Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana consists of an amazing and generous group of people who support the organization with their time, knowledge, talent, experience, and philanthropy.

  • CHAIRWOMAN – MARY BETH NICKOLAOU

    Director of Talent Development, School City Of Hammond

  • VICE CHAIRMAN – MARTY WIELGOS

    Chief of Staff, Sanitary District of Hammond

  • SECRETARY – KRIS SAKELARIS

    Director, Hammond Legal Aid Clinic

  • TREASURER – DODY RUSSELL

    President, Bellsom Electric

  • ALEXIUS BARBER

    Director, Community Relations, Peoples Bank

  • ADAM BARON

    Director of Facilities, Horseshoe Casino

  • ELAINE CAREY

    Dean of the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Science, Purdue University Northwest

  • MICHAEL DYE

    Root Brothers Manufacturing & Supply Co

  • KEVIN KEOUGH

    President, Keough Mechanical Corp.

  • PATRICK MALONEY

    President and CEO, Franciscan Alliance

  • DEWEY PEARMAN

    Executive Director, Construction Advancement Foundation

  • TOM PLOSKI

    Manager, Pepsi Co., retired

  • BRIAN P. POPP

    Attorney, Laszlo & Popp, P.C.

  • JUSTIN STOWE

    Deputy Director, Hammond Sanitary District

  • JENNIFER VAVREK

    Educator, School City Of Hammond, retired

  • KELLIE TAILON

    Banking Center Manager, Peoples Bank

  • PHIL TAILLON

    Chief of Staff, City of Hammond

Emeritus Members

  • VIC DEMEYER

    NIPSCO, retired

  • RANDY PALMATEER

    Business Manager, Northwestern Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council

  • JAN RATAZZI

    Educator, Crown Point Community Schools, retired

  • HONORABLE ED SOLIDAY

    Indiana State Representative, District 4