March - Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce

LEADING
BUSINESS
March 2015
Smart
Moves
effective qualities of
Leaders & Managers
Open
and shut.
IN ELKHART:
574-293-0681
Janilyn Brouwer Daub
janilyn.daub@btlaw.com
When it comes to safeguarding your
interests, you can trust the lawyers at
Barnes & Thornburg. We combine deep
legal experience, practical know-how and
keen insight to deliver workable solutions
to your toughest challenges. Helping you
unlock your business’ true potential.
Joel D. Duthie
joel.duthie@btlaw.com
Andrew G. Helfrich
andrew.helfrich@btlaw.com
Glenn E. Killoren
glenn.killoren@btlaw.com
Alice J. Springer
alice.springer@btlaw.com
J. Scott Troeger
scott.troeger@btlaw.com
Uncommon Value
Timothy A. Weaver
timothy.weaver@btlaw.com
ATLANTA CHICAGO DELAWARE INDIANA LOS ANGELES MICHIGAN MINNEAPOLIS OHIO WASHINGTON, D.C.
btlaw.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Annual Meeting Review recognizing outstanding
members
page 12
Improving our workforce a continuation of last
month’s feature
page 7
Payroll & Employer Services
4 President’s report
10 Chamber members in the news
10 Ambassador of the Month
13 New Members and Anniversaries
14 Calendar of upcoming events
Cover Story
Smart Moves Effective qualities of
leaders and managers
The thoughts of IUSB’s Robert Ducoffe and
Spearhead Marketing’s Chad Root
pages 8-9
In our NEXT Issue:
Non Profit Organizations
making an impact
ELKHART.ORG
|
LEADING BUSINESS 3
Our talented partners make us strong
Through our legislative advocacy, our Third House town hall
meetings, and our relationship with regulatory agencies, we
are called on to represent the business community quickly and
effectively. Likewise, we are called on, with a moment’s notice, to
represent the business community to reporters from all levels of
media.
On my business card, right below the logo, is the phrase
“Leading Business … Leading Our Community.” So what am I
doing, at every Biz-Ness After Hours, every legislative function,
every public function where I am meeting people and sharing
my card? I am claiming a leadership role for our Chamber.
I am proud to claim that role. And I am proud of all the
evidence we have accumulated. I don’t have to bring up the
obvious evidence found in the US
31 project, but I will. As you have
heard, again and again, the US 31
Coalition was founded by your
Chamber and the St. Joseph County
Chamber because we realized
our members’ need for a limited
access freeway between us and
Indianapolis. The third section of
that improvement is due to open
this year. We are continuing to
lead the effort to complete the inbetween sections.
I have talked about this before
and I will talk about it again. US
31 has required 25 years of patient
leadership that is now paying off
visibly. Sometimes you have to wait
for the fruits of patient leadership.
In the background we have been leading, through
partnerships, with the Regional Cities Initiative, the SoMa
program, and other community improvement efforts.
As a supporter of the Chamber, you get to claim credit for our
leadership position in the community. Our volunteers are what
makes us effective.
And we appreciate your role in the Chamber’s success. But
how can we return the favor? How can we help you with your
leadership and management issues?
Fortunately, your Chamber is comprised of many talented
partners. That’s what makes us so strong. In this issue of Leading
Business, some of our members will share insights into strong
leadership and effective management.
Elkhart has faced some interesting times. We have strong
industries with strong leaders that provide jobs for direct
employees and jobs for suppliers. We have other strong
industries that are not related to the RV and boat industries that
prove the vibrancy of our economic climate. We are fortunate to
have all these industries in our community. But it takes vigilance
to preserve the economic climate for these businesses – your
business – to thrive.
That is what your Chamber does.
Together, we will continue to Lead Business and Lead Our
Community.
Sometimes the community
needs immediate visible leadership.
“Leading Business” is the
monthly magazine published by:
Ambassadors Claudia Meenan, ext. 134
March 12, Monthly meeting, 4 pm
Annual Golf Outing Denise Polachek, ext. 132
March 26, Council meeting, 4 pm
Business Recognition/ Beautification
Denise Polachek, ext. 132
March 18, Council meeting, 8 am
Economic Development /Legislative Affairs
Denise Polachek, ext. 132
March 20, Council meeting, 8 am
Education/Career Development
Kathy Cardwell, ext. 122
March 12, Council meeting, 7:30 am
Environmental Kay House-Clark, ext. 138
March 27, Council meeting, 8 am
Leadership Denise Polachek, ext. 132
March 24, Council meeting, 4 pm
OSHA Jim Walsh, ext. 121
March 18, Council Breakfast, 7:30 am
Technology Jim Walsh, ext. 121
March 25, Council meeting, 8 am
Transportation Kay House-Clark, ext. 138
March 13, Council meeting, 8 am
Women’s Claudia Meenan, ext. 134
March 3, Council meeting, 9 am
Young Professionals Shane Frost, ext. 128
March 5, Council meeting, 4:30 pm
4 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
418 S. Main St. | Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 293-1531 | Elkhart.org
All rights reserved 2014
Permission from the Chamber
president is required for any
reproduction, reprint or reuse of
the content of this magazine. A
PDF version of “Leading Business”
is available at Elkhart.org, and
articles are posted on the Greater
Elkhart Chamber’s Facebook page.
“Leading Business” benefits
from contributions by readers
and member companies.
Please submit news releases,
article ideas and inquiries
to Shane Frost, Marketing &
Communications Manager, at
shane@elkhart.org.
Frost can also be contacted for
information on advertising at
574-293-1531 or
marketing@elkhart.org.
In a world of shovels, you’re a bulldozer.
Welcome to the bank that thinks like you do — Lake City Bank.
With flexible loans, credit terms, online banking and more, we give
your business everything it needs to hit the ground running.
After all, we’re the largest bank solely dedicated to Indiana.
Drop in.
lakecitybank.com
Business assistance for entrepreneurs
North Central Indiana Business Assistance Center,
Inc. (NCI) provides direct assistance to companies by
reducing the costs and problems associated with operating
a firm or starting a new business venture.
Also, NCI provides assistance to entrepreneurs by
providing
guidance
in business
planning and marketing, and assisting them with other
aspects of operating a successful business including LEAN
and continuous improvement programs and hosts the
Michiana LEAN Network.
jwalsh@elkhart.org
(574) 293-3209
SCORE is a national network of business executives
and business owners eager to share their knowledge and
expertise. Its volunteers are men and women representing
many facets of business.
These counselors have
experience with a vast array
of problems and situations,
including purchasing,
accounting, sales, marketing, finance, and planning.
SCORE helps hundreds of clients a year, all confidentially
and at no charge - and has an office at the Greater
Elkhart Chamber. Please contact SCORE to set up an
appointment.
score@elkhart.org
www.elkhart.score.org
(574) 293-1531 ext. 115
The Indiana Small Business Development Center
offers entrepreneurs expert
guidance and a comprehensive
network of resources for little to
no cost. SBDC services provided
include one-on-one consulting, strategic planning, market
research, loan assistance and much more.
The SBDC is available at the Chamber as well.
northcentral@isbdc.org
www.isbdc.org
The Economic Development
Corporation of Elkhart County
is a not-for-profit economic
organization serving the community
with the cities, towns, chambers of
commerce, investor partners, and businesses of Elkhart
County.
(574) 293-5627
edc@elkhartcountybiz.com
www.elkhartcountybiz.com
Your local business lender
Shelley Pulaski
(574) 875-0860
When you need a business loan, open new
opportunities by turning to Horizon ̶ your
hometown bank.
Talk To Your Local Business Lender Today!
Our trusted loan advisors are more than
financial experts. They’re your neighbors ̶
local professionals who have the insight and
experience to get you the loan you need to
help your business thrive.
horizonbank.com/cash1
6 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
Improving our workforce
a follow-up from last month’s feature
Additional educational opportunities
There are several training to employment opportunities
within the Greater Elkhart area that help local employers
as well as prospective workers. Here are two programs that
span from the production line to the laboratory.
Ivy Tech offers RV Training
The RV industry is thriving in the greater Elkhart area
currently. Local
manufacturers
are finding
it difficult to
keep up with
production
orders because of a shortage of workers.
Ivy Tech is offering job-seekers a path to have a chance to be
part of this growing industry.
The new Ivy Tech Community College RV Industry
Production Associate program teaches adult students the
skills local employers are looking for in RV production,
and prepares them to start a rewarding career.
For more information, contact Suzanne Alfrey, Program
Manager at salfrey@ivytech.edu or by calling
(574) 830-0375, ext. 4400.
Lab Assistants Certification at Bethel
The bioscience industry is one of the fastest growing fields
in America, with positions throughout Northern Indiana.
Potential lab assistants can join this exciting industry with
Bethel’s Biotechnology Certificate Program, the first of its
kind in Northern Indiana.
The one-year program has flexible classes taught by industry
experts in state-of-the-art
labs. Practical, hands-on
experience and partnerships
with local industry
leaders will prepare adult
students for employment
opportunities in medical, industrial and university research
labs.
Learn more at www.BethelCollege.edu/Biotechnology.
As part of this 40-hour, five-day course, students receive
hands-on training and learn team-building skills. Best of
all, the cost is just $50. That’s a small investment of time and
money for unlimited opportunities in the RV industry.
March sessions run from the 2nd to the 6th; 9th to the 13th;
16th to the 20th; and from the 23rd to the 27th.
ELKHART.ORG
|
LEADING BUSINESS 7
Smart
Moves
effective qualities of Leaders & M
Leadership and the ability to manage are not
positions. One is not ranked higher than another. Both
aptitudes are needed to be effective for growth in any
organization. We asked several business owners,
community organization leaders, educators and top-
level managers to share their thoughts on the qualities
a person should have in order to be a good leader or
manager - and what they thought has helped them
improve their leadership skills. Here are the answers
from two.
What are the qualities of a good manager?
A good “manager” of a sports team is a coach with a winning record. A good manager of a for-profit or not-for-profit uses
resources, both human and other assets, to accomplish organization goals. In either case, good managers get good
outcomes.
What are the qualities of a good leader?
While good “leaders” and “managers” both get good outcomes from their efforts and those of coworkers, leadership, to
me, implies movement or change. Either of these are hard for people and so a good leader is able to persuade us to think
and do things differently. This requires vision of how to make things better, effective communication skills to convince us
to follow, and the courage to lead.
How have you improved
your own management and
leadership skills?
I try to get better at what I do through
continuously learning, listening to those
who disagree with me and those I trust,
working hard, and trying to make good
decisions. I try to focus on what I’m best
at and recruit leaders to work with me
whose skills and knowledge complement
mine.
Robert Ducoffe
Dean and Professor of Marketing
Judd Leighton School of Business
and Economics
Indiana University South Bend
8 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
Managers
What are the qualities of a good manager?
I believe the heart of strong management is responsibility. Management is where the buck stops. Strong managers make
commitments and deliver. I call that being On Target. On Time. On Budget.
What are the qualities of a good leader?
I think a good leader has to be relevant to the people in a particular situation. A great leader in one situation may be lousy
in another. A good leader needs to be able to put themselves in the shoes of those they are leading while not becoming
paralyzed by it. From there they need to be able to read the situation, put things in perspective and offer ideas, solutions,
values or whatever is needed.
How have you improved your own management and leadership skills?
Management and leadership are both team concepts. It’s one thing to be a solo performer. It’s quite another to run with a
pack and win as a team; especially when the team is made up from people across multiple organizations. I’ve had to learn
how to slow down, explain myself more clearly and most importantly to listen and not prematurely judge others and situations.
There are three things that have helped me a ton:
1. I created multi-company collaborations with other firms like TaigMarks and others.
2. I went through Rick Horn’s Growth Coach
program.
3. I have asked for feedback from clients and
leaders that are more experienced and skillful
than I am. I’m definitely a work in progress.
Going forward, I’m looking for opportunities
to mentor others. I’ve always found myself
learning the most when I try to teach or guide
others.
Chad Root, Associate AIA,
Certified ONTRAPORT Consultant
Spearhead Sales and Marketing
ELKHART.ORG
|
LEADING BUSINESS 9
NEWSABOUT OUR MEMBERS
Ancon Construction and Heartland RV recently
began construction of a new 46,000 sq. ft. building
project on the Heartland Elkhart campus. The
building expansion will be used for additional RV
manufacturing space.
Susan Dawson is the new Sales and Marketing
Director for Brentwood at Elkhart. Her
responsibilities include selling the facility to
prospective residents and representing Brentwood in
the community. Kay Garbaciak is the new Activities
Director. She has been planning activities for seniors
for over seven years.
Cathie Whitcroft, DNP, ACHPN, FNP-BC has joined
the medical staff of Center for Hospice Care as a
Nurse Practitioner. In the US there are only 1050
Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses
(ACHPN), and only 12 in Indiana.
Pat Gross is celebrating his 10-year anniversary
with DJ Construction Co. He is a pre-construction
project manager for DJ and was previously an
associate estimator.
SCRAPPER’S RESCUE - Scrappers Rescue is a retail and
consignment store benefiting local organizations that assist
animals such as shelters, Pet Refuge, Wolf Park and other
aid groups by raising funds to help with veterinary bills for
soldiers’ dogs, seniors, people with handicaps, and children. It’s
always “Christmas” at Scrappers, where donated items become
someone else’s “new” treasure, and the proceeds benefit pets in
need.
Jerry Scott has been named a principal at Gibson. He is the
Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for creating and
driving operational excellence across the company. Chris
Kidd of Gibson has been promoted to Client Executive in the
Property and Casualty Practice. She specializes in identifying
business, strategic, and hazard risk exposures.
of young people traveling the country performing “random acts
of kindness” to help people. The organization was started by
a 19-year-old Elkhart native, Alex Radelich, and his friends.
During their trip they encountered a number of problems
with their older motor home. RV industry suppliers including
Atwood Mobile Products LLC, Dicor, MITO Corp, Patrick
Industries Inc., and Thor Motor Coach have contributed to
the purchase of a new Thor Motor Coach motorhome.
The offices of Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat ReStore
have moved to their new location at 2910 Elkhart Rd., Goshen.
Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, Inc. has named
Mike D. Cahill as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Submit your company’s news and
information to marketing@elkhart.org
Bret Beehler has joined Reach360 as the Director of Business
Development - with a background of
11 years of service in the United States
Marine Corps and a well-rounded
Marketing/Business Development
MutualBank, KRISTI YANTIS
background, including International
Business. He is excited about being
Networking is the ability to meet and connect with other
part of a professional team with
business professionals to build new relationships and
a progressive atmosphere that is
generate business opportunities at the same time. It is
passionate about helping businesses
beneficial to have connections with people in different
grow.
job professions, not only to expand your own business
Ambassador of the Month
Jim Hahn has been named
vice president of sales at Welch
Packaging Group in Elkhart. His new
responsibilities include new business
development, sales strategy, training
and planning.
ARK (Acts of Random Kindness)
Project Now is a non-profit organization
10 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
opportunities, but to also have the ability to assist your
customers on a completely different level. Go “above
and beyond” by having the knowledge of other area
businesses allowing you to partner with them in the
future or even refer someone for another service they
are looking for. Helping your business and community
to thrive overall. Being involved in the community is
vitally important to us at MutualBank!
Still time to meet and question state
lawmakers and representatives in person
On March 6 at noon at the Elkhart Public
Library, on March 21 at 10 a.m. at the
Elkhart Chamber, and then again on April
18 at 10 a.m. at the Chamber, area business
owners, residents, and others can meet the
state lawmakers that represent our region.
This town hall forum allows questions
from the audience and an opportunity for
citizens to voice concerns as well as hear
answers from state lawmakers.
STATEHOUSE TRIP SCHEDULED
for MARCH 18
In addition to the Third House Meetings,
the Chamber is arranging for a trip to the
statehouse and a meeting with Governor
Mike Pence. Anyone interested in
attending should call the Chamber at
(574) 293-1531.
ELKHART.ORG
|
LEADING BUSINESS 11
Annual Meeting Review
Ambassador of the Year
Over 520 attendees to the largest single dining function in
the Crystal Ballroom at The Lerner, enjoyed one of the best
networking and recognition events of the year.
Each month, the Ambassadors Steering Committee
designates one Ambassador as “Ambassador of the
Month” to recognize exemplary participation in the
program.
Among those honored - for making the community a better
place to live - include: Shreiner & Sons, Inc. for the Century
Plus award; Jane Burns of the Midwest Museum of American
Art as Woman of the Year; YWCA North Central Indiana as
Not-for-Profit of the Year; Bimbo Bakeries USA as Business
of the Year; and Images Jewelers, Inc. as Small Business of
the Year.
To achieve Ambassador of the Month, an Ambassador
demonstrates through their representation and support
of the efforts of the Chamber and its mission as well as
being active in Chamber activities and an advocate for
the Chamber in the community.
The Chamber’s Business and Education Partnership winners
from 2014, including Watkins Family Dentistry, ANCON
Construction, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department and
Lake City Bank were recognized for their efforts in helping
schools and students.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy graduate Samantha Shank
was recognized for her success in the program and her own
business.
The Elkhart Young Professionals Council named local
eatery Miles Lab as Cheer of the Year for helping the group
promote and support LaCasa, Inc. at one of its 2014 Cheers
for Charity events.
The Ambassador
membership then votes
at the end of the year
for the Ambassador of
the Year with a high total
point accumulation and
exceptional Chamber
representation worthy of the
award.
This year, Jenny Watkins
of Watkins Family Dentistry
was named the winner.
Andrew Berlin, owner of the South Bend Cubs and Berlin
Packaging, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the
improvements he and his team have made with the South
Bend Minor League Baseball team by focusing on the
customer experience - and becoming a destination, and
being a “juggernaut” in his industry.
See more photos on our Facebook page at
www.FB.com/ElkhartChamber.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy graduate Samantha Shank
was recognized for her success for her efforts in the program and
the launch of her own, successful
business venture: The Parsi Co.
theparsicompany.com
12 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
INCOMING BOARD CHAIR Jeff Peat, 1st Source Bank,
addresses the 500-plus in attendance, urging members to
encourage other businesses to join the Chamber and participate
in the organization.
MARCH
ANNIVERSARIES
50 YEARS OR MORE
Northern Box Company, Inc.
1953
25 YEARS OR MORE
ServiceMaster Bldg. Service, Inc. 1971
Goshen College
1972
Penske Truck Leasing Co., LP
1976
Kauffman Laundries/
Water Managers, Inc.
1978
Carpenter Company, Inc.
1984
Elkhart Community Schools
1984
York Woods Center
1987
Potawatomi Zoological Society 1990
20 YEARS OR MORE
South Bend Cubs
1992
Lake City Bank
1993
Martin Capital Management, LLP 1993
The Medical Foundation
1993
Axle, Inc.
1995
Martin Marketing Specialties Inc.1995
15 YEARS OR MORE
Billings Funeral Home, Inc.
Concord Family Medicine
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
1996
1997
1999
10 YEARS OR MORE
Interlogic Outsourcing, Inc.
2003
Envirocorp, Inc.
2004
ETHOS Science Center
2004
Elkhart Child Development Center2005
HCJB Global Technology Center 2005
5 YEARS OR MORE
Begley’s Automotive Group, Inc.
Quality Asphalt Paving, Inc.
Sorg Jewelers
Star Cartage Co. Inc.
Bimbo Bakeries USA
Humane Society of
Elkhart County, Inc.
Orange Door Dental Group
Reach 360
Wingenuity Computer Service
Spectrum Eyewear Gallery
Food Bank of Northern Indiana
Spin Zone Cycling
Boyd Corporation
Foundations
Child Care Center, Inc.
ThermoDyne, Inc.
1 YEAR
2006
2006
2006
2006
2007
2007
2007
2007
2007
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2010
Beaverson Law Group PC
2014
BlueLinx Corporation
2014
Forum Architects, LLC
2014
The Horton Group /
Cassady Neeser & Brasseur 2014
J2 Marketing
2014
Midwest Communications Review 2014
Perrin Consulting Group
2014
Ricon Corporation Midwest Distribution Center 2014
St. Vincent de Paul Church
2014
Vision Armory LLC
2014
CHAMBER
members
NEW MEMBERS
The Art of Design (TAOD)
Referred by Kemner-Iott Agency
www.taod1.com
104 Rush Ct
Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 522-8838
Fax: (574) 295-6841
Dean Loucks
Paint and Graphics: Custom
S.T.A. Roof Techs
www.starooftechs.com
1227 W Beardsley Ave
Elkhart, IN 46514
(574) 323-6566
Fax: (219) 286-3657
Phil Yankauskas
Roofing Contractors
J & R Cleaning Service
www.jandrcleaning.net
309 N High St
Goshen, IN 46528
(574) 533-5299
Fax: (574) 533-5487
James Peshina
Janitor Service
RENEWING MEMBERS
Our thanks to members who recently renewed!
Adam’s Cake Shop
Agdia, Inc.
American Cancer Society
Northwest Indiana Office
American Red Cross
Ancon Construction Co., Inc.
Anderson Silver Plating Co., Inc.
BABSCO Supply Inc.
Bethel College
Big R
Bullards Farm Market and
Greenhouses
CDR Construction
Centier Bank
Century Chemical Corporation
Church Community Services
Cornerstone Benefits
Administrator, Inc.
Critical Data Solutions
Crystal Valley Landscaping
Data-Safe IT Services
of Michiana, Inc.
Elkhart Bicycle Shop/
All About Cycling
Elkhart Clinic LLC
Elkhart County Board of Realtors
Elkhart General Hospital
Enerco Corporation
F & F Machine Products, Inc.
Factory RV Surplus
Feed the Children, Inc.
Ferret, Inc.
Fidelity National Title
Flexible Concepts, Inc.
Gibson
Great Wall Restaurant
H&R Block #10231
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath, &
Lyman, PC
HealthMarkets Insurance Agency
Images Jewelers, Inc.
Indiana Oxygen
Insight Strategic Concepts, Inc.
Irongate Self Storage
Kimi’s Hair Designs
La Esperanza
Lasalle Bristol
LeMaster Steel Erectors, Inc.
S. Eric Marshall, CPA
Matzke Florists, Inc.
McGladrey
Meridian Title Corporation
Mishawaka Sheet Metal LLC
Northern Indiana Public
Service Co.
Old National Bank
Pokagon Band of
Potawatomi Indians
Red Roof Inns
Reschcor
Sew Creative Threads
Sherwin Williams
Shreiner & Sons, Inc.
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Soil Solutions Co. - Elkhart
Southshore Companies
Tenneco
Texas Roadhouse
Warrick & Boyn, LLP
Wingenuity Computer Service
Workmans Warehouse
WTRC - 95.3 MNC
REACH OVER 2,000 Business and Community leaders
throughout the Greater Elkhart Area and Michiana
with LEADING BUSINESS. For more information
contact Shane Frost at shane@elkhart.org or call
574-293-1531, extension 128.
ELKHART.ORG
|
LEADING BUSINESS 13
March
2015
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
for more information, check our calendar of events online at Elkhart.org.
March
5
Thu.
6
Operational Excellence through Continuous Improvement
SHOWCASE - 2015 LEAN & Six Sigma
Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Third House Town Hall Forum
Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. Second St.
Noon
Fri.
10-12
Tue. -Thu.
17
Tue.
Biz-Ness Lunch IN
Cressy & Everett Real Estate, 945 E Beardsley Ave.
11 am - 1 pm
OSHA Council Breakfast: Arc Flash
Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St.
7:30 - 9 am
18
Indiana Statehouse Trip (to Indianapolis)
meeting at the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main St.
8 am
Women’s Council Luncheon - Navigating Women & Minority
Business Certification
Elcona Country Club, 56784 Co Rd 21, Bristol
11:30 am - 1 pm
Wed.
19
Thu.
19
Thu.
21
Sat.
23
Mon.
Cheers for Charity - SPA Women’s Ministry
New Paradigm Brewing Co., 600 S. Main St.
5:30-7:30 pm
Third House Town Hall Forum
Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main St.
10:00 am
Lean 101 Workshop
Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main St.
8 am - 4:30 pm
26
Safety Conscious Supervision Workshop
Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main St.
8 am - 4 pm
26
China Discovery Trip Preview
Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main St.
4 - 6 pm
Thu.
Thu.
Social Networking Event
Get this event on your
Calendar!
OSHA 20 Hour General Industry Safety & Health Program
Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St.
8 am - 5 pm
18
Wed.
Biz-Ness
Lunch IN
For a complete list of Chamber and Member events
go to www.Elkhart.org!
14 GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER
945 E Beardsley Ave
Tuesday
March 17
11am-1pm
Sponsor a
2015
Biz-Ness Event
Contact cmeenan@elkhart.org
Imagination Pro Media
provides the sound system
for all Biz-Ness events.
We Educate with training, classes
and council meetings.
We Advocate with Third House
meetings and by bringing
legislative issues to light.
We Elevate through networking
events, ribbon cuttings and our
publications.
Specializing in Small to Medium-sized Businesses and Entreprenuers
Quick Books Pros on staff
Easy-to-use online finance tools at no cost
Ann McCuistion, CPA
Partner
Bruce A. Beyler, CPA
Partner
John F. Burnham, CPA
Partner Emeritus
Leanne K. McKee, CPA
Partner
Johnita Beyler, CPA
Manager
Stephen C. Poe, CPA, CVA
Partner Emeritus
Adam Bawtinheimer, CPA
Staff Accountant
Elizabeth Waldschmidt, EA
Tax Manager
Justin Parks
Staff Accountant
Megan Parks, CPA
Staff Accountant
Katy Bressler
Administrative Assistant
Debbie Nunez
Staff Accountant
Marie Fair
Administrative Assistant
Casey Zitkus
Staff Accountant
T
he long-standing firms of Burnham and Beyler,
LLP and McCuistion and Poe, LLC merged to
form Cornerstone CPA Group, LLP.
The merger marks a significant milestone in
realizing a vision of providing clients with the
best possible tax, attestation, business advisory
and accounting services. As a combined firm,
Cornerstone offers enhanced skills and an even
greater depth of knowledge than the two firms had
when they were separate. Cornerstone remains
committed to a hands-on approach where senior
management is always available to even the
smallest accounts. The partners also recognize that
continuity of staff is invaluable.
The two firms have very similar philosophies and
share the same values. “We look for opportunities
to serve and are rewarded by the service we give
to our clients, to each other and to our community,”
notes Ann McCuistion.
John Burnham and Bruce Beyler began their
professional association in 1982 and formed their
partnership in 1987 on Bristol Street. Leanne
McKee became a partner at Burnham and Beyler
in 2011 after working for John and Bruce for 19
years. Steve Poe and Ann McCuistion formed their
partnership in January 2007. Ann had worked at
Marshall and Poe from 1985 until 1990.
The newly combined firm now boasts a team
of three partners, Beyler, McCuistion and McKee,
along with nine professionals and two administrative
staff to serve their clients. All employees were
retained in the merger and a new professional has
been welcomed aboard.
The new firm address is 3160 Windsor Court,
Elkhart, IN 46514.
Call us at 574-262-8886 or email: info@cornerstoneCPAgroup.com - www.CornerStoneCPAGroup.com