VIBE

greater fort wayne

july/august 2013

Pro golf comes to Fort Wayne 10 Meet our new Graduate Retention Manager 15 How to attract Millennials even entitled ones 17

Innovation finds a home in Fort Wayne

Tim Savage of ENS Group leads with new technology development center 12

GFW Inc. introduces new magazine for its members 4

the magazine of greater fort wayne inc.

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CONTENTS

10

5
New momentum for organization
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. unveiled as name of new economic development organization.

10
Pro golf comes to Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne snags Indianas biggest tournament of the year. And you can be a part of it.

12
Innovations in training
Whether in technology or civic engagement, Greater Fort Wayne is leading by example.

15
Meet Justin Clupper
Our new Graduate Retention Program Manager brings a face lift to the department.

Letter from the President

Snapshots

Dispatches

16

Departments

18

Roll call

19

Benefits

20

Celebrations

22

In memoriam

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 3

letter from the president

Welcome to Vibe, OUR new magazine

Were celebrating our new branding with a redesigned, refocused periodical. By michael landram
I am happy to introduce a new magazine for our members: Greater Fort Wayne Vibe. This publication replaces Emphasis Magazine, which had served our membership for the past two years. In fact, the Emphasis nameplate has been used on Chamber newsletters going back at least three decades. Emphasis has served us well, but with our organizations new name and innovative branding, we thought this would be an excellent time to redesign and repurpose this periodical. Vibe is focused on you, our members, highlighting your milestone moments and keeping you up-todate on innovations and trends that impact your business. We owe many thanks to Jon Swerens, our Communications Director, and the generous, talented people at One Lucky Guitar. Together, they are largely responsible for launching this redesigned publication. Thanks also to Kristina Johnson for contributing the innovation article, starting on page 12, and to our friends at KPC Media, who publish this periodical and distribute it to its readership. We appreciate all who helped make this magazine a reality. If you have thoughts to share, please let us know. We look forward to relating your stories and celebrating your accomplishments in future publications.

Michael Landram is president and CEO of The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, now a part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Email: mlandram@fwchamber.org

Volume 1, Issue 1 Mike Landram President/CEO Eve Colchin Vice President Membership and Communications Deb Boyd Controller Katy Stafford-Cunningham Vice President Government Affairs Justin Clupper Graduate Retention Program Manager Jon Swerens Director of Communications and Greater Fort Wayne Vibe Editor

Greater Fort Wayne Vibe is a publication of The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, now a part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. 826 Ewing Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 424-1435 www.fwchamber.org communications@fwchamber.org Printed by KPC Media Group Inc., publishers of the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Advertising in Greater Fort Wayne Vibe is available exclusively to Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce members. For rates and information, contact KPC Media Group: Lynette Donley Fort Wayne advertising sales manager lynetted@kpcnews.net (260) 426-2640 ext. 305

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our reorganization

New momentum for combined GFW Inc.

Greater Fort Wayne Inc. unveiled as name of new economic development organization.
In April, private and public sector leaders unveiled Greater Fort Wayne Inc. as the name of a newly created economic development organization. Leaders expressed a unified vision for a new beginning of collaboration and positive momentum that will make Greater Fort Wayne the best that it can be. The announcement is the culmination of efforts that began last year to examine the possible coordination of economic development activities with the goals of stronger alignment and increasing the competitive position of the community. A steering committee with representatives from the business community, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance (Alliance), the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), the Downtown Improvement District (DID), the City of Fort Wayne, and Allen County have been studying what the benefits would be of creating a more competitive, opportunityrich community by aligning the economic development efforts of each entity. Following a thorough analysis and benchmarking of other cities that have experienced successful transitions, the decision was made to move forward with an integrated organization. Over the past few months, Parkview Health President and CEO Mike Packnett has served as Transition Chairman to help leaders reach a final decision on a structure and strategy for the new organization. The boards of directors of the Alliance and Chamber have adopted the new organizational structure and the Chamber membership has ratified the changes. Operations and management have transitioned to the steering committee that now serves as the Transition Board for Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Due to its governance structure being dictated by state statue, the DID will remain its own entity and maintain its current board of directors. Its being proposed that the DID will be co-located with Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and that DID staff will have a reporting relationship to the new chief executive officer. Specifics will be defined by an agreement thats being developed. A final decision on a location for Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is expected soon. In addition, a selection of a chief executive officer will be made in the next few months. Economic development efforts by all partners will continue to move ahead to assist current and prospective businesses as the location and executive searches move forward and a consolidated budget and work plan are finalized. Greater Fort Wayne Inc.s mission: Together, were growing a more prosperous, vibrant community in Greater Fort Wayne. Greater Fort Wayne Inc.s vision: Greater Fort Wayne will be recognized among the top metro centers in the country, home to innovative business, collaborative leaders, spirited entrepreneurs and a culturally rich, prosperous community.

Goals and objectives for Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

Achieve more with a common vision Grow jobs Create entrepreneur-rich landscape Attract talent Increase business investment Engage and develop leaders Enhance communitys overall competitiveness

Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Transition Board members

Mark Becker, Fort Wayne Deputy Mayor Zach Benedict, Morrison Kattman and Menze Ben Campbell, STAR Bank Mike Christman, Fort Wayne Newspapers Jim Cook, Chase Bank Ben Eisbart, Steel Dynamics Scott Glaze, Fort Wayne Metals Tim Haffner, Faegre Baker Daniels Charlie Heiny, Haller & Colvin Tom Henry, Fort Wayne Mayor Matt Kelley, One Lucky Guitar Terry McDonald, New Haven Mayor Mike Packnett, Parkview Health Mac Parker, Cole Foundation Pat Pasterick, Design Collaborative Jill Perillo, NIPSCO Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner John Stafford, Community Research Institute Pat Sullivan, Hylant Group Bob Taylor, Do it Best Ron Turpin, Lincoln Financial

The website for Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is www.GreaterFortWayneInc.com.

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 5

SNAPSHOTS

A variety of presenters spoke with attendees of our 10x10 event, including, from left, Don Schenkel, vice president of university relations at the University of Saint Francis; Michael Hayes, regional sales manager at Comcast Business; IPFW Chancellor Vicky Carwein, and Patti Hays, senior vice president of Lutheran Health Network.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly met with members of The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce for an open-ended discussion on a variety of economic issues.

Chamber Day at The Statehouse was a great opportunity to meet our delegation. LEFT: Members from Northeast Indiana meet with Attorney General Greg Zoeller. RIGHT: From left are Rep. Kathy Heuer, The Chambers Mike Landram, and Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann.
Photos by jon Swerens

6 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

LEFT: Two Northeast Indiana legislators were honored with an annual award introduced this year. The Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Legislator of the Year award is given to a state legislator from Northeast Indiana that has shown his or her commitment to Fort Wayne, Allen County and business in general. The 2013 Legislator of the Year Award: Sen. David Long, Fort Wayne. The 2013 New Legislator of the Year Award: Rep. Martin Carbaugh, Fort Wayne.

Doug Powers of Beckman Lawson LLP speaks at The Chambers Healthcare Issue Forum about the coming changes due to the Affordable Care Act.

From left are 2012 Athena recipient Julia Feichter, 2013 Athena recipient Angela G. Garcia, The Chambers Mike Landram, 2013 Athena recipient Debra F. Williams, and 2012 Athena recipient Sharon Simmons.

ABOVE: Pat Roller addresses business leaders during a City of Fort Wayne fiscal strategy meeting at The Chamber . LEFT: A crowded Anthony Wayne Room listens to Ashley Motia deliver the keynote presentation during our Media and Marketing Summit.

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 7

DISPATCHES

Economic Development Former Alliance Alliance has busy first head Rob Young joins half of 2013 Hagerman Group
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance began in 2000 as the lead organization for economic development activities throughout the county. The goal is to further the base employment for Allen County through business retention, expansion, and attraction projects. The Alliance works together with local, regional and state economic development partners to ensure that the community provides everything companies need to foster success. In the first half of 2013, The Alliance worked with Press Seal Gasket, F&M Tile & Terrazzo, Retirement Home TV, Fed Ex Ground, Britton Marketing & Design, Colliers Financial, and Applied Metals. The investments that these companies have completed total over $31 million for Allen County and add more than 50 jobs, while retaining more than 260, in the community. Also, in the spring of 2013, The Alliance joined with The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce to become Greater Fort Wayne Inc., a new not-for-profit business and economic development organization. Our aligned efforts are focused on growing a more prosperous, vibrant community. The Alliance is looking forward to working with more expanding businesses in the latter half of 2013. For more information, please visit www.TheAllianceOnline.com. Rob Young recently joined The Hagerman Group as Director of Business Development and will be based in the Fort Wayne office. Young will help lead The Hagerman Groups efforts in the areas of site selection and economic development incentive negotiation on behalf of existing and prospective clients. He will also be responsible for identifying new opportunities, creating new relationships, making contacts, developing and maintaining a strong business network, and being actively involved in professional and community organizations. Young previously held a nine-year term as president of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance where he oversaw all operational facets of the local economic development organization. Prior to that, Young was the president and CEO of Battle Creek (Mich.) Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was responsible for all aspects of running one of the largest chambers of commerce in Michigan. Most recently, Young was focused on growing the site selection and economic development incentive negotiation practices, servicing existing design-build and general construction clients, and securing new work for CME Corporation in Fort Wayne. Young was a public figure in the radio/TV industry for 10 years where he had various responsibilities from on-air radio personality, to news director, TV news reporter/anchor, and video producer. The Hagerman Group, a general contractor, construction manager, and design-builder, was founded in 1908 with Indiana offices located in Fort Wayne and Fishers.

IPFW names former Chamber staffer chief communications officer

Indiana UniversityPurdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Chancellor Vicky L. Carwein is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Wilkins as the chief communications officer for the university. Wilkins will develop and oversee the implementation of a strategic communications plan for the university, be the official university spokesperson, and handle all duties related to the news media. Nicole brings more than 15 years of experience in media and public relations to her new role, said Carwein. Her talents will allow IPFW to be more proactive and strategic in our communications with key campus constituents. Wilkins is also looking forward to her new duties. I am constantly amazed by our campus community, she said. I look forward to telling the world about IPFWs top-ranked degree programs, world-renowned faculty, and student successes. Wilkins is a native of Southern California and received a degree in English from the University of California-Irvine, where she also worked in marketing and communications. During her time there she coordinated major media events for the university for such distinguished guests as the Dalai Lama, while interfacing with national and international journalists. She has also worked for such organizations as Fox Television Studios, Zimmer, and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. Wilkins assumed her new duties Monday, June 3.

8 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

Chamber Classic tees off at Coyote Creek Golf Club on August 8

Public relations opportunities like this dont come along every day! The Chamber Classic golf tournament is the cant-miss-golf event each year. Coyote Creek Golf Club and its staff provide a first-class experience that is enhanced by interactive networking activities at each tee box. Whether you love to play or are looking for a creative way to reach Fort Wayne Executives, our tournament provides a unique opportunity for budgets of all sizes. Our tournament has enjoyed sold-out status for many years. Dont miss your chance to participate! At $125 for individual member golfer or $475 for member foursome and $150 for nonmember golfer for the day, this is an outing you wont want to miss. Register at fwchamber.org/classic. Payment for this event is nonrefundable. Your fee for the August 8 event includes one Golfers Kit per team, lunch on the course, beverages, and the award reception dinner to follow. With one very full flight with a shotgun start at 11 a.m., you are assured the opportunity to meet and mingle with all of the golfers in the outing. The Golfers Kit includes: 4 mulligans, 4 power drives, and 1 three-foot length of string.

Eagle Sponsor
Parkview Health

Comcast Business Class

This program provides Chamber members with exceptional Internet services at a substantial discount of up to $29.95 per month. Info: fwchamber.org/comcast.

Cart Sponsor
Comcast Business Services

Refreshment sSponsor
ITT Exelis Communications and Force Protection

Sams Club savings

Chamber members receive a $25 gift card for a Plus membership or a $10 for a Business membership. Info at samsclub.com/ membership.

Hole Sponsors
Chase Cintas Comcast Business Services Fort Wayne Newspapers French Lick Resort Haller & Colvin, P.C. Indiana Wesleyan University King & Knight, LLC One Lucky Guitar, Inc. Ottenweller Company, Inc. Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Constant Contact savings

Get a discount of up to 25 percent off its entire suite of online marketing tools. Get 20 percent off for six months when you pre-pay. Get 25 percent off for a year when you pre-pay.

Event discounts and admittance

Every employee of each of our members receives the member price for Chamber events. Also, all employees of members can attend member-only events, such as the Third House Forums.

Get Saving Guide for Chamber members

Dont miss these member discounts:

Promotion and referrals

Members can create and offer member-tomember coupons on the web site. Members also get free promotion to a readership of 24,000 through Emphasis and free phone and web referrals.

PHP member discount

If your business has 2 to 50 employees, you qualify for a discount of up to five percent on your small business insurance premiums from PHP. Average annual savings is $3,300. To receive a quote, call PHP at (800) 982-6257 or visit phpni.com and click on the Chamber Discount Program link.

Notarization and certification of origin

Free for members by our front desk staff.

Sponsor this event!

Interested in sponsoring this great event? Contact Liz Struckholz at (260) 424-1435 or lstruckholz@fwchamber.org.

Office Depot savings

Chamber members can save 60 percent on core catalog items and four percent off retail catalog purchases. The average member using this discount saves $534 a year. Contact Chris Michaels at (260) 249-3977 or Eric Sponable at (260) 249-8799.

Save the date: Social Media Summit coming August 14

Our next Social Media Summit will start up on August 14 at The Chamber building. Two of our featured speakers are: Kevin Mullett of Cirrus ABS Anthony Juliano of Asher Agency Go to fwchamber.org/events for the details and for registration.

Location and times

Coyote Creek Golf Club 4935 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Thursday, August 8, 2013 Registration: 10 a.m. Shotgun Start: 11 a.m. Award Reception Dinner: 5 p.m.

Cirrus ABS savings

Chamber members receive 10 percent off any new product or service from this nationally recognized Fort Wayne Web design and development, marketing, and business consulting firm. More at fwchamber.org/ cirrus.

Greens Sponsor
Lincoln Financial Group

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 9

Hotel Fitness Championship director Duke Butler IV

photos provided by hotel fitness championship and sycamore hills golf club

10 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

events

Pro golf in the Fort

Fort Wayne snags Indianas biggest tournament of the year. And you can be a part of it. BY DUKE BUTLER IV

Fort Wayne residents have a lot to look forward to this summer. From sitting in the stands at TinCaps games, devouring the treats at local festivals and strolling through the Childrens Zoo, summer will be full of outdoor excitement. To top it all off, the biggest golf tournament played in the Hoosier state this year is going to take place right in their backyard at Sycamore Hills Golf Club on Aug. 26 through Sept. 1. Thanks to the generous support of Bruce Dye and the management expertise of the Western Golf Association, the inaugural Hotel Fitness Championship, a Web.com Tour Finals event, will be held in Fort Wayne. One of the biggest sporting events to ever come to Summit City, the Championship will have an estimated impact of up to $5 million on the local economy. The Hotel Fitness Championship is the first of four tournaments that make up the newly created Web.com Tour Finals and will bring in recognizable names from the PGA TOUR as well as golfs rising stars competing on the Web.com Tour. The top 75 players from the Web.com Tour money list are invited to participate as well as players ranked 126 to 200 on the PGA TOUR FedExCup points list. On the line are 50 PGA TOUR cards for the 2013-14 season.

Sycamore Hills Golf Club is the site for the Hotel Fitness Championship from Aug. 26 through Sept. 1.

Spectators welcome
Of course, another fun way to get involved is to be a spectator. The tournament would like to extend an exclusive opportunity for fellow Fort Wayne Chamber members to experience championship golf up close during Chamber Day at the Championship on Thursday, Aug. 30 the first competition round. Its offering 2-for-1 ticket specials for Thursdays round to all Chamber members, making it even easier to entertain clients, reward employees, or network with fellow Chamber members: 2-for-1 Ticket OfferGrounds Tickets: Two Thursday Grounds Tickets typically retail at $50, but Chamber members can purchase them for $25. Tickets allow access to Championship grounds and include amenities such as access to public bleachers, concession stands, the pro shop and expo village. 2-for-1 Ticket OfferUpgraded Tickets: Two Thursday Upgraded Tickets typically retail at $100, but Chamber members can purchase them for $50. Tickets allow access to Championship grounds and all Grounds Ticket amenities as well as access to the upgraded patios on holes 9 and 15, which feature great views of golf from an elevated patio and upgraded food and beverages for purchase. Tickets can be purchased at www.HotelFitnessChampionship.com. Use promo code CHAMBERDAY to receive the 2-for-1 discount on eligible tickets. Click apply promo code before submitting payment. The offer is valid until Aug. 22. Limit 10 tickets per transaction at the discounted price. Questions about Chamber Day or volunteer opportunities should be directed to Tournament Manager Sally White at white@wgaesf.org or (224) 260-3786. Take advantage of all Fort Wayne has to offer this summer. Whether you volunteer or spectate or both we look forward to seeing you at the inaugural Hotel Fitness Championship!

Seeking volunteers
Staging an event of this magnitude requires a lot of manpower. The tournament will need about 800 volunteers to fill a variety of roles, including volunteer hospitality, admissions, marshaling, scoring and more. Those interested can review the committee descriptions and volunteer information posted at www.HotelFitnessChampionship. com before submitting an application. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of three shifts that are approximately five hours in length. All volunteers are required to purchase the Official Volunteer Uniform package for $50, which includes: Two logoed golf shirts One hat or visor One volunteer credential, valid for entry to the Championship all week Food and beverages on volunteer days One Weekly Grounds Ticket for guest entry to the Championship

Duke Butler IV is the tournament director of the Hotel Fitness Championship.

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 11

INNOVATION

investing in training and leadership

Whether in technology or civic engagement, Greater Fort Wayne is leading by example. BY kristina johnson

If asked to list examples of an innovative community, would Fort Wayne come to mind? If you believe our community is not innovative then you are a passenger on the same rusty boat I was cruising on until about a year ago. Perceptions can change when fueled with facts.

Cheri Becker, executive director of Leadership Fort Wayne

12 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

photo by jon swerens

After a year of researching great leaders and their companies for my weekly column, Business UNusual, in the Fort Wayne Business Weekly publication, I discovered our community is much more innovative than I had originally thought. Join me and disembark the S.S. Uninformed, letting Tim Savage and his team at ENS Group challenge any false assumption you may have. They recently have made a significant investment in a new facility, with about 30 percent of their 10,000-square-foot facility dedicated to its demonstration center. This center is designed to allow our clients to immerse themselves in the new technologies that are available, Savage said. We have a significant partnership with Cisco Systems and we are now one of the largest Cisco partners in Indiana. We have modeled our facility after Ciscos facility in their Chicago office and we believe it brings significant opportunities for Fort Wayne companies. The facility has full video conference abilities and has the capabilities of demonstrating all of the newest technologies from Cisco, who we believe is the industrys innovation leader. So, if we have innovative companies like ENS Group thriving in our own community, why would anyone choose to outsource those services? One of the challenges of being a technology company that grew up in Fort Wayne is that many larger companies here still see us as the 15-person company we were five years ago, not the 50-person company we are now, Savage explained. We now offer the same level of competency as companies from Indianapolis and Chicago, but yet many local companies still believe they need to engage out-of-town firms to get the best talent supporting them. We hope as time goes on they will take another look at ENS Group, recognize the significant talent investment we have made and keep the dollars local. Obviously, by using local firms the money stays home and it only helps the community grow. More money in local companies will lead to more innovation, and the ability for companies, like us, to keep adding more qualified staff. Savage is not alone in his desire to continually seek better ways to improve, striving to

exceed his clients expectations. Cheri Becker, executive director of Leadership Fort Wayne an organization with a mission to train, prepare and inspire individuals to positively impact the community through community engagement is working hard to keep the organization relevant for todays needs, as well as tomorrows needs. Our goal is to increase civic engagement and social capital, Becker said. Many things have changed during Leadership Fort Waynes 30 years. I am an alumna, having participated in the program as one of the members of the 2007 class, and am delighted to learn of the many changes that Becker and her team have put into place. Leadership Fort Waynes mission provides the impetus for its existence and 30 years of successful delivery, Becker said. In 20112012, LFW alumnus reported giving back over 150,000 hours in community service and an estimated $3.1 million in philanthropy. Further evidence is provided not in the context of programming but in the ever-increasing number of LFW alums who are or have continued to dedicate themselves to civic engagement and participated in the public process by their election to public office, and by those listed on the many boards, and commissions dedicated to community serving activities throughout Fort Wayne. A few of the changes Becker has put into place include quantifying data. We measure everything that we can about

community involvement, Becker said. We want individuals to find their passion for service and their voice for the greater good of the whole community. Leaders have to have sense of the big picture and must feel empowered to do things to help address our challenges and opportunities. Civic engagement is civic leadership. Curriculum content and delivery methods have also been changed in the LFW program, which now includes individual 360 degree Leadership Assessments. This provides each individual with a personalized report of how they perceive their leadership skills and abilities and how their peer group perceives them, Becker said. Whether an organization is a part of the technology industry, or a non-profit industry focused on civic engagement, you can rest assured they both seek better ways of serving their constituents. An innovative community doesnt rest on its laurels; it continually seeks to improve. ENS Group and Leadership Fort Wayne are just two examples of innovative organizations in Fort Wayne, continually transforming to better serve our needs.

Kristina Johnson is director of development for Trine University. She can be reached at johnsonk@trine.edu or (260) 665-4103.

Tim Savage, principal/managing director, infrastructure practice at ENS Group

above photo and cover photo by lauren richwine

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 13

innovation

ENS Group grows into new building

ENS Group, a leading technology consulting firm in Fort Wayne, outgrew its Engle Road location and moved to 8181 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Olde Canal Office Park. ENS renovated a 10,500-square-foot speculative building space into a state-of-the-art technology center and office space. The companys sustained growth has afforded them the opportunity to create highly skilled jobs in the technology industry. ENS Group is seeking to fill six new positions to add to its current workforce of 47 information technology specialists and market development managers. ENS Groups business expansion helps the Northeast Indiana region continue to develop the emerging high-tech cluster in our community, said Ashley Steenman, vice president of business development for

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance., now part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Since 1995, ENS has successfully helped its clients improve profitability by adopting and leveraging information technology. The companys training and testing programs are nationally recognized. In 2012, ENS Group was named an Indiana Company to Watch and made the Inc 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies. Recently, ENS Group was designated a Cisco Silver Partner. The CCIE certification is widely known as the most difficult of all information technology certifications to obtain. There are estimated to be less than 25,000 active CCIEs worldwide. ENS Group now maintains a CCIE in three main practice areas: Security, Route & Switch, and Unified Communications. ENS Group has posted open positions and job descriptions on the State of Indianas job matching website www.indianacareerconnect.com. The company will work with WorkOne Northeast to identify qualified applicants.

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10 questions

Meet Justin Clupper

GFW Inc.s new Graduate Retention Program manager brings a face lift to the department.
Email: jclupper@fwchamber.org

1. What is your background, including where youre from, a bit about your family, and your hobbies? I grew up in Columbia City and then attended Taylor University. After a short stint in Indianapolis, I moved back to the Fort Wayne area and have loved getting connected into the city. I am newly married to Jessica, an elementary school teacher at Aboite Elementary. And our home wouldnt be complete without our four-legged son, Buddha, a labra dane. I love cooking, eating, traveling, spending time with my new wife and taking Buddha for a walk through Fox Island. 2. How has your past employment prepared you for the work you are doing with Greater Fort Wayne Inc.? Through previous jobs, Ive had the opportunity to build departments from the ground up, work with interns, work with business leaders and learn what works. Ive had the ability to become connected to our community and economic development efforts. And Ive been forced to think outside the box, which is always good when youre working on keeping young professionals in the region. 3. What does your job entail as Grad Retention Manager? I oversee the Graduate Retention Program, which is getting a bit of a face lift! Im currently working to redevelop the service offerings and goals that the program has for success in our community. Then Ill work hand-in-hand with our partners in business and education to develop learning opportunities and a means for success in the projects theyre working on. I will be an advocate for the area, reminding folks of the great opportunities available to them in both the workplace and in the communities. 4. What are your favorite books / movies / music groups? I love mystery/thriller novels, especially those that have historical leanings. Pretty much anything from Steve Berry is a winner in my book. My musical tastes range from Coldplay and Train to Chris Tomlin and David Crowder, even from Broadway to Sinatra. 5. When you were a little boy, what did you want to be when you grew up (and why)? The idea that stuck with me the most was the thought of being a chef. I love working in the kitchen.

6. What are some of the challenges of your new position? Im seeing challenges in both the business side and the educational side. For businesses, its all about re-educating them on the services we can offer. Intern program consulting, seminars, training and support these are just the tip of the iceberg. For the education side, specifically in the Post-Secondary realm, we have historically worked with the Career Services departments to connect with students. The problem is, in many schools, the number of students using these services is very low. To improve our reach, were developing new programming strategies to connect directly with Deans, Chairs and professors the people students are going to for advice on internships and careers. 7. Is there anything members should know about your job that they may not realize? My team and I are here to make you look good and cultivate the new talent you need to succeed in this ever-changing world. More and more, we are seeing organizations take their new hires from their intern pool. We want to work with you to develop a solid program that not only provides a good workforce for a short period of time, but has the potential for the long term as well. 8. What are some of your goals for your first year? I hope to see the program have an increased visibility in the community. Focusing on the services we can provide to all businesses, whether they have recruiting departments that have been hosting interns for years or theyre starting a brand new program. I anticipate a stronger bond with the area educational institutions, even looking at institutions that are beyond our area. 9. Whats your favorite place to hang out in Fort Wayne? My favorite place is where my friends or family might be. One night that might be at JK ODonnells, or the Oyster Bar for lunch on Burger Tuesday! In the summer months you can find me on The Deck or in the stands at a TinCaps game. 10. What advice would you give to new graduates? Network and get connected. Graduate Retention has a unique relationship with the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana, partnering on networking activities and social engagements throughout the year. We want to help you get plugged in and meet the right people! GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 15

departments

Nows the time to prepare for 2014

Submit your issue suggestions to our Legislative Council now. BY katy stafford-cunningham
As the summer lingers on, the legislative process never stops working at Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Our Legislative Council, the committee of business members that create our legislative agenda, meets monthly to discuss local, state and federal issues that impact our businesses. As with all our government department work, we encourage our members to get involved! If there is an issue you would like to see addressed in our 2014 Legislative Agenda, no matter which level of government, please submit the information pertaining to the issue to me or Melissa Beber. We will take it before the Legislative Council for education and discussion. No issue is too small! In the meantime, we encourage you to stay on top of issues by

watching City and County government meetings, all available at www. AllenCounty.us and www.CityofFortWayne.org. At the state level, Interim Study Committees will be taking place throughout the summer and fall and information for those meetings can be found at www. IN.gov/Legislative. And signing up for email newsletters from our Federal Delegation keeps you informed on the issues Congress faces: U.S. Sen. Dan Coats: www.Coats.Senate.gov U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly: www.Donnelly.Senate.gov U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman: www.Stutzman.House.gov Sign up for our GovConnect Newsletter which goes out every Friday and gives you a snapshot of the top issues impacting our area. Finally, you can follow us on Twitter @FWGovConnect. We are here to serve you so do not hesitate to contact us and remember: no issue is too small!

Katy Stafford-Cunningham is vice president of government affairs for The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, now a part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Email: kstafford@fwchamber.org

Dodge high fares with FWA, Allegiant

Airport, Three Rivers Festival, SportONE Fieldhouse team up for dodge ball tournament. BY jessica miller
Dont let high air fares slow down your summer travel. Allegiants Dodge High Fares campaign has made its way to Fort Wayne, and while youre dodging air fares, Fort Wayne International Airport invites you to do some extra dodging to benefit local charities! FWA is teaming up with the Three Rivers Festival and the SportONE Parkview Fieldhouse to host the citys biggest dodge ball tournament on Sunday, July 14. The tournament begins at 1 p.m. at the Fieldhouse and anyone 18 or older is welcome to register a six- to eight-person team. Registration is $100 per team. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second-, and third-place teams and all proceeds from the event will be donated to one of eight local charities of the first place teams choice. The tournament will be coordinated by the National Dodge Ball League (NDL), the nationwide leader in professional dodge ball tournaments. 16 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

The NDL is made up of 19 professional dodge ball teams and is host to the Dodge Ball World Championship in Las Vegas each summer. In accordance with the Official NDL Rules & Regulations of Play, all teams must wear matching uniforms creativity is encouraged! Visit www.thendl.com to view complete rules. The Fieldhouse is home to Jimmys Grill, a sports bar and grill with front row seats to the court action. Spectators are welcome, so feel free to stop by to check out the games, grab lunch, or support your favorite charity. If youre interested in becoming an NDL-certified dodge ball referee for the tournament, contact the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority at (260) 747-4146. The NDL offers free online training that will have you ready to ref in no time. Have some fun this summer by dodging high fares! Sign your team up now at www.dodgehighfares.com.

Jessica Miller is the marketing and air service specialist for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. Email: jmiller@fwairport.com

departments

How to attract Millennials even entitled ones

The new generation has changed the rules of recruiting. Heres your playbook. BY SARAH PLEW
For decades (and maybe even longer), students have been bombarded with career advice. Most guidelines insist that we dress for the job we want rather than the job we have or that we revise our resume to stand out in an application. Within the recent past, I have heard more particular counsel about hiding tattoos and piercings and even practicing the proper, most professional handshakes in order to impress employers. The pressure has arguably rested on the job applicant since humans began working for their livelihoods. As Millennials begin to emerge as the next dominant generation in the workforce, their rebellious attitude comes into play in this recruitment paradigm. In case you have not yet noticed, Millennials commonly question societal standards; in this case, the generation has declared that just because our ancestors chose to settle for steady employment over job satisfaction does not require us to follow suit. According to many Millennials, the responsibility to sell oneself should be equally shared between job applicant and employer. To many of you, that may seem pretentious or ludicrous; on the other hand, as employers, you now face a generation of employees that is stubbornly fighting for the upper hand in recruiting. If you need an explanation, remember for a moment one of the most distinctive Millennial characteristics: a sense of entitlement. Our parents, teachers, coaches, and the media encouraged us since infancy to follow our dreams, reach for the stars, and never back down. To apply that stubborn persistence to our career goals proves logical. Therefore, my advice to employers would be to admit that the rules of recruitingamong many thingsare changing and to adapt your practices accordingly. Please do not misunderstand me and think that I am suggesting you bend over backwards and cater to the younger generation. I do suggest, however, that you consider the benefits in this potential new work trend. More determined, intentional application practices may eventually yield more committed and satisfied employees. You might even begin to see fewer apathetic job applicants. On the other hand, you may experience a lack of qualified applicants for positions you previously had no trouble fillingespecially if you do not

Our parents, teachers, coaches, and the media encouraged us since infancy to follow our dreams, reach for the stars, and never back down.
adapt your recruiting strategies. Millennials want unique, satisfying, and fun careers. They strive to be respected, appreciated, and compensated for their accomplishments at work. Take a moment to think about what you can do at your office to better appreciate your employees: Offer perks for completing tasks before the deadlines. Hold friendly office competitions. Create social opportunities for employees to spend more casual time together. Thank your employees daily for the hard work that they do. Then think about how you stand out as an employer. Do you benefit from a relaxed, supportive work environment? Do you offer bonuses or holiday parties? Emphasize those unique, appealing qualities in your internship and job descriptions. Millennials want to know that they would experience a satisfying, engaging work environment in your organization. They want to be able to picture themselves working for you before they will even apply. Reject the idea that applicants should sell themselves to your organization, and consider instead how you portray your organization to your potential talent pool, to your current employees, and to your community. For assistance in creating more appealing internship descriptions, or for advice in selling your organization to Millennial applicants, contact the Graduate Retention Program.

Sarah Plew is Graduate Retention Program coordinator of The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, now a part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Email: splew@fwchamber.org

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ROLL CALL

New members January 2013 4 Wheel Holdings LLC A-1 Automotive Acti-Kare Responsive InHome Care AMS Retail, LLC/Mark Fore Sales Angels of Mercy HomeCare Plus Best Buy - Apple Glen

Blackburn & Green Compass Financial Advisors Delineation Architecture + Interior Design Ice Rinks at Lutheran Health SportsCenter, The Medical Mutual Neighbors Home Church Neuhaus Industrial Machining Inc. Tilted Kilt

February 2013 Allen County Retinal Surgeons Arthritis Foundation, Northern Indiana Office BioLife Plasma Services Getz Road Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. Coliseum Park Apartments Federal-Mogul Corporation

Graphic Advertising Harmony Marketing Group Hartzell Realty Corp. Joe Justice Live Joseph Decuis, LLC Kiddie Academy of Fort Wayne Malcolm & Schlueter, Inc. OReillys Irish Bar & Restaurant Sirva

March 2013 ACE Recycling, Inc (American Computer & Electronics) Bradford D. Pepple Roth IRA Clarion Inn - Fun Dome Gold Works LLC Hotel Fort Wayne / Red River Restaurant Indian Creek Veterinary Hospital

Media One Marketing Group Peak Enterprise Solutions RCI Sports Management, LLC (SportOne Field House) Sassi Systems, LLC Second Steps LLC Vail Group, LTD.

Renewing members January 2013 3 Rivers Metal Recycling Aerotek AIDS Task Force, Inc. Allen County Fairgrounds, Inc. Alpha Rae Personnel, Inc. Angel Corps Annie Eckrich/Re/Max Results Arrotin Plastic Materials of Indiana, Inc. Bethlehem Woods Nursing & Rehabilitation/ American Senior Communities BIB Group Brooks Construction Company Brown Equipment Co., Inc. Casa Ristorante Central Indiana Hardware Company, Inc. Cohen & Johnson Orthodontics, PC Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. Cookie Cottage, Inc. Creative Financial Staffing D. O. McComb & Sons Deister Concentrator Doc Dancer Heating & A/C, Inc. DR Lubricants, Inc. Equitable Realty Team at Century 21 Bradley Excursions Trailways Facts Paper Co., Inc. Forgotten Children Worldwide Fort Wayne Public Transportation/Citilink Fort Wayne Strength and Conditioning Fort Wayne TinCaps Frame Service French Lick Resort FWRadiology Association, LLC Gateway Woods Family Services Georgetowne Place Retirement Glenbrook Square Hamil, Lehman & England, P.C. Heritage Park/American Senior Communities Hilton Fort Wayne at the

Grand Wayne Convention Center IAB Bank - Markle IBEW-International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 305 Image Dental Arts Indiana Michigan Power Isaac Knapp District Dental Society Koher Advertising Lamplight Inn of Fort Wayne Lutheran School Partnership Lutheran Social Services Max Fitness (3 locations) McArdle, Donald Retired Mr. Rooter Plumbing Northern Insurance, LLC Old National Bank One Eleven Design Ophthalmology Consultants of Fort Wayne Parkview Physicians Group Petroleum Traders Corp. Physical Medicine Consultants Premier, Inc., Realtors Preston Pointe at Inverness Centre Reimbold & Anderson Ricker Oil Co. Riegels, Inc. Roger Sipe CPA Firm, LLC Rose Agency, Inc. Sand Point Living Interiors, Inc. Shoemaker, Inc. Sonitrol Fort Wayne Sperry Van Ness/Parke Group Stoners Fun Stores Swiss Meadows Apartments The Chapel The Ice Rinks at Lutheran Health SportsCenter The Midland Group The Nichols Company The Rogers Companies The UPS Store Tri State Christian TV Trolley Steaks & Seafood True North Strategic Advisors, LLC United Media Group Value Place Visit Fort Wayne Vital Living WellSpa Windsor Oaks Apartments

Wired Communications, LLC Yoder Rahrig Family Dentistry Yolo Event Center Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana February 2013 A Party Apart Aire Serv of Northeast Indiana All Star Construction & Excavating, Inc. Allen County Indiana Bar Association, Inc. Allied Physicians, Inc. American Family Insurance - Vanessa Hake Agent Anthony Wayne Business Exchange Blue Pony Digital Bose Public Affairs Group, LLC Boyden & Youngblutt Advertising & Marketing, Inc. Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. Bulldog Consulting Services, LLC C&P Machine, Inc. Chapel Oaks Apartments ChosenLan Technology Group, Inc. Christopher James Menswear Comfort Keepers Commercial Warehouse & Cartage, Inc. Country Kitchen SweetArt CPS Marketing Group, Inc. Custom Poly Packaging Deckard Mechanical, LLC Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes & Cemeteries Disaster Adjusting & Appraisal Services Downtown Improvement District Dulin, Ward & DeWald, Inc. E&V Construction, Inc. Ellison Bakery, Inc. Employers Administrative Services of Indiana, LLC Environmental Management Specialists, Inc. EOS Experienced Office Solutions

EPCO Products, Inc. Federal Roofing Co., Inc. Fort Wayne Derby Girls Fort Wayne OTB Fort Wayne Pediatrics General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly Golf Etc. Grand Wayne Convention Center Graphic Advertising Hawk, Haynie, Kammeyer & Chickedantz Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hoot Lawn & Design, Inc. Hyatt Place Fort Wayne Impex International, Inc. Indiana Fire Sprinkler & Backflow, Inc. Indiana Golf Advertising & Marketing Services Indiana Research Service Integrity Tax Consulting, Inc. Isaac Knapp District Dental Society IWM Consulting Group Keefer Printing Company, Inc. Ken Terfler KPC Media Group L.M.L. Estate Management Corp. Lutheran Life Villages Maintenance Management Co., Inc. Medical Protective Company Michael Mastrangelo, MD Mickeys Linen & Towel Supply, Inc. MidWest America Federal Credit Union Moake Park Group, Inc. Nob Brick & Fireplace Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Oberlin Marketing Co., Inc. Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling Personal Training Institute Pfister Sprinkler Systems, Inc. Phoenix America, Inc. Plastic Surgery Innovations PC Pyromation, Inc. RMT, Inc. Robert Half International

Safety Kleen Systems, Inc. Sanco Industries, Inc. Schenkel Construction, Inc. SCORE Sharon Eisbart-Corporate Art Star Homes by Delagrange & Richhart, Inc. Staybridge Suites-Fort Wayne Steppin Up Physical Therapy Summit City Insurance Summit City Reporting, Inc. Sweeney Law Firm SweetCars, LLC TDS Tec-Hackett, Inc. Tiberius Arms Tobacco Free Allen County, Inc. Toolcraft, LLC U.S. Automation, LLC Uncle Bills Pet Center Unity Performing Arts Foundation Wallen Hills Water Out WaterFurnace International, Inc. Wayne Combustion Systems Wayne Fasteners, Inc. WBCL 90.3 Whitley Mfg. Co. March 2013 21st Century Homes, LLC Attero Tech, LLC Automation Engineering, Inc. B&B Loan Company BEST WESTERN Luxbury Inn Fort Wayne Big C Lumber Company Carson Boxberger LLP CDM Smith CME Corporation-General Contractor Colonial Development, Inc. Colonial Homes, Inc. Complete Drives, Inc. Corporate Housing Systems Coventry Meadows/ American Senior Communities Do it Best Corp. Employment Plus, Inc. Environmental Remediation Services, Inc.

Exel F&M Tile & Terrazzo Company ForeSight Consulting, LLC Fort Wayne Medical Education Program Fort Wayne Shows, Inc. Frontier Communications Gerig-Ottenweller Contracting, LLC Glenbrook Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center/American Senior Communities Hampton Inn Dupont Road Harbor Investments LLC Harold McComb & Son, Inc. In Balance Books, Inc. iRely LLC Kelley Chevrolet King & Knight, LLC LaBov & Beyond, Inc. Lawrence Building Corporation Lawyers Title LCPA Group LTD Lees Famous Recipe Chicken Merrill Lynch Midwest Pipe & Steel, Inc. Mikes Car Wash, Inc. Moore & Associates New York Life Paychex, Inc. Physicians Health Plan Quality Tool Company, Inc. Raytheon Company Sauder Feeds, Inc. Sentry Management Services, Inc. Spherion Staffing Services Springfield Enterprises, Inc. Steel Dynamics, Inc. Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. T J Nowak Supply Co., Inc. Tara Cooperative, Inc. Telectro-Mek, Inc. The Family Business Consulting Group Travel Leaders Tyco Integrated Security, LLC Wagner Electric of Fort Wayne Wells Fargo Advisors Witherspoon & Assoc., Inc.

18 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

BENEFITS

4 ways to help employees quit smoking

A company boosts its bottom line when it assists employees wanting to quit. BY PHYSICIANS HEALTH PLAN
Smoking and tobacco use cost U.S. employers between $97 billion and $125 billion every year through increased medical expenses, higher insurance rates, added maintenance expenses, lower productivity and higher rates of absenteeism. Most smokers want to quit smoking, so how can employers help employees kick the habit? Here are a few tips: 1. Make your workplace tobacco free. If you still allow tobacco use at your workplace, look to institute a policy that would eliminate tobacco use on your campus. A tobacco-free policy will not only help tobacco users quit, but will protect the health of all your employees. 2. Get connected with Quit Now Indiana www.quitnowindiana.com or 1-800-QUITNOW. a. Become a Quit Now Preferred Employer. This free program provides access to great resources for employers wanting to help their employees kick the habit. b. Refer employees that want to quit to Quit Now Indiana. Those looking to quit can receive: free information on quitting tobacco use, oneon-one telephone counseling, and referrals to local quit programs located within their community. There is also a limited supply of stop smoking medication available. 3. Offer free or reduced-cost smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. A multi-faceted approach to quitting smoking will increase cessation success rates significantly. Work with your health insurance provider to see which medications your plan covers and learn more about your options. 4. Contact Tobacco Free Allen County. A local resource that will help you with smoking cessation and other tobacco control programs. Contact them at (260) 420-7484. The most important thing that an employer can do to help their employees kick the habit is to show support. Providing resources and opportunities to those that would like to quit smoking will result in a healthier workforce, ultimately reducing future healthcare expense from smoking-related conditions.

How much does smoking cost your bottom line? Complete the following formula:
Number of Employees: xIndianas Smoking Prevalence: 0.23 xAdditional Health Costs (per year): $3,391

Extra expense per year: $________________

EXAMPLE: For an Indiana company with 10 employees, smoking would cost an average of $7,799.30 a year (10 x 0.23 x 3,391).

Forget cold calls. Get warm referrals instead

Plug in to our Leads Group program to build better, stronger business relationships. BY JEFF SHOWMAN
Marketing your products or services can be productive by several different points of view. In my opinion, the strongest perspective of marketing is based on your relationship with your prospect and/or the people in your market. To improve your position, you need to have exposure in your community doing things you enjoy, as well as developing relationships though networking. The Leads Group program at the Fort Wayne Chamber has proven to be very beneficial for me in getting to know other business professionals and growing my business by developing relationships and sharing referrals. Who doesnt enjoy referrals? What if they are warm referrals from close associates? This is what is available when you are established in a leads group. Each of the current groups has a distinct personality and you are invited to find one where you feel at home. The groups are a closed format, meaning that only one person per profession can invest. So, it is important when you find a group home that you protect your position by being active. If you have any questions on what is available or where to start, feel free to contact Teresa Royer at troyer@fwchamber.org or myself, Jeff Showman, at jshow46774@msn.com. Go to www.fwchamber.org/leads to learn more about The Chambers Leads Groups and view the group rosters.

Jeff Showman is Leads Group chairman.

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 19

CELEBRATIONS

Buchanan Logistics held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Wednesday, April 24, to celebrate its new facility at 5110 Merchandise Drive. Buchanan invested about $450,000 into its facility. The upgrades in the remodeled building include adding a conference room, new computers and workstations, and signs. Buchanan Logistics currently employs 20 people.

Country Heritage Winery and Vineyard, just north of Fort Wayne on Indiana 3, celebrated its new addition and two years in operation with a ribbon cutting Friday, May 3. The winery is located at 185 County Road 68, LaOtto. Those attending include owners Jeremy, Jennifer and Brian Lutter, wine maker Kevin Geeting, and assistant manager Jessica Whitman. The winery sits on a farm that has been in the family for more than 100 years.

Chamber member Pro Resources Staffing celebrated its expansion from 3,500 square feet to 7,000 square feet at its location at 1728 Spy Run Ave. with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 17. Pro Resources is a regional employment services firm, locally owned and operated by Bill Becker of Fort Wayne. This is its 27th year in business, and it has 17 office locations throughout the state of Indiana. Pro Resources helped more than 13,000 people secure employment during 2012. Pro Resources employs 99 full-time workers throughout the state.

Lawyers Title Insurance Co. celebrated its new location with a ribbon cutting Friday, May 3. The company is located at 10020 Auburn Park Drive, Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne office of Lawyers Title employs 13 people. From the simplest residential closing to the most complex commercial real estate transactions, Lawyers Titles goal is to help lenders, builders, developers, attorneys and real estate professionals grow and succeed.

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Chamber member SkyZone Fort Wayne celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, May 1, at its new indoor trampoline park at 401 Fernhill Ave. SkyZone Fort Wayne offers 25,000 square feet of fun in the form of Open Jump courts, a Foam Zone, a SkySlam basketball dunk court, SkyRobics fitness classes, and 3-D Dodgeball. SkyZone Fort Wayne employs 80 people.

Medtech College celebrated a new expansion at its location at 7230 Engle Road with a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, May 10. Medtech has been in Fort Wayne for a little more than five years. Its new expansion within nursing on the third floor is geared towards extraordinary healthcare training. Medtech showcased its 4,500-square-foot expansion, with a computer resource area and new Nursing Simulation Lab. Medtech employs 150 people.

The Womens Bureau, a Chamber member and nonprofit organization that has been operating for 38 years, celebrated its Dress for Success program with a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, May 31, at the location of the boutique at 2323 Fairfield Ave. Dress for Success Fort Wayne is a new affiliate of the international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Pathfinder Community Connections held two events on Friday, May 31, to open their NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Centers in Huntington and Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne event took place at The Summit located near the Pathfinder Community Connections Fort Wayne office which is located at 1005 W. Rudisill Blvd., Suite 301. At the event, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry proclaimed May 31 as Pathfinder Community Connections NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Day, and a ribbon cutting took place conducted by Eve Colchin from the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.

Let us host your ribbon cutting or groundbreaking! Fill out the form at fwchamber.org/celebrations.

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 21

in memoriam

Marlene LeMon 1940-2013

Marlene J. LeMon, 72, Graduate Retention Program field representative at The Chamber, died on May 22 at her home in Fort Wayne. As her obituary said, Everyone who met her, loved her. Here are some thoughts from those who worked with her: I recall when we hired Marlene at The Chamber for the part-time field representative position for our Graduate Retention Program. The incredible energy and enthusiasm she possessed was contagious. In her special Marlene fashion, she told me why I should hire her and promised me if I did hire her, I would not be disappointed. Marlene lived up to her promise every day. She will be missed by her colleagues and friends and by all the people who came in contact with her while she was at The Chamber. Marlene was full of energy and spunk! She had a way of lighting up the room. I always felt she would give me a straight answer when I needed it. Mike Landram, president and CEO

Marlene was more than a coworker to me: she was a dear friend, a mother figure, and my partner-in-crime. She had a beautifully unusual knack for making everyone she came in contact with through work or otherwise her good friend. Because of that, she leaves behind many heavy hearts. Sarah Plew, Graduate Retention Program coordinator Marlene was one of the most genuine individuals I have ever met and was a blessing to work with. She cared deeply for all her coworkers and her memory will live on with us. Cassie Cashman, former Graduate Retention Program assistant

Marlene was passionate about the Graduate Retention Program, her outgoing friendly personality was infectious. She was a real asset as we worked with her and other members of the Grad Retention team to market and develop the program in Noble County. Rick Sherck, Executive Director, Noble County EDC

Marlene was one of the most inspiring people that I have ever met and I am truly sad to have lost her. Jules Overby, former Graduate Retention Program field rep

I knew Marlene well before starting at The Chamber. When we saw each other on my first day, she ran for a hug! It had been years, but thats just the kind of woman she was. A friend once, a friend for a lifetime. Justin Clupper, Graduate Retention Program manager

I met Marlene five years ago through the Graduate Retention Program. She helped me hire my first employee, who began as an intern. Marlene and I hit it off immediately and she quickly became a dear friend. Marlene always had a kind word for me, a ready smile and incredible sense of humor. I would often introduce her to friends who remarked later she looked 20 years younger than her age. She was a selfless, classy, elegant lady but above all, a devout Christian, loving mother and grandmother and dear friend. There will never be another like her! Brent Minnick, Indiana Benefits Recovery

22 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org

Thank you to

for its generous sponsorship of The Chambers web site

See King+Knights member page on The Chambers web site at www.fwchamber.org/kingandknight

www.fwchamber.org

GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org 23

august 8, 2013 coyote creek golf club fort wayne

You are cordially invited to the golf event of the season.

The golf tournament by The Chamber (now part of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.) is the-cant miss-golf event each year. Coyote Creek Golf Club and its staff provide a first-class experience that is enhanced by interactive networking activities. At just $125 per member and $150 per nonmember for the day, this is an outing you wont want to miss.

g re e ns s p ons or

Register today: www.fwchamber.org/classic

e ag le s pons or

24 GREATER FORT WAYNE VIBE July/august 2013 fwchamber.org