[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E589-E590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME 
                               INDUCTEES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2015

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect and admiration 
that I rise to commend five exceptional leaders from Indiana who were 
honored as the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame's 
Class of 2015. The Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame 
was created by The Times and BusINess magazine, and inductees are 
determined by a panel of local civic and business leaders. While there 
were many deserving nominees, the individuals selected as the 2015 
Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame inductees include 
Richard Schepel, Michael E. Schrage, Roy Berlin, Beth Wrobel, and Joe 
Coar, who was honored with the Partners in Progress Award. For their 
many contributions to the enhancement of Northwest Indiana, these 
honorees were recognized at a ceremony at the Radisson Hotel Celebrity 
Ballroom in Merrillville, Indiana, on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Roland 
Parrish, president, owner, and chief executive officer of 24 Parrish 
McDonald's Restaurants Ltd., was the guest speaker at this year's 
event.
   Richard Schepel is the president of Schepel Buick-GMC, Inc. Although 
he has retired from the dealership's daily operations, Richard remains 
connected to the foundation of superior customer service upon which he 
built the dealership. In 1970, Richard built Schepel Buick on Route 30 
in Merrillville. Within a few years, he was the number one Buick dealer 
in the Chicago zone. Under his outstanding direction, Schepel Buick-
GMC, Inc. has succeeded for over 45 years. Richard devotes much of his 
time, effort, and support to charitable endeavors throughout Northwest 
Indiana, including area high school driver education programs, work-
study programs for students, and American Red Cross blood drives, among 
others. He also has served as a member of several Chambers of Commerce 
throughout the community. Through his involvement in his church, 
Redeemer United Reformed Church, Richard has been able to help serve 
many families and individuals in need. Richard Schepel believes 
strongly in giving back to the community that has supported his 
business throughout the years. For his commitment to the citizens of 
Northwest Indiana and beyond, he is worthy of the highest praise.
   Michael Schrage, president and chief executive officer of Centier 
Bank, became the fourth generation of his family to own and operate the 
First Bank of Whiting, which was renamed Centier Bank years later. This 
family-owned bank has grown throughout the years, and today Centier 
operates over fifty branches in Indiana. Under Mr. Schrage's 
leadership, Centier established an award-winning lender division, 
introduced a financial literacy program, and the company has been named 
one of Indiana's best places to work for the past nine years. This is 
indisputably due to Mike's value-based work ethic, and the significance 
he places on Centier's most important resource, its employees. In 
addition, Mike gives much of his time and effort to charitable 
endeavors including the Saint Jude House, the American Red Cross, the 
YMCA, and the Boy Scouts of America, to name a few. Mr. Schrage is 
truly an inventive business leader, and his commitment to improving the 
community of Northwest Indiana is noteworthy.
   Roy Berlin is the president and chief executive officer of Berlin 
Metals in Hammond. Berlin Metals is a value-added processor and 
distributor of thin metals, primarily tinplate, light gauge cold-rolled 
steel, and stainless steel, with much of the steel being manufactured 
in Northwest Indiana. Roy's career at Berlin Metals began in 1988 as a 
salesman. He became director of purchasing in 1992, executive vice 
president in 1995, and president in 1999. The

[[Page E590]]

continued success of the company can be credited to Roy's exemplary 
leadership skills and his focus on the needs of customers, suppliers, 
and Berlin Metal's employees. In addition, Roy Berlin and Berlin Metals 
are committed to educational efforts and have made numerous donations 
to the Acorn Foundation in Hammond, which provides scholarship funds to 
local high school students who have excelled in math and science. They 
also support the Metal Service Institute Center, which works to educate 
employees in the metal distribution business. For his outstanding 
contributions to the success of the Northwest Indiana community and his 
commitment to education, Roy Berlin is to be commended.
   Beth Wrobel has been the chief executive officer of HealthLinc, Inc. 
since 2002. HealthLinc is a federally qualified health center with 
facilities in Mishawaka, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Knox, and East 
Chicago. The organization provides medical, dental, vision, and 
behavioral health services. Under Beth's direction, HealthLinc has 
become a leader in the healthcare industry in Northwest Indiana due to 
her focus on each patient's unique experience. Beth and the exemplary 
staff at HealthLinc provide outstanding support and guidance to some of 
the most vulnerable residents of the region. Beth serves on the Indiana 
University Northwest School of Medicine's advisory board and on the 
boards of the United Way of Porter County and the Indiana Primary 
Health Care Association. She is also a member of the Valparaiso Human 
Relations Council and is president-elect of the Rotary Club of 
Valparaiso. For her lifetime of service to those in need and her 
dedication to the healthcare industry, Beth Wrobel is an inspiration to 
us all.
   The final inductee, and this year's recipient of the Partners in 
Progress Award, is Joe Coar. Joe was the vice president of operations 
at Tonn and Blank Construction for 25 years before retiring in December 
2014, and he currently serves as a consultant for the company. Joe 
began his career in 1967 as a carpenter apprentice and continued to 
work his way up in the company into supervisory positions including 
superintendant, manager of operations, and ultimately, vice president 
of operations. Joe has worked on a variety of projects throughout his 
career for many companies including Urschel Laboratories, Sisters of 
Saint Francis, and Computer Services, Inc. Joe's heartfelt passion for 
the industry has been the driving force throughout his career. Mr. Coar 
also works very hard to support the community of Northwest Indiana and 
gives to many charitable organizations. He has served on the boards of 
the Construction Advancement Foundation, Ready Northwest Indiana 
Workforce Development, Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwest Indiana 
Business Round Table, and LaPorte County Redevelopment, among others. 
For his unwavering commitment to the building trades and to the 
community of Northwest Indiana, Joe Coar is truly worthy of the 
prestigious honor bestowed upon him.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
commending these outstanding leaders upon their induction into the 
Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame. These individuals 
are most deserving of this honor, and for their leadership and 
commitment to the Northwest Indiana community, each of them is worthy 
of our respect and admiration.

                          ____________________