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A Publication of WTVP

Every community must ask itself if it nurtures and develops a leadership culture – in its companies, its government, its social services, its events. Peoria is such a place, and the answer is a resounding "YES!"

In 1994, when the challenge went out to find potential leaders to guide Peoria into the next Millennium, InterBusiness Issues, 1470 WMBD News Radio, corporate sponsor Caterpillar Inc., and other area companies led the tri-County are in identifying and honoring 40 Leaders Under Forty from throughout the Peoria area. Members of the business and professional community were so amazed at the number of successful young leaders, we repeated the challenge in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and again this year – the first of teh 21st Century.

InterBusiness Issues and 1470 WMBD News Radio have again uncovered 40 outstanding young leaders who make our community a better place in which to live and work.

The 2000 Class of 40 Leaders Under Forty comprise a group of individuals who consistently demonstrate their ability to adapt to a changing workplace, take responsibility for their own professional development, take risks as entrepreneurs, and still volunteer for the betterment of their community.

Our future leaders will buils on the skills and attitudes demonstrated by the talented individuals profiled on the following pages. These 40 leaders were honored at a prestigious awards reception at the Hotel Pere Marquette's Cotillion Ballroom November 1 (aired live on WMBD 1470). This issue of InterBusiness Issues is dedicated to the 40 winners.

 

Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer is the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria M3 and M4 clerkship director, an assistant professor in clinical medicine, and medical director of the Integrated Medicine/Psychiatry Clinic at the Human Service Center.

A driving force behind the collaboration to develop and implement an innovative model of health care delivery to the mentally ill population, she utilized the opportunity to provide a unique training opportunity for medical students in Peoria.

Aiyer chaired a national committee on the use of evidence-based medicine, and was selected to represent the entire University of Illinois in a national leadership conference for women. She implemented a faculty development program, selected by the General Internal Medicine Faculty Development Project, which was awarded national recognition.

She is a member of the volunteer medical staff at the Heartland Clinic, and provides indigent care as part of the U of I College of Medicine teaching services at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. She also volunteers at her son's school as "picture lady" and as a field trip chaperone.

Scott Altorfer is marketing manager at Altorfer Inc., responsible for marketing, promotion, and advertising for 13 Caterpillar dealerships in an 88-county, 13-state territory.

Following graduation from Southern Methodist University in 1990, he joined the U.S. Navy and flew the F-14A Tomcat for eight years-piloting combat flights over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch, and off the coast of Taiwan during that country's 1996 national elections.

While in the Navy, Altorfer was a division leader and aircraft instructor, accumulating more than 950 hours in the F-14A Tomcat and completing more than 255 carrier landings, 100 of them at night. He earned two Navy Achievement Medals. Following his military service, he returned to central Illinois and assumed his current duties at Altorfer Inc.

Active in the community, he is the vice president of membership for the W.D. Boyce Scout Council; an advisory board member for the Heartland Division of The Salvation Army; and a member of the Peoria Downtown Rotary Club and the Peoria Academy education committee. He also volunteers for the Tyng School Success for All reading program.

Erica Baird is a marketing representative with the North American Commercial Division's Business Management Group at Caterpillar Inc., responsible for managing the sharing of the company competitive information database in a Web-enabled format; meeting with customers and dealers; administering special pricing requests and other financial projects; and acting as a recruiter.

She was the first African-American female to both graduate from the University of Arizona with a degree in mining engineering (graduating with honors one semester early) and to hold her current position in Caterpillar's Business Management Group. Baird is the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award, was recognized as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Leaders in 2000 by the Illinois Jaycees, and named by Ebony magazine as one of their 1999 Super Single Sisters.

She is active as a speaker and volunteer with the Heart of Illinois United Way, the Tri-County Urban League, the Boy's and Girl's Club, Kickapoo Council of Girl Scouts, the Center for the Prevention of Abuse, and Roosevelt Magnet School.

Jennifer Brackney is the operations manager for the City of Peoria Workforce Development Department, managing a staff charged with successfully developing and implementing programs to meet the employment, training, and educational development needs of area individuals and businesses.

A recipient of the State of Illinois Professional of the Year Award, in 1999 she co-chaired, and in 2000 chaired, the Technology Expo. Brackney also chaired the annual Education to Careers conferences; initiated the City of Peoria Workforce Development Vista Volunteer Program; and submitted more than 20 grants, receiving more than $3 million in additional funding for employment and training programs in central Illinois.

Active in the community, she received the Outstanding Youth Program Award for innovative program design of Youth Peoria!; and in 1998, received the State of Illinois JTPA Professional Award.

She is the president of Prairieland Toastmasters, and active with Midstate College, the National Employment Training Association, Community Workshop and Training Center, and the Central Illinois Education to Career Partnership.

Teri Cook is the owner of Cook Travel and Cruise. Since its inception in 1992, the business has grown to be a multi-million dollar business. She was the recipient of Carnival Cruise Lines' ship model for high production three years in a row, and received the Winners Circle Award in 1998 and 1999.

Cook is president of the East Peoria Rotary Club; an ambassador for, and member of, the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce; sits on the Midstate College advisory board; and is a member of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Peoria Chapter of Women in Management.

Cook also serves on the Children's Hospital of Illinois community relations committee, and was a V.I.P for the Children's Miracle Network broadcast.

She is also a Kickapoo Council Girl Scout leader, participates in the job shadowing program at East Peoria Community High School, serves as a mentor to students enrolled in the travel programs at Illinois Central and Midstate Colleges, and is a JFL cheerleading coach. Cook is an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society, and received its Platinum Award for money raised for the Relay for Life in 1999.

Shelli Dankoff McClellan is vice president of marketing communications for Easter Seals-UCP, responsible for the development and implementation of integrated marketing communication efforts utilizing all available media in the central Illinois region to communicate messages for programs and services, events, and the organization as a whole.

Prior to joining Easter Seals-UCP, she achieved many accomplishments as a television journalist, and was a key member of an award-winning team at CBS 31. With her leadership, ratings increased and the team received awards for programming efforts.

Active in the community, from 1994 to 1998 she hosted the telethons for Easter Seals-UCP and the Muscular Dystrophy Association; the Santa Claus Parade from 1994 to 1999; and was a celebrity host for the WTVP pledge drive in 2000. She was honorary chairman for the March of Dimes in 1994 and 1995, and is active with the Public Relations Association, serving as vice president of programs for 2000 to 2001.

She was a finalist for the YWCA Lydia Moss Bradley Communications Award in 1996 and 1997.

Timothy Drew is a psychotherapist in the Health Psychology Department at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, serving as a clinical coordinator of a child and family counseling clinic. He is also a clinical instructor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Drew developed a character-education/values program for children in foster care, and expanded the U of I College of Medicine training program for pediatric and family practice residents to strengthen skills of practical knowledge of family, parenting, and mental health issues. He also provides training for parents and staff at various agencies, including the Tazewell County Resource Center, Head Start of Peoria, Catholic Social Services, Illinois Counseling Association, Illinois Mental Health Forum, U of I School of Social Work, Bradley University Department of Nursing, and the Illinois Department of Training.

His volunteer service includes pro-bono training presentations for staff and parents to community agencies and organizations such as Easter Seals-UCP and the YWCA of Peoria. He is parish council president and long-range planning committee chair at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Peoria.

Janet Duffy is bookstore/purchasing manager at Illinois Central College, responsible for the daily operations of purchasing, accounts payable, the campus bookstore, and providing functional support for new financial and payroll software systems.

Since starting in the bookstore 19 years ago as a student intern, she has been promoted seven times, combining three previously separate leadership positions into the one she now occupies. She was chosen to attend ICC's first Presidential Leadership Retreat in April, 2000.

Active in her community, she is the Children's Choir director at St. Mary's Parish in Metamora; past president and treasurer of the parent/teacher committee at St. Mary's School; and involved with St. Mary's School athletic committee. Duffy is also a past Sunday School director and teacher, a Girl Scout leader, roomparent, and softball coach for the youth program.

Her supervisors said, "Janet epitomizes the multi-responsibility leadership style. She juggles her work responsibilities with her family's needs and community service with warmth and professionalism."

Kristen Emmert Shaner is a director and writer for the Marketing Communications Services Division at Caterpillar Inc., where she develops communications for new machine products; writes editorials for Caterpillar Magazine and Product Success; and acts as editor for Caterpillar Media Management System Update, an online newsletter.

A 2000 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, she spent eight years working for Congressman Robert Michel-two years as campaign communications manager and six years as district staff assistant. She is on the Illinois State University's Alumni Association board of directors and the Homecoming 2000 steering committee, and the founding and past president of the ISU Greater Peoria Area Alumni Chapter. She also serves on the ISU Presidential Inauguration publicity committee.

She has volunteered for the WTVP 47 membership drive, the Central Illinois Friends of People With AIDS, the St. Jude Style Show, and the Morton Pumpkin Festival. She is a former board member of the Redbird Education and Scholarship Fund, and the Peoria Area Redbird Education and Scholarship Fund.

April Gould is the capital campaign director for The Salvation Army, overseeing the daily operations and long-range planning for a $3.3 million campaign-working with community volunteers, Salvation Army staff, and professional campaign consultants.

Prior to assuming her current position, she was the organization's community relations director, coordinating the annual fundraising Tree of Lights campaign, which raised nearly $760,000 in 1999. During that time, she actively participated in the Public Relations Association, serving on the board and various committees, and was treasurer and newsletter editor.

In 1998, Gould received the Peoria Jaycees Outstanding Young Religious Leader Award, and in 1999 received the Pat Landen Communications Award.

She has volunteered for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and currently serves on the committee for the Pediatric Resource Center Dinner; is a nursery coordinator and co-chair for the Christian Board of Education at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton; and assists with The Salvation Army weekly youth programs and camping ministry.

In January, she'll become editor of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives newsletter.

Yvonne Greer Batton is the president of Power Zone, Inc., a personal development company which offers motivational speaking, personal life coaching, and fitness instruction. She also co-owns and produces Living Outloud, an audio magazine meant to inspire people to reach their personal and professional dreams.

She also serves as the primary voice of Affina's voice response unit, responsible for recording automated telephone messages for national companies and organizations. A freelance writer, television and radio personality whose clients include (video) Caterpillar Inc. and Western Illinois University, and (radio) Chicago's WLS and WGN, she received second place in the 1997 Illinois Broadcasters Association's Radio Personality of the Year competition.

Active in the community, she is on The Salvation Army advisory board and Big Brothers/Big Sisters board of directors, and a former board member of Peoria's African American Hall of Fame Museum and Harrison Youth Center.

She is a member of Peoria's Gang Task Force and Weed-and-Seed subcommittee.

D. Neale Hanley II is a funeral director with Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes, L.L.C. Along with his duties as a funeral director and embalmer, he is also responsible for the day-to-day management and accounting functions of the family-owned and operated business.

A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in accounting, he also graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where he received the Mu Sigma Alpha Scholastic Award.

He is a six-year member and past chairman of the Pekin Marigold Festival executive committee; a member of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and chair of its member relations committee; and a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin.

Hanley is also a member and trustee of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, and a member of the Peoria Alumni Chapter of Sigma Chi, and the Pekin Hospital Foundation Ball committee.

He was president of the Peoria District United Methodist Youth from 1986-1987; and a recipient of the Pekin First Community Award in 1996.

Barbara Hawk is president of the Hanson Financial Group, Inc., responsible for client presentations, educating clients on three of the company's seven processes, leading case preparations, communications with clients' advisors, and is the firm administrator.

Formerly a department manager with Arthur Anderson, Inc., in Chicago, she was a Million Dollar Round Table qualifier for the top 20 percent of insurance producers, and a Premier Club qualifier with the Principal Financial Group. She is a mentor and coach for The Hanson Financial Group's management team.

Hawk's community involvement includes serving as chair of the advisory board for the Illinois Central College Self Employment Training (SET) program, a Peoria Jobs Partnership founding board member, and a member of NAWBO and Women in Management

She is also program director for the Peoria Noon Ambucs, and chair of the Greater Peoria Area Newcomer-Couples Events program. She serves as special assistant to the deacon in charge of outreach at First Covenant Church, and is the owner of Highland View Farms Retreat Center.

Matthew Hefflefinger is a partner in the law firm of Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, handling cases in areas including aviation, railroad, trucking, construction, products liability, business disputes, premises liability, and automobile.

He has authored or co-authored many published law articles, spoken at various continuing legal education seminars about the spoliation of evidence, and taught a business law class in the graduate program at Bradley University.

The recipient of high ethical and legal ratings through a confidential peer review, Hefflefinger earned a master's degree in business administration in addition to his undergraduate and law degrees.

Active in the community, he served as chairman in two of his four years as a member of the Michelob Light Golf Classic to benefit Easter Seals-UCP, and is a board member of Habitat for Humanity.

Additionally, he has been a driving force behind the establishment of the River Cup Foundation to benefit local charities, and in starting the Junior Cup golf competition. He has coached girl's softball, boy's baseball, and biddy basketball.

Jon Hubbert is a district conservationist with the U.S.D.A Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), responsible for conservation administration, planning, and technical design for Peoria County landowners; NRCS staff supervision for Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford County offices; and employee training throughout Illinois.

He coordinated the Illinois River Governor's Conference Conservation Tour for three years, and co-chaired the committee in 1999. He led the Illinois NRCS Workload Analysis Action Team the past three years, and was recognized for superior performance seven times since 1988.

Active in the community, he serves as cubmaster, council representative, and assistant den leader for Cub Scout Pack 73. He is a member of the Peoria County Growth Cell 3 committee, the Tri-County Erosion Control Task Force, Illinois River Soil Conservation Task Force, and the Heartland Water Resources Council.

Hubbert chairs the small groups committee, and the Landscaping committee at First United Methodist Church of Washington, and serves on its ministry teams.

Dan Kerns is a teacher at Richwoods High School, teaching courses in mass media, television production, and communication internship. He is the advisor for the school newspaper and Broadcasting Club, and is the TV studio manager.

He wrote the curriculum for the communication program at Richwoods, advised other area schools on the development of a television program, and developed the curriculum for three communications courses at Bradley University.

Kerns received the Illinois State Board of Education Partnership Excellence Award in 2000; the Editor's Choice Honorable Mention Award for the juried International Visual Literacy Selected Readings in 1999; The American Heart Association Life Saving Award in 1995; and in 1994 was named the Emergency Medical Technician of the Year for the West Peoria Fire Department, where he has volunteered since 1987.

Other volunteer activities include serving as an alderman of the City of West Peoria, and as a member of the Peoria County Sheriff's Merit Commission, the West Peoria Resident's Association, the West Peoria Jamboree steering committee, and on the Citizens for Enhanced 911 committee.

Jeff Kolbus is vice president of Traders Development Corporation, responsible for real estate sales and assisting with managing 70 realtors.

He is president-elect of the Peoria Area Association of Realtors for 2000-2001, where he served as secretary in 1998, treasurer in 1999, on the board of directors for one year, as well as serving on various committees and task forces. He is active with the Home Builder's Association Parade of Homes committee.

A graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, Kolbus is a member of the City of Peoria Zoning Board, and an ex-officio member of the City of Peoria Planning Commission. Additionally, he serves on the Children's Hospital of Illinois development committee and the St. Vincent de Paul's building fund committee, and he is a board member of the Northgate Park Homeowners Association.

As a real estate broker, he received the Multi-Million Dollar Production Award four consecutive years for Trader's Realty.

He is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Mt. Hawley Country Club, and The Clubs at River City, where he participates in a basketball and softball league.

Jeff Livengood is the director of marketing and employment services at R.P. Malik Enterprises, Inc., responsible for working with employers and communities to better serve people with disabilities through progressive rehabilitation services, helping to place physically and/or mentally handicapped people into residential facilities or employment venues.

He is the former vice president of development for TCRC, Inc., and former director of the Pekin Hospital Foundation. In both positions, he was responsible for unprecedented growth in the areas of marketing, development, and public relations. While attending Bradley University, we worked at WIRL as an on-air personality.

Livengood served as a volunteer and board member of the Pekin Marigold Festival executive committee, and is chair of the 2001 festival. He also served on the board of directors of the American Cancer Society, the United Way of Pekin, Pekin Rotary, and the Central Illinois Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. He was also a member of the Pekin Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and the Pekin Main Street organizational committee.

Jim Montelongo is the CEO and president of Advanced CAD/CAM Service Corporation (ACCS), responsible for overall management, vision, and strategic planning for the organization.

Founded in 1991 with his partner Ken Imming, the company now has more than 125 employees providing 3D engineering design services to large and small firms, reaching annual sales of more than $10 million. Projections are for annual sales to reach $100 million in the next 10 years.

In 1999, ACCS was selected as the Outstanding Small Business of the Year by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and in 2000, he received the Governor's Small Business Person of the Year award.

He serves on the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and chairs its Community Development Committee. He is the vice president of the Men's Club for his church, where he also teaches Sunday school.

Additionally, he received the Bradley University Outstanding Young Graduate Alumni Award for 2000.

Montelongo has volunteered at Peoria District 150 Alternative High School and the Peoria Business Academy.

Dr. Michael Namanny is the director of Pharmacy Services at Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, responsible for medication use process throughout Methodist Health Services Corporation; and oversight of medication use in the hospital, physician offices, clinics, nursing home, managed care, and retail pharmacies.

He is an adjunct assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and adjunct instructor at Drake University College of Pharmacy.

Namanny is also president of the West Central Society of Health-System Pharmacies, chairman of the Special Community Institutional Review Board, and authored 10 clinical publications on pharmaceutical issues. He received the 1999 Leadership Award as Outstanding Affiliate President of the Society of Health-System Pharmacies.

Active in his community, he serves as a board member of Morton youth soccer; is a member and former board member of the American Diabetes Association; participates in activities at Blessed Sacrament Church; and volunteers in local, state, and national drug organizations.

Michael Nauman is the CIO and assistant administrator of Ancillary Operations at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, responsible for organizing, directing, and evaluating the provision of key diagnostic, ancillary, and support services. He is accountable for nearly $300 million in gross revenues and $80 million in direct expenses. Nauman also functions as the hospital's chief information officer.

He planned and managed the implementation of more than $25 million in major medical capital projects at OSF, and led major process improvement efforts in multiple departments resulting in multi-million dollar improvements in the overall cost position of the departments, while improving their quality of service. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives; the American Health Information Management Association; and the Health Information Management Systems Society.

He is a member of the Children's Hospital of Illinois child advocacy board; and participates in the Christmas in April and Giving Tree community projects.

Cindy Neal is president of Express Personnel Services, responsible for overall business development and sales growth through management of a team of staffing professionals.

She is president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Central Illinois Chapter; treasurer of the Peoria Business Boosters' Club; a certified temporary staffing specialist; and ranked in the top 3 percent of Express Personnel Services franchises internationally (more than 400 offices) for office services staffing.

Neal serves on the board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Greater Illinois Branch), on the CILCO Customer Advisory Council, and on the board of Project Upward (an adult literacy program).

Neal has served the Suburban Kiwanis Club of Peoria as president, treasurer, and is a current board member and membership chair. Through her involvement with Kiwanis, she has been active in the Adopt-A-School program at Harrison School, the annual seniors' Christmas bus trip, assisting the YMCA at Gus Macker tournaments, and other events to benefit local not-for-profit organizations.

Michael O'Brien is vice president of sales and marketing at O'Brien Steel Service, responsible for a five-state territory, and a sales staff of 20. He helped the company achieve double-digit growth for the last seven consecutive years.

He is active with the Children's Hospital of Illinois, serving as a member of the advisory board and the development committee. He was honorary co-chairman for the Class of 1999 Corporate Achievers MS Campaign, and 1998 co-chairman of Scoring Against MS fundraising campaign.

O'Brien also is the chairman of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Peoria advisory board. He is a member of the executive board, and the Heartland District Nominating committee, for W.D. Boyce Council, Boy Scouts of America.

O'Brien is a parish member of St. Vincent de Paul, and secretary of its Men's Club. A graduate of University of Illinois and former member of its men's basketball team, he has coached Biddy Basketball at the Clubs at River City and at the Lakeview YWCA, and soccer at St. Vincent de Paul. He was co-chair of University of Illinois football coach Ron Turner's Scoring Against MS dinner.

Maria Patricia Olson is an advanced inventory analyst in the logistics division at Caterpillar Inc., responsible for monitoring forecasting, replenishment, availability, and inventory levels to ensure Cat Logistics' contractual obligations with clients.

Since joining Caterpillar in 1996, Olson helped initiate the growth of Community Now!, an organization committed to the betterment of the community through volunteering. During her tenure as chairman, the group expanded from 25 original members to a membership of more than 800.

She was recently nominated and fully supported by Caterpillar to complete a professional public presentation course. For the past three years, Olson represented Caterpillar as a house captain for Christmas in April.

Through her involvement in CN!, Olson has served on more than 25 volunteer and fund-raising events in the Peoria area. She is also active in the Junior League of Peoria, initiating a successful outing for the members of Grandparents Raising Children to attend the Caterpillar Fall musical. She has also worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the YMCA, and the United Way.

Kevin O'Shaughnessy is a registered pharmacist and owner of The Medicine Shoppe, responsible for filling prescriptions, counseling patients, billing insurance, and all other aspects of owning and operating a business.

He is a two-time C.I.PH.A. "Pharmacist of the Year," received the Illinois Pharmacy Association Barcus Award for Young Pharmacist of the Year (1991), and received The Medicine Shoppe "International Good Community" award for more than 10 years.

O'Shaughnessy is a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists and is a member of Friends of People with AIDS, currently on the committee to bring the AIDS quilt to Peoria. He offers free professional service and donations to Pekin House of Hope, Peoria Heartland Clinic, Springfield Homeless Medical Service, Neighborhood House, and missions to Guatemala.

Other community activities include coordinating and implementing poison prevention programs for children, consulting for Crittenton Home, and mentoring pharmacy students.

Terrill Purvis is vice president of Ross Training & Motivation, responsible for information technologies, data management, and online applications of training materials. As a result of demonstrated leadership abilities, he was promoted to partner after two years of employment at Ross.

A 2000 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, Purvis is a member of the Society of Information Technology Professionals.

Active with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, he served on the Chamber's Small Business Committee in 1998 and 1999, on the Drug Free Workplace Sub-committee in 1999, and is now on the Community Development Committee.

While a student at the University of Houston, Purvis received a Certificate of Merit from the U of H police while working as a student employee for his role in apprehending several theft suspects. He has served his church in numerous capacities: adult Sunday school teacher, finance committee member, financial steward, vacation Bible school teacher and coach, fundraising chair for Special Missions projects, and a volunteer mentor for young fathers and husbands.

Carolyn Shinn is patient care coordinator at Illinois Eye Center, responsible for the supervision of 25 clinical employees, coordination of office and hospital surgical schedules for six physicians, and the supervision of clinical operations for two office locations with a daily patient volume of more than 300.

As a registered ophthalmology nurse, she has developed and coordinated refractive surgery services for Illinois Eye Center. She is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Administration; American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, acting as round-table discussion leader at the annual meeting in 1996; and was named Student Nurse of the Year at the Methodist School of Nursing in 1987.

Shinn has been active in the March of Dimes as a Walk America co-chair, Chocolate Fantasy chair, a Health Advisory Board member, executive board member, and volunteer development chair. She was awarded as Outstanding Committee Member, Illinois Chapter, in 1996.

Other community involvement includes working with the Race for the Cure, Friends of PWA, and the Junior League of Peoria.

Mark Shoopman is the director of food and beverage at the Hotel Pere Marquette, with total control over all food and beverage outlets and revenue centers, and direct supervision of 10 managers and 75 employees.

He is also chairman of the board of the Heart of Illinois Professional Chefs' Association, overseeing duties of the president and facilitating ongoing growth and education. Shoopman is a Certified Executive Chef by the American Culinary Federation, a Certified Food and Beverage Executive by the American Hotel/Motel Association, and a Certified Professional Ice Sculptor and competition judge of the National Ice Carving Association. Shoopman is the recipient of the 1996 and 1997 Chef of the Year award from the Heart of Illinois Professional Chefs' Association.

Active in the community, he is the chairman of the Yule Like Peoria ice carving committee; represented the City of Peoria as the featured guest chef to Peoria's sister city in Freidrichshafen, Germany, at their annual American Food Festival; and initiated a continuing education and certification program for local cullinarians through the American Culinary Federation.

Susan Sinclair is volleyball coach and athletic director at Illinois Central College, overseeing all ICC sports programs.

In her 10 years as volleyball coach, her team has qualified for nationals five times. Ten players have earned All American honors, and 33 of her players earned scholarships to four-year programs. She received the American Volleyball Coaches Association Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1997, and was named NJCAA Region XXIV Coach of the Year five times.

Sinclair was president of the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association ('95-'97), vice president ('94 and presently), secretary/treasurer ('93, '98, '99), and was instrumental in establishing the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.

She was selected for ICC's first "President's Leadership Seminar" in 2000 and was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2000.

Active in the community, Sinclair is a consultant/advisor for the YMCA Starlings volleyball program and Eastside Volleyball Club team, conducts volleyball clinics at the YMCA and YWCA for adults and children, volunteered to help Race for the Cure, and is a member of the Peoria Area Sports Commission.

Lori Sonnemaker is president and director of 1,2,3 You 'N Me Preschool/Daycare, responsible for managing all areas of the business, including human resources and interacting with parents and children.

She started a preschool/daycare six years ago with four classrooms, and in a year and a half, her business grew to 10 classrooms. Her accomplishments include overseeing facility and resource upgrades, and incorporating music, art, and computer centers.

Sonnemaker is a member of the National Association of Child Care Professionals, the National Association of Education of Young Children, and the Illinois Association for Education of Young Children (ILAEYC).

She is on the Stand for Children committee, the ILAEYC National Conference art committee, two Peoria Ballet committees, and chaired an art committee for Hult Center.

Active in school organizations, she restarted a hot lunch program at St. Mary's and served on the education board at St. Vincent de Paul School. She is also a member of the National Association of Child Care Professionals.

Fisher Stolz is an associate professor and sculptor at Bradley University, responsible for teaching, research, and creative production.

His career highlights include a solo exhibition, lecture and workshop at the University of Notre Dame this Fall; his large-scale outdoor sculpture installed on the grounds of the International Terminal at O'Hare International Airport; a large scale outdoor work installed in the Grounds for Sculpture exhibition program in New Jersey; and he has been included for the past four years in Chicago's juried PierWalk, the largest temporary exhibition of sculpture in the world.

Stolz has been a faculty mentor for five team and four individual student research projects at Bradley University. He was selected as most influential professor by Merrell Lee-BFA/sculpture concentration in 1998, and selected for Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

Active in the arts community, Stolz is a member of the RiverFront Public Arts Committee and co-coordinator of the '99 RiverFront Sculpture Walk exhibition; and has donated his work for several art auction fund-raisers.

Jerry Stoneburner is a correctional officer in the Federal Bureau of Prisons system where, in addition to regular duties at the prison, he is responsible for training subordinate officers in all aspects of prison management, and also serves as a public relations official, maintaining liaisons with area law enforcement agencies, dignitaries, and community members.

He is also an assistant director of Youth Outreach Choices, a program based on the Scared Straight program, responsible for the management and direction of operations for a program designed to deliver positive messages to more than 50,000 central Illinois youths.

He is a selective placement program manager, assisting the administration in managing employment opportunities for people regardless of gender, race, religion, veteran status, or reasonable physical disabilities.

As a member of the presentation team of Youth Outreach Choices, Stoneburner devotes several hundreds of hours of his own time to reaching students across Illinois and in Kansas City, Missouri. He received the Children's Hospital Bill Houlihan Award for Volunteer Service in the community.

David Tuttle is the manager of the Emergency Communications for the City of Peoria, responsible for overseeing the operation of the Peoria City/County Enhanced 911 system and dispatch center, managing a staff of more than 35.

He is a certified Emergency Number Professional; chairperson of the Peoria County Emergency Telephone System Board since 1990; regional vice president of the Illinois Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association; and a member of the Peoria Area Communications Manager Association that provides 911 dispatcher training for a five-county area in central Illinois.

A certified CPR instructor, Tuttle has been the fire chief of the Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District for the past two years, and a member since 1981, serving as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.

Additionally, he is the past chairman of the Trivoli Public Water District, and a member of its board since 1986; and past chairman of the Trivoli United Methodist Church administrative council. He is currently working to bring wireless 911 service to the Peoria area.

Keith Wagler is president of Fliginger Equipment, Inc., overseeing all areas of dealership management, including sales, service and finance.

He has won numerous industry awards, including the 2000 Silver Merit Award-Simplicity; 1999 Gold Merit Award-Simplicity; and Top Performing Dealer in his region.

He served as director of the Midwest Equipment Dealers Association executive board from 1994 to 1999, and president for the year 2000. He has served on the Outdoor Power Equipment Council for Dealers in Illinois and Wisconsin since 1993, and currently serves as its chairman; and was a delegate to the North American Equipment Dealer Association conference in 1999 and 2000, representing all agriculture equipment dealers from Illinois and Wisconsin.

Wagler's community involvement includes volunteering as a coach for the Hanna City Little League and the Logan School boy's basketball program. He served on a committee which evaluates discipline policies for Farmington School District, and is an active member of Mt. Olive Church, teaching 5th and 6th grade Sunday school.

Gayle Wallis is the director of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale Youth Chorus, responsible for directing a 45 voice-auditioned ensemble, coordinating student recruitment, parent activities and fundraising.

A member of the music staff at Pekin High School and the recipient of the German American Society Men of Harmonie Scholarship and the Tazewell County YWCA Leadership Award in the Arts, she founded Pekin Park District's showchoir, Advance Notice, and co-founded the park district's Showstoppers fine arts camp. Wallis is also the instrumental director of Pekin Notables, accompanist at the Eastern Illinois University Showchoir Camp, and a clinician for developing choirs throughout the greater Peoria area.

Wallis serves as a chaplain for the PEO Sisterhood, and volunteers her time with the Tri-County Urban League, The Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign, the NAACP's Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics, Corn Stock and Peoria Players theatres.

She also volunteers with the Pekin Civic Chorus and the Pekin Union Mission.

Shanell Williams is an account manager with AES/CILCO, tasked with not only selling gas, electricity and energy services, but to help the clients she serves seek ways to make energy use an efficient and effective part of their operations. She is also responsible for negotiating long-term contracts, developing and implementing pricing options, and preparing and delivering presentations.

She is a graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership School 2000, and held the position of vice president of public relations for Women in Management in 1999-2000.

Williams is a board member at Common Place and the United Way Community Link. She is a member of Altrusa International, Women in Management, the Glen Oak School Showcase Neighborhood, and is PTO president at White Middle School. She is also the adult Sunday school teacher and director of training for the Christian Education board at Zion Baptist Church.

During the Desert Shield/Desert Storm activities, Williams was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for Leadership by the U.S. Army.

Lisa Wilson is the managing attorney at Prairie State Legal Services, Inc., responsible for the supervision of office staff and staff attorneys; handling her own casework and representing low-income clients in a variety of legal matters; and working on fundraising efforts for the organization.

She received the Excellence Award for Prairie State Legal Services in 1995. She is a member of the Abraham Lincoln Inn of Courts affiliate in Peoria, and was among the team that travelled to Americus, Georgia, in September 2000 for the Jimmy Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity.

Wilson's community service includes the Campaign for Legal Services committee, WomenStrength Advisory Council, Maternal Child Health Advisory Council, the Peoria County Bar Association Board of Directors, and the Peoria County Bar Association pro bono committee. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Peoria, and serves as assistant director of the Cherub choir; she is an Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence Legal Institute board member; and past vice president and board member of the Greater Peoria Habitat for Humanity.

Becky Wood is the director of operations for The Service Station, responsible for managing every facet of the full-service advertising organization.

She is a member of the Peoria Ad Club, Women in Management, an advocate for the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Advisory Board for the Peoria Business Academy.

Wood is involved with the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, serving on the education committee and board of directors. She is a graduate of the Chamber's 2000 Community Leadership School.

She is a member of Northwoods Community Church, and has volunteered for years as program director, motivational storyteller, and accountability partner for young women in her church as well as other churches.

For more than 14 years, Wood has worked directly with youth groups, ranging from third grade through college and career.

She also served as a wedding coordinator for two churches and assisted in Campus Crusade at Bradley University.

Rick Zehr is vice president of Addiction and Behavioral Services at Proctor Hospital, where he oversees the operations of the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery; the Counseling Center; Social Services; and Food and Nutritional Services.

He is president of the Illinois Hospital Addiction Treatment Administrators Forum, a board member of the Illinois Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling, and a volunteer instructor for the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Peoria.

Among his accomplishments at Proctor, he developed Illinois' first and the nation's most comprehensive specialized Gambling Addiction Treatment Program; developed the nation's first Internet Addiction Treatment Program; developed the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery into the nation's leading comprehensive, multi-addiction treatment provider; and educated numerous organizations on identifying addictions.

Active in the community, Zehr serves as a board member for the Peoria Area Consumer Credit Counsel, is an annual volunteer for Christmas in April, serves as a Steamboat Classic first aid medic, is a YMCA Century Club member, and is a frequent speaker at community service clubs.

David Zimmerman is a pharmaceutical salesman with Merck & Co., where he has earned 10 Awards for Excellence.

He is a Tazewell County Board member, and serves as chair of the Land Use and Zoning committee, a legislative liaison, and a labor/management bargaining team member. He also serves on the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and the Pekin Salvation Army boards.

Zimmerman is a member of Rotary International and the Morton Chamber of Commerce, and is a United Way pledge captain.

He received the Daughters of the American Revolution's Good Citizenship Award, and was elected to the Professional Reps Advisory Board for four consecutive years.

Community activities include working as an assistant coach for the Morton Youth Soccer Organization, volunteering with the Morton Pumpkin Festival, and serving as a deacon at Grace Church in Morton.

Business associates say they admire him because of his "strong, consistent commitment to both community service and his career, while recognizing the priority of family and church." IBI

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