The festive spirit of the holiday season was alive and well at Youche Country Club in Crown Point on December 12 as CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana (NWI) hosted its annual Christmas party. The event brought together contractors, employees, vendors and their families to celebrate a year of accomplishments and camaraderie.
The room, accessorized with holiday decorations, was filled with lively conversation and laughter as workers of all ages and backgrounds gathered around tables to share a meal and enjoy an open bar. The party provided a rare opportunity for the team who often work across many different jobsites throughout the year to come together under one roof.
"Tonight is all about getting together and having a good time," said Director of Operations Mark Powers. "Too often, we're running around all year and don’t take the time to sit down and celebrate. The biggest thing is to eat good food, have some drinks, reflect on the year, and let everyone know how much we appreciate the incredible work they’ve done."
As part of the evening’s festivities, Owner John Jordan, Powers, and other leaders highlighted the impressive contributions of team members over the past year. They kicked off the presentation by acknowledging Alex Perez, celebrating his ninth year with the company. Alex remains a customer favorite known for his creativity and dedication.
Jordan praised the team’s newer members, including Josh and Noah Heldreth, for their immediate impact. These two brothers shared their appreciation for CertaPro NWI's organized and efficient business approaches, highlighting the qualities that make the company stand out.
“They’re reliable, consistent, and clear with communication, which really inspired my confidence in working with them," Josh Heldreth said. “Everything is clear and concise, which makes the work easier.”
Noah Heldreth couldn’t agree more with his brother’s sentiments, praising CertaPro NWI’s well-structured workflow and smooth process from start to finish. The professionalism, effective communication, and thoughtful project management have created a positive environment for both workers and clients.
The team celebrated exceptional achievements, including those of Jason Bogdan, who overcame personal challenges to produce $410,000 in revenue while maintaining high customer satisfaction. Angelo LaSalvia was recognized for exceeding $520,000 in production, setting a standard for goal-setting and execution.
"My favorite part about my job is being on top of things every day, having an eye for detail, and making customers happy- job by job," LeSalvia said.
Because of the collective efforts of CertaPro NWI, they became a finalist for the CertaCup, a national award recognizing excellence among 350 franchises. The recognition places CertaPro NWI among the top five franchises nationwide.
"CertaPro NWI has created a big family," LaSalvia said. "Mark and John have mentored every single one of us, pointing us in the right direction every day. In the trades, you often see companies competing with each other, but CertaPro has built a real community of painters."
Attendees also shared personal highlights from the year. Perez recounted a rewarding project where he was given creative freedom to paint cabinets for a customer who trusted his creative judgment.
"My favorite part of the job is being able to change people's environments in some way,” he said. “I love seeing their reactions. When they have an idea in mind and I bring it to life, it’s always rewarding to see their expressions afterwards. One project that stands out was painting cabinets for a customer who wasn’t sure how they wanted them done. I asked for permission to take the lead, and they trusted me. I painted them the way I envisioned, and they absolutely loved it. It was satisfying to have that creative freedom and see their joy in the finished result."
As the evening progressed, the focus remained on gratitude and celebration. Leadership expressed appreciation for their teams, presenting awards to top crews in commercial, residential, and rookie of the year categories.
"I want everyone to leave tonight knowing that we’re here to celebrate them and the fantastic work they’ve done throughout the year," said Jamie Heintz, CertaPro NWI office coordinator. "The awards are unique each year, and this year we recognized our top crews as a way to honor their hard work and make them feel appreciated."
The night was also an opportunity to strengthen connections.
"This is my second Christmas party with CertaPro NWI," said LaSalvia. "Last year was the first time I got to meet so many of the other painters we work with. It’s a really cool experience to see how many people contribute to the bigger picture."
As the evening came to a close, the room buzzed with the energy of shared stories, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment.
"After months of hard work, this is a special time to come together as a team, express gratitude, and enjoy being in the same room – a rare and meaningful opportunity," Jordan said. “I’m excited about tonight and the chance to celebrate with everyone."
With another successful year in the books, the team at CertaPro NWI left the celebration motivated to build on their achievements and continue delivering excellence in 2025.
To learn more, visit certapro.com/nwi.
