Pat Popa is a successful business professional who, through her community work, has emerged as a civic leader in Highland. She has organized many community events from Public Art Murals to Scarecrow Contests. The Downtown Ducks project, which brought Highland extensive publicity, was her brainchild.

She lives and works in Downtown Highland with her husband Nick of 21 years. Together they operate Popa Heating & Cooling. Pat has been a licensed Realtor since 1979. When full time she received several sales awards.



Pat and Nick have a grown son, Jon who lives in Mishawaka, Indiana and a son Ryan who is a senior at Indiana University in Bloomington. She enjoys following Notre Dame football in the fall and during the summer months she enjoys entertaining at her home.

• Received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Community Service and Volunteerism for Community Development from then Governor Joseph E. Kernan in October of 2003.
• Earned Lake County Convention & Visitors Bureau 2003 Tourism Award for Festival/Event of the Year for Downtown Ducks in 2003.
• Completed the Ball State University Indiana Economic Development Course in 2005.
• 2005 graduate of Indiana University’s Leadership Northwest Indiana program.

PUBLIC SERVICE

• Chairperson of the Highland Redevelopment Commission for two consecutive terms in 2004 and 2005.
• Serves on Board of Directors for the Highland Chamber of Commerce since 2004.
• Chairperson for the Highland Chamber of Commerce's Midwest Zest Fest for the past two years.
• Chairperson of the Highland Centennial Committee.
• Serves on the Highland Special Events Advisory Council.
• Officer for the Highland Downtown Association since 2001 and as President was instrumental in developing the Downtown Highland website: www.downtownhighland.com.
• Served on the Highland Police Night Out for Crime Commitee in 2006.
  
  

Pat and Nick Popa and one of their employees put up scarecrows for a Downtown Highland Scarecrow Contest.