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Board of Directors

View our Annual Report

Adrienne Allen, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, RHU, MSFS
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

State Farm Adrienne joined State Farm Insurance Companies in 1989 as an accounting management trainee in the North Central Regional Office (St. Paul, Minnesota) in preparation for the opening of the Oklahoma-Kansas Regional Office (Tulsa, Oklahoma) where she assumed supervisory responsibilities in the Accounting department in 1990. After assuming several first-line accounting supervisory roles, she was promoted in 1994 to accounting superintendent in the North Atlantic Office (Ballston Spa, NY). In 1997, she assumed manager responsibilities for Accounting and State Farm Payment Plan (SFPP) functions. She was placed into an auto management development program in 1999 and assumed the role of director of inclusion in early 2000. In January 2001, Adrienne was named fire assistant division manager in the Mid-America Zone (Newark, Ohio). She held Auto and Fire Underwriting Division Manager leadership positions in this zone prior to her move to Director of Property & Casualty Underwriting in Corporate Headquarters (Bloomington, Illinois) in February 2004. She became Director of the Continuous Renewal Group - Workforce Study in January 2006 and assumed her current position as Planning & Analysis Director in June of 2008. Allen is an Accounting graduate of the University of Tulsa and received a Master of Science degree in Financial Services from the American College in 2007. She has served on the board for Domestic Violence in Saratoga Springs, New York and enjoys volunteering in other community-based efforts including United Way and Habitat for Humanity. Adrienne and her husband, Walt, have two sons, Walter and Jeffrey that are both attending local colleges.

Cody Atkins
General Manager

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Cody began his career in retail with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in 1995 while attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cody has spent the previous eleven years in various managerial positions within Wal-Mart. In 2003 Cody relocated to Lincoln, IL as General Manager of the Lincoln Wal-Mart. Prior to moving to Lincoln, Cody operated facilities in Monett, MO and Fayetteville, AR. Cody serves on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, is a member of the Steering Committee for the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, coaches youth baseball, and is Treasurer of the Lincoln Logan County Chamber of Commerce. Cody and his wife, Sara, live in Lincoln, Illinois, with their two sons Coleman and Cooper.

Toner Babovac
IBM Sales & Distribution, Software Sales & WebSphere

IBM Toner graduated Cum Laude from Bradley University in 1989. He then started his career locally with IBM as a Sales Representative. He continued his IT and Consulting career with New Resources in 1996. At NRC, he was promoted to Management then was part of the PSC Group acquisition in 2001 where he took over as Vice President/Branch Manager. Recently, he took a position at IBM in Bloomington, IL to work on the State Farm account. Toner has been involved with JA since 1992 as a classroom consultant as well as a Board Member since 1993. He has been involved in strategic planning and special events for our board as well as being a former Board Chair. JA awarded Toner the Louis B. Neumiller Founder's Award in 2001 and Peoria's business community gave him the distinction of a "40 under 40" Leader in 2002. He and his wife Suzie have two girls and reside in Peoria. In his spare time he enjoys working out, and watching his kids swim or play soccer. He and former JA board alumni Jim Rooney formed a local band called Those3Guys a few years back. When Jim returns from his overseas assignment you'll probably see their" two man shows" for local charity events.

Jim Connolly Organizational Behavior Consultant

Thomas, Connolly & Phelps, Inc. Jim Connolly is the Founder and President of Thomas, Connolly & Phelps, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience, Jim applies his expertise in human behavior and organizational dynamics to help companies resolve significant business challenges. Projects have included organizational restructuring, organizational performance, behavioral interviewing, strategic planning, organizational change and team building. Jim has completed hundreds of projects for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to start-up companies. Jim is an active member of the Institute of Management Consultants and the Turnaround Management Association. Jim is a sought after speaker, a frequent presenter for several CEO roundtables including Renaissance Executive Forums and an adjunct facilitator for the Edward Lowe Foundation (CEO coaching and retreats). Jim is also an author and writes for several publications and has been cited in BusinessWeek and The New York Post. Jim, his wife and two children live in Bloomington.

Paul DiGiallonardo Vice President & Complex Manager

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Paul DiGiallonardo is a vice president and complex manager of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s Central Illinois Complex. In this role, he is responsible for offices in Peoria, Moline, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Danville and Streator and manages over 150 individuals in over 10 locations. As the lead Morgan Stanley Smith Barney client advocate in central Illinois, he also oversees the training and support of financial advisors and support staff to ensure the best possible client experience. During his eight years with the company, DiGiallonardo graduated from the Morgan Stanley Complex Manager Leadership Program, built a management team focused on accountability and ownership, and successfully increased the total number of experienced financial advisors in 75 percent of complex branches. His consistently ranks in the top 10 of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney complexes out of 137 total complexes. Last year, DiGiallonardo was awarded On Wall Street magazine’s National Top 100 Branch Managers Award, which identified the best financial industry managers in the United States. Though he and his wife have lived in Peoria for just 18 months and have four children under the age of seven, DiGiallonardo continues to excel as a leader in personal, professional and philanthropic capacities.

Kenny Eathington, Partner
Attorney

Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP Kenny practices in the areas of real estate, corporate, commercial, environmental, and bankruptcy law as well as business and estate planning. Kenny represents many clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions. He also advises various financial institutions on lending issues and loan documentation. Moreover, he assists clients acquiring or divesting businesses and locations by negotiating contractual terms, performing due diligence, and advising on entity formation. Many clients rely on Kenny's counsel regarding day-to-day operations such as review of loan documents, equipment leases, minimum purchase agreements, sales agency agreements, marketing agreements and other contracts. From 1983 to 1988, he was employed by Farm Credit Services of Northwest Illinois as a branch manager and credit analyst. Prior to joining Husch, Kenny was an associate with a Peoria, Illinois, law firm for over two years. Kenny is the recipient of the Peoria Area Association of Realtors Affiliate of the Year Award (2004) and the Peoria County Bar Association Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award (2001).

Jim Farrell
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications

OSF Healthcare System Jim is responsible for the development and execution of OSF HealthCare system-wide marketing, communications plans, and activities. He directs the efforts of system-wide partners, i.e., advertising agencies, database marketing firms, and a patient satisfaction company to ensure optimum utilization of marketing-related dollars for the system and the individual entities (including six hospitals and one nursing home, 80 physician offices and a health insurance company). Jim oversees an accumulated annual budget exceeding $5 million. Jim enjoys running, basketball, coaching youth soccer, and teaching courses in Healthcare Planning & Marketing, Healthcare Economics, and Methods of Research for the School of Graduate Studies of the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Illinois. He and his wife of 30+ years, Sharie, have four children.

Tom Farrell, CPA
Audit Partner

McGladrey & Pullen Thomas M. Farrell is a Partner in the Central Midwest Economic Unit of McGladrey & Pullen LLP. He has 20 years of experience in our Peoria, Springfield, and Galesburg, IL offices. He was promoted to Partner in 2003 and currently holds the leadership position of Financial Institutions Practice Leader for the Central Midwest Economic Unit which consists of offices in St. Louis, Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, and Galesburg. Tom's current responsibilities include a concentration in providing audit, accounting, tax, and consulting services to financial institutions. Tom also has significant experience providing similar services to manufacturers, wholesale/distributors, retailers, and transportation companies. Additionally, Tom serves annually on McGladrey & Pullen LLP's audit and accounting internal inspection team which performs quality control reviews of approximately 100 offices. Tom has been recognized as a Financial Institutions Specialist and a concurring reviewer by McGladrey & Pullen LLP's National Office of Audit and Accounting.

Aimee Hale
Vice President

National City Bank Aimee graduated Summa Cum Laude from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2002. During her tenure at ISU, Aimee was named the Most Outstanding Senior in Marketing in the College of Business. Aimee began her career with National City Bank in the Retail Development Program. During this time, she has worn several hats within the retail bank. Aimee currently is the Assistant Vice President and Licensed Financial Specialist of the Hershey Road branch in Bloomington. She currently holds Series 6 and 63 investment licenses as well as Illinois Life and Health insurance licenses. Most of Aimee's time is spent working with small business owners and investment clients, offering personalized solutions to meet their needs. Aimee began her involvement with JA as a classroom consultant and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors. Aimee currently resides in Normal. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, playing soccer and tennis, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, and loves to spoil her dog, Bailey.

Susie Ketterer
President

Simantel Susie joined Simantel in 1981, immediately after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications and graphics from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. As Simantel grew, she mastered several job positions, including Creative Director, Account Supervisor and Vice President. Susie is strong on strategy, a big picture thinker and full of creative ideas. Her work has earned hundreds of local, regional and national awards for Simantel. In 2003, Susie and another long-time employee, Kevin McConaghy, purchased Simantel. Susie has been successful in the development and implementation of integrated programs for a wide variety of Simantel clients over the last 25 years. In 2004, Susie and Kevin were awarded Small Business of the Year Award, and recognized by local peers with an Award of Excellence. Susie has also been an adjunct teacher at the Bradley University Communications College. Susie lives in Peoria with her husband, Mark, and their three kids, Andrew, Erin and Molly.

Brian R. May
Partner

Accenture Brian graduated from Marquette University in 1988 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career in Milwaukee with Accenture (then Andersen Consulting) in January of 1989 where he has spent the majority of his time serving automotive and industrial manufacturing clients. He was promoted to Partner in September of 2000. Brian currently has responsibility for Accenture's business in Peoria. While in Milwaukee, Brian served on the Board of Directors for COA Youth and Family Services, an inner city educational and social program organization. He and his wife Kris moved to Peoria in 2006. Brian and Kris met in kindergarten almost 40 years ago and have been married for 19 years. They have twin 4 year old daughters, Eden and Alaina. In their spare time they enjoy boating, golfing and spending time with their family.

Ned Neuhaus
Senior Business Resource Manager

Caterpillar Inc. Ned works as Senior Business Resource Manager in Caterpillar's Global Finance and Strategic Support Division. He earned his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign and is a CPA. Prior to joining Caterpillar in 1990, Ned worked at Price Waterhouse in Peoria. Since joining Caterpillar, Ned has held a variety of financial positions, including several positions in Caterpillar's European operations in the UK, Switzerland and Belgium as well as serving as Director of Internal Audit. Ned is a classroom consultant and also served as Secretary-Treasurer of JA in Peoria prior to going overseas. Ned, his wife Dee Dee and their two daughters live in Peoria.

Julie O'Donnell
Human Resources Director

Gatehouse Media, Inc. Julie has been in Human Resource management field for over 29 years. The last 7 years have been with The Peoria Journal Star. She is currently the Human Resources Director where she provides support for over 375 employees and also provides regional HR support for their corporation, Gatehouse Media, Inc. She has been involved in several community activities: Habitat for Humanity Board member, Habitat for Humanity WomenBuild and Jimmy Carter build in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She also served on the District 150 Business Academy Board for 8 years with 2 years as chairperson. Julie was a junior high youth group leader for 6 years and love working with children of all ages. Julie graduated from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois with a double bachelors' degree. Her first degree is a B.S in Applied Behavioral Science (social work) and the second is a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Political Science (international and intercultural studies). She traveled to Nepal for a semester as part of her coursework. She lives in Delavan with her husband of over 27 years, Bob. They have two children; both living on their own. She enjoys traveling with her husband and writing. She is currently working on writing a children's book.

Joe Palumbo, MBA, CCLA
Director of Insurance Services and Development

Wilber & Associates, P.C. Palumbo's career in insurance started in 1978. He joined Progressive Insurance upon graduation from Denver University. During his tenure with Progressive, he received his MBA from Regis University. After 17 years of various positions in management, Palumbo left to become part of a start up property casualty company, Affinity Insurance Group. He held the position of Sr. VP of Claims. From 2001 to 2003, he held the position of Western Regional Manager with Unitrin Insurance Company based in San Diego. He moved from California in February 2005, after 18 months with Professional Claims Services, where he was the COO. Palumbo then moved on to work with Afni, where he was the Director of Business Development, responsible for the profitable growth of Afni's Insurance Services. Currently he is the Senior Business Analyst, Wilber & Associates, P.C. Joe and his wife Jerri have one son. They live in Bloomington. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching his son in junior golf and soccer. His son attends Cornerstone Christian Academy. Current community service includes board membership for Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services and volunteer work at E-Free Christian Church. He has been with Junior Achievement since 2005 as a board member and classroom consultant.

Bob Pfohl
Systems Supervisor, Global Purchasing Business Resources

Caterpillar Inc. Bob is employed by Caterpillar, where he is responsible for the worldwide deployment of IT asset management processes and systems. During his 24 year career with Caterpillar, he has held positions in Accounting, Manufacturing and Information Technology. Prior to his current position, he was IT manager for Cat Ag Products Inc., where he was responsible for the implementation of an ERP system and startup of two Joint Ventures. Before beginning work at Caterpillar, Bob graduated cum laude from Purdue University with a BS in Industrial Engineering. In 1986, he earned his MS in Business Management from Aurora University. Bob enjoys golfing, bowling, working around the house, and coaching his daughters' soccer teams. He is currently president of his homeowner's association and has served as an officer on two other homeowner's associations, been a member of his daughter's school board, president of the school's Home and School (PTA) association and co-chair of his church's capital campaign. He, his wife Lisa and two teenage daughters currently reside in Dunlap and have previously lived in north and northwest Peoria.

Rick Richardson
Chief Operating Officer

Simantel Rick Richardson is the Chief Operating Officer of Simantel. He joined the firm in 2007. Rick graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1989 with a degree in finance. He joined Arthur Andersen in Chicago as an auditor and then worked in a number of progressive finance positions in the investment management industry, with Stein Roe & Farnham and Phoenix Duff & Phelps, the latter as Controller. He completed his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1995. In 1997, he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers as a management consultant and relocated to Peoria. Rick then spent five years as the VP of Finance for Kathryn Beich, Inc. in Bloomington, helping to lead the transition of the school fundraising business from Nestle USA to private equity investors. Most recently, he led the business and financial operations of Clifton Gunderson LLP, the nation's 13th largest public accounting firm. Rick lives in Peoria with his wife, Kara, and their two children. In addition to serving on the board of JA, currently as Chairman, Rick is a member of the Illinois CPA Society, the AICPA and has served on the Finance Committee of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Peoria.

Ed J. Scott
Chief Audit Officer

Caterpillar Inc. Ed Scott has had responsibility for Caterpillar internal auditing and the Office of Business Practices. Ed began his career with Caterpillar Inc. as a Finance Analyst in Corporate Treasury in 1981. He held several finance positions at Caterpillar until he joined Caterpillar Financial in 1986 as Assistant Credit Manager in Baltimore. Ed moved to Santiago, Chile to become Finance Representative for the Southern South America District Office of Caterpillar Americas in 1987. He returned to the Peoria in 1990 where he was Foreign Exchange Administrator in Corporate Treasury and later Treasurer for Solar Turbines in San Diego, California. Ed relocated to Nashville in 1996 to become Treasurer of Caterpillar Financial and in 2002, was appointed Vice President of Cat Financial with responsibility for Marine and Latin American retail finance operations as well as worldwide cross border transactions. Ed was named as the Executive Vice President and CFO for Financial Products Division in 2004. He relocated to Peoria to assume his current duties in April 2007. Ed holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Marquette University and an MBA from the University of Illinois. He is former Chairman & Treasurer for the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence. Ed also previously served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee. Ed and his wife, Karen, reside in Peoria. His two children, Ted (26) and Christopher (23), reside in Tennessee.

David Singley
Peoria Manufacturing Operations

Komatsu America Corporation As a mother plant, Komatsu's Peoria facility designs, manufactures, sells, distributes and supports large off highway dump trucks used in open pit mining world-wide. David has worked in the Service and Contract Business Departments and was also a department representative on the ISO 9001-2000 implementation team. David also serves as an internal auditor for ISO processes. As a Classroom Consultant for Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, David has taught 1st grade curriculum at Concordia Lutheran School in Peoria, 2nd grade curriculum at Oak Grove East in Bartonville and both 5th and 6th grade curriculum at Wilson Intermediate School in Pekin. Additionally, David has assisted in hosting visiting JA classes from St. Philomena, Glendale Elementary School and Wilson Intermediate School at Komatsu's Peoria facility. Following a life-long commitment to learning, David earned his B.S. in Applied Geography from Illinois State University and his M.B.A., with a concentration in International Business, from LeTourneau University. David enjoys fishing, hunting, exercising, studying history and working in the garden. He and his wife Terri (Piccoli) Singley reside in Peoria and have a blended family with three children. They are active members of Grace and Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, they also belong to the Heart of Illinois Chapter of Via de Cristo, the Italian-American Society of Peoria, David is a Master Mason at Illinois Lodge 263, A.F. & A.M. and is a life member of the V.F.W.

Junior Achievement Staff

Angie McNaught
Program Director

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois Angie joined JA in 2007 as the Program Director. She is responsible for recruiting and training JA Classroom Consultant volunteers, managing and evaluating JA classes each semester, and seeking and writing grants. Angie has a B.A. Speech Communication from Truman State University and an M.A. in Communication from Illinois State University. She lives with her husband Jeff and three children in Washington, Illinois, where her two oldest children attend Washington Middle School. Her youngest will start preschool next fall, and already grasps the importance of saving her pennies and quarters for a new bicycle. She is a member of the American Society for Training & Development, Central IL Chapter. She attends Glen Oak Christian Church in Peoria, where she serves as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher and as a member of the Living Gifts & Memorials Committee. Angie is a Certified Facilitator for the Pacific Institute, 21 Keys for High Performance Teaching & Learning and for the Study Circles Resource Center.

Becky Sneller
Program Manager

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois Becky joined JA in February of 2009 as a Program Manager. She is responsible for coordinating JA classes in McLean and Logan County schools, recruiting and training new JA classroom consultants, managing the JA database, and assisting with grant writing. Becky graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Equine Science degree. She lives with her husband RJ, and their one son Caden, on a small horse farm in Arrowsmith, Illinois. Together they enjoy all things related to horses, traveling to Colorado and Chicago to see extended family, and being outdoors. Becky attends Wesbein United Methodist Church in Saybrook, Illinois. She also volunteers with McLean County 4-H, is a past volunteer of AmeriCorps where she served as a corps member with the Montana Conservation Corps, and is dedicated to helping others find a passion for community and national service.

Larry Timm
President

Speaker Bio

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, Inc. Larry is privileged to serve the growing Junior Achievement (JA) family of schools, business professionals and board members. This local JA office has nearly quadrupled in classroom reach since 03-04, now reaching nearly 14,000 students each year. That growth makes JA of Central Illinois one of the fastest-growing JA offices in America, out of 130+ coast-to-coast. The local renaissance has earned this office several local and national awards, both in and out of JA circles. Larry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Communication degree from Greenville College in 1993, and Penn State′s Developing Managerial Effectiveness class in 2006. After seven years in marketing and advertising, and running his own business as well, Larry spent three years as Peoria Christian School's Business Department Head and Director of Public Relations. It was there that he learned first-hand how valuable JA is to not only the students, but also to those from the business community. He has been with Junior Achievement since January 2004. Larry was honored to be in the inaugural class of 20 Under 40 Leaders in McLean County in 2006, and also the 2006 class of 40 Under 40 in Peoria. His active participation at Riverside Community Church includes teaching the Good $ense Financial Course to adults. He also serves on various boards including the Salvation Army Advisory Board; Larry’s wife and three boys are also active in Scouting.