South Shore Staff
SPEROS A. BATISTATOS, FCDME
President/CEO
Phone: (219) 554-2229
Mr. Batistatos began his 30-year career in the hospitality industry at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. In 1989 he was selected to lead what is now known as the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. During his first 12 years there, he was able to increase the organization's budget 10-fold and facilitated the construction of the Nation's Premiere Visitors Center.
Before returning to Lake County, Mr. Batistatos was the President and CEO of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. There he led an aggressive marketing program to support Southern New Jersey's $8 billion dollar tourism industry.
Mr. Batistatos has served on the Board of Directors for the Travel Industry Association of America in addition to serving numerous local not-for-profit and community boards.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics and Public Policy from Indiana University and has completed the DMAI's professional certification program, earning him the distinguished designation of Fellow Certified Destination Management Executive (FCDME).
Mr. Batistatos is a graduate of the 2007 inaugural class of Northwest Indiana's FBI Citizens Academy. He was named one of the "Champions of Diversity" by Indiana Minority Business Magazine. Also, under Batistatos' leadership, the South Shore CVA was honored as one of the "Top 10 Best Places to Work in Indiana" of small to medium size companies two years in a row by the Indiana Chamber.
In July of 2000, Governor Frank O'Bannon honored Batistatos with the "Sagamore of the Wabash," and in January 2008, he was chosen as one of the "Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing" by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), one of the highest recognitions in the tourism industry.
Katie Holderby
Executive Vice President
Phone: (219) 554-2222
Katie worked her way through 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 in Chicago as Sales Manager. Recruited by the South Shore CVA in 1993, Katie served as Director of Sales & Marketing and worked 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 Authority and regional marketing organizations.
Katie left the SSCVA and became the Executive Director of Tour Indiana, where she 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 returned to the South Shore CVA in 2006 as the Executive Vice President. She develops and implements the operating budget for sales and marketing and SSCVA operations. Katie also manages the marketing and event staff, oversees the marketing and promotion initiatives of the Authority and acts as a liaison with local organizations and elected officials to promote South Shore events.
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.
Janis Flutka, CPA, CDME
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (219) 554-2223
Janis graduated from Indiana University in 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 (CPA) in 1993.
Janis is a former appointed Clerk-Treasurer and appointed Chief Deputy Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Crown Point; where she received zero audit exceptions during her appointed term, prepared a disaster recovery plan and established the website www.docittome.com. Prior to working for the City of Crown Point, Janis worked for more than 15 years as a Financial Manager and Internal Auditor in the private sector. Before she joined the CVA staff in 2005, she served on the Board of Directors and audit committee. As the Authority's CFO, Janis is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the finance department, maintains the fiscal integrity of the Authority and is responsible for the annual budget and all related financial programs. She also safeguards the assets and permanent records.
Janis, as a member of the Indiana CPA Society was selected as the 2006 recipient of the Outstanding CPA in Government Award and was a nominee for the national AICPA Outstanding CPA Award in 2007. She has also earned a Certified Destination Marketing Executive (CDME) accreditation from Destination Marketing Association International.
Janis has lived in Crown Point for 30 years and is actively involved in her community: serving as a former vice precinct committeeman and volunteering on local and state campaigns. She has also been involved with numerous not-for-profit organizations and was recognized for her contributions by the Friends of the Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Heather Becerra
Director of Sales & Marketing
Phone: (219) 554-2224
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 Authority, Heather began her career in the hospitality industry at the age of 16, working as an usher at the Star Plaza Theatre.
In 1999, Heather joined the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority 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, she manages the annual marketing budget and a staff of 3; she is also responsible for placing and tracking advertisements and maintains strong relationships with the SSCVA partners and hospitality professionals.
Heather is a resident of Hobart, where she lives with her husband, Tony, and sons, Nathan and Maverick.
Luke Weinman IV
Director of Information & Technology
Phone: (219) 554-2225
A graduate of Purdue University Calumet, Luke Weinman IV's professional career began as an intern at WTMX - The Mix 101.9FM in Chicago before he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio/TV Production.
Luke joined the South Shore CVA as the Communications Manager and was moved up to Director of Communications before he departed in 2005. Luke was hired as the Manager of Marketing Technology at the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau in March of 2005. He returned to the South Shore CVA in October of 2005 as the Director of Information and Technology (IT). As Director of IT, Luke maintains and implements all of the necessary technology needs of the SSCVA including web and in-house IT needs.
Luke has helped the SSCVA win 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. He currently lives in Hobart with his wife Kristen and his two children, Luke V and Ladan.
JASON SANDS
Director of Sports Development - South Shore Sports Promotions
PHONE: (219) 554-2726
Jason graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Marketing in 2003. After graduation, he was able to pursue his passion and worked for the 2004 EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. There he managed more than 15 beach volleyball events nationwide, developed marketing campaigns and promoted national and local events.
In January 2005, Jason became the Sports Assistant for the South Shore CVA, 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.
Jason has since been promoted and is now the Director of Sports Development for South Shore Sports Promotions (a department of the South Shore CVA). His job includes organizing events, generating sponsorships and marketing the South Shore as an event destination to future sporting events. Jason is a member of the National Association of Sports Commissions and was selected to sit on the Board of Directors for Sports Indiana, a statewide not-for-profit sports commission.
Nicki Mackowski
Director of Community and Public Relations
Phone: (219) 554-2720
A Northwest Indiana native, Nicki Mackowski proudly joined the organization as the Director of Community and Public Relations. She is responsible for executing publicity efforts that promote the South Shore as a premier destination for tourists, conventions and tour groups. She will write media releases for distribution; conduct familiarization tours for visiting travel writers; and attend media marketplaces where PR professionals meet with journalists seeking travel-related story ideas.
Prior to joining the SSCVA, Nicki spent four years as the Communication Supervisor for Horseshoe Casino. Nicki joined Horseshoe in 2007 and was initially hired to oversee internal
communications. In 2008, her responsibilities expanded to include community relations and green efforts. A recognized communications leader, her prior experience includes the role of Public Information Officer for Brevard County and Communication Coordinator for Wuesthoff Health System in Florida.
She is an active member of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana and the American Cancer Society. She is also a member of PRSA, Tri Kappa Zeta Psi Sorority, and the Purdue University Calumet Alumni Association.
Nicki graduated from Purdue University Calumet where she received a B.A. in Public Relations and a minor in English. She received her M.S. in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, Ala.
Judi Brown
Director of Administration
Phone: (219) 554-2226
For more than 35 years Judi has been employed in the hospitality industry, and has worked as a waitress, hostess, cashier or guest service representative. She also has 10 years experience in Human Resources (HR) as an HR recruiter with payroll input experience. Judi worked at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza for 11 years in a variety of positions, including Food & Beverage Manager. It was at the Radisson where Judi received numerous awards: the Presidential Star Award, 1991 Indiana Hotel/Motel Association Employee of the Year, 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 South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority 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 The Festival of the Lakes. Judi and her husband reside in Highland; they are parents to Jeff and Donna and have one granddaughter, Madeline.
Andrea Rivera
Art Director
Phone: (219) 554-2722
Andrea began as an intern in 2001 while she pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University Northwest. She was hired as Marketing Designer, and created collateral for events and designed advertisements. In 2003, Andrea put her design skills to use and took on the challenge to design the annual 64-page Visitor's Guide in-house, the Authority's largest publication.
Now the Art Director for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, Andrea manages the visual brand of the CVA through all platforms including print, web and video. This encompasses creating visuals for all CVA departments, exhibits, events such as the Air Show, and publication design and production. Her creativity and design have earned the Authority numerous awards; including Best Total Communications Program at the 2004 Indiana Society for Association Executives (ISAE) Star Awards; the 2006 ISAE Best Newsletter; 2008 Communicator Award for the "Can't Hold It" Billboard; 2009 Gold Communicator Award and Marcom Creative Awards for the Annual Visitor's Guide and more.
Andrea is also the curator of an annual photography series displayed in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall featuring photographers from Illinois, Indiana and Michigan and showcasing local sites of interest.
Robert Victor
Research & Technology Manager
Phone: (219) 554-2721
As a graduate of the Architectural Technology Program at Chicago Technical College, Bob received an advanced degree in Building Technology. In addition, he received a 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, producing employee safety and training materials. Bob has also worked at Montgomery Wards in the Advertising Department and was a partner in a printing and graphics company.
Mr. Victor joined the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority in February 2002 as the Multi-media Projects Manager where he was responsible for photography and graphic design work. Mr. Victor is currently the Research and Technology Manager, and is responsible for travel and hospitality research projects as well as surveying visitors to the South Shore.
As an elected member of the Association for Wolf Lake Initiative Board of Directors, Bob is passionate about improving Wolf Lake and promoting it to future visitors. He is also a member of Travel and Tourism Research Association and the Friends of the Gary/Chicago Airport.
Tammy Lambert
Accounting Manager
Phone: (219) 554-2953
Tammy was hired in 2006 as the Accounting and Retail Manager for the South Shore CVA. She is responsible for accounts payable and receivable and is an assistant to the Chief Financial Officer. Tammy also manages the Indiana Welcome Center Gift Shop.
Prior to Tammy's arrival at the CVA, she worked for the City of Crown Point Clerk Treasurer's office for 2 years and the Indiana University Northwest Bookstore for 25 years. She is the President for the Crown Point Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Auxiliary and a Tri Kappa member. She has been married to her husband, Randy, for 25 years and they have one daughter, Megan.
ANDY COLLINS
Video Production Manager
Phone: (219) 554-2177
Andy graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Media Studies from Purdue University Calumet and, as a senior, earned the Outstanding Senior Award from the Communications Department. Andy's production experience developed from his work as a Lab Technician for the TV and Radio Studio at Purdue Calumet, a Videographer for Digital Source Productions and as a freelancer.
At the Authority, Andy handles video production; including promotional, marketing and campaign videos; digital media and podcasts; audio/visual set-up for special events and provides additional IT (information and technology) support.
BARB MACK
Group Housing Coordinator
Phone: (219) 554-2423
Barb is a 1990 graduate of Elmira College in New York. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Prior to working at the Convention and Visitors Authority, she spent more than 11 years working in the hospitality industry; at a hotel, a CVB and as an independent contractor.
In 2007, Barb began working as a part-time Group Housing Coordinator; her primary responsibility is to reserve rooms for upcoming conventions and sporting events. She resides in Valparaiso with her husband and 2 children; in her spare time she enjoys coaching her daughter's volleyball team.
MEGAN LANGEL
Sales Manager
Megan was hired in May 2008 as Assistant Housing Coordinator and has since worked her way up in the organization holding such titles as Housing and Events Coordinator, Partnership and Housing Manager to Sales Manager. She received her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University Calumet. Before coming to the SSCVA, she worked at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, Meyer's Castle and An Urban Affair in Chicago.
Megan's responsibilities include prospecting association, conventions, corporate groups and niche market sales. She also handles convention and event servicing of incoming groups. In addition, Megan plans and coordinates local familiarization tours, receptions and trade shows with hospitality partners.
In her spare time, Megan still assists in the coordination of weddings for An Urban Affair.
Jennifer Rush
Interactive Marketing Specialist
Phone: (219) 554-2724
Jennifer holds a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago and previously worked for the Journal and Courier newspaper in Lafayette, Indiana.
From November 2004 to August 2010, Jennifer was the President/CEO's Executive Assistant. She has more than 6 years of freelance graphic and website design experience.
At the South Shore CVA, Jennifer is responsible for updating the SSCVA's websites including southshorecva.com, southshoresports.org, achristmasstorycomeshome.com and garyairshow.com. She manages our social media marketing including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and the South Shore CVA's blog.
Jennifer also assists the Art Director with graphic requests.
Jennifer and her husband, John, enjoy raising their son, Jimmy, and their daughter, Julianna.
Bethany Randolph
Special Events Coordinator
Phone: (219) 554-2229
Prior to joining the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, Bethany spent six years at Save A Lot Foods. Initially hired as a cashier in 2006, she was promoted to the management team in 2009. Within a year, she had been promoted to Assistant Store Manager.
Bethany was hired by the SSCVA in August 2011, as an intern. Bethany has grown from her role as an intern into the position of Special Events Coordinator. She is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, promoting, and facilitating the South Shore Air Show, “A Christmas Story” exhibit, and other SSCVA events.
Bethany is currently enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Science Hospitality and Tourism Management program at Purdue University Calumet. She is also an active member of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Club on campus.
sandy klosak
Maintenance MANAGER
Phone: (219) 554-2957
Sandy joined the CVA in June of 2007 as a housekeeper and maintenance assistant. As a military dependent, Sandy spent 3 years in Kitzingen, Germany operating a cleaning service and performing light maintenance for military families. She continued working for AAFES stateside as a Distribution Center Supervisor for shipping and receiving as well as a Forklift Operator in Newport News, Virginia.
Sandy also spent 7 years in the Tidewater area of Virginia as a Deli/Bakery Manager for Food Lion, Inc. before returning to Indiana and began working for White Lodging as a Room Attendant and Housekeeping Supervisor for more than three years.
She currently holds the position of Maintenance Manager and supervises the housekeeping and maintenance departments at the Indiana Welcome Center.
Sandy enjoys camping and fishing with her husband Gary, and spending time with their children, grandchildren and dogs.
margaret Gudenschwager
Visitor Services
Phone: (219) 554-2954
Before coming to the SSCVA, Margaret worked for Avery Dennison for 26 years in a variety of positions. She was hired part time in October 2009 to assist in the Indiana Welcome Center Gift Shop. She was then hired full-time to oversee and maintain the Visitor Center and Gift Shop staff; she also assists with purchasing and inventory tracking.
In her time off, she enjoys driving and working on old Pontiacs with her husband Michael. They have one daughter, Tina
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