Hardwick named to Indiana 250

A Jay County High School graduate is considered one of the most influential individuals in the state.

Mark Hardwick was selected as part of IBJ Media’s Indiana 250 when the list was announced Thursday.

The second annual version of the list recognizes the state’s “most influential and impactful business and community leaders, representing public and private companies, law firms, universities, not-for-profits, government and community organizations.”

“Our 2023 Indiana 250 list is chock full of private- and public-sector leaders who are making big impacts in their communities, in our state and even in our nation,” said IBJ Media CEO Nate Feltman. “We chose these leaders because they are doing inspiring work, and we want to share their stories so others can be inspired, too.”

Hardwick, a Dunkirk native and 1989 JCHS graduate, is CEO of First Merchants Coproration, which operates in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. He also serves on the Ball State University Board of Trustees.

He has been with First Merchants since 1997 and was promoted to CEO in 2021. He was honored as IBJ’s Chief Financial Officer of the Year in 2012.

IBJ Media publishes the Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside Indiana Business and Indiana Lawyer.

Giving away

The Cellular Connection will hold its School Rocks Backpack Giveaway at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Backpacks will be filled with supplies for the coming school year. They will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Portland’s TCC location is at 922 N. Meridian St.

“The School Rocks Backpack Giveaway is our company’s cornerstone annual event, and I couldn’t be more thankful for our store locations, employees and customers for helping us continue to do good in the thousands of communities we operate in,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. “The start of the school year is an exciting time for many, and we look forward each and every year to make school supplies more accessible for students so they can thrive in the classroom.”

Collaborating

Ardagh Group recently announced the launch of the Splendor Water glass bottles.

Ardagh is manufacturing the indigo glass bottles for Splendor, which previously only offered its products in plastic bottles.

“Ardagh Glass Packaging enjoys collaborating with brands such as SPLENDOR Water to launch products in unique, 100 percent recyclable glass packaging,” said Rashmi Markan, Ardagh vice president for beer and beverage. “The premium water bottles for SPLENDOR Water signify the brand’s reputation for quality and sustainability, while also protecting the integrity of the product and providing excellent shelf appeal.”

Ardagh operates glass manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk and Winchester.

Ward is new director

Shafer Leadership Academy on Friday announced C. Ted Ward II as its new membership director.

Ward is the CEO of Achieve Onward, which offers personalized coaching. He has been a leadership coach for Shafer.

“Ted brings a unique combination of skills and qualities to the membership director position, with proven experience, including growing membership for the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana,” said Shafer executive director Mitch Isaacs in a press release. “Ted has facilitated many Shafer Leadership Academy programs, he owns his own leadership coaching business, and he has a longtime commitment to and connections in the region.”

Kirby named

CVS Health recently named Scott Kirby to its board of directors.

Kirby has been CEO of United Airlines since 2020. He previously served as the company’s president.

He will take over his seat on the CVS board Oct. 1.

"Scott is a strategic leader adept at innovating through technology in a highly regulated, consumer driven industry,” said CVS Health president and CEO Karen S. Lynch. “His insights will be a tremendous asset to our Board and will help us advance our technology-forward approach to improving consumer health.”

Workshops available

The Institute of Workforce Excellence is offering free workshops for employers.

The workshops, scheduled for 1 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 14, are designed to teach about skills-based practices for improving the hiring process. They are open to anyone involved in hiring for their business.

For more information, email [email protected].

Indiana Chamber of Commerce is also offering 10- and 30-hour safety courses. The cost is $649 and $1,149, respectively, with a $100 discount for chamber members.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (800) 824-6885.

Startups awarded

Purdue Innovates Startup Foundry last week awarded $100,000 each to Aerovy Mobility and Uniform Sierra Aerospace through its Black and Gold Awards pitch competition. (Aerovy also received $40,000 from the New Venture Challenge pitch competition.) Both are Purdue-affiliated start-ups.

Aerovy provides cloud solutions for airlines and airports electronic aviation. Uniform Sierra Aerospace manufactures drones for public safety departments.

“These investments can move a startup forward by funding product-market fit and hiring first employees, but their impact goes beyond that,” said Tyler Mantel, director of Startup Foundry. “Initial investments are a sign to other prospective investors that these companies are investment-worthy, which could lead to follow-on investments and growth.”

In violation

The National Labor Relations Board last week ruled that Dollar General violated federal labor law and “clearly intended to interfere” with worker rights in putting down an effort to unionize a Connecticut store.

Violations included fire an employee and making a threat, according to the National Labor Relations Board decision. Employees were also required to attend meetings that encouraged them to vote against unionizing, National Labor Relations Board judge Arthur J. Amchan said.

“The unfair labor practices herein involve individuals at the highest levels of Dolgen management,” he added. “They were also committed pursuant to a corporate policy as to how to deal with organizing efforts by Dollar General employees.”