NWI Forum President and CEO Resigning

NWI Forum President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Galbiati today announced that he is stepping down from his role with the Forum. "In my five years at the Forum, we have been able to build a strong, vigorous organization which can aggressively support the interests of business here in Northwest Indiana," said Galbiati.

"Vince took an organization needing to refine its mission and purpose and worked long hours to build the Forum into a vibrant regional institution" added Mike Baird, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Forum. "Today, the Forum is seen as a place where the business leaders across the region gather to address critical issues and work with many diverse groups to move the region forward. Our economic development and environmental partnerships are well established and effective."

Galbiati has agreed to assist in the transition at the Forum, working on special projects focused on specific issues while pursuing other business opportunities.

Baird said, "Vince is an extraordinary individual with great passion and an unbelievable commitment to working on any task that he chooses to tackle. As a true regionalist, we are hopeful that Vince will remain in Northwest Indiana."

The Forum is also pleased to announce that Mark Maassel will step in as the interim President and CEO while a search for a replacement to Galbiati is conducted. "Maassel is a former chair of the Forum, a strong supporter of regional efforts and of partnering with many diverse groups to press forward on key issues," said Baird. "The Forum will organize a search process in the near future." Maassel was previously President of NIPSCO and currently is of counsel at the Schererville office of Krieg DeVault, an Indianapolis-based business law firm.

The Northwest Indiana Forum is a non-profit regional economic development organization and the voice of business leadership for Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties. Its corporate members represent more than $40 Billion is commerce for Northwest Indiana. Funded by membership contributions and grants, Forum membership translates into a direct investment in the region.