Board of Directors

Jeff, a retired IT professional with 40 years of experience at NiSource, remains actively engaged in his community. He is a dedicated member of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce and serves as Treasurer for Exceptional Equestrians, a Hobart-based nonprofit that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for individuals with special needs. Additionally, Jeff is a board member at Members Source Credit Union, contributing his expertise to its governance and strategic initiatives.

Shauna Craib brings nearly three decades of expertise in accounting, financial strategy, and business operations. As founder of Craib Accounting, she has supported clients across industries like non-profits, healthcare, construction, and e-commerce—helping them strengthen financial systems and scale with confidence.

Previously, she held executive roles including CFO of Mezame of Chicago  where she led financial oversight and strategic initiatives.  Her experience also spans multiple chambers of commerce where she has contributed to financial leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement through roles on executive boards and as a treasurer.  Now on the Hobart Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Shauna remains passionate about empowering local businesses and driving community growth.

John Yelkich has been a State Farm agent in downtown Hobart for the last

13 years. John grew up in Hobart Township and attended Henry S. Evans

Elementary School. Upon graduation from high school, he received a

degree in sociology from Valparaiso University. John is also a past

president of the Hobart Chamber and is currently on his second tenure with

the chamber board.

Over the last 25 years I have done a lot of various types of projects, from broadcast and entertainment, to building businesses and ultimately owning a payroll processing company.

While employed at my previous company, I lead the build of multiple versions of a database to handle jobs, estimating, invoicing, scheduling and more.  This system over time tracked over 19,000 freelance employees working hundreds of jobs.  On top of this, we added a mobile application to provide job and pay data to the employees, as well as handle the timekeeping.  These were, at times, very complicated jobs which crossed into different states, union jurisdictions, local ordinances, and some across international borders.

After covid hit, I bought a local Payroll Vault Office and moved to the processing of the data I had previously been gathering.  The part that excited me the most was that I would get to meet and work with a lot of the areas businesses and their leaders, a lot of who I have known their name from growing up in "The Region."

Today, I still work as a freelancer in the broadcast and entertainment industry as I work to build the Payroll Vault brand here in Indiana and the surrounding areas.  Our goal is to provide the businesses in these areas with a partner to help them with all of their payroll, employer, employee, and compliance needs.  There is no need to continue using do-it yourself platforms or to be waiting weeks for a call back to help you when you need it the most.  

With 35 years of experience in the flooring industry and 20 years installing, I offer valuable insights and designs for all flooring projects, including residential and commercial applications.

With past and current board commitments from Chicago Architecture federation.

Vice president of Duneland Ski Club, and NWI Parrothead club.

Creator of the Taltree Photography club and managed several hockey teams.

Proud to be a Chamber member and ready to share knowledge, collaboration and strong community growth.

Russel Brodhacker is a LaPorte native and Northwest Indiana communications professional serving as the Marketing & Planning Coordinator for the City of Hobart. A Public Relations graduate of Purdue University Northwest, he began his career at Lakeshore Public Media (Lakeshore PBS / Lakeshore 89.1FM) in communications and community outreach. Russel brings regional experience and a commitment to community-focused growth to his role on the Hobart Chamber of Commerce Board.

A proud Hobart resident for more than 31 years, I share my home with my two rescue pups, Daisy and Duke, adopted from the Hobart Humane Society and Humane Indiana. I also have one son who now resides in Kentucky.

I have served as an Account Executive with Pulse Technology for over seven years, representing the company throughout Highland, Griffith, Munster, Schererville, Dyer, St. John, Hobart, and the surrounding communities. I also support all Lake County Government offices.

I am actively involved in the community and currently serve on several committees, including the Planning Committee for the 2026 Humane Indiana Gala, as well as committees within the Highland/Griffith Chamber.

In my free time, I enjoy antiquing, fishing, and spending quality time with friends. You can often find me walking along Lake George with Daisy and Duke, taking in the scenery and enjoying the outdoors.

Christina “Tina” Piech brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience and a strong commitment to community engagement to her role as a Board Member with the Hobart Chamber of Commerce. As an Employer Solutions Account Executive with Franciscan WorkingWell since 2023, Tina partners with employers throughout Northwest Indiana to improve workplace health, strengthen safety, and support the overall well-being of the local workforce.

Her work with Franciscan introduced her to deeper community involvement in Hobart, where the city’s welcoming spirit, strong relationships, and continued growth inspired her to join the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Tina is known for her creativity, passion, and ability to bring people together, values she has demonstrated in previous leadership roles, including serving as President of the Highland High School Parents Swim Club from 2015 to 2022.

Outside of her professional commitments, Tina enjoys hiking, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family. She finds her greatest fulfillment in helping others and contributing to initiatives that strengthen the community she calls home