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As a senior project engineer at Farnsworth Group Inc., Laura Tobben has more than 13 years of civil engineering experience, having performed and led nearly every possible task associated with her profession. Her work has resulted in the development and redevelopment of more than 500 acres in the City of Peoria, including the completion of the Glen Oak Community Learning Center, as well as improvements and additions to the Dunlap School District. A member of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, she is an exacting technician and designer, a mentor to staff, and a champion for her clients, helping them navigate the often complex world of project development.
A 2011 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, Tobben is passionate about making central Illinois a better place to live. She has been actively involved in the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon for years, serving as an hour chairperson since 2009 and phone VIP for the past five years. She was one of the first supporters of the District 150 Reading Buddies program, which seeks to improve local literacy rates. The treasurer of the St. Mary’s School Metamora PTO, Tobben also serves on the school’s Project Committee and has spent many hours organizing school picnics, working at golf outings, cleaning classrooms and doing whatever the school needs done.
Tobben has also been a volunteer for National Engineer’s Day at Lakeview Museum and a test proctor for the MATHCOUNTS program. She is a regular participant in the Polar Dive for Cover event to support South Side Mission, and participates in fundraisers that support charities like Easter Seals, St. Jude, The Center for Prevention of Abuse, National MS Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Adopt-a-Family.
Her relentless enthusiasm to provide guidance to those around her, seek simple solutions to difficult problems, inspire others to achievement, and provide resources to those in need is a true demonstration of leadership. iBi