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Speros A. Batistatos, FCDME
President/CEO |
Email: jrush@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2229
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 Before returning to lead the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mr. Batistatos provided professional services to a wide variety of clients. Clients ranged in diversity from not-for-profit boards and convention bureaus to small entrepreneurs. He specialized in assisting convention bureaus and municipalities identify and exploit their natural, as well as, man made assets.
Prior to establishing Destination Development Group, he was President and CEO of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. His responsibility to the Authority was to mount and lead an aggressive marketing program to support the Southern New Jersey’s $8 billion tourism industry and its 34 million annual visitors. He also served as contract administrator for the agreement with SMG, the management company, which operates the Atlantic City Convention Center and Historic Boardwalk Hall. The ACCVA budget was $25 million and Mr. Batistatos was responsible for 256 employees.
Mr. Batistatos began his 20 - year career in the hospitality industry at the Star Plaza Theatre in Indiana. In 1989 he was selected to lead the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau as President/CEO. During his 12-year tenure he was able to increase the organizational budget ten-fold, while facilitating the planning and construction of the Nation’s Premiere Visitors Center.
Mr. Batistatos has served on the Board of Directors for the Travel Industry Association of America and the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Foundation in addition to serving as a member of numerous not for profit and community boards of directors.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics and Public Policy and has completed the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus’ professional certification program earning him the distinguished designation of Fellow Certified Destination Management Executive (FCDME).
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Katie Holderby
Executive Vice President |
Email: katie@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2222
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 Katie worked her way through at Purdue University as an assistant in both the dean’s office and development office at the School of Agriculture. After graduation she joined the Sheraton Plaza Hotel as Sales Manager. Recruited by the Bureau in 1993, Katie had served nine years starting as Director of Sales & Marketing, and working her way up to Senior Vice President of Marketing. She secured more than $10 million in state, regional and national conventions and more than $500,000 in state grants for the Bureau and regional marketing organizations.
As Executive Director of Tour Indiana, Katie managed day-to-day operations, provided new marketing cooperatives for membership and produced an annual group tour directory. Simultaneously, she started her own company, The Holderby Network, which contracted service to tourism-related organizations.
Katie is back at the Bureau as Executive Vice President.
She was an Indiana Tourism Council Appointee from 1998-2005, a past president of both Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission and Tour Indiana Motor Coach Council.
Katie is a current resident of Crown Point, where she lives with her husband and two children.
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Janis Flutka, CPA
Chief Financial Officer |
Email: jflutka@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2223
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 Janis graduated from Indiana University in May of 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting. Shortly after graduating she received her certification from the state of Indiana as a Certified Public Accountant in June of 1993.
As a former elected Clerk-Treasurer and appointed Chief Deputy Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Crown Point, Janis served as the fiscal officer, document manager and recording secretary. Her duties also included being the Chief Financial Officer for the municipal utility corporations. Through her due diligence and experience she received zero audit exceptions during her term. During her six (6) years of governmental accounting experience other achievements included the preparation of a disaster recovery plan for the office and establishing a website (www.docittome.com); containing board/council agendas, minutes and ordinances; and initiating legislation to offer automatic bank withdrawal and consumer deposit refunds.
Prior to working for the City of Crown Point Janis worked for several local accounting firms and received over 15 years of experience as a Financial Manager and Internal Auditor in the private sector. She is currently a member of the Indiana CPA Society since 1993 and was a past member of the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers, Indiana Government Finance Officers Association, Inc., and International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
After serving on the LCCVB Board and audit committee, she joined the staff as the CFO in October 2005. Since then she has initiated numerous policy and procedure resolutions. Plans for the future include upgrading accounting software and introducing more standardized account practices and procedures.
Living in Crown Point for 26 years she and has been actively involved in her community. Past involvement includes serving as a vice precinct committeeman, as well as, volunteering on local and state campaigns. She has also volunteered for several Merrillville School Corporation parent groups and has been involved in fundraisers for the March of Dimes, Walk for a Cure, and the American Heart Association.
Janis Flutka, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the LCCVB has been selected by the Indiana CPA Society as the recipient of the 2006 Outstanding CPA in Government Award.
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Judi Brown
Director of Administration |
Email: jbrown@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2226
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 For over 35 years Judi has been employed in the hospitality industry, and has worked in various jobs as a waitress, hostess, cashier or guest service representative in one capacity or another. At the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, she worked 11 years in a variety of positions, including Food & Beverage Manager. During the course of her employment in the restaurants, Judi came in contact with many of the celebrities who performed at the Star Plaza Theatre. She also has 10 years in Human Resources as H.R. recruiter, with payroll input experience.
While working for the Radisson, Judi won many awards, including the Presidential Star Award; 1991 Indiana Hotel/Motel Association Employee of the Year, and 1991 Radisson Hotels International (World Wide) Employee of the Year; and the Chairman’s Diamond Award – presented by Bruce W. White, CEO, White Lodging Services Corporation for the privilege of being named Radisson International Employee of the Year.
Judi joined the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau in January, 1999 as the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO. From there she climbed the ranks to the Vice President of Administration and Interim Operations Manager. Her main role is to administrate human resource-related functions and employee relations.
Judi enjoys football and cheers for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the New England Patriots. She is also a public speaker and has presented at Radisson functions and at The Festival of the Lakes.
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Heather Becerra
Director of Sales & Marketing |
Email: heather@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2224
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 Heather graduated from Purdue University Calumet with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Human Resources.
Prior to working at the Bureau, Heather’s career in the hospitality industry began when she was just 16 as an usher at the Star Plaza Theatre. She also worked as a Guest Services Representative at the Hampton Inn in Merrillville.
In 1999, Heather joined the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau in an office support role and was quickly promoted to Marketing Assistant. She has also held Sales Manager and Sales & Marketing Manager positions. After a brief stint as the Director of Marketing for the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Heather returned to Lake County in October 2005 as the Director of Sales & Marketing.
Heather is a resident of Hobart, where she lives with her husband Tony and son Nathan.
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Luke Weinman IV
Director of Information & Technology |
Email: luke@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2225
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 A graduate of Purdue University Calumet, Luke Weinman IV’s professional career started as an intern at WTMX – The Mix 101.9FM, in Chicago, even before he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio/TV Production. PUC’s advanced radio/TV production studio was instrumental in his success because it gave him a hands on approach to what he would eventually enjoy doing. He continued on-air broadcasting with WLJE 105.5 FM.
Luke joined the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau as Communications Manager and then Director of Communications. In March 2005, he moved to the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau as Manager of Marketing Technology. Since the start of his formal career with the Bureau in 2001, Luke has been awarded five state, national and international awards, including Indiana Society of Association Executives Star Award for Best Total Communications Program and the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Best of Show Award.
Utilizing his expertise, he is part owner of Digital Source Productions, Inc, a video production company, which has tripled in size since the opening in 2003. Luke lives in Hobart with his wife Kristen and his two children, son-Luke V and daughter-Ladan. |
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Mike Chaseley
Partnership Development Manager |
Email: michael@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2725
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 Michael is a determined, ambitious self-starter with over 20 years experience in advertising. He has spent much of his career with the Post-Tribune as Advertising Consultant/Special Section Coordinator. Michael developed the co-op advertising department for the Post-Tribune and managed a one million-dollar account list consisting of local and national advertisers. While servicing advertising accounts, he increased sales by developing campaigns and proposals for existing accounts and continually advised on content, placement, rates and layout in order to achieve budget goals.
In 2000 Michael established his own business providing photography and video services to clients, including the Miss Universe Corporation, Indiana University Northwest and Westfield Shopping Town to name a few. In October 2005, Michael joined the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau as Partnership Development Manager. His responsibilities include serving as information liaison between Bureau and local community groups; providing a forum for Bureau partners; speaking to community groups on Bureau’s services; selling advertising space in the annual visitors guide; and attending national conventions to promote tourism and conferences in our area.
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Jason Sands
Director of Sports Development-South Shore Sports Promotions |
Email: jsands@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2726
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 Jason graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.S. in Sports Marketing in 2003. His first job after graduation was at Nielsen Buick Subaru as a Sales Associate, where he maintained one of the highest closing percentages in the store and was eventually promoted to assistant Finance Manager.
In June of 2004, Jason was able to utilize his Sports Marketing degree and pursue his passion by working for the EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. As the director of sales and marketing, he helped promote local and national events; developed and maintained sponsor relationships; and created and executed marketing campaigns. He also helped manage more than 15 different national beach volleyball events throughout the nation.
In January 2005, Jason became the Sports Assistant for the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he helped organize several events including the National Lutheran Basketball Championships, AAU Northern National Indoor Track & Field Championships and the USA Weightlifting National School Age Championships.
Since becoming a full-time sales manager in November, Jason’s job includes: organizing events, generating sponsorships for the events, marketing Lake County as an event destination, and bringing new sporting events into Lake County. He is a member of Meeting Planners International, The Society of Government Meeting Planners, and The Indiana Society of Association Executives.
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Erika Scheeringa
Public & Community Relations Manager |
Email: erika@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 989-7770Ext: 2720
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Erika graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Purdue University Calumet. She came to the CVB in November 2004 as an intern; coordinating copy, layout and advertising for the annual Visitor’s Guide. In October she was promoted to Public and Community Relations Manager. Her primary responsibilities include creating press releases, tip sheets, the quarterly newsletter, and story ideas to promote Lake County.
In 2004 Erika was nominated for Outstanding Senior of the Year and Outstanding General Communications student. She is currently a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Travel and Tourism Chapter, Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers and Hoosier Outdoor Writers. |
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Andrea Rivera
Marketing Designer |
Email: andrea@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2722
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 Andrea began as an Intern with the Lake County Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2001, while she pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University Northwest. She was hired as the first employee of the Graphics Department. Where she created collateral for events and designed advertisements. In 2003 Andrea took on the challenge to design the 64-page Lake County Visitors Guide in-house, the Bureau’s largest publication of the year.
Today, as Marketing Designer, Andrea designs the annual visitors guide, direct mailings, billboards, banners and all types of printed materials. Her design of the 2004 visitors guide, several advertisements and logos contributed to winning the award for Best Total Communications Program at the 2004 Indiana Society for Association Executives (ISAE) Star Awards and her design contributed to winning the 2006 ISAE Best Newsletter. Other awards include 2008 Communicator Award: "Can't Hold It" Billboard; Marcom Creative Awards: Gold Award – Magazine Category – Lake County Visitor’s Guide; Marcom Creative Awards: Gold Award – Creativity/Design and Logo Category – Innovations Logo. Andrea is also a member of The National Association of Photoshop Professionals. |
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Ron Detterline
Director of Facilities |
Email: rdetterline@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2723
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 Mr. Detterline started his education at Ivy Tech with an emphasis on welding, plumbing, and carpentry. He has had experience in many areas including a maintenance mechanic at Amoco Water Treatment Facility, as a pipefitter and as an industrial contractor. He was employed by Ortman Fluid Power in Hammond until the plant closed in 1997. His background includes carpentry, landscaping, painting, plumbing and welding. He is a life-long Hammond resident and is very familiar with Lake County.
Ron’s 19-year employment at Rhone-Poulenc in Hammond helped prepare him for his success today. His accomplishments there include maintenance on tank car and trucks and maintenance on loading and unloading racks. He is a multi-craft mechanic with general welding and pipefitting skills.
He has been with the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau for 6 years and in his present position since October 2004. He is happy to be a member of the successful team at The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Robert Victor
Research Manager |
Email: bvictor@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2721
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 As a graduate of the Architectural Technology Program at Chicago Technical College, Bob received an advanced degree in Building Technology. In addition he also received Graphic Arts Degree from Ray Vogue College of Design. His first job out of school, like many people in Northwest Indiana, was with USX – United States Steel Corporation, where he produced employee safety and training materials. Also included in his work experience are Montgomery Wards; Supervisor-Advertising Department-Digital Imaging, GSP Marketing Services and was a partner in a Printing and Graphics company.
Mr. Victor joined the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau in February 2002 as the Multi-media Projects Manager. Here he is responsible for research projects that will benefit tourism, business and all of northern Indiana. In additions he does graphic design work, and photography but also he is our historian on all things Lake County.
Bob is heavily involved with the Association for Wolf Lake Initiative. As an elected member of their Board of Directors and President, his responsibilities include proposals, advancement of Wolf Lake as a “Wind Surfing Capitol of the Midwest”, and promotion of the lake to the million visitors per year. He is also a member of the Friends of Gary Airport. Bob is a member of TTRA - Travel and Tourism Research Association, an international professional organization comprised of providers and users of travel and tourism research.
Yet he feels his major accomplishment is the design of the East Side Memorial Plaza for the City of Chicago – Memorial Plaza, which celebrates the family and the contributions of the areas industries and business to create the Greater South Shore area.
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Jennifer Rush
Executive Assistant |
Email: jrush@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2229
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 Since November 1994, Jennifer has the hardest job of all…keeping the President/CEO organized. She organizes Board meetings, maintains the event calendar and the Bureau’s database, as well as supports the Marketing and Sales departments.
Jennifer has over 6 years experience as an administrative assistant, including positions with a group of psychiatrists and the Humane Society Calumet Area.
After graduating with a degree in graphic design and illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, she worked as a graphic designer for the Journal and Courier newspaper in Lafayette, IN.
Jennifer and her husband John enjoy raising their 2-year-old son Jimmy and their 8-month-old daughter Julianna.
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Sondra Hinken
Receptionist |
Email: shinken@lakecountycvb.com
Ext: 2228
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 It is with honor and pride that Mrs. Hinken calls the Lake County CVB her employer. She has been with the bureau since 2001 in her position as receptionist. She enjoys meeting people and the daily contact with business and private sectors makes this her dream job.
Before coming to the Bureau, Mrs. Hinken had a variety of jobs including working in sales at the Better Business Bureau of NWI under director Morris Cochran. She then worked for 61/2 years as a receptionist at a law office in Portage for attorneys John Peters, Roger Moore, Michael Delfine, Clark Holesinger and the now Senator Karen Tallion.
Mrs. Hinken's longest term of employment was with Illinois Bell /Indiana Bell /Ameritech where she spent 32 years. During her career with the phone company, she started as an operator and retired as an Engineer in the ESS Translation Department. Mrs. Hinken was responsible for the daily operations of 7 downtown Chicago offices including the Illinois Bell headquarters office and the 911 translations for the City of Chicago.
Mrs. Hinken is on the board of directors for the Genesius Guild, a theatre group in Hammond and is also a viewing member of the Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation. She is active in community theatre all over northwest Indiana.
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Andy Collins
Productions Coordinator |
Email: andy@lakecountycvb.com
Phone: (219) 554-2177 |
 Andy graduated from Purdue University Calumet with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcasting. Graduating in the Fall of 2006, he was awarded the Outstanding Graduating Senior in Broadcasting from the Communications Department. He also worked for several semesters as the Lab Instructor for Purdue University Calumet’s TV studio.
Following his employment with Purdue Cal, Andy worked as a field director and editor for Digital Source Productions. He currently resides in Crown Point.
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