Introducing the newly-elected board chairman…
On December 1, 2014, Andrew Rand was elected by his colleagues on the Peoria County Board to serve a two-year term as board chairman. Representing District 4, Rand’s 10,000-plus constituents live in many of Peoria’s heritage neighborhoods, including the Main Street corridor and Bradley University. First elected to the board in 2008, he has now been re-elected twice. Rand’s fiscal conservatism, business acuity and discerning character have and will continue to benefit Peoria County as he assumes his new duties.
By day, Andrew Rand is the CEO of Advanced Medical Transport (AMT), an accredited, community-based not-for-profit that provides emergency paramedic services to more than 40 communities in Peoria and Tazewell counties, with additional operations in four other Illinois counties and parts of southeastern Iowa. AMT is nationally recognized in its industry as a model service provider, and in 2013, Rand received the PINNACLE EMS Leadership Award for his career achievements at AMT.
Demonstrating Good Government
During his tenure on the Peoria County Board, Rand has served on numerous committees and commissions, overseen a number of significant projects, and contributed to meaningful improvements in county government. Most notable were his leadership during the transition of animal control and protection services from the City of Peoria to Peoria County in 2010, and his oversight of the construction of the Peoria Riverfront Museum (PRM). Along with newly-elected board vice-chairman Stephen Morris (District 10), Rand managed the development and lease negotiations for the PRM. More recently, the two men played key roles in identifying the need to review the county's public defender agreement and open the contract to public bidding for the first time in nearly three decades. Working together, they both demonstrate how good government leadership really matters.
Randy Stevens, a community leader and representative of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, described Rand best when presenting him the Peoria Jaycees' Good Government Award in 2012: "Andrew is a tireless advocate who works for the betterment of the people." He earned this award in part for his diligence in meeting measurable outcomes for all his endeavors, whether in the public or private sector. He will tell you the goals he has set and met with the county—his accomplishments—were only possible with the assistance and support of his peers on the board, and he looks forward to strengthening those relationships, and making new ones as chairman.
Creative Thinking and the Road Ahead
Indeed, Rand has already immersed himself in improving communications with Peoria County's elected officials by establishing a new collaborative standing committee. This committee includes all nine county-wide elected officials and the chief judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit joining county board members on a regular basis to work together for the betterment of government and the community.
Fiscal stability is another top priority for Chairman Rand. With the support of his colleagues, elected officials and the county administrator, his leadership during challenging revenue shortfalls this year led to a creative, two-year approach to balancing the 2015 budget that is expected to remain balanced through 2016.
The gift of creative thinking is just one of Rand’s many qualities that have served him well as a leader in the business world and the Peoria community for more than two decades. An asset at Peoria County for six years, Andrew is deserving of the title of board chairman, and we look forward to continuing to reap the benefits of his leadership for many years to come. iBi
