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A new generation of leaders stands poised to take Northwest Indiana into a future full of promise, according to one of the region’s longtime leaders.

“We need a new generation of leadership who are even more effective, who come to leadership not by default, but by design,” said Regional Development Authority Chairman Leigh Morris during his keynote speech Thursday night at The Times BusINness magazine’s “20 Under 40″ reception. A former hospital administrator and mayor of La Porte, Morris is also deputy commissioner for the Indiana Toll Road.

Hosted by The Times’ publisher Bill Masterson Jr., the gala event at the Innsbrook Country Club honored 20 individuals from business, government, social service and the law who contribute to the betterment of Northwest Indiana.

“This is the strongest group of individuals we’ve ever had. We had over 100 nominations this year,” Masterson told the more than 200 guests. “You are the cream of the crop.”

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Morris said young leaders face a changing landscape in Northwest Indiana, including the loss of good-paying jobs, the closing of businesses and a shifting socioeconomic climate.

Older urban areas have taken the brunt of these changes, but, “no area is immune,” Morris said. If community and business leaders don’t work together, “we can be left out. We have a shared destiny in Northwest Indiana.”

The need for leaders committed to the region’s future “has never been more important, and, some say, in shorter supply,” Morris said. “I believe Northwest Indiana has superb potential for further growth. It’s that new generation of leadership we’re celebrating tonight.”

Morris challenged these young leaders to make the region a better place to live, work, play and learn.

“We have a great region, but we can make it better. We have some great schools, but we can make them better,” he said. “Will we do what’s needed to do those positive things?”

If area leadership doesn’t embrace a regional approach, mediocrity is the best we can hope for,” Morris said. “That’s not good enough for Northwest Indiana.”

Those honored as the 2009 BusINess magazine’s “20 Under 40″ include the following:

* Jim Arnold, 39, of Valparaiso. A dentist, Arnold returned to Northwest Indiana after graduating from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. His practice, Smiles by Arnold & Associates, has offices in Valparaiso and Chesterton. He also participates in the World Institute for Dental Education and has trained dentists in India on two visits there.

* Julie Basich, 40, of Valparaiso. As general manager of Fair Oaks Farm, Basich oversees the 32,000-cow operation and the eco-friendly practices of 21st century farming. The farm attracts 400,000 visitors annually who learn about dairy farming up close and personal.

* Denise Bergunder, 33, originally of Schererville. Indiana regional director for Starbucks Coffee Co., Bergunder oversees operations at all 105 stores in the state, including the 11 stores in Northwest Indiana. Helping employees succeed is a major part of her job. Bergunder also has led the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Indianapolis.

* Rick Calinski, 31, of Hammond. Promoted to various city positions since 2004, Calinski currently serves as chief of staff for Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr.

His projects have included putting together the deal that brought Cabela’s to Hammond. Calinski is dedicated to retaining businesses and keeping jobs in Hammond.

* Tom Collins Jr., 33, a Hobart native. He oversees retail operations of his grandfather’s Luke Oil empire that today includes 20 convenience stores, 25 retail locations and 10 car wash facilities. As vice president of retail operations, Collins also points with pride to County Line Apple Orchard, which he helped develop and which hosts 250,000 visitors a year, including 2,000 school tours.

* Bill Dwyer, 38, of Dyer. His own dyslexia helps him inspire others facing life’s hurdles in his position as chief operating officer of Campagna Academy in Schererville. One of his projects was construction of the $9 million Hope Center that opened this year and now accommodates up to 48 boys and girls at a time. Dwyer also helps others as a coach, teacher and volunteer.

* Heather Ennis, 38, of Porter. The executive director of the Chesterton Duneland Chamber of Commerce has focused on economic development with an updated website during her first year on the job. The site features complete inventories of available properties, infrastructure information and zoning.

* Jennifer Klapak, 35, of Whiting. A lifelong Whiting resident, Klapak has kept a part of the city’s history alive as owner of the Whiting Dairy Queen. In addition to mentoring teenagers who work at the store, she coaches volleyball at Griffith High School and is a substitute teacher in the Hammond schools.

* Kris Krouse, 30, of Valparaiso. His love of the great outdoors led Krouse to become involved in the environmental movement. Today, he helps conserve the environment as executive director of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust that protects and restores ecologically significant natural areas. Krouse also serves as a mentor to Michigan City high school students as part of the Rotary Club’s STRIVE program.

* Douglas Lewis, 38, of Highland. A self-professed cheerleader for Highland, Lewis connects with town residents and fellow business people through a variety of civic and professional activities. He also takes his knowledge about how money and the markets work to help people manage their funds as financial advisor with Edward Jones in Highland.

* Mark Lopez, 35, of Schererville. Being part of the political arena since 1996 has given Lopez opportunities to make Northwest Indiana a better place. As chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky, he splits his work time between Washington, D.C., and Northwest Indiana. When his schedule permits, Lopez concentrates on his sons’ school and sports activities.

* Johnny Mathis Jr., 37, of Valparaiso. Mathis launched a company with a new concept in 2003 and today, Livemercial creates more than $1 billion in online sales through micro-sites. His company also works closely with Opportunity Enterprises, a Valparaiso-based organization that helps those with disabilities enrich their lives through employment and other services.

* Bill McCall, 38, of Crown Point. Co-owner of A Conservative Café in the county seat, McCall is working to franchise his coffeehouse business.

He’s developed marketing campaigns that have resulted in articles about A Conservative Café published in numerous major magazines and radio and TV broadcasts.

* Daniel McGuire, 28, of Valparaiso. Since middle school, McGuire has been involved with the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation. Today, he manages facilities and staff throughout the city’s park system and helps plan special events as recreation program services coordinator. McGuire has also upgraded the department’s computer communications systems as IT coordinator.

* Don Mikrut, 40, of Schererville. During his seven years as CEO of The Cars Collision Group, Mikrut is credited with keeping the business profitable. He’s also helped grow the Schererville-based company into a $72 million operation with 28 service centers in Indiana, Illinois and Colorado. Mikrut also focuses on family and learned how to ice skate so he could coach his son in hockey.

* Ashley Miller, 25, a Valparaiso native. Miller grew up in her family’s Valparaiso-based business, Indiana Furniture Showcase. Today, she serves as chief executive officer and has helped transform the business. The store’s new “Designer Showcase” features high-end custom furniture and the computer system has been upgraded during her tenure as CEO.

* Timothy Rice, 37, of Jackson Township. President and a partner in Lakeside Wealth Management Group in Chesterton, Rice has helped increase the firm’s assets almost ten-fold, making Lakeside the largest independent advisory firm in Northwest Indiana. He also serves on community organization boards and is a donor to the Duneland School Foundation.

* Julie Rosenwinkel, 39, of Schererville. A nearly lifelong interest in the law has led Rosenwinkel to her post as attorney and partner with the firm of Kreig Devault LLP in Schererville. Her practice focuses on representing health care providers on a variety of issues, including defending them against malpractice claims. She is active in the Lake Central Education Foundation and in her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.

* Rick Soria, 37, of Valparaiso. An early interest in funeral service has turned into a career helping others enter that industry for Soria. In 2002, he developed the Mortuary Science Program at Ivy Tech’s East Chicago campus, which has earned full accreditation. Today, he oversees that and other programs as dean of the School of Public Service at Ivy Tech Community College in Northwest Indiana.

* Jeff Strack, 39, a Griffith native. Strack is a member of the third generation to carry on the supermarket legacy of his grandfather, Ernie Strack and partner Nick Van Til Strack. As vice president of operations for Strack & Van Til, he has helped grow the SVT brand to 29 stores from 10, a growth that includes major expansion from Northwest Indiana into Illinois.

Strack is active in the SVT charitable giving fund and is on the Purdue Calumet Advisory Board.