The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) entered 2024 with the election of new officers and Executive Board members on January 18th and also bestowed its award for meritorious service to its long-time attorney.
The Norman Tufford Award “for exceptional dedication and service to NIRPC” was presented to David Hollenbeck, who has served as legal counsel to the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission since 1984.
“Dave Hollenbeck served with all four of NIRPC’s Executive Directors, starting with Norm Tufford himself,” said Ty Warner, NIRPC’s current Executive Director. “There has hardly been a regional project or regional enterprise in Northwest Indiana that Dave was not a part of.”
Echoing comments made at the meeting, John Swanson, NIRPC’s prior Executive Director (2004-2012) who served on the selection committee, said he could not overstate the critical importance of Hollenbeck’s counsel to NIRPC during his tenure. “He facilitated our successful transition to becoming a council of governments with new responsibilities for environmental and economic development planning in addition to our traditional transportation role. I’m extremely pleased to see Dave recognized for his more than 40 years of exemplary service to NIRPC and the region,” Swanson said.
Norman Tufford was NIRPC’s first Executive Director of NIRPC, serving from 1966 to 1985. The award named in his honor recognizes NIRPC Commissioners and staff who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the region.
Also at Thursday’s meeting was the annual election of NIRPC’s new officers and representatives on NIRPC’s Executive Board. Tom Dermody, Mayor of La Porte, was elected as NIRPC’s new Chairman for 2024, having served as Vice-Chair in 2023. Elected as Vice-Chair for 2024 was Wendy Mis, Clerk-Treasurer of Munster. Justin Kiel, La Porte County Council, was elected as Secretary.
Members elected to the Executive Board included Tom Schmitt (Schererville Town Council) and Bill Emerson (Lake County Surveyor), representing Lake County; Lisa Rosenkranz (La Crosse Town Council) and Denise Ebert (Clerk-Treasurer, Wanatah), representing LaPorte County; and James Ton (Chesterton Town Council) and Kevin Breitzke (Porter County Surveyor), representing Porter County.
State Representative Jim Pressel (Indiana House of Representatives, 20th District) currently serves as the Governor’s Appointee to the Commission.
Welcomed onto the Commission as newly-appointed representatives of their respective jurisdictions were Kurt Jordan, Burns Harbor; Mary Tanis, Dyer; Bonnie Hawksworth, Dune Acres; Josh Huddlestun, Hobart; CJ Wittmer, Kouts; Austin Bonta, Portage; Andy Vasquez, Porter County Council; and Jenny Beier, Schneider.
NIRPC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and regional council of local governments for Northwest Indiana. NIRPC’s purpose, as put forth in Indiana state statute, is to "provide a coordinative management process for Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties and to institute and maintain a comprehensive planning and programming process for transportation, economic development, and environmental policy."
###
Former chairs of NIRPC join Attorney David Hollenbeck as he receives NIRPC’s Norman Tufford Award for service and commitment to the region. From L to R: Michael Griffin (Highland), Jim Tom (Chesterton), Leigh Morris (La Porte), Kevin Breitzke (Porter County Surveyor), Richard Hardaway (Merrillville), David Hollenbeck, Justin Kiel (La Porte County Council), Former NIRPC Executive Director John Swanson, George Topoll (Union Township), NIRPC Executive Director Ty Warner.
Former Merrillville Town Council Member Richard Hardaway hands off the chairmanship of NIRPC to Mayor Tom Dermody of La Porte.
From L to R: Richard Hardaway, NIRPC Executive Director Ty Warner, Mayor Tom Dermody.