Retrospect: JCI was the top industry

A Portland auto parts manufacturer was honored by the chamber of commerce 25 years ago this week.

JCI Inc, which produced electrical wiring systems for Cadillacs, was given the Industry of the Year award by the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce during its luncheon Jan. 28, 1992. It was the second time in four years JCI had received the honor.

When JCI decided to move to Portland in 1986, it projected to employ 400 people. Six years later, the company had more than 515 employees and was still growing.

Bob Quadrozzi, then executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, lauded JCI for high morale of employees, its employee assistance program, sensitivity to workers and for being a major contributor to United Way of Jay County.

Also receiving awards from the chamber were Michael Volpe and Dr. Charles Miller, on behalf of Ritz Theater — it began showing movies three years prior — for Business of the Year, and Sandy Bubp for Citizen of the Year.

Bubp, who owned Designing Lady in downtown Portland, helped coordinate Courtyard Days and the Christmas Holiday of Lights parade in 1991 as president of the Portland Merchants Association.

Also during the luncheon, the chamber nominated rural Pennville resident Agnes Howell for a community service award given by the Indiana Humanities Council and the Indianapolis Star; introduced new board members Sue Adams, Tom Seng, Dr. Thomas Dunn II, Ron Mathias and Bill Myers; and presented plaques to outgoing board members Bill Horn, Elizabeth Randall Hudson, John Lombardo and Robert VanOsdol.