iBi - July 2013

Barton retired from Caterpillar in 2004, after nearly 43 years of service to the company. Since then, he has kept busy with a myriad of activities with groups like the Central Illinois Angels, Quest Charter Academy and Business Roundtable, as well as serving on the boards of Newmont Mining Corporation, Valmont Industries and Inco Limited.

They certainly don’t make ‘em like Bob Michel anymore. From injured war hero to the longest-serving minority leader in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, he is well known not only as a strong and effective leader, but as a kind soul and consummate gentleman.

Throughout their 160 collective years, Art and Judy Oakford have touched the lives of thousands through their combined philanthropic efforts and shared passion for volunteerism.

An alum of Peoria High School, Gerald D. Stephens is the founder and retired chairman of the board of RLI Corp., former board chairman of Maui Jim, Inc., and past president and board member of numerous local and national organizations.

I worked for Jim Maloof so long ago that I hesitate to name the dates. Let’s just say that I was his first marketing manager. I was under 30 and had been working for the Observer newspaper. The next three years were like a “masters program” in advertising—learning from an expert.