Gov. Mike Braun has appointed businessman Tom Collins Jr. as the new chairman of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority, replacing former congressman Peter Visclosky who resigned in July.

Collins was already a board member, representing Porter County since 2022.

Collins is president and CEO of Luke Family of Brands, a family-owned and operated business founded in 1967. Among its holdings are County Line Orchard, a Hobart agribusiness, and a network of Luke gas station/convenience stores.

After Wednesday’s meeting, Collins said he was a little surprised at his appointment.

“I didn’t know what the governor’s office was thinking or what direction they wanted to go, so when they reached out, I interviewed.”

Among Collins’ goals are the re-establishment of passenger air service a

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