Hardwick named to 250 again

A Jay County High School graduate is still 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 last week.

The third 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.”

“The evolution of the Indiana 250 over time is one of our favorite things about it — and the reason we update the list annually,” said IBJ Media CEO Nate Feltman in a letter introducing this year’s list. “The changes represent the way our state and the people who live and work here are growing and progressing. And as we developed the list, we looked for people who are making an impact now.”

Hardwick, a Dunkirk native and 1989 JCHS graduate, is CEO of First Merchants Corporation, 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.

Hospitals honored

The American Heart Association last week recognized two area hospitals through its Get With The Guidelines initiative and other programs targeted at improving outcomes for those who experience heart disease or stroke.

Among the 43 Indiana hospitals honored this year for “consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care” were IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital of Muncie and Reid Health of Richmond.

Ball received four distinctions — Resuscitation Award: Silver, Stroke Award: Gold Plus, Target Stroke Honor Roll and Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. Reid earned the Stroke Award: Gold Plus and was named to the Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

“Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke or heart attack,” said Dr. William Gill, president of the American Heart Association’s Indianapolis board of directors. “High-quality care should be accessible to all, and sites awarded through the Get With The Guidelines program help work toward our shared vision of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”

Tips offered

Indiana Michigan Power last week offered tips on how to avoid scams.

The company noted that it has received 240 reports of scams targeted at its customers so far this year. That’s an increase from all of 2023.

I&M said most utility scams include mailing fake overpayment checks in an effort to get customers to confirm personal information, threatening disconnection if payment is not made, demanding immediate payment through a mobile app or via gift card, and demanding payment for a new meter before installation.

“Scammers are often sophisticated and will try anything to take advantage of our customers,” said I&M vice president of external affairs and customer experience Katie Davis in a press release. “I&M will never call customers and demand immediate payment. If you suspect a scammer has contacted you – you can call us at the number listed on our website or latest account statement and confirm the status of your account and talk to a customer service specialist.” 

New hospital planned

Indiana University Health last week announced plans to build a new hospital in Fort Wayne.

IU Health plans to invest $421 million in the new facility. Plans, which were approved last month by the organization’s board of directors, call for the new hospital to have 500 employees.

It’s the latest expansion for IU Health, which opened a primary care center on the south side of Fort Wayne in 2018.

“We’ve heard the community’s call for more options in affordable healthcare, and as the state’s largest and only academic health system, we are committed to answering that need in support of our vision to make Indiana one of the healthiest states in the country,” said Dennis Murphy, president & CEO of IU Health, in a press release. “We believe we can help create a healthier future and reduce the economic burden for businesses and families alike.”

Tyson selects

Tyson Ventures, a branch of Tyson Foods, selected five companies to move forward with innovations following Tyson Demo Day 2024.

The event invites innovators and entrepreneurs to apply with solutions to help Tyson Foods toward more sustainable practices, enhance transparency, create new efficiencies or enhance standards of quality.

Companies selected were Acoustic Extra Freezing for freezing equipment, JLE Truckwash for cleaning solutions, Orderful for data management, Pactum AI for supplier negotiations and SnoFox for software optimization.

“Transformational solutions come from all over, and to see so much strategic potential in one place was inspiring,” said Tyson vice president of global strategy Heidi Solomon in a press release. “When protein supply chains become more efficient, we can all do more to feed the world like family and fulfill our corporate mission. The global reach and scale of Tyson Foods can help these companies apply their groundbreaking solutions to make a difference.”  

AIM names

AIM Media Indiana has named Steve Swails as its new general manager.

Swails has worked for AIM since 2022, having previously been with USA Today in Memphis and Indianapolis. He will work out of Columbus and lead the company’s Indiana publications — it has daily newspapers in Columbus, Franklin, Greenfield and Seymour — while also partnering with colleagues at AIM Media Texas, AIM Media Midwest and AIM Media Management.

“Steve is a highly experienced, widely respected, and seasoned professional in the publishing industry and we are extremely fortunate to have him on our team in Indiana,” said AIM chairman and CEO Jeremy L. Halbreich in a press release. “He brings great energy and enthusiasm to his work, he is an inspiring leader with excellent interpersonal skills and he is deeply committed to our Indiana organization, to his fellow employees and to all the communities we serve in Indiana.”

Job fair scheduled

A job and resource fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center, 2820 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

The event will include various resources, including assistance with resumes. More than 70 vendors will be on hand.