Nord honored for devotion to family, church, work, community

Jason Nord joked that there were a few signs that something was up today as he planned to attend the Jasper Chamber of Commerce’s 72nd annual luncheon at the Calumet.

Nord, vice-president of People Services at Jasper Holdings, was talking to his daughter, Allyson, on Friday morning.

“When I texted my daughter, Alliyson, and I asked her what she was up to, she said, ‘Not much,'” he explained to the crowd of nearly 400 attendees. “The helicopter dad app on my phone said otherwise; that was my first clue.”

His second clue was that usually when the company attends meetings like the Jasper Chamber’s, they ride together to the event.

“And no one asked me to go with them,” Nord said to laughter.

Despite these hints that something was amiss, Nord was still surprised when Jasper Chamber of Commerce Board President Dalton Meny named him as the 2025 recipient of the Jasper Chamber President’s Community Excellence Award.

“This is a hard decision,” Meny said. “We have so many wonderful nominations.”

Meny explained there was a common theme in the letters nominating Nord for the award.

“Looking back at the nomination letters, one thing truly rings true when learning about this person: selflessness,” he said in announcing the award. “This is evident in this person’s activities outside the workplace. They sit on the board of directors for Crisis Connection, Work One and is the St Joseph Council parish president. They truly believe in giving back to their community and making it a better place.”

In addition to his dedication to his work and family, the letters outlined a long history of community involvement, including working with Relay for Life as a teen, volunteering with Junior Achievement, serving as a Scouting leader, and serving on the boards of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce and Crisis Connection.

He volunteers extensively for the St. Joseph Parish and has served in many roles for various causes and events.

“Beyond the workplace, Jason extends the same spirit of service to the broader community,” one nomination letter said. “Whether though volunteering, leading initiatives, or supporting local projects, he consistently demonstrates a genuine desire to uplift others and contribute to the betterment of our community.”

In accepting the award, Nord stated he was greatly influenced by the leadership at Jasper Holdings over his 28-year career there.

“I thank my co-owner associates. It’s a true blessing to work with you every day, and I especially thank the Bawels and the Schwenks who have taught me so much over the years, both professionally and personally,” he said, adding that the room was full of people who had influenced him and helped shape his decisions.

He also thanked his wife, Renee, his children, his parents, and his in-laws.

“It’s very cliche to say, I know, but it just feels good to give back. I think it’s very rewarding, and it’s what we need,” he said. “There’s so much noise going on in the world today, and I think it’s nice just to go out and do something and make it better for other people.”

Nord joins a long list of winners of the award that include Bob Siebert, Anne Heeke, Jim Stenftenagel, Ed Rumbach, Bob Gramelspacher, Patty Cox, Bob Steffe, Rich Eckerle, Norbert Eckerle, Leon Fleck, Dave Buehler, Dan Mundy, Lynn Krodel, Ken Sendelweck, Ken Sternberg and Maureen Braun, Donnie Lichlyter, Dr. Nancy Otte, Gervase Schwenk, Joe Rohleder, Bernie Vogler, John Siebert, Becky Beckman, Mike Jones, Mike Ackerman, Dan Fritch, John Seng, Dean Vonderheide, Bob Bleemel, Kim Lottes, Dr. Dean Beckman, Laura Grammer, Christian Blome and Jim Siebert.

Meny also introduced the new Jasper Chamber of Commerce board president, Pedro Mendez, Executive Director of Mission Integration at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center.

Chamber Director Nancy Eckerle and Meny also hosted a Q&A session with Indiana Governor Mike Braun and his newly appointed Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Brian Schutt.

Throughout the session, Governor Braun and Schutt outlined their strategy to support Main Street businesses, promote economic growth in Indiana, continue support for legacy businesses, and increase wages.

Braun also stated his legislative priorities include infrastructure investment, healthcare cost reduction, and utility rate reform.