Peoria is more than a stepping stone to career greatness. Peoria is also a destination for potential leaders, as indicated by the current number of young entrepreneurs in our community. In late 1994, 1470 WMBD, Inter-Business Issues magazine, corporate sponsor Caterpillar, Inc., and other area companies led the Tri-County in identifying and honoring 40 Leaders Under Forty throughout the Peoria area. The culmination of this community effort, which has had people talking ever since, was a list of 40 outstanding young business and community leaders. In 1995, a second “class” of 40 young leaders was identified.

The 1996 list of 40 Leaders Under Forty winners comprises a third dynamic and talented team of young leaders devoted to utilizing their skills for the betterment of the community. Once again, these leaders have aptly demonstrated successful leadership qualities and accomplishments in the greater Peoria area. They have truly made a difference, best defining the new spirit of youth initiative throughout the Heartland community.

These 40 leaders were honored at a prestigious awards reception (aired live on WMBD) at the Pere Marquette’s Cotillion Ballroom on Monday, Nov. 4. This issue of Inter-Business Issues is devoted to the 40 winners; their profiles appear on the following pages.


Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson is director of OSF System Laboratory with Saint Francis Medical Center, where he integrates laboratory operations at seven hospitals while managing the day to day operations of the laboratory at Saint Francis, which has been restructured prior to occupying a new $10 million facility in 1998.

A graduate of the College of Saint Francis in Joliet, and the Saint Francis Employee of the Month on several occasions, Anderson was selected as the role model for seven core management competencies developed this year at OSF. He has co-chaired the Heart of Illinois United Way effort for Saint Francis, is involved in a new project for the indigent on Peoria’s South Side, and is an active volunteer at Concordia Lutheran School and in his church. Once a month he leads an after-school computer club for grade school children.


Deborah Baker

Deborah Baker is vice president/project manager for Phillips Swager Associates where she coordinates manpower for all projects produced within the Healthcare Studio. A 1979 graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and a licensed architect, she was appointed vice president at Phillips Swager in 1993. Her awards include the Vision Award from PARC for the consolidation of their area facilities, and the Metal Architecture Design Award for the PARC project.

Baker is a member of the American Society of Hospital Engineers, and a member and past officer of The American Institute of Architects. She is a charter member and past officer of the Washington Historical Society, and is active in the Washington First United Methodist Church. She has served on the board of the Center for the Prevention of Abuse for five years.


Phillip L. Barkley

Phillip L. Barkley, M.D., of the OSF Medical Group, is director of Bradley University Health Center. He chairs the Performance Improvement Committee of the OSF Medical Group and the Ambulatory Quality Improvement Committee of Saint Francis, serves on the board of the American College Health Association and is chair-elect of the Clinical Section. He is past president of the Mid-Atlantic College Health Association. He also initiated the first full-time adolescent rotation for Internal Medicine residents at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and Saint Francis.

An original member of the Teenage Pregnancy Task Force, Barkley is vice chair of the Teenage Pregnancy Steering Committee, United Way. He is a member of the Campaign Cabinet of the United Way, and volunteers at the Heartland Community Health Clinic.


Sigurd N. Bjorkland

Sigurd N. Bjorkland is pastor of evangelism at Peoria First United Methodist Church. He has provided leadership for: the Loaves and Fish effort to provide meals for low income individuals; Neighborhood Service Ministry, a home repair organization on the Near North Side; Irving School “Bear Buddies” program, a reading skills and self-esteem program for children; and Community of Shalom, a task force to bring positive growth and change to Peoria’s Near North Side.

Bjorkland is a past member of the board of Youth Farm. He has worked on numerous mission projects including nationally on a Native American reservation, the inner city of Chicago, and the Appalachia Service Project. Locally, he has volunteered his time in numerous projects including Jubilee Homes, Salvation Army, Crisis Nursery and South Side Mission.


Sandra Bronson

Sandra Bronson is vice president of the Healthcare Division of Widmer Interiors where she oversees sales, hiring, training, vendor relationships and major accounts for the division.

A Certified Product Application Specialist, Bronson has earned the following awards: Goal Achievement Award, Award of Excellence/Outstanding Sales Performance, and Sales Volume Goal Award – Healthcare Division.

Bronson’s community service includes volunteering for activities for Easter Seals and the American Heart Association.

Bronson has been involved in fundraising activities for Children’s Miracle Network and other hospital foundations, and is a trainee volunteer for the American Red Cross.


Kimberly (Trumpe) Brooks-Miller

Kimberly (Trumpe) Brooks-Miller is director of development for the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Bradley University, she previously served as special events director for WTVP and membership coordinator for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brooks-Miller currently serves on the boards of the Peoria Art Guild, Lakeview Museum, and the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation. She serves on the Public Relations Committee for the Peoria Symphony’s 100th anniversary, and is chair of the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation 25th Anniversary Celebration. She served on the board of the Junior League of Peoria from 1992-1993, is on the executive board of directors of the Peoria Area Arts & Sciences Council, and volunteers for WCBU and the WTVP Auction.


Stanley T. Butler

Stanley T. Butler is controller for Hagerty Brothers Company. A CPA, prior to his work at Hagerty he spent 12 years in banking with First of America Bank and Westinghouse Federal Bank.

Butler has served on the board of directors of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra for seven years, including a year as president. This year he chaired the Maestro at the Museum ’96. He has served as treasurer of Peoria’s Downtown Rotary Club. In addition he has served on the Methodist Medical Center Foundation Council, the Heart of Illinois United Way Allocations Panel, as an Easter Seals Telethon VIP, and as a fundraiser for Crisis Nursery. He has served on the administrative board of the First United Methodist Church, and directs a choir school programs which serves 150 children each week.


Guy M. Cahill

Guy M. Cahill is director of Finance and Operations and treasurer for Pekin Public School District #108, where he recently facilitated a $3.5 million U.S. Dept. of Education Technology Challenge Grant: the “Learning Community 2000” project. He has led several major educational projects including the “Global 2000 Initiative,” a school-business high-tech communication partnership. He was the recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Association of School Business Officials, and is a member of the State Superintendent of Education’s Financial Advisory Committee.

Cahill is a member of Pekin AMBUCS, a past member of Pekin Economic Development Commission, and past chairman of the Economic Development Financial Assistance Loan Program evaluation team.


Andrew D. Cassidy

Andrew D. Cassidy is a partner in the firm of Cassidy & Mueller Law Office, and has managerial responsibility for a satellite office in Chillicothe. A member of the Peoria County, Illinois State, and American Bar Associations, Andrew is a member of the Tort Law Section, Insurance Law Section, Civil Practice & Procedure Section, Trust & Estate Section, and Corporate Law Section of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Cassidy serves on the Peoria Liquor Commission and the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Central Illinois. He has served on the Government Committee of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and was a candidate in 1993 for the Peoria City Council in the Second District. He has attained 3rd Degree in the Knights of Columbus Spalding Council #427.


Sheryl Cohen

Sheryl Cohen is CEO administrative assistant for Customer Development Corporation, where her responsibilities include a wide range of administrative activities for CDC, and PALS (Praise and Leadership School). At WTVP-Channel 47, she wrote, organized and produced on-air fundraising drives which increased the station’s income by over 500% in the first year.

Cohen’s community volunteer activities have included: YWCA Leadership Luncheon, Eureka College Judging Committee awarding academic scholarships, Radio Information Service (for the blind), Mental Health Association, St. Jude, and Opera Illinois. She is a member of the board of directors of WCBU-FM 90, is president of the board of directors of the Peoria Art Guild, and has served as chair of the Peoria Art Guild’s Fine Art fair for the past four years.


Daniel P. Daly

Daniel P. Daly is president and CEO of First Capital Bank, Peoria’s newest community bank, which opened in April 1996. A Bradley University graduate, he is currently directors of the Economic Development Council for the Peoria Area, a commissioner of the Peoria Civic Center Authority, director/treasurer of the Heart of Illinois United Way, and a director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Peoria. He is also a director of MH Equipment. Daly has served PARC Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and Tri-County (Peoria) Urban League.

Daly was treasurer of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra from 1982-1989, director of Central Illinois Bradley Alumni Club from 1988-89, and senior advisor to the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Banking from 1992-94. He was a Project Business volunteer for Junior Achievement from 1986-87.


Todd R. Davis

Todd R. Davis is the owner and president of Davis Insurance Agency in Peoria. He serves on the board of directors for the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois, and is president of the Peoria Area Association of Professional Independent Insurance Agents. A Certified Insurance Counselor, he was recently selected “Young Agent of the Year, 1996” by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois.

Davis is a board member of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, a Peoria Chamber of Commerce Adopt-A-School partner, and a Peoria Business Academy Advisory Committee chairperson. He is a board member of Peoria Area Civic Events (P.A.C.E.), a former Group Student Exchange Representative for Rotary International, and a former director of Counseling and Family Services.


Timothy J. Donnelly

Timothy J. Donnelly is the managing partners of the Peoria office of Price Waterhouse LLP and the engagement partner responsible for all services to Peoria area clients. A CPA, he was selected as partner-in-charge of the Peoria office in 1994.

Donnelly is a board member of: Lakeview Museum, Children’s Home Association, Saint Francis Hospital Community Advisory Board, Heartland Community Health Clinic, the Economic Development Council for the Peoria Area, and Galena Park Home.

Donnelly also serves as an advisor to Peoria Notre Dame High School, and is a member and former PTO officer at St. Thomas Parish where he serves as a soccer coach. He is treasurer of Peoria’s Downtown Rotary Club, and formerly served on the board of Saint Francis Community Clinic.


Cindy Hamilton

Cindy Hamilton is the manager of Member Services at Employers’ Association of Illinois. She is chapter administrator for Employers’ Association Human Resource Council, and was recently successful in bringing the world-renowned Disney University to Peoria for a full-day management training. She is active in Peoria Women in Management, the Society for Human Resources Management, Washington Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Chi Omega women’s fraternity.

Hamilton and her husband are also owners of Katie’s Café in Washington, Illinois. She successfully initiated and coordinated an effort to raise nearly $15,000 for the local Muscular Dystrophy Association by publishing and selling 2500 “Cooking with Christopher in Mind” cookbooks in memory of her son who died in 1990.


Michael A. Hanson

Michael A. Hanson, owner of The Hanson Financial Group, assists clients in financial planning and helps business owners/professionals in many financial concerns. Hanson is a Chartered Financial Consultant and a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He has been named Agent of the Year with the Principal Financial Group Agency, and an Executive Cabinet producer (top ten Principal Financial Group agents nationally). He is a member of the International Association of Financial Planning and the American College of CLU and ChFC.

Hanson is a member of the Christian Businessmen Committee and the Youth for Christ Committee. He is a past member of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee, and graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School.


Dean A. Heinzmann

Dean A. Heinzmann is senior vice president of Bank One, Peoria, where he is senior lender and manager of the Commercial Banking Division. Prior to relocating to Peoria five years ago, he was senior vie president of Mercantile Bank of Centralia, Illinois, where he served as president of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission.

Heinzmann is a graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. He is currently president of the Heartland Community Development Corporation, vice chair of PARC, and a board member of the PARC Foundation. He has been active in numerous fundraising efforts for local organizations, including the Heart of Illinois United Way, PARC, Junior Achievement, and the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.


Daniel W. Hellige

Daniel W. Hellige is a commercial real estate agent at The Prudential Cullinan Properties, Ltd. Project leader for the River City Galleria regional mall, he has received the Certified Leasing Specialist designation by the International Council of Shopping Center, the only such designation in Central Illinois. Awarded the Pinnacle Award by Prudential Affiliates, for the top five sales in the nation, he is also a part of the Chairman’s Circle, the top one percent of Prudential agents.

Hellige, along with his wife, also owns a small local business, Uniformly Perfect. A graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School, he is involved in the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon and the Peoria Downtown Rotary Club. He is a past corporate team leader for the United Way, and a past leader with Young Life.


Charles F. Hemmer, II

Charles F. Hemmer, II, is vice president, Investments, at Dean Witter Reynolds in Peoria, and a partner with Grieves, Kunkle, Elger and McRaven. In 1985, at age 18, he became the youngest person to complete the NASD and receive his securities license. He is a graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School.

Hemmer is director-treasurer of the Mental Health Association, and vice president-treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee at Youth Farm. He has served in the past as Boy Scouts of America Finance director, Pekin Kiwanis board member, ambassador and treasurer for Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, Pekin Hospital Advisory Board member, South Side Mission youth advisor, Young Republicans Finance Committee member, and Arthritis Foundation VIP.


Gregory A. Hunziker

Gregory A. Hunziker, a graduate of Bradley University and St. Louis University, is an attorney in private practice concentrating on corporate/business law, employment/labor law, real estate and estate planning and administration. He is a member of the American, Illinois, Chicago, and Peoria County Bar Associations, the Abraham Lincoln Inns of Court, the Central Illinois Estate Planning Council, and is a member of Downtown Peoria Rotary Club.

Hunziker is a member of the board of Youth Farm and is chair of the committee in charge of the Youth Farm Cattle Auction. He has also volunteered for many community organizations including the American Cancer Society Jail and Bail, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, Young Republicans, the Arthritis Foundation, WTVP Channel 47, and Race for the Cure.


Perry A. Johnson

Perry A. Johnson is manager of Corporate Sales at Kenny Johnson Moving & Storage. His responsibilities include development and maintenance of corporate business. A 1978 graduate of the University of Illinois, he has completed the American Mover’s Conference MENTOR Management Leadership Program.

Johnson was a member of South-West Kiwanis from 1988-1991 before becoming a member of Peoria Noon AMBUCS in 1991. He served as president of the Peoria Noon AMBUCS from 1995-1996 and currently serves as AMBUCS District Governor. He is a member of the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club Executive Committee and serves as an ambassador for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. Johnson has served as a member of the Central Illinois Landmark Foundation board of directors since 1995.


Paul A. Kinsinger

Paul A. Kinsinger, M.D., is a family practice physician at Illini Family Medicine. In addition to a full-time medical practice, he and his brother are medical directors of East Peoria’s Rosewood Nursing Home and Methodist Medical Center Hospice. Board certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians, he is a part-time faculty member at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.

A former board member of the Washington Chamber of Commerce and former co-chairman of the United Way Campaign for Washington, Kinsinger is a member of the Finance Committee for the Washington Historical Society and serves on the board of directors of Washington 2000 Community Project Foundation. He is on the steering committee for Washington Recreational Trails and volunteers occasionally at the Peoria Rescue Mission.


Scott H. Klaus

Scott H. Klaus is vice president of Klaus Companies where he has management responsibilities for Wellington’s, Professional Video, and Acme Business Machines. He serves on the ACD Advisory Council for Whirlpool and the ABD Advisory Council for GE, and is a member of the state board of directors of the Illinois Homebuilder’s Association.

Klaus is a Like Line Pilot, and serves on the board of directors of the Children’s Home of Illinois and the board of the Pediatric Resource Center. He is a newly elected board member of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Klaus has volunteered his time and efforts by serving as a VIP on the St. Jude’s Telethon and the Easter Seals Telethon, as well as being involved in St. Jude’s Tennis and the American Cancer Society Quest Committee.


Kent David Kowalske

Kent David Kowalske is supervisor of Gas Distribution Field Unit for Central Illinois Light Company, supervising gas construction and maintenance crews for CILCO’s Peoria Division. A registered professional engineer in the state of Illinois, he received an MBA from Bradley University in 1991. He is a graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School.

Kowalske is a past board member of the American Cancer Society’s Peoria unit and a past executive board member of First Federated Church in Peoria. He is a Heart of Illinois United Way volunteer, serving as a corporate account solicitor, and as past chairman of CILCO’s employee campaign for Peoria. He has also volunteered for Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, including teaching a business class at Tremont Grade School.


Cheryl Long Kuppler

Cheryl Long Kuppler is a tax attorney and owner of Kuppler & Associates, a tax, accounting and consulting firm. A licensed tax attorney, she is admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois and the United States Tax Court. She is a member of the Peoria County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. She is also a member of the Central Illinois Estate Planning Council where she served as a director from 1990-1992.

Kuppler was president of the Susan G. Komen Memorial Chapter of Peoria in 1995; and has served as a director of Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, Central Illinois, since 1992. She has served on the Heart of Illinois United Way Allocations Panel, and has served the Thomas Jefferson PTC as treasurer and president. In 1991 she was given the North Central College Alumni Achievement Award.


Kathy Lewis

Kathy Lewis is director of development at the Pekin Hospital Foundation. A Bradley University graduate, she serves as an officer of the Pekin 1st Committee, serves on the board of directors for the Pekin Marigold Festival, is a member of the Bradley University National Alumni board of directors, and serves as a commissioner for the Peking Housing Authority.

Lewis has served on the board of directors for the Pekin Coalition for Equality and is a member of the City of Pekin’s Governmental Study Task Force. She is a member of the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations, the American Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations, and the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. In 1992 she was the recipient of the Pekin YWCA Women’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business.


Stanley D. Lynall

Stanley D. Lynall is a partner at McGladrey & Pullen, LLP Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. He is one of ten Approved Valuation Reviewers for the firm nationwide, and the Personnel partner for the Peoria office.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Lynall is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. An active member and former officer of the local chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, he is a graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School. His volunteer activities include: St. Jude Telethon, Heart of Illinois United Way, Peoria Park District youth soccer, Kellar-Lindbergh Youth Baseball, Operation Snowflake, and Cosmopolitan Club of Peoria.


Daniel E. Maloof

Daniel E. Maloof is general manager of Red Carpet Car Wash, Inc., where he emphasizes employee recruitment and development in the “Disney Style” of quality service, a program which was developed in consultation with Disney in Orlando, Florida.

As a member of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois Board Development Committee for the past four years, Maloof helped raise the interest of Jim Thome, of the Cleveland Indians, in Children’s Hospital, leading to substantial funds generated for Children’s Hospital.

An outstanding Peoria athlete and graduate of Bradley University, Maloof has served on the Bradley University Chiefs Club Board since 1993. He is a member of St. Vincent’s Mens Club, a member of the Peoria “TIPS” community business club, and has served as a VIP volunteer for various charities.


Julie A. Martin

Julie A. Martin is managing partner at Martin & Shadid, CPAs, P. C. A 1986 Cum Laude graduate with Departmental Honors of Illinois State University, Martin is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma (National Scholastic Honorary Society).

Martin served as president of the Pekin Pilot Club in 1992. She is a member of the Alzheimer’s “Memory Walk” Planning Committee, a member of Pekin Kiwanis Club and liaison to the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon, a member of Kickapoo Council of Girl Scouts Finance Committee, a member of the American Association of University Women of Pekin, and a member of the Bradley University Smith Career Center Employer Advisory Board. She is a member of the Long Term Strategic Planning Committee of St. Paul United Church of Christ.


Nathan J. Martin

Nathan J. Martin is the owner and president of Quality Lincoln Mercury in Peoria. Prior to his ownership of Quality Lincoln Mercury, at the age of 26 he became one of the youngest auto dealers in America when he assumed a Ford dealership in Missouri.

As the former general manager of University Ford in Peoria, he led the dealership to record profit years. Martin has won numerous awards from Ford Motor Company including market penetration awards and the Customer Satisfaction Award.

A graduate of Bradley University, Martin was the first black student body president in the history of Bradley University. He is an active supporter of Peoria’s Carver Center and serves on the Center’s building fund committee. He is also a board member of the Center for Prevention of Abuse.


Bradley S. McMillan

Bradley S. McMillan, a candidate for the Peoria City Council, Second District, is a partner and owner in the law firm of Heiple & McMillan. He has served as appellate counsel on appeals before the Illinois Supreme Court, Seventh Circuit United States Court of Appeals, and Illinois Appellate Court. He serves on the Character and Fitness Committee/Third Judicial District; and is a member of the Appellate Lawyers Association, the American Inns of Court and the Rotary Club of Downtown Peoria.

A graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, McMillan serves on the St. Jude Telethon Steering Committee, board of directors of Northwoods Community Church, Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee, and the Mayor’s Youth Council. He is the Peoria County Coordinator for Congressman Ray LaHood.


Carol Merna

Carol Merna is casework/projects director for Congressman Ray LaHood, U.S. House of Representatives, 18th District.

A 1996 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School, Merna is a member of the Federal Executives Association. She is a member of the Heart of Illinois United Way Information & Referral Board where she chairs the Youth Initiatives Subcommittee. She is a member of the Heart of Illinois United Way Teen Pregnancy Task Force, and was a co-chair of “Make A Difference Day, 1996,” a teen community project. A church youth leader, Merna is a member of the W.D. Boyce Council Boy Scouts Committee on Public Relations, the Children’s Committee of Children’s Home, Pekin Health Assessment Board, and Pekin Federal Corrections Community Relations Board.


Peter M. Nichols

Peter M. Nichols is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Small Animal Clinician at the Germantown Hills Animal Clinic, and director of the Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic. He established the first Heartworm Clinic in the U.S. to directly benefit the Morris Animal Foundation, receiving its Veterinary Honor Roll Award and the Morris Animal Foundation Award. A member of the Illinois State, Mississippi Valley, and American Veterinary Medical Associations, he has served on the Tri-County and Tazewell County Veterinary Medical Association boards of directors, and directs an Explorer Scout troop in Veterinary Medicine.

Nichols is currently president of the Metamora-Germantown Hills Rotary Club. A volunteer with the 1994 Polio Plus Campaign, he also is active in the Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Sunnyland Business Association.


Andrea Dawn Parker

Andrea Dawn Parker is clinical coordinator for Methodist Medical Center of Illinois and medical director of the Carver Family Health Center.

A graduate of the University of Illinois with an M.A. in nursing, Parker is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Alpha Lambda Chapter of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a recipient of Methodist’s “Gold Star Letters,” has been a mentor for the Methodist College of Nursing since 1991, and teaches RNs and nursing assistance orientation in Pediatrics at Methodist.

Parker served two terms as president of the Rolling Acres School PTO and one term as a board member. She was recently appointed to the board of directors of Crittenton Care and Counseling Center.


Raymond J. Perisin

Raymond J. Perisin is a director of resources, secretary/treasurer, and senior project managers at Clark Engineers MW, Inc. A graduate of Bradley University, he was awarded the Young Engineer of the Year Award by the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (1991), and the Award for Exceptional Consulting Engineering Services 1995, presented by IDOT. A member of the executive committee of the Peoria Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, and its president in 1995, he also served as the technical representative in the Peoria Area Urbanized Transportation System from 1990-1994.

Perisin has volunteered for Mathcounts, Peoria Area Community Events, Bradley University, Friends of Glen Oak Zoo, St. Jude Telethon, Peoria Area Young Republicans, Peoria Heights Jaycees, and St. Vincent de Paul Parish.


M. Colleen Runkle

M. Colleen Runkle is owner of D & R. Décor and president elect of the Junior League of Peoria. A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and Bradley University, she is also a graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. Her career has included fund development work for Bradley University and Saint Francis Medical Center.

Runkle has served in numerous capacities in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity at the local and national levels; and has served on the Alumni Council Board, Wesleyan Fund Board and as an Alumni Network member of Illinois Wesleyan University. She has been a VIP Committee member of the Children’s Miracle Network, a member of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, and has been selected to Who’s Who Among Rising Young Executives.


John D. Sauder

John D. Sauder is a CPA and member-in-charge of the Morton office of Clifton Gunderson, L.L.C. CPAs and Consultants. A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, he is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Illinois CPA Society, a graduate of the Clifton Gunderson Leadership Career Program, and attended the Illinois Bankers Association Graduate School of Banking. He was promoted to partner at Clifton Gunderson in 1990.

Sauder is a member of the Heartland Partnership Board and Morton Rotary Club. He is a member and past president of Peoria Area Sigma Chi Alumni Association, and in 1994 and 1995 was president of the Morton Chamber of Commerce. He is past president of Tazewell Toastmasters and past campaign division chair of the Heart of Illinois United Way.


Lisa A. Schlehuber

Lisa A. Schlehuber is risk managers, Risk Management Services Division, for Caterpillar Inc., where her responsibilities include development, implementation and monitoring of strategies for managing and hedging foreign currency and interest rate risk. She received the Treasury Department “Above and Beyond” Award for supervisory/mentoring accomplishments.

Schlehuber has chaired the Parent Advisory Board of the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Educational Center since 1993, and helped establish a functioning advisory board for District 150’s new Early Childhood Program. She serves as an instructor for various parenting and violence-prevention courses. Former chair of the Public Policy Committee for the Junior League of Peoria, Schlehuber is a board member of Crittenton Care & Counseling Center.


Michael R. Seghetti

Michael R. Seghetti is a partner in the firm of Elias, Meginnes, Riffle and Seghetti, P.C. A University of Illinois graduate and a graduate with Honors from the Notre Dame Law School where he earned three American Jurisprudence Awards, he also holds an Illinois CPA certificate.

Seghetti serves on the Peoria Public Library Board where he was president from 1994 to 1996. He is president of the University of Notre Dame Club in Peoria and chairs the annual Notre Dame Night Banquet. He also serves on the selection committee which awards the annual Junior of the Year Award to an outstanding Peoria Area High School Junior. Seghetti volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul School, Christmas in April, and the WTVP Channel 47 membership drive.


Terry L. Waters

Terry L. Waters is vice president, Planning and Development, of Methodist Health Services Corporation where he directs the development of long range plans, evaluates consumer demand, and makes recommendations for new program development and changes to existing programs.

Waters was selected to serve on the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation, and was the recipient of the ARC Builder Award from the Peoria Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC). Currently serving on the PARC Foundation board of directors, he is past president of PARC and president of the Association of Retarded Citizens of Illinois. He serves on the boards of directors of Galena Park Home, Illinois Care, and Midwest Kidney Center. He also serves on the City of Peoria Strategic Planning Task Force.


Michael R. Wiesehan

Michael R. Wiesehan is vice president and operations manager for Lippman’s Furniture & Interiors, Inc. In 1993, he opened Thomasville Home Furnishings of Peoria, now Parkway Home Furnishings, , along with his sister Kathy. This year he co-founded the Peoria Area Family Business Forum.

Wiesehan attended Bradley University and graduated from High Point University in North Carolina in 1982 with a degree in furniture marketing. He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and Kiwanis Club of Peoria. He served three years on the school board for Concordia Lutheran School. An active member of the Creve Coeur Club, Michael became the youngest member of the Board of Governors in 1991 and is currently vice president. He was a co-chair of this year’s Creve Coeur Club Washington Day Banquet. IBI