Change is necessary to survive in our economy. If you're not changing, you're slowly dying, Gus Brown said.

Procurement Manager for Whiting Refinery Modernization Project at BP, Brown served as one of the panelists at The Times Diversity Job Fair and Business Symposium Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

Speaking at a session on large corporations and diversity, Brown said his company recognizes that to grow for the future it has to bring in different perspectives from different people.

"What we recognize is the need to develop a larger pool of diverse individuals for our workforce," Brown said. "We know it's important to reflect the community in which we operate. If you walk into the refinery we want you to understand and feel like you're still in Northwest Indiana.

"We've done an awful lot, but we've got a long way to go, and to us diversity is about our actions, about the way we move forward."

Fellow panelist Rob Campbell, executive vice president of human resources at NiSource, said his company is committed to building a workforce where all kinds of people can come in and work if they're committed to serving its customers and their communities.

"We want to continue to build a workforce and leadership team that reflects our customers and communities," Campbell said.

Symposium panelists included Jackie Rogers, Best Buy's territory marketing manager for Hispanic Initiatives. Rogers said Best Buy's employees represent the broadest spectrum of diversity.

"The commitment to diversity starts the first second you walk in the door," she said.

Lake County Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez spoke during a session on diversity for small and mid-sized companies. Dominguez said the Sheriff's Department aggressively recruits and hires from all walks of life.

"Diversity is not a bad word; it's saying everyone can participate," he said.

The symposium, which included a keynote address by Dr. Jennifer Dennis of Purdue University, provided deep and rich dialogue from well-prepared panelists, said Chris Loretto, Times director of product development, marketing and niche publications.

"I think one of the key points that came out of today was the need for and the focus on education," Loretto said. "It's giving kids hope that there is a plan for them here and there is a way to grow a career, but it needs to start at an earlier age."

Following the symposium, employment-seekers lined up to attend the job fair. One of them was Munster resident Chris Munoz, 35. Laid off from U.S. Steel, Munoz was hoping to talk with representatives from BP or NIPSCO about his background in chemical manufacturing.

"I have other options, but I'd like to stay in the area," Munoz said.