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Nearly 1,000 people jammed the Century Center on April 26 to finally reconnect after a two-year absence to celebrate individual and business success at the 2022 Salute to Business Awards Luncheon, brought to you by the Chamber, in partnership with presenting sponsor 1st Source Bank.
Shelli Alexander, central region president for 1st Source Bank said, “Wow! It’s so wonderful to see all of you here, and in-person! While Salute to Business recognizes individual and business success, it also serves as an annual re-connection for the business community. The past two years have been tough and who knows what the future holds, but we should all take a moment to give ourselves a break. Much of the resiliency over the past two years has been led by the business community. When things got rough, we worked together to help one another get through it while uplifting each other at the same time.
“It’s not too often you have just about 1,000 great minds in a room together! We connect, laugh, celebrate and collectively work together to move this region forward. We unite as one, to roll up our sleeves to continue the work that lies ahead to keep the South Bend Region a tremendous place to do business, live and work, as well as a vibrant competitor in the global economy. At no other time have we seen the volume of activity and interest level from site selectors and companies looking to relocate to the region. Our future is bright despite the uncertainty of the pandemic and economic ups and downs. We know whatever lies ahead, we’ll collectively solve any challenge and celebrate the wins,” Alexander concluded.
The record crowd was treated to a fantastic fireside chat between Notre Dame’s Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman and Chamber President & CEO Jeff Rea. To say the audience was treated to a very thoughtful, insightful and heart-warming discussion would be an understatement. Nothing was off the table—from balancing home and work life to talent recruitment and motivation, Freeman was engaging and absolutely delightful. The Fighting Irish are in good hands!
The awards portion of Salute, following the fireside chat, highlighted these recipients:
Woman of Influence | Debra Futa (retired from St. Joseph County Public Library)
This year’s Woman of Influence, Deb Futa, has truly left her mark on the community—a spectacular newly renovated and expanded Main Branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library in downtown South Bend. The $38 million public-private project is her gift to the community. More than a library, it’s become a community gathering and learning space, and tourist attraction.
How fitting for a woman who has always loved books since she was a child. She says it is a calling…her love of books and lifelong learning.
So much so that she’s spent her entire 42-year career working at a library in some capacity. She believes that libraries serve as vessels to support community resiliency, diversity and equity.
She retired as executive director of the St. Joseph County Public Library at the end of March, having served in a number of positions there since 1979. She guided the opening of the North Liberty branch and created initiatives like One Book One Michiana book club.
But it may be the things you don’t see that will remain, as she has left her mark on the female staffers at the library, many of whom are in their positions due to her vision.
Outstanding Young Business Leader | Shanon A. Buari, Sr. (Anderson Agostino & Keller, P.C.)
What an asset he is to our community. A Michiana Forty under 40 recipient and National Black Lawyers 40 under 40 honoree, Shanon Buari wants to make our community a better place. Not just words, he backs it up with impactful engagement—mentoring young men through his work with the 100 Black Men of Greater South Bend, where he also serves as an executive member of the board.
An associate attorney at Anderson Agostino & Keller, he helped implement the Small Business Assistance Suite in St. Joseph County, a program that ensures Minority and Women-Owned businesses obtain the resources necessary to thrive.
Out of a love of watches, he started his own watch business called BLAK Watches two years ago. Not only does he design the time pieces, but he also selects the materials and works with the manufacturer.
Although he didn't grow up here, this is home. It is where he has chosen to grow in his profession, passions, and family. For that our region can only benefit.
Small Business of the Year | Troyer Group
The ability to re-imagine is what Troyer Group is all about. The company shapes places, systems and infrastructure that prioritize people and their experiences. They used to be known simply as an architectural design firm, founded in 1971, but they, too, reshaped their own company over the years to re-imagine one that is more of a public-sector design services consultancy—comprised of a team of landscape architects, planners, engineers, as well as network and urban designers.
The firm works with public-sector clients on regional master plans, site designs, multimodal transportation infrastructure and broadband projects. Their projects create lasting, positive experiences. You may be familiar with some of their regional work, which involves more than 25 multiuse trails, including both the South Bend and Mishawaka riverwalks, as well as dozens of local parks including Pulaski, Merrifield and Potawatomi parks.
The company has completed over 50 projects with the University of Notre Dame and partnered with many other area design firms on site projects such as 100 Wayne Plaza, Fire Station 9 and The Hibberd Building. Large infrastructure projects include the US 20 at State Road 2 interchange in addition to more than 20 area roundabouts.
With close to 70 employees stretched over three regional offices, the company has performed work in 38 states for more than 1,600 clients.
Economic Impact | Holladay Properties
Heritage Square Shopping Center, Mishawaka’s Hampton Inn and Suites, The Inn at Saint Mary’s, Gillespie Conference Center, Michiana Hematology-Oncology, the logistics hub at AmeriPlex at I-80/90, and the proposed $20 million Five Corners apartment complex. What do all of these have in common? They were developed by Holladay Properties, a real estate development and management firm. In total, Holladay has developed over 20 million square feet of commercial space. Seventy years ago, they started out in single and multifamily housing development and later grew to enter the office, medical, retail and hospitality space.
Today, they manage 240 properties equaling 10-million-plus square feet with a combined asset value of more than $3 billion. With more than 250 employees in a variety of specialties working from multiple offices, Holladay’s mission is to enrich lives through investment and service. The South Bend office manages 50 third-party properties and 55 properties/LLCs owned by Holladay with 200-plus tenants and 3 million square feet of buildings.
Distinguished Business Leader | Steve Watts (retired from Centier Bank)
A banker through and through…in fact, Steve Watts’ entire career was in the banking industry. After completing his studies from the Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking, he never looked back, immediately embarking on his first job at the old St. Joseph Bank. Known for being the guy to handle complex issues or oddball cases, he led the successful sale of Sobieski Bank after the bank had been defrauded, in addition to directing several other banks in our community.
He wrapped up his banking career at the end of 2021 with Centier after a 15-year career there, guiding their entrance into the South Bend – Elkhart market. When he first started at Centier, he didn’t even have an office…resorting to holding meetings at the South Bend Chocolate Café!
During his career, he always understood the meaning of valuable connections, successful collaborations and thoughtful advocacy. He knows many professionals in our community and would be the first one to reach out and personally provide a connection when needed. The relationships and connections he made throughout his career led to the financing of many of the community’s development projects that stand today.
His caring and engagement led to his contributions of time and talent with groups like the Boys & Girls Club, Family and Children’s Center, Home Builders Association and so many more. When we speak of community champions, there is no one better.
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