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HONORING THE NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME CLASS
OF 2021
______
HON. FRANK J. MRVAN
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Friday, August 20, 2021
Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I commend several remarkable leaders who have been honored as the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2021. This year's inductees include Maria and Oscar Martinez, Pat Popa, Peter Nau, and the Ziese Family. Centier Bank was also presented the Enterprise of the Year Award.
Maria and Oscar Martinez are the proud owners of Tortillas Nuevo Leon, a family-owned company in Hammond, which sells tortilla products to grocers and restaurants. Maria and Oscar were both born and raised in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. After coming to East Chicago in 1957, Oscar spent 14 years making tortillas in the tortilla factory before starting Tortillas Nuevo Leon with Maria in 1975, making only tortillas. In 1990, the family tradition continued when their two sons, Jesus and Jaime, and their daughter, Olga, joined the company and helped expand the product line and distribution networks. Oscar retired in 2005 and Maria followed in 2007, leaving their children to run the business. Jesus became president, Jaime is vice president, and Olga is the office manager. Tortillas Nuevo Leon products can be found in twenty-eight states and Canada.
Pat Popa is the owner of Popa Heating and Cooling, an HVAC company located in Highland. Popa Heating and Cooling was originally founded in 1968 by Pat's husband, Nick Popa. Their initial focus was installing heating and cooling systems in new home construction, but growth and success have enabled the company to expand their services to include existing residential heating and cooling in the Northwest Indiana area. Now, they replace old systems, offer new installations for existing homes, and provide system services, repairs, and equipment. Pat has been instrumental in organizing projects in downtown Highland to help increase traffic for the retail business district and improve the quality of life for its residents. In addition to her successful business, Pat gives much of her time and efforts to the Northwest Indiana community. In 2003, Pat created ``Downtown Ducks,'' a public art project that earned her the Governor's Award for Volunteerism from then-Governor Joseph Kernan. She has also been recognized by South Shore Arts with a Lifetime Distinguished Service Membership for developing a scholarship program for art students in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties through ``The County Seats'' public art project.
Peter Nau is the president of Hammond Machine Works, a North American supplier of high-quality precision machining, metal fabrication, assembly and finishing of parts to the OEM market. Hammond Machine Works, which serves the rail car industry, has always been a family business. The business began in 1908 and was owned by Charles Nicholas Nau. Charles' son, Mike Nau, purchased the business in 1962 from Henry Kuehl and grew the company's capabilities and involvement in the community. Peter first started working with the company in 1979, and in 1992 he purchased the business from his father and took over as President. Under Peter's leadership, Hammond Machine Works has continued to succeed and expand. In 2015, the company invested $4 million in new equipment at its production facility in Dallas, Texas. Hammond Machine Works was honored with the Premier Supplier Award from one of the major car builders in Texas in addition to earning a collaboration award for working with a company to develop a product. For his contributions to charitable endeavors throughout Northwest Indiana, Peter was named Person of the Year by the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce in 2016. Peter and his wife, Debbie, have three sons, Peter, Travis, and Michael, all of whom play a role in Hammond Machine Works.
The Ziese Family owns and operates Ziese & Sons Excavating, Inc., a demolition and excavating company based in Crown Point. Ziese & Sons was established in the early 1970s by the late Kenneth D. and Jean Ziese. The small business started with just mom, dad, two sons, Kenneth and Zach, and a dump truck. The company continued to grow and expand and joined the operating engineers, becoming unionized in 1991. This made it easier to secure commercial jobs, insurance, and other benefits. Ziese & Sons Excavating currently has 47 employees, which includes family members from the third generation. Zach Ziese serves as the president, Ken Ziese as vice president, and Jean Ziese is the company's secretary. A couple of noteworthy projects completed by Ziese
& Sons Excavating include the Strack & Van Til plaza in Crown Point and the new Franciscan hospital.
The recipient of the Enterprise of the Year Award is Centier Bank, Indiana's largest private family-owned bank. Originally known as Bank of Whiting, Centier Bank was founded by Henry Schrage in 1895 after he opened a bank inside of his general store. Since 1895, the Schrage family has built a legacy of success that extends throughout the communities it serves. Under the leadership of current president and CEO, Michael Schrage, Centier Bank currently has 60 offices throughout northern and central Indiana and nearly $6 billion in assets. In addition, Mr. Schrage is dedicated and passionate about providing a
``servant heart culture'' to clients, financial partners, and to the community. Whether it is through sponsorships and donations, volunteerism, or any other means of philanthropic outreach, Centier Bank's primary goal is to be an engaged and passionate member of the community while creating a sustainable impact.
Madam Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in commending these dedicated leaders and organizations upon their induction into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame. They are truly deserving of this honor, and for their exceptional leadership and commitment to the region and beyond, each of them is worthy of the highest praise.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 148
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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