Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors
Board Members
Don Ensign, President
Don was appointed to the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors in 2022 and represents Hebron and Kouts. Don has worked in the mining and metals industry as a plant manager, production supervisor, and now consultant. He has served on multiple boards, including the Porter County Redevelopment Commission, Hebron Redevelopment Commission, Hebron Park Board, and Veterans Memorial Commission. Don was a Hebron Town Councilman for sixteen years, including nine years serving as President. In 2020, Don received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from the Governor of Indiana, the state’s highest civil service award. He lives in Hebron with his wife, Terri, and has two children.
Scott Tuft, Vice President
Scott joined the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors in 2012 and was appointed by Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas. Tuft is the account executive for Elegan Customwear in Valparaiso. He is an avid fisherman and has a passion for spreading the word about the great things Porter County has to offer. Scott's son, Nathan, is working on his doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Kentucky. Tuft lives in Valparaiso.
Richard Riley, Treasurer
Richard joined the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors in 2012 and was appointed by Porter County Commissioner John Evans. Riley is an attorney specializing in real estate zoning for telecommunications structures, and he and his wife, Ann, are also owners of Riley’s Railhouse Bed & Breakfast in Chesterton. Riley has two children, Rebecca and Christopher, and two stepchildren, Angela and Lauren.
Barb Lusco, Secretary
Barb joined the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors in 2015 and was appointed by Portage Mayor James Snyder. She studied philosophy at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL, and Indiana University Northwest in Gary. She is the director of the Portage Public Marina. She is active as a volunteer with the Portage American Legion Post #260 and has a son and two grandchildren. Barb has 20 years of boating experience on Lake Michigan and is on the board of the Lake Michigan Yachting Association.
David Bolla
David was appointed to the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors by the Porter County Commissioners in 2022. David is the Quality manager for Sherwin Williams and has over 30 years of experience working with suppliers and customers, cost optimization, new product launches, and performance management. David has traveled extensively throughout North America and Japan. He and his wife, Amy, raised four children in Porter County.
Catherine Brown
Catherine Brown was appointed in 2016 to the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors. Catherine, a Valparaiso resident, was appointed by Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in Spanish from Indiana University. Catherine, who has experience as a teacher, is now one of the owners and operators of Valpo Velvet Ice Cream in Valparaiso.
Matthew Soliday
Matthew was appointed by the Porter County Commissioners. Soliday is a staff attorney at the nonprofit Federal Community Defenders in Hammond, Indiana, and he is a graduate of Valparaiso High School, Indiana University, and Valparaiso University School of Law, where he served as an adjunct professor. He was also the co-founder of the Valpo Triathlon, and he continues to enjoy outdoor sports. Prior to working for the Federal Community Defenders, Soliday had a private law practice in Valparaiso and served as a Porter County deputy prosecuting attorney. He and his wife live in Chesterton.
Karen Webster
Karen, who previously served on the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors, returned to the board in 2015 and was appointed by Portage Mayor James Snyder. She studied business finance, accounting, and elementary education at Franklin College in Franklin, IN, and Purdue University Calumet in Hammond. She was the manager of Days Inn in Portage from 1994 to 2006 and again starting in 2014. From 2007 to 2013, she worked for Super 8 in Delavan, WI. Karen has two sons and previously coached youth sports in Portage and, as part of her managing duties at Days Inn, worked with the Elvis FANtasy Fest in Portage to accommodate VIPs and the Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton to accommodate the visiting munchkins.
Patrick Lyp, Attorney
Board Meetings
Indiana Dunes Tourism board meetings are scheduled to occur on the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 pm. Meetings take place at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center at 1215 N. State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304 unless otherwise announced prior.
If you would like to receive meeting agendas prior to meetings or past meeting minutes, please email michelle@indianadunes.com.
2024 Board Meeting Dates
- January 18, 2024
- February 15, 2024
- March 21, 2024
- April 18, 2024
- May 16, 2024
- June 20, 2024
- July 18, 2024
- August 15, 2024
- September 19, 2024
- October 17, 2024
- November 21, 2024
- December 19, 2024