In his eight years in the business, Dylan Myers has learned a great deal about what makes for a good car-buying experience. And he has honed his ability to deliver that experience time and again for customers at CarMax in Merrillville.
“I love turning the car-buying journey into a seamless and enjoyable experience for every customer,” he explains. “Finding the perfect vehicle that fits their needs and ensuring it’s the best process they’ve ever had is what drives my passion for this role.”
Building that process means prioritizing customer needs and fostering trust through transparency and empathy. These are things that some salespeople might not pay much attention to, but they are foundational to Myers’ approach.
“I try to create meaningful connections and elevate the customer experience, and I believe this accolade reflects that commitment,” he says. “I’m deeply grateful for the recognition, and so happy to share this honor with my dedicated team at CarMax.”
Jamica Williams says that what she enjoys most about her role as an assistant vice president and branch manager at Tech Credit Union is the opportunity to blend innovation with purpose.
“It's rewarding to lead initiatives that make a real impact in our members' lives while also pushing the organization forward,” she says.
Of her 29 years in the banking industry, Williams has spent all but one with Tech, and members have come to know and love her personality and can-do attitude as she helps them navigate their financial lives.
“I feel honored,” she says. “I get to work with an awesome team while staying grounded in a mission that genuinely helps people by improving their financial well-being, building trust and creating access.”
When a lot of people think about “the boss,” they tend to picture someone removed from the day-to-day workings of the company and the lives of most employees. But Mike Schrage doesn’t subscribe to that style of leadership, which is why making connections and keeping an open door have been a part of his modus operandi for his many years at the helm of Centier Bank.
“I have spent a great deal of attention on inculcating a welcoming culture at Centier — with our customers, the members of our communities and with all of our associates,” he says. “I want every single associate who joins Centier to understand the impact they can make in the lives of others and how important it is to treat others with kindness and respect.”
Schrage may tweak his leadership style from time to time, but he knows that the core values underlying it have been the foundation of his personal and professional success — and that of Centier.
“I have spent over a half century evolving as a leader, and hope I have gotten better at it along the way,” he reflects. “This has never been about personal recognition for me, but it’s very humbling to know that people feel we are doing something worthwhile when it comes to how we operate our business, and for that I am proud.”
Dylan McRae works relentlessly to ensure that those who dine at Lucrezia have an exemplary experience and it’s earned him multiple Best Chef titles.
“Either I’m doing something right or someone’s afraid to tell me otherwise. In all seriousness, it’s an incredible honor to receive this recognition again,” said McRae. “At Lucrezia, we obsess over the details — from the perfect knife cut to the last sprinkle of Maldon — and it’s rewarding to see that passion resonate. Huge thanks to my brilliant team and our loyal guests. Here’s to keeping the streak alive — aprons pressed, knives sharp and egos (mostly) in check.”
According to Stacey Mikler, director of operations, McRae’s experience and ability to liven things up in the kitchen with flavors and presentation are part of what makes him so good at what he does. “So many things make him an excellent chef, but most importantly his ability to fuse flavor profiles that haven’t been done before.”
She continued, “At Lucrezia we do many things different than the average restaurant, and Dylan, along with his team, continue to grow each and every day and strive for excellence. His food is spectacular but his kitchen, just as importantly, is immaculate.”
Adam Mindel grew up with a father who was a lawyer, which gave him a view of how important it is to understand what clients need and to make sure they understand everything about their cases. And as he has built his own legal career for 13 years, he has discovered the attributes that help get to that point.
“A good estate lawyer has to be a good listener first and foremost, as well as empathetic, respectful and patient,” he explains. “I treat my clients with dignity and respect, whether their estate is large or small. Each person’s situation is unique to them and their family, so it naturally follows that each estate plan and administration requires a bespoke solution.”
By crafting estate plans that boil complex legal issues into something that is easy to understand, Mindel believes his clients become less intimidated by the process — another thing he learned from watching his dad. And their gratitude is something he appreciates every day.
“My favorite part about practicing law is that you can make a true difference in people’s lives in countless ways,” he says. “That impact often reverberates in unexpected directions, which brings great satisfaction.”
Kayleen Teufel knows that most clients seeking a family lawyer are likely at a difficult point in their life — whether due to divorce, child custody or some other sensitive matter — which is why her first priority is always the same.
“Just showing compassion and sympathy for them and what they’re going through goes a long way,” she notes.
Teufel talks through everything that is going on in every client’s case and explains their full range of options. After all, legal proceedings can feel overwhelming, but particularly with the emotionally charged nature of family law.
“I find that clients who feel that they understand the process and understand what is happening in their case are not only more empowered in their decision making, but they also feel less overwhelmed as their case progresses,” she says.
Now in her sixth year practicing law, Teufel is grateful for the honor of this award and excited about what lies ahead as she continues to grow in the profession.
“I like that no two days are the same, and there is always a new and complex legal problem to solve.”
Melissa Aguilar has learned one key truism about her profession in nearly three decades in the business: It’s about much more than just the drinks.
Sure, it’s important to be able to mix up a killer martini or a comforting old fashioned, but most folks are looking for more from their bartender than what’s in the glass.
Longtime patrons are generally hoping to enjoy a good conversation with a familiar face who makes them feel like they’re home, while newcomers are often looking to become one of those veterans. And having friendly, easy-going bartender is a great place to start. Aguilar shines in the drink-making and social capacities of the job, which is why she’s become a fixture behind the bar at Lake Dale Ale for five years.
“This is a close-knit community. Everyone knows everyone, and they’re always there to help each other out,” she remarks. “And that’s what’s so great about this job. I consider so many of our guests to be very close friends.”
Mike Hadt has learned a thing or two in 15 years of helping clients manage their financial lives at Oak Partners, such as paying attention to history to avoid mistakes of the past and the importance of keeping calm in a chaotic world. But the biggest lesson he’s learned is that there’s always more to learn.
“The truth is that you can never master the craft of being a financial adviser,” he explains. “That’s why our team is always pursuing knowledge to improve our skills so we can be confident that we are providing the best service possible to our clients.”
Hadt says part of providing that level of service is being available to give clients the information and advice they need when they need it. That’s the kind of trust and reliability that helps nurture the long-term relationships on which this business is built, and it’s something that Hadt treasures.
“Our job is not as important as health care or someone’s spirituality,” he notes. “But helping our clients answer difficult money-related questions gives us a sense that we impact their lives in a positive way.”
With 18 years of experience, hair stylist Jelena Karanovic-Radakovic keeps it current.
Curls, pixie cuts and bobs are popular, and “Balayage is very in. It’s a more natural look, especially for summer.” She's also certified for extensions.
“I’m a big advocate of a consultation to explore the clients’ preferences and offer her expertise, especially if they’re wanting a big change in color or style,” Karanovic-Radakovic says.
Karanovic-Radakovic also appreciates it when a client brings in a picture of what they want — and discusses what they don’t want.
She continues her education with classes and hair shows. She says keeping up with trending styles means attention to social media, magazines and the styles at awards shows like the Oscars for an idea of what will be in demand.
Alexander Lopez credits a continuous cycle of satisfied clients for the growth and success of his namesake firm for 37 years.
And that satisfaction is rooted not only in the nuts-and-bolts legal work Lopez and his team put in to win in the courtroom, but also by the trust and confidence clients feel in dealing with that team. In many cases, these relationships go beyond the typical attorney-client dynamic.
“Clients evolve into friendships that evolve into more clients and more friendships,” Lopez says. “I feel like this honor is a testament to the many people that our office has been privileged to count as clients, and I have nothing but appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to continue to serve them all.”
Alexander Lopez also was voted Best Personal Lawyer and Best Criminal Lawyer.
Jason Rakos knows that one of the most important abilities for a good insurance agent is accessibility, which is why he makes sure that he or one of his trusted team members is available at any time. Whether by phone or email, it’s all about being there when customers need him most.
“I believe it’s our personal touch that sets us apart,” says Rakos, who has won this award multiple times. “Each customer will receive myself and at least one other team member as their personal agent. That means access at all times.”
And those customers should prepare themselves for an insurance office that looks just a little bit different than the buttoned-down stereotype. When Rakos calls his operation a team effort, he means it.
“I attribute all of my success to them,” he explains. “None of our success would happen without this team, and I just couldn’t ask for a better staff.”
A bartender wears a variety of hats in a typical day — and the best do it all while making it look effortless. In addition to pouring or mixing drinks, they may be serving as a waiter, manager, comedian, bookkeeper, recipe developer, listening ear, busser, dishwasher and more, all in a fast-paced environment and with a smile to create a memorable experience for the customer.
“I am honored to be named Best Bartender at Lucrezia for the second year in a row. In a field this talented, that’s no small pour,” said Roper. “Grateful to craft refined experiences, one cocktail at a time.”
Roper has been a mixologist for nearly 30 years, spending the last two decades at Lucrezia. “Matt is engaging every moment by using his knowledge and personality to craft the best possible guest experience,” said Director of Operations Stacey Mikler.
Bill Carroll approaches the job of mayor with one simple motto: Just be kind. It’s a reflection of the main attribute that drew him to the community more than a decade ago — the kindness of its residents. And it’s a philosophy that has served him well in leading the village for several terms.
“I ran my entire campaign on the kindness and positivity that I found here,” he says.
Carroll says that positivity shows up in everything from the way the community comes together to tackle obstacles to the way neighbors are there to help one another out. He knows the city he leads is small (which often means funding challenges), but he says that commitment to kindness sets Lake Station apart — and makes leading it a joy.
“When you approach things with positivity and a good outlook you can find success even amid challenges,” he notes. “I would not be able to accomplish what I have without staying kind and without having a great team of people behind me who keep a positive outlook. For that, I thank them and the people of Lake Station.”
“I love motivating people,” says coach Adrian Sickles at Orangetheory Fitness.
A certified personal trainer since 2019, Sickles joined the facility as a member, and she “Absolutely loved the workout so much. Now I love using my knowledge and experience to help people be fit.”
Sickles says people ages high school to those in their 70s do the workouts. “I think a lot of people may think it’s a very hard workout, but we let them do the workouts according to their own fitness level. The workouts are for everybody.”
Classes include a one-hour, full-body, total strength and cardio workout. There is also a class focusing on strength and a treadmill class. Sickles leads group classes that are high energy with music pumping.
Kristina Vega knows what clients go through when they’re buying or selling a home, so communication is key, she says.
“I communicate with my clients all along the transaction, sometimes daily. From acceptance to closing, clients can have a lot of questions and they can be nervous. I try to keep that anxiety at bay so they know what’s coming.”
A buyer consultation is important, she says, so clients understand the process. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the buyers’ first step. “Some may worry about getting pre-approval, but it helps settle expectations. We can figure out what the buyer wants to do and develop a game plan to achieve that goal."
Vega says since starting in 2007 she has been straightforward and honest with her clients. “It’s also about knowing the right questions to ask them.”
Nick Witvoet says an important part of his job is making sure his agents can answer clients’ questions and patiently guide them throughout the real estate transaction. He also makes sure they have training and education to stay up to date with industry regulations.
“That way we know our agents are handling client care in the best way,” says Witvoet.
He says new construction is growing. There are a lot of first-time buyers and interest in investment properties, and people are downsizing and upsizing.
“I haven’t seen dramatic price increases,” Witvoet says. Many local builders are offering incentives such as lower interest rates and closing costs to maintain current prices, helping the buyer to purchase new-construction homes.
“Our real estate agents can research for the buyer to learn who’s offering discounts. Our agents have tools and contacts to go through the process,” says Witvoet.
Jerica Gilman, sales associate for Eenigenburg Exteriors, says getting an estimate for a repair can sometimes be stressful, so she tries to put customers at ease.
That’s easy because, “I love meeting people and I get to do that.
“When I see that someone is feeling a bit overwhelmed, I talk with them, listen to their concerns. I enjoy getting to know our customers on a more personal level and making them feel more comfortable rather than just standing there asking about the damage,” says Gilman.
She helps customers get through the claims process. “I always give them my honest opinion,” says Gilman, adding tthat Eenigenburg Exteriors is a preferred contractor for several insurance carriers.
Repairs include roofing, siding, gutters and more from recent storm damage, while warmer weather is good for roof replacements.
For 31 years, Jeff “Lefty” Zygowicz has left his mark on people by crafting the image they desire in a tattoo. He says he helps his clients understand how the design may require a translation from a certain size, for example. “That means using the correct application to ensure that whatever the design is, it will hold up for the person’s lifetime.”
If a client isn’t sure what design is right for them, “We have a vast collection of designs for them to look through to get ideas, from simple to full-body coverage,” says Zygowicz.
He says he tries to engage with customers to understand what they want in a design, from black and gray to Oriental to fine line and more.
The best part of his work? “I get to meet people from a vast variety of backgrounds.”
