Town Council

zbeaver [at] winfield.in.gov (EMAIL) 

Zack is a graduate of Crown Point High School (“CPHS”), where he met his wife and high school sweetheart, Kori. After graduating from CPHS, Zack enlisted in the US Army as an Infantryman. Zack served on active duty with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY and deployed to Iraq from 2006-2007. During his time in the Army, Zack was promoted to Sergeant where his experience in combat helped him lead, train, and develop new soldiers and cadets at the US Military Academy (West Point). Zack earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his time in service and was honorably discharged upon completion of his term of service.

Following the Army, Zack returned to Crown Point and enrolled at Indiana University Northwest (“IUN”), where he attained his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. With the goal of working in law enforcement after college, Zack volunteered during college at the Lowell Police Department as a reserve police officer while also working full-time as a logistics representative at a regional trucking company located in Gary. Shortly after graduating from IUN, Zack was hired by the Indiana State Police. After 24 weeks in the State Police academy, Zack graduated, was appointed as a State Trooper, and assigned to the Lowell Post for patrol.

Zack served with the Indiana State Police for approximately seven years, holding various roles and certifications there including as a patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), shift supervisor, Tactical Intervention Platoon member (riot squad), meth suppression section member certified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (drug lab eradication), and forensic interviewer. During his time as a State Trooper, Zack routinely patrolled areas of NW Indiana, including Lake, Jasper, and Newton Counties. In his travels, Zack learned many life lessons on how to interact with people facing a myriad of different challenges or issues, which has helped shape his view of the real-world impact public policy can have on each of our lives.

While working as a State Trooper, Zack sought to build on his real-world experience from the Army and State Police by enrolling in night school at Chicago-Kent College of Law. During law school and while balancing work and a quickly growing family with Kori, Zack worked in various “on the job” experiential programs including at the US Attorney’s Office (NDIL) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These experiential programs helped prepare Zack for work related to corporate finance and business law. Zack now works for a private company and currently practices law in Indiana and Illinois in matters relating to corporate finance, general corporate, asset lending, and equipment leasing.

For more than 10 years, Zack and Kori have lived in and loved Winfield as home. They bought their first house in Wyndance, and after a few years and four kids later, found themselves looking for a different pace. Thankfully, Winfield is a community that has a taste of everything and in true Winfield fashion, Zack and Kori were able to build their second home on a hobby farm in the center of town, which is where they are currently raising their kids and learning to raise animals and food.

Zack and Kori are thankful to be part of the Winfield community. They look forward to continuing to run their family business, raise their kids, attend sporting events, and be active in shaping Winfield into a place other families see as an amazing place to be.

ablaker [at] winfield.in.gov (EMAIL )

Born and raised in Lake County, Indiana, Amy Blaker is a proud life-long member of the Region.  She has always had a strong interest in government and previously worked as a federal caseworker for Congressman Peter J. Visclosky, where she served as a liaison for constituents who needed assistance with federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration. 

Amy serves on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, where she holds the role of Board President.  Through her devotion to organizations that align with her sense of compassion and empathy, Amy regularly volunteers with local non-profits.  She is a member of the Munster Junior Woman's Club and has helped raise thousands of dollars for local, state, and national charitable organizations.

In addition, Amy has previously held Board positions with the Dunes Learning Center and the Hobart Humane Society.  She completed the Strosacker Early Learning Fellowship through Purdue University Northwest and is an Advisory Board Member for the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University Northwest.  

Maintaining a strong network between the non-profit, government, and business sector, Amy is a member of several area Chambers of Commerce, and has completed leadership training through the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.  Amy is also an Advisory Board Member for the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. 

In recognition of her commitment to public service, Amy was honored as a recipient of the Times Media Company's 20 under 40 in Business in 2017.  She was recognized as an Up and Coming Woman in Business Finalist in 2022 by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association. That same year, she also received the Remarkable Volunteer Fundraiser Award from Girls on the Run International.

Amy is a graduate of Purdue University Northwest, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations.  She earned her Master of Public Affairs in 2018 in the SPEA program at Indiana University Northwest.  

She is currently employed as a Client Service Manager with Lochmueller Group, a full-service engineering firm.  

jderwinski [at] winfield.in.gov (EMAIL)

Jon and his family have lived in Winfield since 2003.  He received a bachelor’s degree in construction management and engineering technologies from the Purdue University Calumet campus in 2000. He holds an Indiana professional Land Surveyor’s license and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Jon has been working in the realm of engineering for over 25 years. This work has taken him to various municipal meetings and forums throughout the region which allowed him to gain depth and understanding of how towns like Winfield operate. Today he manages an engineering team of over 46 people, focusing on efficiency, accountability, and positive customer experience. Those same principles guide his work in public service.

Since 2009, Jon has been honored to serve Winfield in many capacities, as President to the Storm Water Board, the Plan Commission and the Redevelopment Commission. He currently represents Winfield on the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC). Jon also served as chairman to the Board of Zoning Appeals and as a member of the Winfield Community foundation. Currently, Jon is the town council liaison representing the town’s involvement with the Winfield Township board and the ongoing development of parks and various community activities. Across all these roles, Jon has kept the same priorities of fiscal responsibility, transparency and decisions that support the long-term well-being of the residents of Winfield.

Outside of public service, Jon can be found volunteering time at a local food bank or constructing a home for Habitat for Humanity. In his spare time, you may see him walking his 2 large dogs or fishing at the local pond with his family.

Jon is proud to be part of the Winfield community and is committed and devoted to its successful future in the region. He is dedicated to bringing people together to strengthen family values and a sense of community.