Board & Staff

Jerry Gurrado, President

SCILL Center, Inc.

Phone: 574-772-8001

Board Member Since: 2012

Jerry Gurrado has served as Programming Director since July of 2011. He has returned to his Starke County roots after several years as a teacher and coach in both Indiana and Ohio as well as an adjunct faculty member for Ivy Tech Community College and most recently as a real estate salesman in Whitley County. He also served as Community Health Improvement Coordinator for Whitley Hospital and as a District Manager for Sprint Yellow Pages. He graduated from Knox High School and although he has been away from Starke County for several years, he has maintained close contact with many friends and family members, thus keeping a pulse on the community. Gurrado earned his BS degree from Ball State University and an MS degree from Indiana University.

Since returning to Starke County, Gurrado has become very active in several organizations including serving on the Board of Directors of the Starke County Community Foundation (also Vice President), and the Northern Indiana Community Foundation. He also serves as a member of the Indiana Health Starke Advisory Committee.

Irene Szakonyi, Vice President

Starke County Youth Club
Phone: 574-772-1665
Email: irenes@thescyc.org
Board Member Since: 2015
Irene Szakonyi is the Executive Director of The Starke County Youth Club, Inc and is equal parts executive, data nerd, and sweet tea. Her knack for encouraging kid’s curiosity found a wonderful home in their afterschool and summer programs for the past 18 years. Irene is passionate about finding creative and effective ways to work with youth, and helping provide healthy, safe options that support her community. She serves on boards/committees for: Moving Starke County Forward, Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County, Starke Taskforce for Opioid Prevention, and the Starke County Coalition for College and Career Success. In her spare time, Irene enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. She also makes it a priority to take time in nature to camp, hike, kayak, and garden. She shares her life with her husband, dogs, and just enough chickens.

Donna Henry, Secretary

North Judson Wayne Township Library

Email: donnahnry@yahoo.com

Donna is a lifelong resident of North Judson and Starke County. She has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1975. She has held the office of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, as well participated on several committees, and she currently serves as Chamber Board Secretary. Donna held the role as the North Judson Clerk Treasurer, and previously had been in the banking industry since 1972. Donna currently works part-time for North Judson Wayne Township Library as Bookkeeper and Circulation Desk Clerk. Donna is proud of the accomplishments of our Starke County Chamber of Commerce and, she looks forward to continued participation. Donna and her husband, Keith, will celebrate 44 years of marriage in August 2019 and they have three grown children and four grandchildren. Donna is also active in the North Judson Mint Festival and St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Brian Earnest

Brian joined the board in November of 2019

Val Williams

insurancebyval.com

Val started Affordable Insurance Inc. in 1999 and has been in the insurance industry since 1993. She has 2 children and 2 grandchildren and is a lifelong resident of Starke County. Affordable Insurance was awarded Business of the Year for 2021.

Jim Hernandez

Board Member since: 2011

Jim runs Professional Employment Partners in Starke County and works directly with many businesses to help them find employees that will fit their organization.

He brings a good deal of business experience to the board. Jim also a volunteer with the Starke County CASA program working with children.

Amanda Steeb

Kankakee Valley REMC

Phone: 219-733-2511

Email: asteeb@kvremc.com

Board Member Since: 2015

Amanda is the Marketing person for the Kankakee Valley REMC in Valparaiso. KV REMC serves all of Starke County’s rural area’s electric. Amanda is also on the KV REMC’s philanthropic Operation Round Up program that provides grants to organizations. She is also a graduate of the first Leadership Starke County program.

Christin Romine

1st Source Insurance

Christin is a Commercial Account Executive for 1st Source Insurance. She specializes in making sure local business have the correct insurance coverage they need. She is a graduate of Starke County leadership, a mother of 4 and loves helping make the community better anyway she can.

Andrew Rowe

Serving as the Clerk-Treasurer for North Judson.

Mark Rippy

Co-owner of Peaceful Acres Ranch with my wife Shirley. I represent Jackson
Township on Starke County Historical Society Board. I am an Executive Board Member of Community Services of Starke. Mentored with Bella Vita. Member of Starke County Farm Bureau and Ober Arbor Gleaners. Ardent supporter of Ken Craig Community Gardens. I am a graduate of Starke County Leadership Class. I assisted in bringing Movie In the Park to North Judson.

My family and I moved to Starke County about 10 years ago and it is great to live in a place where you can make a difference .

And a difference he makes, in 2020 Mark Rippy was named the Schricker Award Winner for Service Above Self. We are proud to have him as an important member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Megan Block

Megan joined the board in November of 2019.

Candice Miller

Candice joined the board in November of 2019

Pam McDonald

Pam is the current Office Manager and Matron for the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. She was born and raised in Starke County, where she currently resides with her husband and two wonderful children. Pam attended Knox High School and studied Business Administration at Ancilla. She currently holds two certificates through Notre Dame and is working on a third. She enjoys organizing fundraising events and spending time with her friends and family.