2024 Board of Directors to Impact Downtown Wabash

Behind the scenes of our lively downtown is a group of innovative visionaries dedicated to economic revitalization and placemaking efforts. Meet our dynamic board of directors who regularly collaborate to shape the future of our downtown community. From advocating for the vibrancy of our streets to ensuring optimization of financial resources, they are essential to upholding our organization’s mission. Each member serves on committees devoted to strategizing initiatives, securing vital grants, and championing for our cherished local businesses, amenities and services. 

The Downtown Wabash, Inc. board of directors is comprised of essential community leaders, business owners and influential downtown advocates. The 2024 board gained two new members who diversify the organization’s leadership in age, industry and qualifications. Incoming board members include Bob Lundquist, Owner of Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate and Isaias Tactuk, Gebhart Holdings General Manager of Hospitality.

“Our incoming board members are committed to upholding our role as a Main Street America organization, championing revitalization efforts and preserving the heritage of our downtown district” Downtown Wabash, Inc. Board President Neil Bever said. “They bring diverse perspectives to effectively navigate the complexities of our community while staying true to our national mission.” 

Tactuk and Lundquist, alongside returning board members, will serve on one of our four committees following the Main Street Approach™. According to Main Street America, the approach is a “time-tested framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization” with four points within the framework. The framework is centered around Transformation Strategies, which “articulate focused, deliberate paths to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown or commercial district’s economy.”

Downtown Wabash, Inc., a Nationally Accredited Main Street organization in Northeast Indiana, holds four, volunteer-based committees with annual work plans, aligning our organization’s programs, services and revitalization efforts to the Transformation Strategy. The Transformation Strategy focuses on Arts and Culture, including the Wabash Cultural District. Committees include the Design Committee, Economic Vitality Committee, Organization Committee and Promotion Committee. Members of each prospective committee are dedicated to upholding its primary purpose: 

• ECONOMIC VITALITY focuses on capital, incentives and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
• DESIGN supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.
• ORGANIZATION involves creating a strong foundation for sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement and resources for the district.
• PROMOTION positions the downtown as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.

Our organization’s diverse board of directors is instrumental in defining our direction. Their tireless efforts behind the scenes ensure we stay on track to achieve our vision, for which we are immensely grateful.

“As the new Executive Director, I am excited to work alongside our exceptional board of directors in moving this organization forward in our efforts to enhance our downtown district,” says Kristen Petruniw, Downtown Wabash, Inc. Executive Director. “Their collective wisdom and strategic insight bring opportunities for collaboration and growth for our community. I look forward to working together toward our vision of creating a vibrant downtown district both day and night.”

Please give a warm welcome to our newest board members, and extend gratitude to our returning board members and ex-officio members.

• Neil Bever, President, Hoosier Chiropractic
  Neil is in his third year on the board and chairs the Organization Committee. He represents the services industry downtown and champion’s our board initiatives.
• Amanda Lopez, Vice President, Transform Consulting Group
  Amanda, former 2023 board president, is in her fifth year on the board. She provides expertise in organizational management and strategic planning.
• Erika White, Treasurer, Crossroads Bank
  Erika is in her second year as a board member and serves as the financial expert ensuring optimization of our organization’s resources.
• Kara Fulmer, Secretary, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment
  Kara is in her fourth year on the board and brings extensive nonprofit and fundraising knowledge to the Organization Committee.
• Kelli Winer, Kelli Winer Design
  Kelli is in her third year and it is no surprise she serves on the Design Committee with her experience in design and small business management.
• Jordan Tandy, Downs, Tandy & Petruniw
  Jordan is in his sixth year on the board. He is chairing the Design Committee with past years of Design Committee experience and brings legal expertise to the organization.
• Noah Roberts, Ford Meter Box Co.
  Noah is in his second year on the board utilizing his business development skills as a community champion.
• Shane Waters, Arc Light Media
  Shane is serving his second year on the board of directors. He chairs the Promotion Committee bringing his unique knowledge of digital marketing and passion for local history.
• Cathy Gatchel, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment
  Cathy is returning for her second year on the board and serves on the Promotion Committee. Cathy brings a wealth of fundraising and community knowledge.
• Bob Lundquist, Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate
  Bob is entering his first year on the board and is stepping into the role of Economic Vitality Committee chair.
• Isaias Tactuk, Gebhard Holdings
  Isaias is entering his first year on the board and is enthusiastic about offering the board a downtown restaurant’s perspective.
• Mayor Scott Long, City of Wabash, Ex-Officio
  Mayor Long is a member of the Economic Vitality Committee and shares relevant information regarding partnerships with the City of Wabash.
• Tenille Zartman, Grow Wabash County, Ex-Officio
  Tenille is entering her first year serving on the Economic Vitality Committee and is a champion for economic development projects.
• Christine Flohr, Visit Wabash County, Ex-Officio
  Christine serves on the Design Committee and partners with tourism efforts in Downtown Wabash.