
Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly is a publication of KPC Media Group Inc. ©2015 All rights reserved
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Table of contents Ahmed Adelmageed .......................................4 Katy Anderson ................................................6 Stephen Bailey ................................................8 Dan “Kennedy” Baisden ...............................9 Heather Barth .................................................10 Adam Bouthot .................................................11 Jessica Butler .................................................12 Jason Clagg .....................................................13 Brian Clifford ...................................................14 Heidi Colone.....................................................16 Bryan Dailey ....................................................18 Sam DiFilippo...................................................19 Tiffanney Drummond ....................................20 Chris Dubes .....................................................21 Megan Flohr .....................................................22 Patrick Florea ..................................................24 Leah Good ........................................................25 Jeff Gruettert ..................................................26 Ryan Harris ......................................................27 Garien Hudson ................................................28
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Kelly Johns .......................................................30 Marshal Johnson ............................................32 Michelle Kimpel...............................................34 Nicole Krouse ..................................................35 Derek Laliberte ...............................................36 Samir Lakhany ................................................37 Eden Lamb .......................................................38 Michael Ledo....................................................39 Susan Medenhall ............................................40 Jessica Miller ...................................................41 Amos Norman..................................................43 Sarah Pine ........................................................44 Christina Ray-Durnell....................................45 Gran Roberts ...................................................46 Abe Schwab .....................................................47 Timothy Spradling..........................................49 Ashley Steenman ...........................................50 Francisco Townsend .....................................52 Ryan Twiss ......................................................54 Marlow Wardlow ............................................56
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Parkview Health congratulates
Marlon Wardlow.
One of Business Weekly’s 40 Under 40. Congratulations, Marlon! Being named a 40 Under 40 recipient is a great honor that is given to those who work to improve our region. In just a short period of time, you have made a profound impact on Parkview and within the community. As Vice President of Operations, your leadership has been instrumental in organizing and implementing the expansion of services and campus renovation projects at Parkview Hospital Randallia.
We’re proud to have you on our team.
© 2015, Parkview Health PPG-A-165
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Ahmed Abdelmageed Age: 37 Job title: Associate director of experiential education and associate professor of pharmacy practice, Manchester University College of Pharmacy Year you joined the organization? 2011 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Muslim Alliance of Indiana, executive board member; Universal Education Foundation, board member; Health Access Program Committee, member; Fort Wayne Area Inter Professional Education Consortium, member; Muslim Youth of Fort Wayne, co-founder; Matthew 25, volunteer pharmacist; and Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana, member. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Wayne State University, undergraduate library computer assistant What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? Mentors who listened and gave advice when appropriate – but the best support has been my wife. She has not only been supportive but also inspiring. From running her own boutique when we were in Maine to now going back to school to become a nurse, she always inspires me to do more and explore my potential. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I was the founding director of experiential education at Husson University in Maine and came on board at Manchester University also at the foundational level as associate director of experiential education. So you can say I helped build two pharmacy programs in the United States. I have also recently been promoted to associate professor and received the honor of Manchester University College of Pharmacy’s Outstanding Service Award. What lessons did you learn from it? Long-term planning and patience with the unexpected. I can make some great plans for how the program is going to run but the best part of any plan is flexibility because the unexpected will happen and one needs to be able to adapt and not lose focus of the original plan. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I would like to establish a relationship with an international college of pharmacy to exchange students in their final year of education. I would like my students to experience pharmacy in a different country and come back with best practices that help advance our profession. It would definitely bring a different caliber to the healthcare Page 4
conversation and will help challenge us as educators in different ways. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I try to keep up with the updates, attend conferences and engage others in conversations about new developments and advancements. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? It is more of how do you integrate the three and not let one overtake the other two for too long. The ultimate priority is my family and whatever I do has to benefit them in one way or another – whether making money or trying to make the world a better place. I try and have my wife and kids by me while engaged in my social activism and make the adventure a family affair but, also, my wife and I have a very open relationship and I have given her absolute veto power if I get too immersed in either
work or community at the expense of the family. What do you do to relax? Play soccer, then soccer, then a little bit of soccer and sometimes basketball. But, if I can’t get that, then any kind of sport or outdoors activity. Reading is also relaxing unless my kids are jumping and screaming in my face, so reading doesn’t happen very often. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would be a psychologist. The human mind has always intrigued me. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Don’t forget the “care” in health care. Whether you are caring for you patients as a pharmacist or caring for your students as a professor, it is easy to get jaded and forget that you do what you do because you care.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Katy Anderson Age: 26 Job title: Operations and programming manager, Northeast Indiana Public Radio Year you joined the organization? 2011 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana and Girls on the Run of Allen County. Both of these organizations empower kids to think about their future, develop their self-esteem and be active in their community. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I worked as a busser and server at a country club when I was in high school. I used to be very shy and I think working in the service industry for a couple years really helped me get out my shell. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? When I was younger, my parents were really great at identifying the activities in which I was adept and interested, such as writing and politics, as well as helping me to connect with mentors who worked in those fields and could help me think about my future. My college professors definitely had an impact on me. I went to IPFW, where I studied political science and journalism. Andy Downs, in particular, is extremely knowledgeable and was helpful in introducing me to different internships and people in the community. Ann Colbert of the journalism department was also influential and supportive. I remember having conversations with her about how women are oftentimes misrepresented in the media and this made me want to have a career in broadcast journalism. I also have great coworkers who are very supportive and who I am constantly learning from, like our general manager Peter Dominowski and our news director Sean Bueter. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I got to co-present at the public radio program director’s conference in Atlanta and also in a webinar. It’s a great feeling to be in a field that you really love, but it’s an incredible feeling to actually contribute knowledge to it. What lessons did you learn from it? I felt a little bit insecure about my age at conferences and in previous jobs because I tended to be the youngest person in the room. Presenting my experiences and work to my peers at this conference helped me get over that insecurity and realize that my age does not define my professional acumen. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I’d like to Page 6
do more research to better understand our audience. In particular, I’d really like to better understand our listeners’ online listening habits. Plenty of people still listen in their cars and with traditional radios, but it’s important to keep up with new technology and understand how people’s lifestyles and habits are changing with it. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? There are a lot of great organizations, blogs and news sources dedicated to public media that I read frequently. I also have made friends who work at other stations around the country and we have a lot of ongoing conversations about different topics and challenges we’ve experienced in our work. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I’m not married and I don’t have kids, so I don’t feel a lot of pressure to find balance. I just try to do what makes me happy, be around people who make me happy and try
to make other people happy. What do you do to relax? I really like to be outside – whether it’s reading, peoplewatching or walking. I also started running a few years ago and I finally got to a point where I can zone out and I don’t feel like I’m going to die, so that’s exciting. I have also found that reading and cooking when I get home from work helps me unwind. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I’ve always loved animals, so probably something in animal welfare or wildlife conservation. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Be a sponge. When people are just starting out in media, they’re likely starting at a smaller station or market. Embrace this, because working at a small station means you get to learn a little bit of everything. Also, try to have fun, or at least try to look like you’re having fun. As cliché as it sounds, attitude is definitely contagious.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
2015 EVENTS NORTHEAST INDIANA BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS Thursday, April 16
NORTHEAST INDIANA CFO OF THE YEAR AWARD Thursday, May 14
DIGITAL MARKETING AWARDS Thursday, June 4
TWENTY MILLENNIALS MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARDS Thursday, August 27
HEALTH CARE AWARDS Thursday, September 10
EDUCATION AWARDS Wednesday, October 7
INNOVATION AWARDS Thursday, November 5
For nominations and ticket information visit fwbusiness.com under Events. Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Stephen J. Bailey Age: 34 Job title: CEO and digital marketer, Detailed Web Design Year you founded the company? 2006 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am currently involved with the Downtown Improvement District, Living Fort Wayne, a Clean and Green volunteer, a city of Fort Wayne CFA board member and I am a USF META advisory board member. In recent years, I have been active with Freedom Indiana, NIPR, Heartland Hospice and World Vision. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from when I saved up to buy candy machines at the age of 10. I placed them in the businesses of my family. I loved keeping a ledger of quarters earned against the cost of candy and calculating my profit each month. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? The support that I have received in my career is too long to list. I am incredibly thankful for the wealth of honest, dedicated professionals in the Fort Wayne area that have encouraged me to keep growing and testing my own limits. As an entrepreneur, the most important support is the kind I receive in my personal life as it comes through in my business, my transactions and my professional relationships. Leaving corporate America, emptying my 401k and eating Ramen noodles showed me that you can have anything you want as long as you don’t give up. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My biggest accomplishment is knowing that I am the creator of my destiny. My schedule is incredibly demanding but every hour of each day and every person I have the pleasure of meeting with comes down to my own decision. Relationships and community motivate me more than money. I love being able to carve out my life and career each day with people and businesses that truly inspire me, and to say “no” to situations or offers that will detract from my overall happiness. What lessons did you learn from it? If I am not taking care of myself first, I have nothing good to offer my clients or the people in my life. If I stay happy and focused, I can bring the highest version of myself to any project that I am honored to be a part of. When I stay in tune with that kind of energy, anything is possible. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would like to strengthen the ideas surrounding Page 8
connection and authenticity. Whether that is through a branding campaign, a new website, a social media presence or a speaking engagement, I hope to grow in my ability to help people connect to one another and to their bottom line. The benefit is that I get to be a part of it. It’s my job to simply remember to live in the moment instead of always planning for tomorrow. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I live and breathe my career. I work seven days a week. I remain current by reading the news and staying in touch with trends on social media not daily but hourly. I am always asking folks out to lunch to see their perspective on the world. We can learn so much if we take the time to listen instead of talk. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I balance it by owning it and bringing them together. I don’t separate them. My fiancée works for me which has only increased our happiness. My career is directly connected to my community because I work daily with a number of local businesses. Even when I am taking part in a volunteer campaign, I usually find myself bringing a friend or promoting it online. It has a nice way of coming full circle. There are times when I know it’s crucial to put my phone away and keep eye contact, and I know there are other times when I have to be tweeting while I am enjoying being at an event. Somehow it always comes together. What do you do to relax? A weekend road trip to Chicago does wonders for my soul as does a glass of wine or a sushi dinner. Relaxing for me usually includes a long conversation or a night out with my closest people. When I have moments where I don’t have to call the shots or be the one that solves a problem, it is incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I believe there is nothing else I am meant to be doing. I hope that my current career choices will lead to more opportunities, and eventually I hope to enjoy more public speaking engagements and becoming a published author. Careers are no longer boxed in the way they were in the 1950s and the world is a smaller place now. It’s amazing how one connection or opportunity can lead to something new. I have the good fortune in today’s world of being a bit of a chameleon that wears many hats. I can spend a few hours coding alone on my Mac for a new website, then spend an hour or two photographing and interviewing a new business opening downtown, and then connect with thousands of people later that day on the
social media channels I manage. I really love being able to meet the needs of both the introverted side of me and the extroverted side of me. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Learn people and what makes them happy without having to compromise your own happiness. Understanding the requirements of a boss or client is equally important as the hard work involved for a project. If I work hard on a campaign but miss out on pleasing my client, I may as well have worked half as much. Delivering a final project that is high quality means seeing the big picture, and that includes the people involved. For those that want to work in marketing, design or social media, it is important to learn your audience. Learn what they like, what they don’t like, what they need and what they don’t know that they need until you show it to them. Always keep track of your work, your portfolio and the results of your labor. Also, keeping a realistic yet positive attitude will keep you in demand when it comes to asking for your services again.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Dan “Kennedy” Baisden Age: 31 Job title: Director of programming, WAJI Year you joined the company? 2012 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Three Rivers Festival marketing director; Millennial 2020 - Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership; Our Story Project - Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership; Living Fort Wayne Young Leaders Northeast Indiana Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I stocked the produce cooler at Schecks IGA in Shreve, Ohio, when I was only 13 years old What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I had one of the greatest mentors in the world. His name is Tim Moore of Audience Development Group. Tim gave me an opportunity of a lifetime when he took me to several of his markets and had me rebuild radio stations and teams from the ground up. If I ever had a question either personal or professional, Tim was always there and would thoughtfully think out the answer and explain both the pro and con. Most importantly, he focused on giving me opportunities to succeed based on my strengths and fully understood what I am capable of and pushed me to use that strength in everything I do. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? While I was in Flagstaff, Ariz., I had the opportunity to rebuild an entire cluster of radio stations and create a fresh new brand for the active 35-54 audience. We increased ratings and revenue significantly on a limited budget and, working with Tim, created several new radio stations that instantly became the talk of Arizona. For example “Rewind 92.5 and 104.1” knocked off the top rated Classic Hits radio station within one ratings period. During this time, I was also awarded an Edison 30 Under 30 which is one of the most prestigious radio broadcaster awards in the country for my work and dedication in the business and community. What lessons did you learn from it? I learned how to do a lot with very little. It also stressed the importance of having a manager that understands getting in the trenches and working together. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? Be the best resource for the community. I truly believe that when you take care of the community, it will take care of you in return. No matter if you are in radio or marketing or any other industry, community comes first. With the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Our Story project, I would love to see an annual award called “the Contender” given to a
business and community member who has shown excellence in sharing the story of the region and taking care of the community. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? In the marketing community, it’s important to continually be educated on the pulse of the industry. I follow and communicate on a regular basis with other marketing professionals to discover what will be the next important step for clients and businesses to remain competitive. It’s also important to have a mentor who can help you understand your strengths. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? This is still a learning process for me, something I have yet to master. However, I am thankful for my friends who forgive me for my workaholic ways and will spend time with me in my free time to balance my life. What do you do to relax? Relax, what is that? I really enjoy spending Sunday afternoons on the Saint Marys River in the
kayak and weekends with my friends. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I have a passion for community and telling the story of what makes the community great. If I could try anything else it would be to market regions, communities and development opportunities. I have a background in destination branding and to work more in the marketing field would be a dream opportunity. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Marketing and radio isn’t about financial opportunity, it’s a business about passion. You have to go back to your roots on what excited you about this in the first place. Was it that memory of a commercial that stirred excitement, or reading the story about what makes a company or destination special that made you want to discover more? That is the passion that drives you and that is what will keep you excited about this profession.
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Heather Barth Age: 39 Job title: Director of fund development, ACRES Land Trust Year you joined the organization? 2013 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I have always been drawn to organizations that serve women and girls. Past involvement includes Women United as a mentee. I served on planning committees for both Women United’s Power of the Purse event, as well as the Women’s Bureau Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, was an event volunteer for Francine’s Friends Lunch With Friends and a Girl Scout Troop Leader to the most amazing group of fourth-grade girls. I am a current member of ACRES Land Trust, Huntertown Elementary School PTO and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, as well as a 2012 graduate of Emerging Leaders. My studies take up any free time I have right now, but I look forward to graduating in October and getting back to volunteering for local organizations. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? The Auburn Evening Star – I had a walking paper delivery route in the fifth grade. This was my first introduction to customer service and I’ve been hooked ever since; moving through the ranks as an ice cream shop clerk, bank teller, software developer customer service rep, office manager, event coordinator and, now, as a professional fundraiser. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I’m really fortunate to have an amazing group of mentors and friends, all incredibly dedicated to their professions as well as to philanthropy. My husband has been a great source of support, always encouraging me to go for it when I was unsure I even had “it.” My sister has been a consummate voice of reason, telling me what I knew to be true even when I refused to listen to myself. I worked for people like Wayne Shive and Rob Kaiser who believed in me and pushed me to take on responsibilities and projects that allowed me to grow in ways I never thought imaginable. Tammy Zonker gave me a shot at a fundraising career when I had zero experience and continues to be a friend and mentor to me today, teaching me the craft of fundraising and cheering me on every step of the way. Sharon Simmons has been a great source of support and advice in how to manage difficult situations and relationships, balancing composure with standing my ground. Michelle Merrit has served as a perpetual sounding board and dear friend, and is a prime example of confidence and poise. I have to credit Faith Van Gilder for connecting my personal passion for the great outdoors with the fundraising career that I love, paving the way Page 10
for me to secure my position at ACRES Land Trust. And I am ever-grateful for the steadfast leadership and support provided by ACRES’ executive director, Jason Kissel, who provides daily examples of critical thinking, optimism and resourcefulness. Although we work really hard to fulfill the ACRES mission, it’s perfectly acceptable, and actually preferred, to have fun doing so. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? The biggest accomplishment thus far in my career is securing a job that doesn’t feel like work. I’ve been told countless times along the way that when you truly love what you do for a living, it can be life changing. I can attest that it absolutely is. What lessons did you learn from it? Getting to this point was a process and included a litany of different kinds of jobs in a wide variety of industries – banking, tech, service, media and nonprofit. Surround yourself with good people. There are lessons to be learned even when things get tough, little gems that you can take with you and build upon. Focus on the positive, and know and believe in yourself. And always be willing to take that next big step. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? My next big accomplishment will be earning a master’s degree in business administration. This will help strengthen my technical skills with budget analysis, human resource management, marketing, etc., as well as continue to build upon soft skills such as communication, motivation and relationship management. I look forward to using these skills in my current role and I look forward to further honing these skills when the opportunity to step into a leadership role arises. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? The face of fundraising is ever-changing. Participating in trainings and workshops helps me stay current on the latest data, trends and practices. I also read “Advancing Philanthropy,” follow several blogs and search out best practices employed by other nonprofits, especially other land preservation and conservation groups. I work for an organization whose leadership understands and values the investment in continued education for staff, so I take advantage of that as time and funds permit. In addition to taking paid trainings and classes, I am able to audit courses at area universities. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? For me, career, family and community are all interconnected. Family always comes first – that’s a given – and ACRES supports that wholeheartedly. In order for me to be the best mother
and wife I can be, I also need to feel fulfilled when it comes to my career and community involvement. I know that I need to take care of myself to be my best at home, work and when serving others, and sometimes that means taking time for myself. What do you do to relax? Time spent in an ACRES nature preserve is the best way for me to both unwind and recharge. I have always felt a strong connection to nature, feeling most at ease in the presence of trees, climbing them as a young girl and now hiking some pretty amazing natural areas right here in northeast Indiana. Stopping to take in the colors of the plants, flowers, trees, sky and earth, listening to the sounds of the animals and breeze, and deeply breathing all that fresh air truly has a restorative effect on me. Getting out there, even in the dead of winter, keeps me grounded. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would probably be some kind of counselor or therapist. I truly enjoy helping others and can see myself devoting a career to helping people improve their lives through things such as job training, healthcare, recreation and art and music. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Surround yourself with a sound support group, both personally and professionally. Find someone who has had a successful career in fundraising and ask them to mentor you. And never forget that fundraising isn’t about asking for money. It’s about connecting with people and giving them the opportunity to fulfill their philanthropic goals by getting involved with a cause in which they truly believe.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Adam Bouthot Age: 26 Job title: Business manager, Get Fresh Farms Year you joined the company? 2013 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? YLNI, Millennial 2020, Arts United young professionals committee and Big Brothers Big Sisters Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Perfection Autowash in 2005. I detailed cars and completed daily car wash tasks. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have received a lot of support in all of my positions in the past. I was always told, if you want to accomplish something, make sure to have support along the way. I have built a network of people who I can rely on for answers to any troubling questions I have and I also use my network to learn about leadership. I was given a lot of flexibility in my job while going through college that allowed me both to work full time and attend school full time. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My biggest career accomplishment is the impact on the excess inventory I had in my material expeditor position at Fort Wayne Metals. I decreased inventory by $1.4 million in almost 18 months. What lessons did you learn from it? I learned that putting your head down and working towards the end goal step by step is the best way to accomplish a big goal. When I first started, I thought for sure that this position was over my head, but my boss at the time had faith in me. I mainly learned that, if someone has faith in you, you will feed off of that and have a special urge to accomplish the goals. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would like to open a downtown urban farm in a vacant building that would help with the food deserts we have in town. Get Fresh Farms would benefit from this idea since we would expand operations and we would also be
able to help change the way our community looks at food production. This project would also include a year round farmers market, commercial kitchen space and a food incubator. This project would be a huge win for me, GFF and the entire community. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I try my hardest to be known as someone who is always willing to learn. I reach out to the experts and professionals in my field on a weekly basis. They have realized that I have a lot of passion and dedication for aquaponics, so they are willing to share their knowledge with me. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I have a very tight schedule and I stick to it. There are certain nights out of the week that I have dedicated as family and friend time. My community involvement has a lot to do with my career, so a lot of times those two are being accomplished at the same time.
What do you do to relax? I enjoy having an adult beverage with friends in my free time to sit back and relax. When I do have time to relax, which is rare, I am either spending it with friends or spending time with my family. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would want to try being a private investigator. I know one personally and he seems to really enjoy his profession. He gets to travel all around investigating people and businesses. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? I would suggest to them that they start building a network of business owners and leaders that will help them excel in their career. You have to be able to build relationships in the business development industry and, if you aren’t good at that, you will most likely struggle.
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Jessica Butler Age: 28 Job title: Head of marketing, NESCO Rentals Year you joined the company? 2013 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Tapestry: A Day for You, United Way of Allen County, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club and Women United. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Kruse International. I was an auction clerk dealing with bidders and traveling around the country. It was the summer after I graduated from high school, so it didn’t last long, but, boy, was it fun. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? As an adult, I’ve had amazing mentors like Kim Wagner and Irene Walters, who have encouraged me and given me many opportunities to get more involved in the Fort Wayne community. As a young adult, I participated in the Miss Indiana/Miss America Scholarship Pageant system. While many people look down on pageant girls, I am who I am today because of participating in pageants. I learned the importance of giving back to my community, how to communicate with — not to — a wide variety of audiences and how to be an empowered young woman. I should also mention that my decade in pageantry enabled me to graduate from college completely debt-free. And last, but definitely not least, as a child, I received an unbelievable amount of support and encouragement from my parents and grandparents. At a young age, they instilled in me the idea that I could do anything I wanted through hard work, persistence, a strong faith in God and honesty. They taught me to always give 110 percent and never settle for anything less. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Becoming the head of marketing for an international company before the age of 30. I started at NESCO in 2013 as the marketing strategist in a marketing department of two people — including me. In less than a year, I was able to grow the department to five members, initiate a total revamp of the corporate website, complete a brand new 124-page catalog in-house and establish an online storefront and fulfillment center. It has been a whirlwind 15 months, and I have to take the time to thank my wonderful team members: Holly, Kelly, Dawn and Brandon. I couldn’t have done this without you. What lessons did you learn from it? Page 12
Nothing worth having is easy. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? Eventually, I would like to become the vice president of marketing. This position doesn’t currently exist at NESCO, so getting to that point would mean substantial growth for the company and the marketing department. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I attend conferences and webinars, and read business and industry magazines. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? This is definitely a struggle. Work and community involvement keep me very busy, so I try to include my family whenever possible. I have the most amazing family, and they are always ready and willing to help out. It seems like I’m always roping them into volunteering for or attending various work and community functions. What do you do to relax?
Three words: Woodhouse. Day. Spa. (Ok, I’ll take my check now - product placement) All kidding aside, there are times when I need to decompress, disengage and not think about a thing. The only way I can accomplish that is by making an appointment at the spa. Other times, spending time laughing with friends and/or family will do the trick. If you could try another profession, what would it be? When I was Miss Fort Wayne, I had the opportunity to guest cohost the 97.3 WMEE morning show. Despite having to wake-up at 4 a.m., it was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed the casual, engaging atmosphere. So, if I could do it all again, I would most likely pursue a career in broadcasting. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? My advice is for women: read the book “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office,” by Lois P. Frankel. It’s an easy read, but it will change your entire view.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Jason T. Clagg Age: 37 Job title: Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP Year you joined the company? I started as a summer associate with the law firm in 2001 and became a full-time associate in 2003. Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am currently the president of the board of the Jorgensen YMCA and the treasurer of the board of the Aboite Girls Basketball League. I am also a former member of the board of the Fort Wayne Cinema Center. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first job was mowing lawns for my friends and neighbors. It was essentially like running a very small business. I learned quite a bit about responsibility and getting to work outside in the summer was great. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been very fortunate as my dad is also a lawyer who spent over 30 years practicing in Fort Wayne. His insights into work and life – like how he got the job done while coaching every team I ever played for – have been invaluable to me. Likewise, several of my law partners, most especially Tuck Hopkins, have been fantastic mentors, teaching me the personal, legal and business aspects of the practice of law. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I have had success defending employers and educational institutions in all sorts of cases in court, but my biggest accomplishment is when we can avoid a big court fight by finding some common ground through practical advice. What lessons did you learn from it? I have learned that sometimes the best legal advice is not in a statute. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? My goal is to continue to grow our practice throughout Indiana and beyond. I believe that a national law practice can reside anywhere, particularly with the right use of technology, and being based in northeast Indiana can be an asset. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? While our law firm has expertise in virtually every area of the law, I purposefully keep the focus of my practice narrow. I represent employers and educational institutions almost exclusively. And, while I represent these clients in all types of matters, I have tried to focus my energy on certain cases – such as non-compete and trade secret disputes, labor unrest, wage and hour claims and student disability matters.
How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? No doubt it is challenging to fit everything into the day, but I do my best to keep family first. We always make time for dinner together, even if that means a late night or early morning. What do you do to relax? Running is my hobby and a great stress reliever. And, exploring new restaurants and traveling with my family is certainly a favorite. However, the most relaxing place for me is
going to the lake in the summer – straight from the office to the pier is just the best. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would like to grow a business or teach. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Don’t take yourself too seriously, learn from folks who have been at it longer than you, pounding the table usually does not accomplish much and preparation is crucial.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Brian P. Clifford Age: 34 Job title: Partner, Faegre Baker Daniels Year you joined the company? 2006 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Mikautadze Dance Theatre Co. board of directors Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Scott’s Food Stores was my first real paycheck. I worked stocking the frozen foods. (FYI: People love Edy’s ice cream.) Before that, I worked a few different summer jobs such as painting lines on parking lots. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been given a lot of freedom to create my own path and expertise. As it was once put to me when I first started at the firm, I have been given “enough rope to almost hang [myself] with – but [the firm] will always be the stable chair underneath you to stand on.” I have always appreciated this level of trust and support. In particular, Mike James here in Fort Wayne and Mark Voigtmann in my Indianapolis office have been incredibly supportive of my career, helping with everything from tightening my formal writing to understanding the soft skills necessary to become a truly trusted adviser to my clients. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My career accomplishments are really my clients’ own successes. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be involved in so many great development projects around the country in partnership with my clients, it is impossible to choose one as the biggest. What lessons did you learn from it? One thing I have learned from my clients is that, if you surround yourself with dedicated and talented people, you will always be happily surprised about the amazing results you can accomplish. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? While my work in multifamily and mixed use developments, food processing facilities Page 14
and energy generation and transportation projects has expanded the services I can provide to clients beyond the Midwest region, I hope to continue to increase the geographic platform for my work in other market segments. In particular, for alternative energy production facilities and for food processing and other automation projects, I hope to establish an expanded international platform for my project consulting and negotiation services. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? The primary way I keep up with industry trends is by listening to my clients — not just the executives, but also the men and women with boots on the ground. I also read a lot of industry news and social media materials and regularly attend and lecture at conferences and trade organization meetings. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I will let you know when I figure it out. What do you do to relax? I enjoy all
types of outdoor activities – backpacking, kayaking or just spending time near the lakes. The Fort Wayne trail system is a huge asset to our community. I try to regularly cycle, run and walk downtown and into the surrounding communities. I also enjoy traveling to new areas and exploring their unique ways of life. If you could try another profession, what would it be? When I was young, I thought being a forest ranger would be the perfect job for me. On the assumption that they have significantly reduced urgent email volumes, although perhaps the same always available status. I think that would still be my first alternative career choice. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? While you can learn a lot from your in-house mentors, you also have to take responsibility for your own advancement – and your clients can teach you a lot of what you really need to know.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Heidi Colone Age: 32 Job title: Sales manager, Three Rivers FCU Year you joined the company? 2011 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am the treasurer for the Fort Wayne Base Community Council. I am also a Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana member. I have been involved with various committees for the organization and, last year, was the YLNI chair for “Let’s Give Allen County” in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. Most recently I became the co-chair for the 2015 My City Summit. Additionally, I work on the committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters Women’s Champagne Brunch. These three organizations support different missions in the community, but all are extremely important to me. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Steak ‘n Shake when I was 16 years old. It was my first “real” job. At $2.13 an hour plus tips, my first paycheck was only a few dollars, literally. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been blessed to have the most competitive older sister. Looking back, I want to give her the most credit for instilling the entrepreneurial and fundraising spirit in me. She was the mastermind. When she was 6 years old and I was 4 years old, it was her idea to go door to door selling potatoes for $5 a piece. This allowed me to execute the “ask.” If you know both of us, you know we compete on anything and everything – who is better, faster, smarter, etc. I have a supportive family, who has always been willing to help me in any way possible. I also couldn’t ask for better friends that are always willing to stand by my side. I have a best friend since second grade who will tell it like it is, and is absolutely irreplaceable. The people in your life help mold who you are as a person. The person who refined my professional approach and ultimately furthered my advancement was Brooke Crosley of Crosley Inc. She was hired by 3Rivers for sales training but it wasn’t about how to sell or what to say to get a sale. Her training was based more around understanding yourself, your member or prospect and the overall relationship. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? In January 2013, I was the manager responsible for opening and growing the Page 16
new 3Rivers location at Harrison Square. That alone was no small task since we were not migrating accounts from a closure of a branch; we had no members, no parking and lots of snow. In addition, my husband was called to active duty service and deployed oversees. We had twin daughters who were 3 years old, at that time. It was extremely challenging not to bring work home with me or take home into work. We all survived, which is an accomplishment in itself. The Harrison branch was extremely successful for the first year, which has laid the foundation for all we have achieved today. What lessons did you learn from it? You can’t do it all alone. It’s OK to say “no,” delegate and ask for help. From a leadership standpoint, I had to ask myself, “What is it that will compel people to follow you?” I learned that if you are willing to do the work and invest your time in others, you will be rewarded with far more than what you could have accomplished alone. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would love to have the opportunity to create and drive more strategic initiatives for the credit union. I want to develop further business, and reward the community in which we serve. How do you remain current/relevant in
your profession? For me, it’s all about building lasting relationships with every facet of my life. I ask a lot of questions to gain as much information as I can from various aspects in various fields of business. I stay involved in the community as much as I can, and I am always willing and wanting to learn more. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? The more I can integrate the community involvement with my career and my family, the easier it becomes for me. I am always open to suggestions on how to manage it better, too. What do you do to relax? My personality profile has made me aware that I function at my optimal capacity when there is chaos. With that being said, there isn’t much time for relaxing. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would be a litigator. I feel I am very good at arguing my point in a rational, factual basis to come to a fair resolution. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Build a network of people who want to see you succeed. Reach out to these resources as you need. Be willing and consistently provide value to your network.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Heidi Colone Branch Sales Manager
3Rivers Congratulates
Heidi Colone
for being selected as part of Business Weekly’s 40 Under 40. Heidi knows the meaning of hard work and dedication and we are proud of her accomplishments and service to our community.
3riversfcu.org
|
260.490.8328
Connect with us on social media to learn more facebook.com/3rfcu @3riversfcu
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Bryan Dailey Age: 36 Job title: Co-owner Company: Sharper Image Fence Year you founded the company? 2008 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Upstar Homes for Wounded Warriors, Associated Churches, Mulligans for the Military and Klopz for Kids Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Scott’s grocery store. I bagged groceries. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? Advice and guidance from multiple business owners. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Starting our business and watching our clients expand from residential to commercial. What lessons did you learn from it? To work hard, have good customer service and be persistent. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? To become the No. 1 one fence company in Fort Wayne. It would help gain exposure and expand our company. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Professional training classes through vendors and networking with other construction companies. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I always put family first because it builds a solid foundation to grow my career and community involvement. What do you do to relax? Spend time with my family and play hockey. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Sports trainer for a professional sports team. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? I would tell them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Customer service is extremely important and vital to growing your business. Page 18
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Sam DiFilippo Age: 29 Job title: Development officer, Rugby Indiana Year you joined the organization? September 2013 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? A Better Fort, Fort Wayne Rugby, Bishop Dwenger Rugby, FOP Lodge 14 Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? The News Sentinel. I delivered newspapers in the State Boulevard and Reed Road area. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? My family members have been my biggest supporters. They have gone above and beyond to give me the ability to push forward and achieve my goals. My girlfriend and friends are always there for me when I need them. I’ve always surrounded myself with positive and driven people because they understand how to make work enjoyable and get things accomplished. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My biggest accomplishment is making Fort Wayne my home and getting to do what I love every day. What lessons did you learn from it? Early on, you can’t dwell on the results and fulfillment, it will just bring you grief. Focus on the process and find ways to inspire yourself and you’ll seldom be heartbroken. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I would like to get more schools and youth organizations to try rugby as an activity. People don’t know we have a non-contact version and rugby could easily be added to the physical education curriculum. It’s an all-inclusive sport that is closely related to football and soccer. The more kids that pick up a ball the better it is for our sport. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Keeping up to date with best practices in coaching and efficiency. It’s important to find a way to keep your stakeholders engaged year round, and not just in season. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Being involved in many activities in high school and college helped me to identify time wasters and people that don’t add value to life. I do my best to relax when I have down time, but everything in my life is so intertwined that I don’t worry about balancing.
What do you do to relax? Staying in and catching up on shows or heading downtown for dinner and drinks. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I always thought being a TV fisherman would be a great job. You only work once a week for an hour and you get to be
outdoors. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? The best advice for someone starting out is to stay persistent, learn something new every day and find a way to help others along the way.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Tiffanney Drummond Age: 35 Job title: Director of career and technical education, Huntington County Community School Corp. Year you joined the organization? I joined Huntington County Community School Corp. as a health services instructor in 2011. In July 2014, I moved into administration as director of career and technical education. Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Development team at Huntington County Community Learning Center, Life Long Learning, Junior Achievement of Huntington County, United Way of Huntington County, March of Dimes, Evangelical United Methodist Church, Huntington County Baseball Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first position was at Walgreens in Huntington. I was a cashier and I stocked shelves. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been blessed with wonderful mentors all along the way. I had an incredible high school teacher who encouraged me to think outside the box. He challenged me as a writer for the school newspaper where I eventually served as editor-in-chief. I was also able to travel extensively in high school to various journalism conferences because this teacher was willing to put in the extra time required to take students on those types of trips. My first internship supervisor in college treated me with such respect – I remember thinking I wanted to mentor others someday just like her. My pastor, the Rev. Marti Lundy, handles herself with such grace and models what it looks like to be a hands-on, working mother. As a professional, I have worked with so many amazing individuals who have generously shared their wealth of knowledge with me. Last, but certainly not least is my husband. Adam is an elementary principal in Huntington. He is such a dedicated professional, and I learn from him every single day. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I accepted a part-time teaching position after working as a registered nurse at Lutheran Hospital. I was hired for this position the week before school started. Then, the director of the certified nurse aide program resigned. I was then offered a full-time position. I started a day before the students that year. I literally learned teaching day by day and overnight. I worked and earned my workplace specialist teaching license during that first year. During my three years as director of the CNA program, 100 percent of my students passed the Indiana State Department of Health licensing exam. Knowing that I helped 101 students obtain a license that they can use to earn a living wage is something that I will always be proud of. In my new position Page 20
as director of career and technical education, I hope to cultivate other programs that will allow students to gain skills that will help them be successful as adults. I am committed to creating a state-of-the-art work force development program that allows our high school students and adults in our community to earn certification through our community partnerships at the learning center. What lessons did you learn from it? I quickly learned that you can never ask too many questions. I also learned the importance of taking detailed notes, staying focused and strategic planning. Sometimes you have to break a bigger goal down into manageable pieces. Clearly communicating what you expect – from students, co-workers or loved ones – is the most efficient way to getting the results you want. Communication is vital to achieving a goal that impacts multiple people. Perfectionism is something I very much struggle with. It can be crippling when you are starting a new endeavor that has many moving pieces. I’ve learned that so many skills from previous life experiences are transferable, such as organization, time management and problem solving. High school students are at such a unique time in their lives. You can have the best lesson plan in the world, but sometimes you need to take a beat and engage with students where they are. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I am currently working on my master’s degree from Ball State University in career and technical education, and plan to graduate in December. Pursing this degree while also working in the field has been a wonderful opportunity for me to really reflect and apply the coursework immediately. I have also been able to meet many individuals in the field as a result of completing this program. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Right now, my graduate courses have really helped to strengthen my knowledge base. I am also a member of the professional trade organization for my field, and network as much as I can to learn from others. I also am an avid Twitter follower and find great resources through Twitter. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I find I feel like I am most in balance when I compartmentalize. When I am at work, I try to focus solely on work. When I’m with my family, I want to give them 100 percent of my attention. With three children – Chase, 10, Carson, 5, and Carter, 4 months – their needs are all so different. If there is an issue going on in either area, home or work, I tell those who need to know. This can result in me telling my kids I need five minutes to answer an urgent email, or it
may mean that I tell my boss I need to take my child to a doctor’s appointment. I seek out community involvement in areas my family can participate in together, so that we can do so as a family. My husband and I are co-chairing the capital campaign for United Way of Huntington County this year, and I am so excited to work with him in this great community program. What do you do to relax? My three children are the joy and challenge of my life. When I have down time I like to spend it with them. They are all at such different stages with unique interests that in one weekend I can find myself at a movie with my 10 year old, reading stories with my 5-year-old, and doing “tummy time” with my daughter. My husband and I love to travel with our kids and just the two of us. Prior to the birth of our youngest child Carter, we took ballroom dancing lessons. We had so much fun learning something new together. If you could try another profession, what would it be? My first degree was in public relations and I worked in marketing for five years before going back to school to become a nurse. I worked in an emergency department before transitioning to teaching. My sister would tell you I should be a “fixer,” because I love problem solving. I’ve always been fascinated by law so if I had to change career paths tomorrow, I would try law. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Let your work ethic speak for itself, don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t understand something and remember your strengths. Pursue your interests, both professionally and personally. If you are going to give more than 40 hours a week to something, make sure it is something worthy of your time.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Charles Christopher Dubes Age: 37 Job title: Attorney, Barrett & McNagny Year you joined the company? 2003 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am a member of the board of directors for Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck from came Lafayette Parks and Recreation where I worked at Loeb Stadium to maintain the baseball field. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have had and continue to have great mentors and a very supportive family. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Personally, my biggest accomplishment is my family. I am blessed with a wonderful wife and two children. My biggest accomplishment professionally, is the opportunity to help and resolve my clients’ problems to their satisfaction. I feel honored that they have entrusted me with their legal work and I have especially enjoyed my jury trials and the experience it has offered me. What lessons did you learn from it? Through my professional and personal accomplishments, I have learned patience and the importance of communication in resolving issues. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would like to continue to help clients in resolving their legal issues and to grow my practice area of medical malpractice defense. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I remain up to date on legal topics by constantly educating myself through legal education seminars and webinars. I use this information to give presentations to clients and students. I am a frequent speaker for the IU Medical School in Fort Wayne and the University of Saint Francis. I also give presentations directly to clients when
needed and our firm hosts several seminars annually where I have spoken about legal changes in my practice area. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I try to maintain a balance by planning the best I can. Once I commit to something, I try to never break that commitment if possible. What do you do to relax? I enjoy
spending time with my kids and I enjoy golf. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would be a professional golfer. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? First, find a good mentor. Second, maintain your integrity at all times. Finally, do not be afraid to fail.
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Megan Flohr Age: 34 Job title: Director of services, Visit Fort Wayne Year you joined the organization? 2003 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Numerous organizations due to the nature of my job, but none in an active leadership role at this time. I’ve found myself over the years not being able to commit enough time and energy, so I’m looking for a better focus. I don’t want to be a passive participant. I want to be active. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? First actual wage was from a lawn mowing company that I started in seventh grade, but first paycheck came from the now defunct Tom’s Grocery at Riviera Plaza. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I’ve been lucky to have very positive and proactive role models throughout my journey. I’ve had leaders inside my organization who have taught me how to be professional – from how to run a meeting and be decisive to how to manage employees and everything in between. I’ve had community leaders who have sat on our board who have served as mentors, sounding boards and helped get projects accomplished. I’ve met great people in Fort Wayne who began as colleagues and have become friends. I’ve met so many of these people through various projects and have been lucky to maintain relationships where we all support each other. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I can’t really point to a single accomplishment – everything that I’ve done so far has been another step in the right direction. So much of what I do is related to making sure a very small number of people know the project is happening. A successful project for me – something like a Gold Wing event, such as in 2005 and 2012, or one of the political party conventions, such as in 2012 and 2014, in Fort Wayne – starts with anticipating every possible question, concern or problem and having solutions before the client even realizes those problems could happen. From there it’s making sure that every single attendee has a wonderful time in Fort Wayne, feels welcomed and gets to experience everything that makes this town fantastic. I get to share the great restaurants, the museums, the trails, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and Parkview Field, and all of the amazing local businesses that make Fort Wayne such a great place to live and for these folks to visit. Every activity and project is a chance to learn and grow for the next. Page 22
What lessons did you learn from it? The Gold Wing Road Riders Association Wing Ding is a great example. A more than two-year project incorporating the entire region is a big undertaking. There were roughly 50 people involved at every turn all with individual ideas and responsibilities. Police from multiple departments, buildings, hotels, restaurants, different governments, street departments, colleges, organizers, the Indiana Department of Revenue and members all have a vested interest. The best lesson that I learned from this and from the more than 50 events like this is that you have to work together. You have to support each other. You have to do what is asked of you if you’re going to ask something of someone else. If you want to help people, they’ll want to help you. And if you do all of this, the more than 10,000 people who come to town never know any of it occurred – they just know they loved the parade and the fireworks at Parkview Field. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I want to raise the profile of my portion of our organization. Currently the Fort Wayne Visitors Center fields 15,000 visitor inquiries a year – and a good number of residents. I interface with 100 event planners, and have contact with over 100,000 visitors coming to events – but I want to do that bigger, better, and be more of a central force for development. I want people who were going to spend one day in Fort Wayne to see how much we have to offer and spend significantly more time – and money – here. We’re working hard to become a resource for locals as well so they’ll be more likely to bring their friends, families and events into Fort Wayne. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? There is a great network of people in similar positions to mine around the country who all work together. We don’t really compete, so we share ideas to make each other better. There’s no one else in Fort Wayne who does what I do, but there are about 100 in the country that are doing it at a comparable level. So being able to get the newest, coolest information from the folks in Seattle and San Francisco is great, but so is sharing Midwestern information from the folks at the Dunes or in Bloomington. We’re always looking for the next thing to make us stand out. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Very carefully. I have an extremely supportive husband and extended family
who have always instilled an extremely dedicated work ethic in me. You should always do more than expected and do it to the best of your ability. You have to prioritize the different aspects to make sure you’re balanced. What do you do to relax? Spend time with family – including the pets – we enjoy movies, concerts and events. I love live sporting events – really just about any sport although I search out basketball and tennis each year. Anything active that makes the adrenaline pump is a good option. Always nice to close the day out with a good book. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I’d love to work in public service – I honestly always figured I’d end up in a government job. I feel there is the ability to influence change and improvement there. The end goal has always been and always will be to make my home the best possible place it can be. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Try everything, go to everything, talk to everyone and listen to what they say. You never know when you’re going to find that thing that’s going to change your life or become your passion. There’s great knowledge out there if you stop to listen to it.
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Arts • Entertainment • Community News Introducing a rich, full-bodied multimedia website featuring short documentaries, elegant photography and stories about everything that’s good here.
www.INfortwayne.com
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Patrick Florea Age: 29 Job title: Director, account management, JH Specialty Inc. Year you joined the company? 2007 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana, the Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne and St. Vincent’s Parish (primarily through the Christ Renews Ministry) Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Fort Wayne Newspapers as a News-Sentinel paper delivery boy. It was a great first job for a 13-year-old kid and taught me priceless lessons about time management, responsibility and communicating with customers. At that time, we still had to go door-to-door to collect on some accounts and nothing is as frightening to a 13-year-old kid than having to collect on past dues. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? The support I received came from a few different groups, both personally and professionally. From a professional level, I get much of my support from the leadership team at JH Specialty who have been strong mentors and friends since day one. John Henry, CEO; Tim Diefenbach, CTO; and Jason Knothe, COO, have always ensured I was set up for success and provided strong examples to learn from along the way. My family also has been a strong support group in the advancement of my career. I have two older sisters who are always there to provide great advice, and my mother and late father taught me the value of setting goals and pursuing your passion. Lastly, I am blessed to have a loving, caring and patient wife who is there to support me each and every day. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? The biggest accomplishment in my career from a professional standpoint would have to be my promotion in early 2014 to a director role at JH Specialty. I started out as an intern almost eight years ago and have grown with the company into more of a leadership role to where I am today. What lessons did you learn from it? A big lesson that I learned during this process is to work hard and strive towards your goals. I’ve also learned that I’ve been fortunate to work with many like-minded people in a positive, team-focused work environment. I value this more each day as I believe it goes a long way in one’s overall quality of life. What would you next like to Page 24
accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I want to begin and complete my MBA degree within the next three to five years. I am a continuous learner and enjoy furthering my skill set and knowledge especially when it comes to business. I believe this achievement would not only be a benefit to the agency that I am currently with, but also position me as a stronger asset to the clients I interact with on a daily basis. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I remain current in my profession of relationship management in the ever-changing marketing and advertising world through internal collaboration and learning from those around me at work. I’m surrounded by a great team, many of whom are way more knowledgeable about their area of expertise than I am. We also have various developmental opportunities that I participate in at JH. These include not only our industry focus areas such as marketing, advertising and UI/UX design, but also business development and leadership training. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? The honest answer is that I don’t – or at least not very well at times. The work-life balance is always a challenge and something I try to improve. I believe it starts with your faith life and the constant struggle of trying to keep God in the center each and every day. From there, it’s a balancing act ensuring you are managing your work responsibilities with your volunteer opportunities all while trying to be a good husband, father and friend. What do you do to relax? I enjoy staying active in some sort of sporting activity like golf or volleyball. I also like to be outdoors either at the lake on the boat or just out for a hike. Lately, I have also found that simple family time and activities around our church have been a strong source of relaxation for me. I am a new father to a little girl, Lucille Joyce (or as I call her, Lu), and find that spending quiet time with her and my wife to be the best. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Sports psychologist. My undergraduate degree is in psychology and I have always found the power behind positive psychology fascinating. It can impact an athlete, or any individual, in his or her everyday life. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you
give that person? I would recommend starting early. Internships are a great way for students to build relationships and learn the various industries that they may enjoy working in one day. I would also encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone, strive for their goals and pursue their passions. A famous quote that has inspired me on various levels came from Pope Benedict XVI: “The world promised you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” I believe this quote applies both to a person’s career as well as in his or her faith.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Leah Good Age: 35 Job title: Attorney, Troyer & Good PC Year you joined the company? 2012 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Chair of the board and co-chair of the event committee for Healthier Moms and Babies; program committee of the Planned Giving Council of Northeast Indiana; volunteer for Leave a Legacy Write A Will event; past chair of the Probate, Trust and Tax Section of the Allen County Bar Association; volunteer for Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana; and volunteer at my children’s school. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I worked as a cashier at my grandfather’s grocery store. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been fortunate to have a wonderful family who has supported and encouraged me throughout my entire life. My parents were my support system telling me I could do whatever I set my mind to and encouraging me to never give up. I never could have made it through college and law school without their support. I met my husband in college. He encouraged me throughout law school. He worked hard holding down two jobs supporting us both so I could pursue my dream. I am forever grateful to him for supporting me, for never letting me give up and keeping me calm and focused, especially studying for the bar exam. I have also been fortunate to work with some amazing people during my career. Early on, I had wonderful coworkers who believed in me even when I may have doubted myself. I have learned so much from my current law partner. She has inspired me and is always so patient with me with my frequent questions. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? In my first case that was scheduled to go to trial, I represented an elderly man who was taken advantage of and being harassed by a credit card company. I was able to get the lawsuit dismissed against him. That was the first case I felt like I made a difference for someone. He was such a sweet person and was so grateful for what I had done for him. I was a new attorney and new to that area of the law. I learned as much from him
as I did about the law in defending him. What lessons did you learn from it? I learned what practicing law is all about for me. It isn’t about winning or losing; it is about helping people and making a difference. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would like to continue to grow in my current areas of practice and eventually broaden my focus to other areas of the law. The legal profession is ever changing and the more you know is beneficial not only to current clients, but in obtaining more clients. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? The law changes frequently and it is imperative that I stay current with those changes. I attend continuing legal education classes and have many sources that I consult to inform me when the law has changed. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Organization is key. It is all about time management and prioritizing. I try to stay
grounded by remembering what is truly important to me. I have two kids and a husband that come first above all else. No matter what I am doing, I always try to give 100 percent. When I am at home, I leave work at the door and enjoy my family. When I am at work, I focus on what I am doing and the clients I am trying to help. What do you do to relax? I enjoy spending time with family. Nothing can make me smile and relax like seeing a smile on the faces of my children. When I am alone, I enjoy reading. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Teaching. I love working with kids. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Make sure to listen to your clients and be empathetic. Don’t just assume you know what they want or need. By doing more listening than talking, you can learn a lot about a person. You may know the law, but each client is different and can challenge you with problems that are uncommon, interesting and sometimes entertaining.
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Jeff Gruettert Age: 23 Job title: Operations manager, 3BG Supply Co. Year you joined the company? 2014 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? A Better Fort and BAALS Music Festival Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Tractor Supply Co., where I was in charge of animal feed rotation, planograms and receiving room functions. After helping customers, the majority of the day was spent organizing and rotating feed products. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I had multiple channels of support, ranging from my friends and family to my close college mentors. But the person I received the most support from was my wife, Beth, who never doubted for one second my capabilities. Beth, along with others provided me the support I needed to build the necessary foundation on which I could stand tall enough to see my objectives clearly. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My biggest career accomplishment would have to be my overall contribution and improvement on 3BG’s business operations. As operations manager, I oversee the business’s fluidity and ensure that the proverbial “cogs” are turning correctly. I also help design new business functions, as well as research and implement newer technology. When I started as an intern, I was only trying to gain practical experience for the real world. It only took me a month to believe in 3BG’s future and adopt the passion for the business as my two bosses, Shane and Alex, had before me. What lessons did you learn from it? I learned that you do not have to have a business degree to make a difference in a business. I have proven this to myself time and again. I graduated with a bachelors in sociology and a minor in professional and applied ethics. Utilizing the critical thinking skills I gained from college and my past job experiences, I was able to make a positive impact on a small, but rapidly growing business. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I want to ensure our company’s success by continuing to improve upon business practices, as well as finish the development of our database, website and core functionalities. Doing this will add to the exponential growth 3BG is already experiencing. Page 26
How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I remain current by reading about and actively researching new and better ways to practice business. I am also taking formal classes as well as training programs to improve upon my knowledge base. Mainly though, I remain relevant by constantly learning from my two bosses who I’d consider my close mentors. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Very carefully. But really, balance is only obtainable once one finds his or her true values. Once you know your true values, everything else, call them distractions, fade away. Once the distractions from your life are removed, it becomes easier to balance those values, which for me are my wife, career and friends. What do you do to relax? I relax in different ways, and each way is reliant on the particular mood I am in.
Usually, I find it relaxing to watch TV with my wife. Other times, I enjoy going out bowling with my friends or playing low stakes poker with them. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I would want to get into alternative energy, mainly solar technology. I would really like to help promote the use of renewable energy sources and help cast away old and environmentally deleterious practices. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Always admit when you do not know something and do everything you can to learn new things. Most importantly, believe in your company’s future and do everything in your power to make that future possible. If you do not believe in the company, you will not fight to ensure its success.
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Ryan Harris Age: 38 Job title: President, Felderman DesignBuild Year you joined the company? Full-time June 2002 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Turnstone and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Felderman Design-Build – well, I think I received one. I was hired to clean up job sites or whatever was asked of me. I recall sweeping and moving lots of steel studs around for the guys. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been very fortunate to have received a ton of advancement support from great mentors and peers. They include high school coaches, family members, coworkers, clients and business leaders in the community. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I would say managing the business during the great recession. It certainly was not a ton of fun; however, I learned a tremendous amount. I hope to never have to go through it again, but I know the company will be well positioned to weather the storm should another great recession hit. What lessons did you learn from it? How to manage more with less, as well as how important it is to keep a positive attitude and look at situations with a glass-half-full perspective. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I am not sure I have a specific goal in mind; however, we are currently celebrating our 40th year in business, so reaching our 50th would certainly be great. I also hope we can continue to grow year after year and add to our team. That would suggest we are accomplishing one of our project goals – be better friends with our clients at the end of the project then the beginning – which to us is a great measure of a successful project. How do you remain current/relevant
in your profession? If you were to see my office, you would notice a significant amount of industry magazines on my desk. I don’t get to all of them, but I try. I am a firm believer in professional development programs; you can learn a lot of best practices from other companies and organizations. I was told by my dad, “If you are doing it the same way today as seven years ago, you’re probably doing it wrong”. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Probably an area that needs improvement, but family is always first, although it might
not seem that way to them all the time. What do you do to relax? My 4-year-old twins would tell you, watching sports on the couch. If you could try another profession, what would it be? A professional skier. I can’t imagine a better office then a ski resort. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? You have to be passionate about the work. There is a lot of risk in construction, but there is just as much reward.
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Garien L. Hudson Age: 32 Job title: Director of student retention and diversity programming, University of Saint Francis Year you joined the organization? Technically, 2006 but I spent 2009–2013 at IPFW and returned to USF March 2013. Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I serve on the board at the YWCA Northeast Indiana and chair the governance committee and I am a member of Fellowship Missionary Church. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I worked for FWCS during the summer in its Summer Clubhouse program. I don’t remember the exact role, but it was similar to a teacher’s aide. I helped organize most of the games and several other activities. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I can honestly say that it was my wife that gave my career a kick start. My goal after graduating from college was to teach social studies and coach football. I interviewed for a handful of positions at high schools around the state and came up empty each time. My wife found an admissions counselor position at the University of Saint Francis and thought I should look into it. I’ve been in higher education ever since. She knew what I was capable of even when I doubted myself and I owe a lot to her for her support. My parents have supported me as well. My mother has always been my biggest cheerleader/ motivational coach. She helped me set high expectations for myself early on. It was hard to understand why in the moment but now I look back and appreciate all she’s done. My father’s wise words and calm spirit have been inspiring and extremely necessary for me throughout my career. He doesn’t say much, but when he does it’s always encouraging and positive. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I don’t think I have just one that sticks out but working in higher education has allowed me to see students persevere through adversity and become beautiful human beings because they endured the process. If I’m being honest, there’s nothing more fulfilling than that in my career. Many students I’ve worked with had no idea they’d be doing what they do now. They come to college to get a degree and end up truly finding themselves. What lessons did you learn from it? I’ve learned the importance of establishing good relationships. It allows others the opportunity to see how much you really care about their well-being. As a result, you develop Page 28
rapport with individuals over time and trust is much easier to establish. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I would like to help my current institution become the most student-centered institution in the U.S. There are all sorts of implications that come with that statement and I know it sounds idealistic, but it’s possible. I truly believe it. We do many great things at our institution and my hope is to help us continue down the path. If we keep pushing ourselves to become excellent in every facet, our students will be the primary beneficiaries of these efforts. They’ll be able to look back on their experience and know they received the best from us. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I am constantly reading journals on student success. It allows me to have a better context on my role at the University of Saint Francis and it allows me to see what practices are working within the industry. It also allows me to envision those big-dream concepts that may not seem to be realistic, but would be very exciting to see happen on our campus. Staying current in this way helps me further develop a desired state for our institution. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? It’s probably my greatest challenge. I’ve been told and truly believe that multitasking is a myth. You can do many things well, but it’s hard to be excellent in everything. So the reality is there are sacrifices that are made in order to be great and it changes all the time. An example would be when I go on vacation with my family. I do not check work email. It’s a great challenge but it allows me to be 100 percent present with my family. What do you do to relax? I binge on Netflix/HBO Go series with my wife. It’s a guilty pleasure but it’s our bonding time. I like to work out, lifting or running. I’m not a major health/fitness person but I can sense when my body needs to release stress and working out is a great way for me to do that. I also spend time playing with my kids. They’re full of energy. They keep me
young. I can count on them any day of the week for a good round of wrestling or just kicking back and playing board games or some game on my phone – preferably Boom Beach. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I’d try coaching. Baseball or football preferably. I’ve always been involved with sports and I wish I had more time to devote to it. I’m certain that when my kids are a little older, there will be some coaching at that time but I can certainly envision myself walking up and down the sidelines at some amazing local high school, wearing black and gold. Yes, that’s my shameless plug for my alma mater, Snider High School. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? If you cannot put the needs of someone else above your own, this is not the profession for you. People looking for a career in higher education need to begin knowing that their success is dependent upon the success of the students they serve. There has to be a very intentional commitment on the individual to do what he or she can, within reason and ability, to help a student develop and attain the goals a student has set.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Hall of Fame 2014
Tiffany Ann Laura Antil Jacob Daniel Benedict Justin Berger Kim Paige Bowers Tomra (Tomi) Cardin Crystal Church-Stavitzke Amanda Cope Billy Davenport Adam Drummond Brent Eastom Brandon Ferrell Corey Ford John H. Foxworthy II Adam Henry Frank Nicholas Howard Jermaine Jackson Dr. Zubair Khan Mark Leu Rudy Mahara II John J. Minnich Andy More Joe Noorthoek Jake Pickett Rachel Rayburn Mandy Reber Christy Sandmaier Marla Schneider Tommy Schoegler Brad Shank Alex Smith Carrie Snyder Lanah K. Hake Tarango Julie Townsend Tom Trent Andrea Trevino Jami VandeVelde Kimberly Wagner Kryste Wallen Erica L. Wehrmeister
2013
Tom Allman Shane Araujo Ed Bake Josh Barkley Melissa Beber Tyler Binkley Neal Bowman Andrew Boxberger Sarah Brown
Albert Brownlee Justin Brugger Kimberly Carpenter Kent Castleman Justin Clupper Grant Daily Jake Farris Tamesha Fikes Keith Gillenwater Matt Graves Shannon Hardiek Mary Jo Hardiman Lettie Haver Lindsey Hively Kendra Klink Michael Limmer Kelly Lynch Melissa McKown Brent Minnick Jarrod Ramer Shannon Reed Nate Reuser Anthony Romano Melissa Schenkel Kylee Shirey Luke Squires Katy Stafford-Cunningham Krista Stockman Nick Talarico YaVond Ulfig Stephanie Veit
2012
Tony Belton Zachary Benedict Jennifer Jo Brown Jon-Paul Capito Cameron Collier Kristi Cortezano Ryan Daniel Carmen Darland Patrick Dean Denise DeMarchis Julia Fiechte Jennifer Fisher Scott Gruner Ryan Hart Douglas Horner Evan Hyndman Lori Keys Alex Kiefer Chad LaCross Zach Lear
David Lefever Andy Marshall Kyle Martin Susan McGrade Cory Miller Carrie Minnich Aaron Myers Joshua Neal Jennifer Neher Kristin Pagan Irene Paxia Heather Presley-Cowen Marceline Rogers Beth Schrader Justin Shurley Brad Smith Mick Stewart Alan Tio Pone Vongphachanh Donna Whinery Alison Mansfield
2011
Daniel Blevins Aaron Brown D. Joe Caffee Chris Ciocca Kristin Coppolino Angela Dane Angela Dippel Michael Douglass Michael Earls Sarah Earls Kevin Erb Sam Graves Stacy Hefty John Henry III Heather Herron Andrew Hoffman Amy Johnson Zachary Klutz Erin LaCross Kyndra Landgraff Christopher Langschied Todd E. Larson Dr. Kara Heine Laughlin Wei Luo Thomas Martin Mike McCaffrey Aaron McDevitt Thomas (Ted) Nitza Jr. Amber Recker Darren Renier
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Brian Schackow Patrick A. Scheiderer Dan Swartz Sam Tippmann Tonia Brown Courtney Tritch Nate Utesch Kenneth Whaley Misty R. Woltman Ebony Conely-Young
20 010
1st Sgt. Ricky J. Weber Abigail M. Butler Amber Coughlin Angela Hughes Anthony (Tony) Hudson Beth McLeish Brian More Christopher W. Lake Codie Ross Craig Vanderwall Jr. David Hefty Derek Myers Evan Wood Gina Leoni H. Joe Cohen Heather Schoegler Jason Brooks Jason C. Daenens Jeffrey Potter Jeremy Carnahan Jonathan Leman Kate Gribble Katy Silliman Kelly J. Pautler Linda Clevenger Lisa Updike Matt Getts Melinda Martin Michael Barranda Michael Nutter Michael R. Ziembo Michelle Merritt Mike King Nathan Lowe Nicole Wilkin O. Karl Behrens Ronald Turpin Steve Hoffman Theresa Wagler Zach Hayden
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Kelly Johns Age: 37 Job title: Vice president human resources, Partners 1st Federal Credit Union Year you joined the company? 1999 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Partners 1st FCU has given me many opportunities to get involved. A few years ago, I led a project within my organization to provide financial education for the young people in our communities. After being exposed to Junior Achievement through my involvement with Northeast Indiana Human Resources Association and their Workforce Readiness Committee, it was clear that we needed to partner with JA. With the credit union’s support, our team was able to teach “Economics for Success” to seventh graders in 36 different class-rooms at 11 different schools, impacting a total of 968 students. Besides my involvement with NIHRA and JA, I belong to Sonrise Church. I volunteer in its café and at Community Harvest Food Bank. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Over 20 years ago now, my best friend, Lanah Hake Terango, a past Forty Under 40 winner, and I were the first girls hired at Mike’s Carwash on West Jefferson Boulevard. As employees, we helped customers by taking their carwash orders, drawing those smiley faces on the windshields, cleaning the backs of the cars, and loading them into the wash. It was a great job full of hard work – at times very cold – but lots of fun. It taught me about providing great service, taking pride in a job done well and accepting personal responsibility for my work. Plus I learned how to tie a tie. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? It might sound cheesy but, I’ve always been 100 percent supported by my parents, Von and Joyce Freiburger. I really believed I could do anything, no matter the obstacles, thanks to the values they’ve instilled and their encouragement. My career journey started when I was 20. My husband, then boyfriend, Andrew Johns, suggested I take an OLS/HR class at IPFW where we were going to college. I fell in love with HR and knew I wanted it as my career. Around that time, I was hired at Partners 1st as a part-time receptionist/loan clerk. Partners 1st is great at promoting from within so I was able to move into an administrative assistant role for Beth Toscos, who was the HR Department at the credit union. Beth was my mentor. I’m so grateful for Beth. She poured all of her knowledge, patience, and encouragement into me for over 12 years. She was and is one of my greatest supporters. Along my 16-year career journey, the credit union supported me financially with tuition reimbursement as I completed my degree in OLS/HR, while working full-time and starting a family. Completing my degree wouldn’t Page 30
have been possible without the support of my husband and my in-laws, Dana and Cathy Johns. Those were some tough years and they helped in so many ways but the babysitting and dinners were the best. All along, I’ve been supported by my coworkers, teammates, and especially my leadership. My president CEO, Carla Bienz, and SVP, Greg Flowers, exemplify the character and leadership I’m trying to emulate. They’ve allowed me to grow, learn and be a strategic part of our great team. It truly takes a team to be successful in any part of life. I have a great one surrounding me. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I’ve had a lot of opportunities over the years to be a part of some pretty cool stuff but I feel most accomplished when I’ve genuinely helped someone. It’s really all of the little daily, weekly, monthly accomplishments that add up to something big. In HR, I get to work with, and get to know, all of our employees well. I have the privilege of being a part of rewarding, promoting and celebrating employees to counseling them through difficult performance issues or guiding them through how our benefits will help them during that difficult illness or loss. During those difficult times when I hear, “Thank you, you really helped me,” is when I feel most accomplished. What lessons did you learn from it? Stay true to the golden rule. For me that means to take a moment and put myself in their shoes. Never stop caring. We’re all just people with a unique story and situation. Be genuine and honest, even when it’s a difficult situation. Along the way I’ve learned to be slow to judge the situation until I have all of the facts. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? Short term, building a training department. We have just hired our first full-time trainer. I’m excited for the future of the CU and the potential for the department. This will benefit everyone by educating and empowering our team with knowledge and skills that will strengthen their abilities to provide quality service to our members. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I’m a member of Northeast Indiana Human Resources Association, Society of Human Resources Managers and a certified Professional in Human Resources. Through these memberships and certification, I’m able to network with other HR professionals, stay current by attending seminars, conferences, webinars, lots of reading, and finally, mentoring others. It also helps that my husband, Andrew Johns, is in HR, too. I’ve learned a lot through his experiences at much larger organizations. How do you balance your career, family
life and community involvement? I have a great support network. My husband, Andrew, and 13-year-old daughter, Reagan, and I are a team. We work together to coordinate family life events which involve those great parents and in-laws of mine to help play taxi. I’m blessed to live in the same city as my family, work in the same city where I live and have an understanding employer who is willing to work with and around these events. It’s a balance. I try to make time for family first, then work, then community involvement. What do you do to relax? I would go insane if it wasn’t for Fort Wayne Crossfit. I really enjoy working out there. When it’s nice out, we enjoy jogging, walking and riding bikes on the local trails. And, of course, hanging with friends and family. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I truly love HR. I enjoy developing, leading and helping others. So as long as I was able to do those things above, I’d be happy. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? First, decide if you enjoy helping people, can be a cheerleader for an organization and can adapt to rapid change. I have a coaster in my office that sums HR up pretty well: “Nothing surprises me, I work in HR.” Second, get your education in HR. The educational background is important because there are many facets to HR, not the least of which are the labor laws. Third, while in school, get experience – internships, co-ops. Get involved in the student SHRM and NIRHAs. Finally, network. It really helps.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
A TRUE
LEADER
SEES PAST THE
IMPOSSIBLE, AND
MAKES IT
POSSIBLE. Congratulations, Kelly, for being honored in the 40 under 40 class of 2015!
Kelly Johns Vice President Human Resources Partners 1st FCU
partners1stcu.org
800.728.8943
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Marshal Neil Johson Age: 36 Job title: Vice president – financial advisor, Howard Bailey Financial Year you joined the company? 2013 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Host of the “Purpose Based Retirement Radio Show,” which airs on WOWO 1190 AM/92.3 FM Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Weekly contributor to the ABC 21Alive “Insight” program every Friday at 12:30 p.m. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first real paycheck came from Dick Freeland, making pizzas and washing dishes at his Pine Valley Pizza Hut. It was just a drive-thru stand when I started at age 16. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I’ve been blessed to have many mentors, friends and colleagues along the way but my greatest support has come from my two loving, creative, hard-working, lead-by-example parents. My parents have always been my rock to lean on, to pick me up when I’ve fallen down, to inspire me to think outside the box or to give me a swift kick in the rear. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I try to not to equate an accomplishment with success. As Tony Robbins puts it, “Success without fulfillment equals failure.” Fulfillment for me does not come from raising a portfolio rate of return by 2 percent. What brings me the greatest fulfillment today is looking across my conference room table and seeing a family full of confidence, because they know they have a rock-solid plan that allows them to have the retirement they have always imagined. What lessons did you learn from it? I’ve learned that money is the world’s greatest metaphor. We can have a two-hour conversation about the stock market volatility, 12-month percent yield, ROI and standard deviation but, at the end of the day, it is never about the money. It is about the sacrifices, the heartache, the overtime, the missed recitals and the blood, sweat and tears that went into creating that money. There is always a story behind the money, and you better know that story before you can begin to help. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? Currently I am working through the certified financial planner designation process, which I will complete this July. This is an important step in the evolution of my career and sets the industry bar for the principles of integrity, objectivity, and Page 32
competence for a financial planner. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? In my opinion, you remain current/ relevant in this industry by continuing to evolve your firm and have a relentless commitment to excellence, service and solving problems. Be humble, be honest and give more than others could ever expect. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I have learned that you need to define your priorities and block out time on your schedule for those priorities. If you do not guard your time, others will gladly take it from you. I have two nights a week that I commit to working late, but on the others, I am out the door at 5 p.m. to go be with my pride and joy – my 5-year-old son Grady.
What do you do to relax? Whenever life gets moving a little too fast, I make a beeline for my son. Nothing can reframe a hectic day faster than a conversation or an adventure with him. I enjoy being outdoors and occasionally playing until 9 in the evening. Music is also a great escape. I play guitar in a band called Hot House with some old friends. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Music producer or studio guitarist. Somebody has to save pop music right? If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Listen more than you speak. Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
greater fort wayne
BOOK LISTS greater fort wayne
OF
2015 2015
Your most important resource for: • Sales Prospecting
• Job Searches • Fundraising • Business Research FREE with 1-year subscription to Business Weekly Visit fwbusiness.com or call (800) 717-4679 today!
Congratulations Michelle KimpelHealth & Wellness Manager & Marlon Wardlow - Board Member on the honor of being named a winner of the 2015 40 Under 40 award. All of us at Turnstone are proud of your accomplishments.
Sponsored By:
www.turnstone.org 260.483.2100 Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Michelle Kimpel Age: 38 Job title: Health and wellness manager, program evaluation/process improvement, safety chair, Turnstone Center Year you joined the organization? 1999 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Served as co-superintendent of Sunday school and vacation Bible school at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Gar Creek) and also am a member of the Northeast Indiana Military Assistance Network. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Beverly Nursery during my high school years, usually during spring break and summers. I assisted with the care of plants, trees and shrubs. This included watering, weeding (even in the nice warmth of July), repotting, pruning and trimming. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? My family has always supported me and is there to listen when I need to bounce thoughts and ideas around and provide insight before I make a decision. My support at Turnstone has been phenomenal. My supervisors have provided support in listening to me, offering guidance and constructive criticism when needed, challenging me and helping me build my confidence and skills and allowing me to apply them. The teamwork among staff also helps in accomplishing tasks. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I am not sure if I can pinpoint just one. I have accomplished many goals, tasks and projects while in my career. I jump in when needed and have done things I probably never would have envisioned about 16 years ago. What lessons did you learn from it? If I put my mind to it and cover all my resources, I can do whatever I think I am capable of doing. The path is not always straight and narrow, may have some learning curves, but I am willing to try and will make sure I give it my best. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? On a personal note, I contemplate pursuing a master’s degree. Turnstone will soon be opening a new addition to our facility that includes a new and bigger health and wellness center. With this expansion, Turnstone will be able to provide a state-ofthe-art facility, programs and services for people with disabilities and their families. My next accomplishment would be to open our doors and impact the lives of people with disabilities and empower them even more than what we already do. I want to Page 34
be able to provide the support, confidence, and opportunities to them as people have done for me. Turnstone would benefit by upholding a strong, positive reputation and becoming the premier place for people with disabilities to come. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I attend workshops and meetings throughout the community, search online, read articles and enlist on different list serves. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? The answer to this question may depend upon the day and time you ask me. Some days, I feel like I do better at it than others. Luckily, I have support and understanding in all areas. I can flex my schedule and/or use personal time to be involved with my family life and still complete what needs to be done at work. My parents help out in more ways than I can ever thank them for. On the flip side, my family also knows how important my job is and understands when I have to change plans and make new arrangements. I keep my family involved too and share my passion with them. Both of my children went through child care at Turnstone, so it is easy to explain to them what I do. My family supports Turnstone by attending fundraisers and donating.
What do you do to relax? What is that? I remember being on vacation one time and my husband had to remind me to sit down and put my feet up. I like to be busy. I love to listen to music, take walks, enjoy the outdoors and snuggle, as my daughter would say, with my family watching movies and eating popcorn. If you could try another profession, what would it be? If I had the talent, I have always loved singing and dancing. I can turn on a musical and be content. Once, I was at home alone on a Saturday, my husband returned home and found me watching “The Sound of Music.” I will never forget the look on his face when he could not believe that I could be doing whatever I wanted and I was watching a musical. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Be passionate about what you are doing. Listening, be open to ideas and suggestions and do not hesitate to ask questions. It is OK to be wrong or make errors as long as you learn from them and move forward. Look around and see what other places are doing – what can we do, can we do that, can we adapt it? You are here for the people we serve. If you make it their best day each day they are here, you will leave feeling rewarded.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Nicole Krouse Age: 30 Job title: Director of professional outreach, St. Joseph Hospital/Lutheran Health Network Year you joined the organization? In 2010 I joined the Lutheran Health Network team at MedPartners. I started at St. Joseph Hospital in 2015. Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? The Literacy Alliance, Shindigz National Soccer Festival, NEI Kidney Foundation and American Society of Safety Engineers. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first real paycheck came from Aptera where I was working as an account manager. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I’ve been very fortunate in this regard. In fact, I had every intention of moving after graduating from college but, because of the people here and the support system, I decided to stay. Some of the people that have been hugely instrumental to me: Of course my parents and husband, but also Amy Burton, Terry Stefankiewicz, Paul Moss, Dan Copeland, Mark Millett, Jim Marcuccilli, TK Herman, Tim Miller, Beth Wolf, Chad Towner, along with so many others. One of the aforementioned individuals told me, “hang around the people you want to be most like,” and I find that easy to do with so many great people here. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Certainly some of the partnerships and relationships that have been built through the years. What lessons did you learn from it? Long-term gains are better than short-term wins. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? There are quite a few things I want to accomplish, but two things in particular: to build physician loyalty to Saint Joseph Hospital and to help improve processes that hinder patient and physician satisfaction. Big picture, by accomplishing those two
things, it would provide a better experience for patients, staff and providers; therefore making Saint Joseph hospital a more attractive place to work and to go to for health care services. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Fortunately, we have a great team of people who stay current in their specific areas and pass along information so that everyone can benefit. Other ways include seminars (i.e. community presentations), webinars (i.e. health forum), magazines (i.e. hospitals and health networks) and other online resources. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? That partly goes back to the support system. I’m grateful to have a hugely supportive husband, but also have aligned with organizations and bosses who believe in work, family and community balance. If
any one of those – spouse, organization or boss – did not share a common viewpoint on balance, then it would not work. What do you do to relax? I usually wind down from work by jogging or working out so that I can later eat cookie dough ice-cream, which I find relaxing. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I think I would enjoy doing something in forensics. My unrealistic dream profession would be Kelly Ripa’s job on “Live with Kelly and Michael.” I suppose then it would be “Live with Nicole and Michael.” If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Ask a lot of questions, never stop learning, challenge processes and think growth. And, have fun doing it.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Derek Laliberte Age: 34 Job title: Business development manager, Aptera Software Year you joined the company? Joined the company in November 2011 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am captain and founder of the Aptera MoStars. It is a Movember team supporting men’s health issues that has raised over $18,000 in the past two years for prostate and testicular cancer. I am a volunteer Sunday school teacher with my wife at the Chapel here in Fort Wayne. I am also a youth sports coach at the Whitley County YMCA coaching football and basketball. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Technically, it came from Greenhaven Country Club in Anoka, Minn., when I was 14. I was the Easter bunny for the annual breakfast buffet. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? God has placed some incredible mentors in my life, showing me the ropes and keeping me out of trouble. I have been blessed with people that have placed an incredible amount of trust in me to make my own decisions. I should also give credit to my wife and to my mother; they have always seemed to believe in me even when I didn’t. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Being in sales, I believe you are only as good as your last year. Fortunately, I had a great 2014, so I am going to go with that. What lessons did you learn from it? Accomplishments are great and I am proud of the things I have accomplished but I really don’t learn anything from them. I am motivated by them, I am grateful for them but not sure I learn anything from them. I have learned far more about who I am in my career and in life from the failures along the way and, trust me when I say this, I have failed many times. Holding myself accountable for those failures forces improvement. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how Page 36
would it benefit your company? I am a believer that what you do off the field is equally as important as what you do on the field. I would personally like to be the top Movember fundraiser in the United States. This past year I finished at 80 out of 160,000 people. I am sure that having a team name that starts with Aptera has to be good PR, right? How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Training and repetition. T.K. and Conrad invest in us at Aptera. Everyone has the opportunity for self-improvement, both personally and professionally. As a sales team, we have attended sales training every week that I have been on board. It has completely changed my outlook and approach on sales. As for remaining relevant, I set goals. Last year, I told myself I was going to improve my personal brand. Focusing on getting out in the community and being involved, and by doing something that I have a passion for. This year, my goal is to start a sales blog and generate conversations about the successes and struggles of my peers. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? What I want to tell you is that I plan, that I am organized but, the truth is, I have no idea. I am exhausted just thinking about it.
I have always been at my best when I am really busy. Putting Christ first in my life has really been key for me, though. What do you do to relax? I am a true Minnesotan, which makes me a fisherman at heart; however, I rarely get to practice my craft being away from it all. Lately, with this weather, anything that involves a pair of sweatpants. Combine that with a bowl of popcorn and family movie night and I am perfectly content. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Since my knees are too old for me to play in the world cup, and my acting skills aren’t good enough to pay the bills, I would go into marketing. I love the creativity that goes into it. I think I could have been great at it. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Don’t be afraid to hear the word “no.” I would tell them to never sell through email; to stop talking and start listening. To steal shamelessly, utilize their resources, under promise and over deliver. Take care of your customers. Resistance equals persistence. Be yourself. People don’t buy from people they like, they buy from people like them. Most importantly, everything you will ever need to know about sales and business can be learned by simply watching “The Office.”
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Samir Lakhany Age: 29
Job title: Vice president, SuperHost Enterprise Year you joined the company? About seven years ago. Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Islamic Center of Fort Wayne Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I worked at McDonalds. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? At a very young age, I spent a lot of time with my father, who would take me to meetings and have me listen into his conference calls, so I could gain market knowledge of our family business. I also use to spend time with our hotels, learning each department of the business. What is your biggest accomplish-
ment thus far in your career? Receiving an award for the development of the year, for our Homewood Suites. What lessons did you learn from it? A great deal. I was able to find the most efficient way to develop a property, while making sure we receive the best quality products. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? Continuing to grow the organization to more of a institutional company will help expand our expertise and skill set through out the nation. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I am evolving the way our guests and clients want to have the latest and greatest needs, by reading the latest trends and continuously
researching ways to become a better developer. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? With a great deal of time management. It can be very easy for myself to become engrossed in work, for more than 14 hours a day. What do you do to relax? I very much enjoy spending time with my wife and family. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I feel that I would love to be a doctor, as I enjoy making people happy and living a healthy life. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Put in 100-percent effort, every single day, and do not be afraid to fail.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Eden Christel Lamb Age: 27 Job title: Store manager, Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot Year you joined the company? 2008 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I’ve served on the Three Rivers Festival raft race committee since it began three years ago. Two years ago, two friends and I started Bands on the Banks, a music event on the banks of the Saint Marys River. We are going on our third year. I’m also a volunteer for the University of Saint Francis softball team, if/when they need extra help coaching during the off-season. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck was from the Fort Wayne Wizards. Shortly after moving to Fort Wayne from Cincinnati with my family, my brother started working for the Wizards. A few years later, I followed in his footsteps and worked as a game crew member. My best memories were the people I worked with and competitions for who could sell the most merchandise. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? Support is so important. I’m grateful to be surrounded by love. My support has been my family, friends and bosses. My mother, Vickie, has always been my support, from being at every collegiate athletic game she could make, to always telling me to follow my heart and dreams. Tim and Cara Hall took a chance on me six years ago when I first walked into the Outfitters. I’m so happy they did. I’ve grown personally and professionally with their support and have had a blast along the way. They’ve allowed me to help grow their business and have always supported ideas I’ve thrown their way. It’s a bond I’ll always cherish and carry with me. I can truly say I love what I do thanks to them. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Fort Wayne Outfitters, Bands on the Banks. This summer concert started from a dream Ethan Bowers and I had while working at the Outfitters together. Our idea was to host a concert on the beautiful banks of the St. Marys River with Fort Wayne’s skyline as our backdrop. More importantly, we wanted to showcase Fort Wayne’s local musicians on this unique platform. Five bands, one night, and all original music – no cover songs. We encouraged event goers to use alternative methods of transportation to the concert venue by checking in bikes or kayaks to our valets. In addition, attendees could bring their own Page 38
chairs or blankets, sit on the banks and enjoy local music, food and drinks. For our first year, we set a goal of 200 attendees. We surpassed that goal by 58 attendees, with 25 percent of those checking their bicycles with our bike valet. What lessons did you learn from it? I learned two lessons. First, in order to turn a dream into a reality the hardest step to make is the first one. A dream is a dream, and it’s nothing until you make that first step forward, then everything falls into place. Second, support is everything. Ethan and I are surrounded with wonderful friends that believe in the event and want to be involved. Without them, well, things would be very difficult. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I launched Three Rivers Paddlesports Club last year with Fort Wayne Outfitters. This year, I would like to put more time into the club in hopes of attracting new members. Last year, we held Margarita Monday Paddle Socials every Monday during the summer months. This year, I’m hoping to add on more paddle socials during the week and also conduct longer kayak/canoe/SUP trips on the Fort Wayne rivers. Three Rivers Paddlesports can be beneficial to our business by bringing people down to the river and allowing them to see what we have to offer at Fort Wayne Outfitters. It’s a totally different perspective, one you’ll never forget. Also, did I mention we sell the best kayaks, SUPs and canoes? You never know, you might get hooked after the paddle social and want to buy a kayak or two. That’s always good for business. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Our products are constantly changing. It’s important to stay current with product updates. The best way to do this is to be proactive in researching and educating myself. Our vendors conduct demo and educational days for us to attend, as well. The demo days are my favorite because it’s more hands on learning. Learning the difference between each vessel and how it performs on the water is key when talking to customers. While I have a passion for all of our products, selling kayaks and SUPs is by far my favorite. In my opinion there’s nothing better than being out on the water. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? The balance between career, family and community is hard. I’m sure it will be even harder 10 years from now. I’m also
guessing I’ll have a different answer then but, for now, the balance is never even. It’s seems like I always put more time into one compared to the other and I know this is true for a lot of people. What I think is important is to be self-aware. To know yourself and know when it’s time to stop with one thing and bring your attention to the other. Life is a balancing game in itself. What do you do to relax? I craft, hang with my dog, Hobie, or call a few friends and have a park day. Influenced by a trip to Colorado, a few friends and I will hang out at a park in Fort Wayne for a day. The day consists of lying in the sun, playing field games or just hanging with our dogs. If you could try another profession, what would it be? I have two: professional surfer or a dentist. Water is where I find peace. I’ve tried surfing a few times on vacations and always thought it would be amazing to wake up and be that close to the water everyday. I love smiles and honestly enjoy taking care of my teeth. So, I thought helping others do the same would be a great profession. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Be willing to learn, work hard and don’t be afraid of a little river water. We are passionate people at Fort Wayne Outfitters, so find something you love – preferably involving something we do, sell, or represent. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and dreams.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Michael V. Ledo Age: 33 Job Title: Cofounder/CEO, AWP Sports Training Year you founded the company? 2003 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Cofounded Bedrock Youth Academy and currently serve on the board of directions as vice president Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first check came from working for my idol and grandfather, Clarence Fields. He owned a construction company. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have received help throughout my career from my family and mentors. My wife, Dahiana, has allowed me to focus on my purpose – the long-term development of athletes seeking purpose beyond athletics. She manages our home, while working for AWP Sports as our office manager. My mentors, Alan McGee, Eugene Parker, Virgil Pearson and, most of all, my mother and father, Lourdes Ledo and Vincent Pearson, have provided me with wisdom and accountability along the way. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My biggest accomplishment thus far has been establishing an collaborative partnership with Parkview Health and Orthopedics Northeast (Parkview Sports Medicine). What lessons did you learn from it? I have learned the importance of an effective business partnership and that sharing in your partner’s success is key to achieving your goals. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? My next accomplishment would be expanding the AWP Sports business model into two new markets by 2017, allowing us to empower more athletes who are seeking purpose beyond athletics. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I stay relevant by
studying others’ success in my industry and the principles and methods they subscribe to that have allowed them to achieve greatness. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I am working on improving my balance in life now. Currently, I am a little bit of a workaholic. What do you do to relax? I relax by
watching movies, reading books and spending time with my family. If you could try another profession, what would it be? College football coach or NFL general manager If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Find the right people who share your “why” to build your business with you.
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Susan Mendenhall Age: 30 Job title: President, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Year you joined the organization? 2010 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Chairman, Indiana Arts Commission Regional Arts Partner Consortium; board member, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.; member of the Downtown Development Committee and Leadership Development and Community Engagement Committee Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I started working at age 14 as a receptionist in a hair salon in Indianapolis. I’ve had at least one job ever since. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? One of the lessons I learned early on as a professional in the nonprofit sector is that successful organizations consist of 360-degree leaders. Every individual openly gives and receives support from the top-down, bottom-up and peer relationships. My career advancement is entirely due to the encouragement of challenging bosses, passionate board members and inspirational colleagues. From unpaid internships at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Riley Hospital for Children and United Way to staff positions with Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Arts United, I’ve had the great privilege to work with some truly wonderful teams of competent leaders. Our team at Arts United is an exemplary example of solid 360-degree leadership. Each and every day, I know I can count on a wealth of support, expertise and commitment from colleagues and board leaders. Together, we’re making a difference in our community. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Honestly, I cannot count any accomplishment as my own. The last five years have been truly great for Arts United. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of individuals who are not only true visionaries, but also have the chops to get things done. Arts United’s past executive director, Jim Sparrow, together with too many board and staff members to count, reinvigorated a 60-year vision for an arts campus in downtown Fort Wayne with the purchase and renovation of the Auer Center for Arts and Culture and the grand opening of the Parkview Physician’s Group ArtsLab. Today, the arts campus is a walkable, four-block area that boasts incredible community assets including the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, Fort Wayne Youtheatre, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Cinema Center, the History Center, Page 40
Fort Wayne Ballet, Artlink, FAME, Fort Wayne Trails, ARCH, Pembroke Bakery, two theaters, outdoor plazas, gardens, sculptures and more. The arts campus is a nucleus of diverse arts and entertainment options, outstanding local talent and community-building activities. I’m proud to say I’ve been a small part of advancing this important work. What lessons did you learn from it? There is a balance between vision and implementation. Rarely does this balance come from one individual. Leadership is recruiting, supporting, energizing and challenging a team of individuals who add to this equation. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? Today, we’re standing on the shoulders of the giants that came before us. Arts United is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and we’ve had an opportunity to learn about the pioneers of our organization. In 1955, Arts United was established as the third United Arts Fund in the nation and one of the first organizations to envision a collaborative arts campus. This was bold, visionary thinking backed up with 60 years of solid planning and implementation. Arts United will carry this legacy forward by working in lock-step with our partners and stakeholders to create a cultural plan that aligns with and advances community priorities. Greater Fort Wayne is growing and advancing, and we’re at the tipping point of becoming a truly great city. We all feel this momentum, but it can only be sustained if our region is equipped to cultivate, attract and retain a talented workforce. Accelerating a vibrant quality of life will be essential to the continued success of our region. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Staying current and relevant in my profession is entirely dependent on learning a great deal from others both inside and outside of my field. The titans of united arts funds like Arts United surround themselves with experts in all disciplines of arts and culture, nonprofit management, fundraising, facilities management, financial management and planning, human resources, community development, economic development and the list goes on. Every day offers a new opportunity to jump in and do something new. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I am sustained by buckets of coffee, a good dose of cheerleading from my husband, a tight-knit family and extraordinarily dedicated colleagues. Sometimes achieving that balance means trusting others to carry
the load. What do you do to relax? Summers in Fort Wayne are sensational. The perfect Saturday morning involves a family bike ride through our city’s incredible trails and a stop by the Barr Street Market for fresh veggies, bread and flowers. In the afternoon, we like to explore local festivals or head to a park. Winters in Fort Wayne are wonderful, too. My job allows me to blend fun with work on a regular basis, and a relaxing weekend often involves a fabulous dinner followed by an incredible show. We love to check out local theater, dance, music, galleries, restaurants and more. If you could try another profession, what would it be? At one time I flirted with law school but ultimately chose a different path. I’ve always thought it would be fun to do something that melds law, philanthropy and estate planning. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? There are many ways of starting out in the nonprofit sector. More people than ever are earning degrees in this field. I’d tell students to just jump in and do something interesting. Explore as much as possible. Earn plenty of experience through internships, even if they are unpaid. Hitch on to people who are really good at what they do and learn as much as you can from them. When you finally settle down, you’ll be equipped with the experience, knowledge and network you’ll need to do something truly great.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Jessica Miller Age: 26 Job Title: Air service and community relations manager, Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority Year you joined the organization? 2011 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters and currently participate in the College Success Mentoring Program, which is focused on preparing my Little for success in high school, college and beyond. I am also a two-year member of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Millennial Leaders Alliance. The MLA is the leadership body of Millennial 2020, an extension of the Vision 2020 initiative, and the group is responsible for leading millennial engagement in developing, attracting and retaining talent in Northeast Indiana. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Scott’s grocery store in Columbia City. I was part-time high schooler, part-time cashier. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have worked with a lot of great people in my life and am thankful to have gained several mentors along the way. Those mentors have shown me that anything is possible if I set my mind to it. I’ve been encouraged to take chances, trust my instincts and always strive to find learning opportunities – all of which have advanced my career in one form or another. My family and friends have always been my best cheering section. Their encouragement continually pushes me to aim higher. They are consistently supportive of all my endeavors, no matter where they lead me. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Up until May 2014, my biggest career accomplishment was earning my master’s degree. I completed my MBA in 18 months, while working full time, and with a 4.0 GPA. I should also note this is when coffee became part of my career. In May 2014, after years of hard work on behalf of the airport authority, we were able to announce new nonstop flights from Fort Wayne to Philadelphia. This was a huge success for the airport and northeast Indiana as a whole. While the added service has certainly proven beneficial to the region’s businesses, I’ve never felt more career satisfaction than I do when I hear that the flights are bringing families and friends together – turning hundreds of miles into a 90-minute trip. What lessons did you learn from it? Successfully launching service to
Philadelphia required a lot of coordinating among community partners. The region had to unite for a common goal and support its airport in a way that it never has to improve our global access. Aside from a lesson in patience, I’ve learned that the greatest risks usually deliver the greatest rewards. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? My next endeavor is to earn my accredited airport executive designation through the American Association of Airport Executives. This designation is a distinct honor in the industry for those who have demonstrated their ability to handle the responsibilities of airport management. It will prove beneficial to the airport authority by adding a level of expertise that has yet to be seen in the air service development department. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? The aviation industry is constantly changing, so it’s vital I read as much as I can whenever I can. I also take every opportunity to learn from and network with other professionals, both globally and locally. Being relevant in my profession also means understanding our community and its needs, so I get involved. I ask questions
and build relationships with those who are impacted by my work. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I’m thankful to work for a company that is very supportive of community involvement. I’m empowered to create my own schedule so that I can best represent the airport and the organizations with which I’m involved. I also make a conscious effort to be actively engaged in those organizations but not over commit myself. Spending time with my family and friends is important to me. I can always find the time. I’ve also made some great friends, who sometimes feel like family, through my career and community involvement. What do you do to relax? Yoga. Relaxation, stress reduction and several other great health benefits. If you could try another profession, what would it be? If you’ve met me, you probably wouldn’t guess it, but I would be a lawyer. Something has always intrigued me about law. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Use your support systems. Get connected in the industry and in your community. Don’t be afraid to speak up. And never stop learning.
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Amos A. Norman Age: 33 Job title: Director of operations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne Year you joined the organization? Sept. 11, 2006 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? • Fort Wayne Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency advisory board chair. My role is to lead Housing Authority in various initiatives that allow people the ability to be self-sufficient. • University of Saint Francis advisory board member, previously the chair. • Mustard Seed Furniture Bank board of directors, executive committee member, operations chair. My job is to ensure that the operations of the Mustard Seed are moving efficiently and effectively. • World Baseball Academy board of directors member, program committee. I help the organization develop outcomes measurements so that they can better prove impact. I also provide social work expertise in dealing with youth and I help raise visibility for the organization. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first job was a cashier at Kmart. This job was a stepping stone to teach me about the responsibilities of having a job and the value of a dollar. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I was blessed with great family and friends that never hesitated to give me positive advice and keep me on track. Having positive male leaders in my life has been pivotal in my development as a professional. First and foremost, my father, Amos J. Norman, was the first and has been the most consistent source of guidance and has always been a great example of what it means to be a strong and positive man. Other mentors and professionals that have been of great influence include Marc Moore, Keith Edmonds, Joe Jordan and Gary Shearer. If you have an opportunity to meet and interact with these men, I guarantee you’ll be better from the experience. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Because of the line of work that I have chosen, my successes come from the young people that I serve every day. Being able to positively impact children by the masses has been so meaningful. There is nothing like having students come back from college to visit me and seeing them become the caring, responsible and productive citizens I strive to inspire them to be. What lessons did you learn from it? I’ve learned that success is subjective.
Each child doesn’t and shouldn’t have the same journey and outcomes as the next. What success means for one child may not be success for another. The most important thing is making sure that the kids I work with everyday maximize the full potential within themselves. I strive to teach kids the balance between being over critical and being complacent. If kids can get this valuable perspective, I am sure they can find a way to have a fulfilling life. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? I would like to help expand our organization. I would like to have Boys & Girls Clubs in all geographical locations of Fort Wayne, ensuring that we can provide quality services and opportunities to all of our children. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I try to take advantage of any training opportunities. I also attach myself to organizations and causes that are relevant to my line of work and what I am passionate about. In everything I do, I am a social worker. Being immersed in those organizations that serve others helps me to evaluate barriers and hurdles that the organizations are facing and constantly try and find solutions. In addressing these issues, you have no choice but to stay relevant or you can quickly become ineffective. How do you balance your career,
family life and community involvement? At times it can be difficult to balance everything. I think it’s important to be open and honest with individuals in each aspect of life as to how much time and energy I have to dedicate. I have also been blessed with friends, family and colleagues that are understanding and supportive of all the commitments I do have. What do you do to relax? I like to work out everyday. I coach a basketball team, play basketball and watch basketball. I like pretty much anything basketball related. If you could try another profession, what would it be? If I could do another profession, I think I would enjoy being a scout for a college or professional basketball program. I like the idea of going out and building a winning team based off of the pieces that I help select. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? I would advise them to start out with a plan and know their end goal. What do they want to impact the most? They should find a few things to concentrate on. Change doesn’t happen overnight; it is a process. I would make sure they know that it is important to be calculated and well thought out rather flying by the seat of your pants. Lastly and most importantly, they should be their own biggest fans. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?
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Sarah Pine Age: 26 Job title: Marketing coordinator, Strahm Building Solutions Year you joined the company? 2011 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana and LivingFortWayne.com Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My very first paycheck came from a locally owned fast food restaurant in my hometown of Elwood called Mr. Happy Burger. I was a waitress and proud creator of their Mr. Happy Burger t-shirts. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? Aside from the amazing support of my family and friends, I’ve been so lucky to be a part of a family-owned company where my coworkers and bosses make it a point to support me in every aspect of my roll at the company. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I am the first in-house marketing coordinator that they’ve had at Strahm, so I have had to kind of pave my own path. It took me a couple years to figure it all out but I am most proud of what we’re doing this year, which is getting more involved as a company throughout the community. I’m very excited to be participating in several amazing philanthropies and events as a company this year. What lessons did you learn from it? I’ve learned that, in marketing, it takes time to figure out the best way to market your company. Our city is growing so much and it is important to be a part of that growth and show our support as a company. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I honestly just want to continue getting Strahm’s name out there through community involvement. We’re involved in so many projects around our city that are helping grow Fort Wayne, and it’s my Page 44
mission to share those projects with our community. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Being a part of Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana is a big help when it comes to staying relevant in any profession. It’s been a great way to network with other young professionals and see what they’re doing to help advance their companies. Social media is such a big part of marketing today, so it doesn’t hurt that my social media skills are on point. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I’ve been extremely active since I was in middle school. The only difference from then to now is that I’m going to networking events after work instead of practice after school. I am extremely close with my family and making time for my boyfriend is a priority. Thankfully, I
haven’t had a hard time balancing these different areas of my life. What do you do to relax? In the summer, the lake is my retreat. I love spending entire weekends at the lake to just relax and unwind from a busy week. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Growing up it was my dream to be the next Oprah, but I got over that. I think it would be fun to own a bakery, so I would say a baker. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Get involved. There are a lot of different ways to market a company, but I think getting involved in the community and meeting others who have that same passion of getting involved is one of the best ways to market, not only your company, but yourself.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Cristina Ray-Durnell Age: 38 Job Title: Owner/general manager , El Azteca Mexican Restaurant Year you joined the company? 1991 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? The Carriage House and Catholic Schools and church fundraisers Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? The Fort Wayne School of Dance. I was a dance instructor teaching preschool dance lessons. I taught my first dance class at age 14 as a freshman in high school. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? My parents have always played an important role in my career. They have always encouraged me and shared their struggles and successes through the years. This has helped me become a stronger leader and decision maker. There have been other local restaurant owners who have helped me since my dad’s death – answering questions and giving helpful advice. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I began my career at Azteca when I was 15 as a bus girl. I learned the hostess position next. When I was 20, I began serving and, at 21, learned how to be a bartender. At the age of 23 I took on the floor supervisor role. I decided after graduating from IPFW in 2007, at the age of 31, I would join the family business full time and was named general manager. We have been named Fort Wayne’s best Mexican restaurant by the Fort Wayne Newspapers Reader’s Choice Awards. We have received this honor in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. We were also named best ethnic restaurant in 2014 by Whatzup’s Whammy awards. What lessons did you learn from it? I learned in order to stay on top we have to continue to be consistent with our quality of food and service. We cannot cut corners when it comes to the quality of ingredients used to make our food. Our recipes have been around for 40 years and we know our customers appreciate our
consistency. We also have to stay on top of the new technology available to us. We currently offer an iPad to view our tequila and drink menu. There is also a free app our customers can download to their phones or tablets to view the same menu. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would like to take our catering business to the next level. We have a lot of potential to grow in that area. We offer full service food and alcohol. We’ve catered luncheons, rehearsal dinners, baby showers and wedding receptions. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I do a lot of market research. My dad taught me I should always check out what our competition is up to.
How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I make sure I have certain days devoted to my kids. I also give myself some time to give back to the community. I attribute my volunteer efforts to my time at Bishop Dwenger. What do you do to relax? I teach Zumba and dance. I owned a dance studio from 1999-2007. It was called New Routine. If you could try another profession, what would it be? A travel agent. I love to travel and book trips for people. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Be prepared to be on call 24/7. Understand you will be working all of the time, but it will be very rewarding.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Gran Roberts Age: 37 Job title: Art director/senior graphic designer, Auctions America Year you joined the company? 2012 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Prevent Child Abuse Indiana: I do volunteer design work and illustration for their Indianapolis office to help promote their Annual Child Abuse Prevention Month in April of every year, designing posters, character illustrations and web/social headers as they are needed. Member of Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne. Central Noble Middle School and Albion Elementary School: I work closely with the principles of these two schools, who use me to mentor at-risk kids who have a gift for art. I raise the funds needed to keep these kids in art supplies when needed and try to inspire them to focus on their art and to think about life in a positive manner. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Working in the Ligonier Elementary cafeteria as a 11-year-old fifth grader, I helped prepare lunch, pass out trays and wash dishes, only to find out that I got paid at the end of the week. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? A caring family and a very strong and supportive wife. There is nothing greater in this world than a wife who has her husband’s back and pushes him to keep diggin’ until he achieves his dreams so the can provide for his family. I’m lucky to have that. I also was blessed with many art teachers that went out of their way to encourage and push me to be come a professional artist and paved the way for me. I owe my career to my high school art teacher that I had my senior year, Claude Reeder. Claude scheduled a time, unknown to me, to take me to IPFW, and show my work to the dean of the fine arts program. Not long after that, I received admission and a partial scholarship. Claude was not expected to go this far as a teacher, but knew I was considering no post-secondary education or training and took it upon himself to help me see the potential I have. Luckily, I woke up. I am where I am today because he sacrificed one evening of his life to help me find my life’s path. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Personally, being able to do what I love for a living every single day, and not sacrificing who I am as an individual is my biggest accomplishment. I don’t consider being a graphic designer/illustrator a “job.” It’s who I am and it’s a part of me and I am proud of that and love that I can provide a living for my wife and kids in this manner. Page 46
Professionally, the six Addys that my Design Den crew and I have been involved in winning over the past two years from the Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne is my greatest accomplishment in my career. What lessons did you learn from it? Surround yourself with people you enjoy, like and trust whenever possible. This creates a very comfortable and fun work environment and makes your work life very enjoyable. More importantly, always, always, always share your industry knowledge with your crew and coworkers. There is too much competition among coworkers within the workplace these days, and it becomes more of a negative than a positive. By sharing your knowledge with those around you, you are not only helping your co-workers become greater than they were, but you are strengthening your team and its abilities and bettering your company. Also, hard work pays off in the end. People pay attention to your efforts, even when you don’t think anyone is looking. Present yourself as if everyone is watching. It pays off in opportunities down the road. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I would like to develop a better platform for our online catalogs that we produce for our auctions around the country. I’d like to integrate more video, social and click-through opportunities within the catalog pages that will allow us to easily use our online catalog as a directional marketing piece that feeds potential clients to our website. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Practice by doing and by constantly being prepared to handle whatever is thrown my way in a successful manner. Basically, you never stop learning and living life. I try to keep up on design trends, popular branding practices and marketing efforts that affect the buying habits of consumers and that produce results. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Easily. I put my family/faith first and I communicate with my family, but also never expect them to come second to whatever I’m dealing with at the moment. I take care of them, and they take care of me. As a father of two children (Courtie, 11, and Brady, 5) failing them is never an option. I’ve found if you put your family and faith first then everything else falls in line. It’s also a process of give and take. My kids never compete for my attention – they will always have it – but they also know when I am under deadline, extra hours are going to be needed or I might have to work on a few items at home.
What do you do to relax? I draw, draw and draw. I also listen to music from Neil Young, Pearl Jam, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, the Beatles, the Black Keys, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, the Doors and Howlin’ Wolf. My musical tastes are across the board, basically. I also read quite often. I love books by Jack Kerouac, Shel Silverstein, and, yes, Dr. Suess. That guy was a creative genius. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Full-time web developer. It’s something I scratched the surface of early in my career but never made the jump. It interests me greatly. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Be able to handle professional criticism of your design work and not take it so personally. For every one good graphic designer, there are a hundred, if not a thousand, “desktop Picassos” who think they are designers. Also, take your time. Every graphic designer wants to be an art director someday. They want to be the idea guy but are not patient enough to learn and practice the craft and treat it too much like a job. Spend time early in your career asking questions and learning the basics. Become a solid designer technically and make yourself ready for when the opportunity presents itself. Finally, become a designer because it is what you have to do, because it is all you think about at night and during the day. Become a designer because it’s your passion. Never settle for the career because you like the hipster clothes and Starbucks coffee, and because it may come easy to you. Do it because it’s who you are.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Abraham P. Schwab Age: 38 Job title: Associate professor, IPFW Year you joined the organization? 2010 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Northeast Indiana Coalition for Advance Care Planning, Allen County Ethics Commission, Lutheran and St. Joseph Hospital ethics committees, Lutheran Health System Institutional Review Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Indiana Patient Preferences Coalition. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Unofficially, neighbors whose lawn I mowed. Officially, I can’t remember if it was as a dishwasher at Ponderosa or as busboy at a local BBQ place. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? Most importantly, the domestic support of my wonderful partner, Liz; mentoring from Jennifer McCrickerd at Drake and J.D. Trout at Loyola University Chicago; and professional collaboration with Rosamond Rhodes among others. I should also mention the unwavering support of my in-laws, which is saying something since their daughter married a philosopher. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I recently had an adviser at IPFW tell me a story. She was helping a student pick classes, and the student asked to take an ethics class. When pressed for the reason why, the students said she was taking my ethics class and it was interesting, pushing her to think and she wanted more of that. Those moments are the biggest accomplishments of my career. What lessons did you learn from it? You don’t always know the impact you’re having. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? Two things: A book on conflicts of interest in medicine and become nationally
recognized as a columnist. Both would enhance IPFW’s reputation as a research institution and as an institution addressing contemporary problems. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? Community service and regular reading. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? By being in the moment with my family
whenever I can. What do you do to relax? Carpentry, fishing and exercise. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Author If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Work on your skills at procuring private funding.
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Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne
C O N G R AT U L AT E S ABE SCHWAB, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Philosophy
RECIPIENT OF THE 2015 40 UNDER 40 We’re Proud of the Difference He Makes on Campus and in the Community!
15-02-1294
His accomplishments help demonstrate IPFW’s commitment to driving the intellectual, social, economic, and cultural advancement of our students and our region.
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IPFW is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Timothy Spradling Age: 39 Job title: Vice president of sales, New Image Printing Year you joined the company? 2006 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I am part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Real Men Read program, the United Way marketing committee, the National Soccer Festival steering committee, the Laughs for Literacy committee for the Literacy Alliance, a Heart Association committee, My City Summit committee and the YLNI board as vice president of fund development. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Schnucks, a grocery store in Missouri. I started as a bagger/cart runner at 16 years old. When I went to college, I transferred to a different Schnucks. All told, I worked for them for four years. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? First and foremost, my mother has been my most vocal cheerleader and staunchest supporter. It’s an incredible freedom to know, without question, that nothing you do can possibly change the belief that someone has in you. It is from her that I learned work ethic, integrity and humanity. I honestly have her to thank for all my positive traits. I’ve also been fortunate enough to work for managers who have consistently thrown me into the deep end and allowed me to make mistakes. Failing is an incredibly scary thing, but it is impossible to overstate the value of first-hand experience. I’ve had a support system that has provided knowledge and direction while simultaneously letting me figure out my own path. I also have to give a lot of credit to my wife, Julie. I get home later than I’d like much more often, but she’s definitely the rock that anchors our family. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? My company acquired a larger competitor and I was tasked with observing that company’s culture, procedures and vendor relationships. I was then responsible for the decision on which parts of the acquired company we were going to utilize and which areas would need to be reconfigured or renegotiated. What lessons did you learn from it? So many. I was very new to the industry at the time and I had no option other than to ask an incredible amount of questions – often to people who had more work anniversaries than I had birthdays. Because of the enormity of what I was
being asked to do, it was imperative that I actually listened to the answers and I had to be sure I understood before I moved along. Asking leading questions, truly listening to the answers and being empathetic are lessons that have served me quite well as I’ve moved along in my career. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I’d like to spearhead the acquisition of additional companies. Depending on the purchase, it could help my company by acquiring additional talent, more customers, new equipment or diversifying revenue streams. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I talk to a lot of people that share my profession. I’ve found that more than the trade shows or magazines or constant deluge of online information, talking to the people that are involved in the day-to-day intricacies of the industry is the very best way to keep your finger on the actual pulse of the industry. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Precariously. My wife is a natural planner, so she schedules little getaway trips and events and creates family traditions like our weekly family movie night to make sure that we stay connected as a family. My two, nearly perfect sons, Zidon and Bayani, are my dream come true. Any time not spent with them can feel like time wasted. I strongly believe, however, that it
is the intrinsic responsibility of those who have been fortunate to help and support those who have not. As my boys get older, I’ll definitely shift some of my community involvement to areas in which they will be able to participate. What do you do to relax? Working out and being active do wonders for me mentally. I try to play as much soccer as I can, which isn’t much in the winter. And, I enjoy lifting heavy things, so the gym can be an excellent refuge – shout-out to Mad Apple Crossfit. I also love reading and playing the occasional video game. If you could try another profession, what would it be? In order of preference: professional soccer player (preferably for Aresenal Football Club), angel investor, author, marine biologist. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? If you want to be exceptional, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and always go above and beyond. A short anecdote: I once went to my boss and told him that I was really good at my job and I deserved a promotion. He asked me a series of questions: Did I come to work on time? Was I responsible? Did I do as I was asked? Did I do what was expected of me? After I answered an emphatic, “yes,” to each of these questions, he leaned a little closer and said, “Good; that’s what I pay you for.” He then leaned back and said, “If you want more, you have to give me more.” Six months, and many extra miles later, I got my promotion.
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Ashley Steenman Age: 31 Job Title: Marketing coordinator, Voss Automotive. Year you joined the company? 2009 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Currently, I am a board member for the Three Rivers Festival and also serve as chair of Art in the Park; I’m president of Women of Wednesdays Network; I also volunteer with the Junior League of Fort Wayne. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first real paycheck came from Avalon Pool when I was 15. I was a lifeguard with all of my swim team friends. My fondest memories are of the summers spent there. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have had a couple great coworkers who kept the humor alive amid changes in our organization. There have also been a number of business leaders and owners in this community that have been great inspirations with their selflessness, community mindedness and sharp business acumen that made me aspire to do more. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? In 2011, I achieved the certified economic developer accreditation from the International Economic Development Council. I surprised myself by passing the test on the first try. I feel like I still have a lot of time to accomplish more, greater achievements. What lessons did you learn from it? I should not second guess myself as much as I did then, and still do. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your company? I plan to acquire some private and international business experience to gain a new perspective on business needs. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I am always looking for ways to improve the process. History provides a good lesson but it is motivation to do or create something better next time. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Page 50
My fiancé, Brian, is my first priority because without his love and support, I would drown myself in work and community activities and be a ball of stress. I would be no fun. What do you do to relax? Mindless reading material or TV show, silly conversations with girlfriends, or an intense work out – anything that lets me turn my brain off. If you could try another profession,
what would it be? I would like to be an astronaut but, realistically, I could see myself in the marketing/communications/ public relations realm. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Take time to develop the institutional knowledge needed while also creating your own solutions. Bend the rules.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Congratulations, Francisco, for being honored in the 40 under 40 class of 2015! You make a positive impact on youth and set an inspiring example to the community. We are proud to have you as a member of the YMCA team.
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Francisco Townsend Age: 35 Job Title: Program and international director, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne Year you joined the organization? 2007 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. My wife, Julie, and I are a Big Couple to our 16-year-old little brother who is now taller than me. Coordinator of the Chilean Community of Fort Wayne; Southwest Youth Worker Network member. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? I am from Chile, in South America. I used to sell pocket calendars on the street and on buses when I was 10 years old. As one of five siblings, it was hard for my mom and dad to provide for all of our needs. So, I decided to take that burden off of my parents and help them with a little extra income. Besides selling calendars, I also sold greeting cards for Christmas and Mother’s Day. When I was 17, I began my own gold jewelry sales business and, by age 24, I purchased a taxi with which I established and ran a taxi service. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have been extremely blessed with wonderful people and great mentors in my life. Exposure to street life at a young age may not always have a happy ending for some people, but the Lord put many great people and organizations in my path to guide me and provided wise advice. Twenty years later, I found the support of my amazing wife and her family who have a rich immigrant story to tell as well. Julie not only taught me my first English words, but she is also the one who shares my dreams and keep me grounded. I also am appreciative of the leadership at the YMCA who empower and give me freedom to do my job. As a result, I can focus all of my passion on better serving our community and teens. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? I am very passionate about working with teens and providing them with the tools that they may need to be successful in life. According to the United Nations, a quarter of the global population is young people between the ages of 10 and 24. We can never do too much to help our youth become better citizens. Two years ago, I started a YMCA Youth Leadership program. It is a 10-month curriculum. I took some ideas from the YMCA Lideres model from the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs and from my own experience in the United States. Through this program, I strive to develop young leaders who will Page 52
be change agents in their community. I focus on empowering them rather than just entertaining them. At the end of the training program, they have a graduation ceremony to which we invite their close family and friends and present them with a certificate that accredits them as YMCA leaders and an essential part of the global YMCA movement. What lessons did you learn from it? That despite the socio-economic disparities that exist between the United States and South America or any other region, teens face the same basic challenges. They look for opportunities, a way to express themselves, entertainment, a safe and positive environment, empowerment and a way to feel valued and useful. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? My long-term goal for the YMCA of Fort Wayne has been to establish a local Indiana youth and government program. This program will be hosted by the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne to bring students together to develop an understanding of local, state and national concerns; research, study and debate public issues; interact with adult mentors and leaders; and learn to appreciate other viewpoints. Soon, we will be looking for potential partnerships with local high schools and volunteers who can either host a club or present to our teens about political issues. Additionally, the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne has expanded its programs to the international area. An important part of this new area is working to become a Global Center of Excellence YMCA. This select group is made up of only 47 YMCAs among the more than 2,700 YMCAs in the USA. What many people do not know about the YMCA is that it is a global organization with presence in 119 countries. Among some strategies that we are exploring are opportunities for international exchange and service trips, immigrant population outreach and becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization in our community. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? In today’s world, one can never stop learning. I attend local, national and international training. Last summer, I had the opportunity to spend the week with 2,000 YMCA staff and volunteers who came from all over the world to attend the 18th World Council in which we networked, presented white papers, and learned about the strategic plan for the next four years. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Since I have been active with the YMCA
since I was 10 years old and my wife and I met through the YMCA in Chile, our family has a great investment in my workplace. Luckily, my job involves family-friendly events in which my kids are welcome. I try to include my wife and children, ages two and four, in some of the teen programing, because I also see it as a way to expose the youth to a loving family. What do you do to relax? I love to spend time doing outdoor activities with the family. I like to read the news, watch movies, play soccer, sleep and catch up with friends. If you could try another profession, what would it be? Before I came to the U.S., I was in my fourth year (out of five) toward my law degree. Because the legal system is so different in the U.S., only 12 credit hours (less than one semester’s worth of classes) transferred. I have at times toyed with the idea of going back to get my law degree. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? The YMCA is a great organization that provides opportunity for growth and is located in most U.S. cities and countries. The programs are so diverse that you can easily find your niche. Its Christ-centered focus provides an added bonus that is rare among most non-profit organizations.
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Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Ryan Twiss Age: 30 Job Title: Big Goal Collaborative director, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Year you joined the organization? I’ve been with the Regional Partnership on and off since it was created in 2006. I interned/worked there for a year after undergrad, before going back to Bloomington for law school. Before my third law school year, I spent another summer there helping launch a big STEM education initiative. Then, in 2010, after taking the bar exam, I started doing some contract work for the partnership. When a new position was created, I was offered it and I’ve been there ever since. (And yes, I did pass the bar.) Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? I currently serve on the board of directors for both ARCH, Northeast Indiana’s historic preservation organization, and Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne. I’ve been with ARCH since 2011 and joined the Arts United Board in 2014. Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? My first paycheck came from Mr. McGregor’s Garden, a children’s bookstore at the Village of Coventry. I was the only male on staff, so I was tasked with everything from constructing display cases to gift wrapping and working the cash register. On more than one occasion I dressed up as Clifford the Big Red Dog. There was one rule: Do not talk; it will terrify the children. What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I’ve been fortunate to have a number of individuals over the years take an interest in my career and help me along the way. My stint working before law school proved how immature I still was. Law school helped in that process, but entering the real world and working in an environment that required a lot of quick turnaround on some very difficult projects finished the job. My supervisor at the time, who remains a great friend and mentor, was a stickler for quality. The first report I presented to him for input came back to me looking like his Page 54
red pen had broken and leaked on every page. That was the moment I realized what I was in for and also the moment I started to really grow up as a professional. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? In 2013, we were one of 20 communities invited to join the first cohort of a national partnership created by the Lumina Foundation. In the simplest terms, this means that northeast Indiana was recognized by a national organization as being one of 20 communities across the nation doing the most aligned and innovative work to improve post-secondary credential and degree attainment. The Big Goal Collaborative was identified as the de facto leader of that great work, which was a great honor. What lessons did you learn from it? Writing the application to join the Lumina Community Partnership for Attainment made me realize just how many wonderful educational assets this community has. And once the work kicked off, I began forming relationships with like-minded communities across the nation. I learned that northeast Indiana is not alone in its focus on developing, attracting and retaining talent, but it may be unique in the coordination and level of collaboration we enjoy. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? In my time with the Regional Partnership, I’ve held a number of different titles and have had the great fortune of growing within the organization. I’d like to continue that growth. Three of my top five strengths, as defined by Gallup, are strategic in nature, and I enjoy the idea of applying those strengths to helping the organization succeed. How do you remain current/ relevant in your profession? I oversee the Big Goal Collaborative’s membership in a number of national partnerships. Through that work, I get frequent opportunities to participate in calls and conferences with other communities engaged in this same sort of talent-development work. Learning from their experiences and sharing my own is critical.
How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? Coffee. What do you do to relax? I’ve never owned a pet, but my fiancée has a dog and the three of us spend a lot of time together. It’s a weird thing, but there’s something calming about a spaniel/lab mix demanding you throw something across a room. If you could try another profession, what would it be? For years I thought whoever was Peyton Manning’s backup had the best job in the world. Curtis Painter proved me wrong; so I’d say movie producer. If someone were just starting out in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Learn your strengths and focus on those. There’s never one right way to do anything, but there are usually plenty of wrong ways. Figure out what works for you, and leverage the hell out of it.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Ryan, your steadfast leadership is pushing Northeast Indiana toward the Big Goal. After years of hard work and dedication, we are thrilled to see you recognized as a Forty Under 40 award recipient. Congratulations from everyone at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership!
Dan “Kennedy” Baisden, Adam Bouthot and Jessica Miller We are proud of your accomplishments, and are excited to see how you continue to impact Northeast Indiana. The Millennial Leaders Alliance is lucky to have you!
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Marlon Wardlow Age: 38 Job title: Vice president of operations, Parkview Health Randallia Year you joined the organization? 2014 Community organizations with which you are involved outside of work? Turnstone and Fort Wayne Urban League Where did your first paycheck come from? What was your job then? Detroit Golf Club as a busboy What kind of support did you receive along the way to help you advance in your career? I have received support from most of all my family members but also colleagues, mentors and members from my professional associations/groups. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career? Becoming vice president of operations at Parkview Randallia What lessons did you learn from it? It has really been a culmination of all of the duties and responsibilities that I’ve had in my career. All of the lessons that I’ve learned over the years have been beneficial in my new role. What would you next like to accomplish in your career and how would it benefit your organization? Ultimately, I just want to make a difference in the community that I serve. I have goals of continuing to progress in my career and therefore having a wider range of influence within the communities that I serve. And, as I continue to lead with a servant’s heart, I believe that my organization will also prosper. How do you remain current/relevant in your profession? I read journal articles to stay abreast of the latest literature in my field. I also remain active in my professional organizations. I believe in attending conferences and continuing education. I also believe in paying it forward, helping to develop our next generation of health-care leaders through mentoring and the creation of opportunities for newer executives. How do you balance your career, family life and community involvement? I believe that a work-life balance is critical to being successful. Page 56
What do you do to relax? Have a good conversation with a loved one or travel If you could try another profession, what would it be? Pilot If someone were just starting out
in your profession, what advice would you give that person? Take as many opportunities as you can and learn about as much as you can. Don’t be afraid of failure.
Forty Under 40 • March 2015 • fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
77.5% IN THEIR 30s
iPHONE 42.5% BEER 42.5%
WINE 35% TEETOTLER 15% HARD STUFF 15%
FACEBOOK 60%
70%
HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER
TWITTER 15% COUNTRY 20% ROCK 17.5% POP 15% ALTERNATIVE 12.5%
ANDROID 42.5%
LINKED IN 15% R&B 12.5% EDM 7.5% FOLK 5% LATIN 2.5%
INSTAGRAM 10%
CLASSICAL 2.5% RAGGAE 2.5% HIP HOP 2.5% METAL 0%
Nicely done. Barnes & Thornburg congratulates our own Jason Clagg and all of the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Forty Under 40 honorees. In our book, you’re at the head of the class.
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