One REgion's Opportunities Council
One Region’s Opportunities Council (also known as NIROC) is a 501(c)(6) membership organization managed by One Region’s staff and Board of Directors with a mission to stimulate an environment attracting people and investments.
Who we Are
We are an organization of the top executives from Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties who work together to envision a stronger future for our region. We advocate for and support catalytic, far-reaching projects that will attract and retain talent, grow the population and increase household income. The Opportunities Council achieves this by convening, educating and advocating for the priorities that will make the greatest impact. Propel is our strategic framework for transforming our region from 2022-2024.
Interested in Joining?
Contact Matt Wells at mwells@oneregionnwi.org.
2022 Council Liaison: Michael Schneider, Wintrust Bank
Members
1st Source Bank
Matt Vessely, Regional President
ATG Real Estate
Eric Gastevich, Principal
Big Shoulders Fund
Dan Kozlowski, Regional Director
First Merchants Bank
Dale Clapp, Regional President
Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors (GNIAR)
Pete Novak, Chief Executive Officer
Cimcor
Robert Johnson, President & CEO
Diocese of Gary
Dr. Joseph Majchrowicz, Superintendent of Schools
First Financial Bank
Rick Dennen, Chief Corporate Banking Officer
Eric Evans, Market President
Franciscan Alliance
Patrick Maloney, President & CEO
Hammond/Munster/Dyer
Dean Mazzoni, President & CEO Michigan City
Hasse Construction
Bill Hasse, President & CEO
Kim Hasse O’Halloran, Director Business Development
Horizon Bank
Craig Dwight, Chairman & CEO
Lakeshore Bone and Joint
Dale Ingram, CEO
Regional Health Systems
William Trowbridge, Chief Executive Officer
Alliance for Regional Development
Mark Hopkins, Executive Director
Lewis & Kappes
Monica Conrad, Partner
McColly Real Estate
Ron McColly, President
Wintrust Bank
Gil Rynberk, Market President
Michael Schneider, Senior Vice President
Lakeshore Public Media
Nancy Clifford, Interim President & CEO
NIPSCO
Violet Sistovaris, Executive VP and Chief Experience Officer, NiSource
Northwest Health
Ashley Dickinson, President & CEO
Digital Crossroad
Thomas Dakich, Managing Member
Indiana University Northwest
Ken Iwama, Chancellor
NWI Development Group
Rob Harte, Principal
Opportunity Enterprises
Neil Samahon, CEO
Peoples Bank
Benjamin Bochnowski, President & CEO
Purdue University Northwest
Tom Keon, Chancellor
NW Indiana ER & Hospital
Dr. Scott Samlan, Chief Executive Officer
Shive-Hattery
Jeff Lewis, Managing Partner
Strack and Van Til
Jeff Strack, President & CEO
The Times Media Company / Lee Enterprises
Chris White, Publisher
UnitedHealthcare
Mike Telesky, Vice President, Sales
Valparaiso University
Jose D. Padilla, President
Weiss Entities
Don Weiss, President
Chicago Central Area Committee
Mark Hopkins, Executive Director
+WeCreate Media
Wade Breitzke, CEO
Mortar Net Solutions
Gary Johnson, President
Wightman Architecture
Carl Baxmeyer, Partner and Senior Planner
Stefany Holland, Commercial Sector Leader
Priorities
The Opportunities Council’s priorities from 2022 through 2024 are highlighted in their Propel Framework to drive transformational projects to grow population, attract and retain talent and increase household income.