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Alphabetical Listing A | B | C | F | G | H | K | L | M | P | R | S | T | W
Jeanette Anderson
 Jeanette has been with the Illinois Chamber since November, 1983. She began her career with the Illinois Chamber as receptionist. In this role she became known to members throughout the state as that friendly voice who answered phones in the Chicago headquarters. She later worked in Membership Marketing as the Secretary and provided assistance to the Vice President and the membership sales staff. In 1999, Jeanette was promoted to the Finance Department serving as Supervisor of Financial Transactions. In 2001, Jeanette assumed the duties of Office Manager, and continues to assist the Membership Department in its efforts.
Michael Ayers
 Michael joined the Illinois Chamber as Executive Vice President and COO in mid-February, 2000. He is responsible for overseeing all internal operations of the Chamber, including budgeting and financial management, all aspects of human resources/personnel, contractual agreements, legal services, and other matters pertinent to internal operations of the Chamber.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Michael was with the University of Illinois at Springfield beginning in 1971 and served in senior management roles for many years in positions including Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Organization and Management Studies, Director of the Office of Business and Management Development, and most recently, Associate Chancellor.
He has specialized in leadership development and consulting for not-for-profit organizations including local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, working with their boards of directors and executive and support staff on strategic planning and organizational goal setting; meeting facilitation and conflict negotiations; and overall organizational development. He has worked with government entities, national and statewide professional associations, and organizations at the community level. Ayers holds a BBA degree from Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas and an MA and PhD in economics from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.
Jim Bajt
 Jim Bajt has served with the Illinois Chamber for over 8 years as a Member Services Manager with the responsibility for membership growth and retention. He has also worked in the same capacity with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for 4 years and he held similar positions with the Florida State Chamber of Commerce and the Chicagoland Chamber for two years with each organization.
Connie Beard
 Connie Beard is an attorney with more than 20 years experience in the state and local tax field. Her areas of expertise include a wide range of state and local taxes, including income, sales, excise and property taxes. Connie is former Managing Counsel of the Illinois Department of Revenue where she was instrumental in developing Illinois tax policy. During her tenure with the Department, she advised the Director of Revenue and other key agency officials on Illinois tax issues, acted as legal liaison to the Department’s audit bureau, and supervised the litigation staff of the administrative hearings bureau. Connie worked closely with the Department’s legislative staff in drafting tax legislation and in monitoring and reviewing proposed legislation. She advised top government officials on critical state tax issues before the Illinois General Assembly and frequently represented the Department of Revenue at state and national tax conferences.
Prior to joining the Illinois Chamber she was a Manager in the state and local tax division of an international accounting and management consulting firm, where she served as a tax consultant to Fortune 500 businesses, advising them on tax strategies to reduce their state and local tax burden and assisting them in resolving Illinois audit issues. Connie is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and joined the Illinois Chamber of Commerce in October of 1997 as General Counsel and Director of State Taxes. In this capacity, she serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Tax Institute.
Jack Bernhardt
 As Vice President, Membership & Marketing, Jack leads our membership sales team. In addition, Jack serves as Executive Director for the Chamber's Infrastructure and Healthcare Councils. His Infrastructure Council focus is to build an alliance that aggressively promotes and represents Illinois’ interests for all aspects of public works including roads, bridges, public transportation, utilities, airports, rail (both passenger and freight), waterway shipping (locks and dams) and public facilities (schools, convention centers and other public spaces). The Healthcare Council brings together key stakeholders with a vested interest in healthcare to work together to undertake and advance issues, develop action plans, provide programs and influence policies to achieve affordable, accessible healthcare for the employers and residents of Illinois.
Jack holds a bachelor's degree in business from Northern Illinois University. His career has included various executive positions that have taken him to New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida. These many experiences provided him with an extensive business background with a primary focus on sales, sales management and marketing.
Julie Brennan
 Julie joined the Illinois chamber staff in June of 1989. As Executive Administrative Assistant her current duties include assisting the Business Services division in preparing materials and logistics plans for its compliance seminars and publications. She also assists in the day-to-day operational functions of the Springfield office as well as assisting with the preparation of materials for regular meetings of the Chamber's Board and Executive Committee. She provides support and assistance to the government affairs staff and the executive staff.
Julie assists with the Drug Free Illinois Workplace program as Grant Administrator. Prior to joining the Chamber, Julie worked for thirteen years as office manager for an independent insurance and real estate agent in Springfield.
Diane Collison
 Diane Collison joined the Illinois Chamber as Membership Services Manager in March 2005. She brings to her sales position over fifteen years experience in sales, marketing and new program development at three universities in Denver, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois. She also served as corporate liaison for McGiver Consulting, assisting the international firm in building a US client base. Prior to her university work, she managed sales teams, as well as the marketing function and community relations for two major orchestras. In the private sector, she was a regional sales associate at US WEST in telecommunications services and products, consistently earning first-place annual, quarterly and monthly sales awards.
Collison has also served as Organization Director for a former Iowa Governor and as communications director for the Iowa State Republican Central Committee. She served on statewide steering committees for several national and statewide campaigns, including those of former President Ronald Reagan and presidential candidate Robert Dole.
Collison has served on regional, state and local civic, cultural and political boards and committees, and is cited in Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women; Who’s Who in Finance & Industry; and Who’s Who in Advertising. She holds a B.A. from Iowa State University and a Masters in Management from Regis University, Denver, Colorado.
Jim Farrell
Jim Farrell rejoined the Chamber staff as Executive Director of the Infrastructure Council in October 2007. Jim previously served as a Business Development Manager with the Chamber, and returned after two years as Business Development Manager for Faithful+Gould in Chicago.
Before joining the Chamber staff, Jim was the Founder and Principal of New Business Development (NBD). NBD gave Jim opportunities to work with a variety of industries, including marine hardware, web development, natural foods, and investment banking.
Prior to starting NBD Jim was the principal of the James P. Farrell Co. (JPFCO). JPFCO represented manufacturing and distribution firms in the building material industry. Jim began his career with Armstrong World Industries and is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Sarah Frye
 Sarah participated in an internship program through Southern Illinois University Carbondale which placed her at the Chamber in January of 2007. Working with the Government Affairs department, Sarah gained first-hand experience of the workings within the legislature. She helped to coordinate major events such as the Chamber’s Gross Receipts Tax Lobby Day with more than 600 businesses. Part of her duties also included researching various topics such as different healthcare initiatives throughout the nation and election data configuration.
Upon graduating from SIUC in May 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Sarah joined the Chamber full time as Manager of Legislative Relations. She is also the editor of the weekly Government Affairs Report and the monthly Chamber Policy Review. Sarah is also the videographer and video editor of the weekly interviews with legislators throughout the legislative session that appear in the Government Affairs Reports.
Prior to working at The Chamber, Sarah worked as an Office Coordinator for the Case Management/Social Service department at Memorial Hospital. She also currently teaches at Stevens School of Dance and Gymnastics in Jacksonville.
Candace Gerritsen
 Candace serves as Associate Vice President of Operations for the Chamber. She joined the Chamber staff as Executive Assistant to the President in November 2001. Candace manages Doug Whitley's schedule and represents Doug in meetings when required. She also assists the member sales representatives in an administrative capacity, and performs various administrative duties in the human resources function for the Chicago office.
Candace previously served with a computer consulting company as Office Manager for eight years where she facilitated day-to-day activities of the office, worked with the President and Regional Director, and was the Human Resources Coordinator.
Candace earned her bachelor's degree in international studies with a minor in business administration from Millikin University and a certificate under the Society of Human Resource Management from DePaul University in Chicago.
Gloria Guy
 Gloria Guy, IOM is the Vice President of Business Services and the Executive Director of the Drug-Free Illinois Workplace Program (DFIWP) offered through the Illinois Chamber and funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services. She serves as the lead staff member responsible for oversight and operation of the programs, products, and services offered through the Chamber’s Business Services Division.
Under Guy’s leadership as Executive Director of the DFIWP, program participation grew by 300%. The DFIWP has become one of the most innovative cutting-edge programs of its kind in the country, and it has received national recognition and visibility in Washington, DC.
Gloria has been a key member of the management team of the Illinois Chamber and has held various positions including Project Manager/Government Affairs, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Illinois Chamber Political Action Committee.
She is a speaker at community events throughout the state as well as in Washington D.C. She has also worked as an Outreach Consultant for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Washington, D.C.
Guy is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, a four-year professional development program offered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gloria was co-owner of Midwest Materials Management, Inc., a systems integration/management company.
Peggy Hardy
 Peggy joined the Illinois Chamber staff in February of 1983. During her tenure she was the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Membership Sales and Services, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the department along with working with the Executive Staff and Board of Directors. Peggy was promoted to Membership Retention Executive in June of 1996. As membership executive she is responsible for $2.5 million in renewal revenues.
Her duties include contacting member companies for membership renewal and obtaining feed-back from members on issues that impact their operations in Illinois. Other responsibilities include: assisting members with export documentation information on Certificates of Origin, Affidavits, Chamber of Commerce Declarations and supplying general information to members and non-members.
Pam Holleman
 Pam joined the Illinois Chamber in January of 2006 working part-time assisting with the HR Helpline. In June of 2006, Pam began working full-time in the role of Human Resources Information Manager. In this role, Pam fields thousands of calls from members of the chamber on various employment law issues.
Pam has worked in Human Resources for over 10 years, serving most recently as a consultant in HR and labor law. She previously worked in HR management in a range of business and industry environments, with responsibility for hiring, benefits coordination, compensation, workers comp, safety, and employee relations. Pam earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois.
Elizabeth Kerns
 Liz joined the Chamber in January 2004. As Director of Local Chamber Relations, her responsibilities include developing, coordinating, and implementing the initiatives of the Illinois Chamber for presentation to local chambers of commerce, creating partnerships and ensuring two-way communication with local chambers of commerce, and serving as IACCE President coordinating communications, events and opportunities.
Prior to joining the Illinois Chamber, Liz worked as the assistant to the President & CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. During college, she served as an intern and interim public relations director with the Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce in Jonesboro, AR. Additional previous work experiences include time with Arkansas State University’s University Communications department and Walt Disney World Resorts in Orlando, FL.
Liz serves as Vice President of the Central Illinois chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and has won awards from PRSA and their student association PRSSA for a number of projects. Liz holds a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University in Journalism/Public Relations and a minor in business, and recently completed her Master’s degree in Communications at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Todd Maisch
 As Vice President of Government Affairs, Todd is responsible for the overall development and implementation of the Chamber’s government affairs program and serves as the Chamber’s primary contact for legislators, legislative staff members and the Executive Branch. Todd also serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Political Action Committee where he is responsible for designing and implementing political and fund-raising strategies. He oversees development of policy positions and advocacy actions by the Chamber’s business issue councils.
Todd holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and an MBA from Illinois State University. Prior to joining the Chamber in 1994, Todd worked for the General Assembly as a research analyst for the House Republican staff. While working for the General Assembly, he staffed the House Revenue and State Government Committees. He also served as a policy analyst for the House Republican Campaign Committee where he managed political campaigns.
Laura Minzer
 Laura joined the Chamber as Director of Policy in August 2007, coming from the House Republican legislative staff where she served seven years as a legislative analyst handling healthcare, education, biotechnology and other issues for the House Republican leader and caucus members. Prior to that she served internships with voter.com as an editorial assistant and with Illinois State Rep Rich Myers as a legislative assistant. She earned her bachelors degree in Political Science and International Relations, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University.
In addition to lobbying duties, Laura will spend considerable time on issue/policy management.
Deb McCarver
 Deb joined the Chamber in August 2005 as Director of Communications. Deb is responsible for guiding the member, marketing and media communications for the Chamber including print and electronic publications, the web site, annual reports, news releases, and building the Illinois Chamber’s branding strategies. She provides writing support to the president and executive staff of the Chamber, and oversees development and design of print pieces for marketing products and services.
Deb came to the Chamber after 15 years of communications work with Rogers Group, Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee, where she served as Corporate Communications Manager and was involved in all aspects of internal and external communications and public relations. Her work has been awarded by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Deb’s background includes experience with associations as former chair of the Public Affairs Division of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association for two years. Her background also includes having served as a training and development coordinator, wherein she was certified as an instructor in managerial development, teambuilding and organizational culture programs.
Deb holds a B.S. in Interior Design and Art from Western Illinois University. She also studied mass communications, graphic arts, audiovisual production, and advertising design, and holds the PRSA Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification.
Paul D. Mesirow
 Paul joined the Chamber in November 2006. In his role as Director of Corporate Partnerships, Paul is responsible for maintaining existing Chamber members and facilitating their relationships with the Chamber. He is also responsible for attracting new members to the Chamber through the Chamber’s advocacy and council programs.
He comes to the Chamber from AT&T and brings over thirty years experience in sales, account management, project management and customer service.
Paul also has a large interest in Community Theater and produces shows as well as performs in them. He also spends a large part of his time volunteering in his community.
Alexander Perry
 A Chicagoland native, Alex joined the Chamber sales staff in June 2006, bringing a seven year background in sales/marketing and client relations. He enjoys working with small businesses throughout Illinois on ways to collectively work together on issues that are important to their success.
He served most recently as managing partner at a 70 year old graphics company in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Alex is active in many business and civic organizations including the Lookinglass Theatre Junior Board, Young Professionals of Chicago, Evanston Chamber of Commerce Board and Young Professionals of Evanston Board.
Rich Roberts
 Rich Roberts joined the Illinois Chamber in 2003 as a Contract Sales Representative and joined the staff in January of 2007 as Director, Development and Sponsorship Marketing. Rich brings to the Chamber a broad background in advertising, public relations and sponsorship having worked for several major Chicago based advertising firms. Most recently, Rich has been responsible for the Chamber’s event marketing including a national Tax Conference in December of 2005 presented by Ernst & Young and the 2006 Healthcare Conference with CIGNA HealthCare as Presenting Sponsor.
Rich will also be responsible for the strategic development and management of the Illinois Chamber’s Foundation.
Jeff Schulman
 Jeff Schulman joined the membership sales team as Director of Business Development in February 2007.
Jeff brings more than ten years' experience in sales to the Chamber, primarily in home and resort property development and sales. He served most recently with Bluegreen Resorts of Bolingbrook, where he assisted in opening two new locations and hired and trained new sales representatives.
Jay Dee Shattuck
Jay joined the Chamber in January of 2002 with the merger of the Employment Law Council and the Illinois Chamber. He serves as Executive Director of the Council, an organization that he founded in 1997. The Council brings together employers to improve and protect Illinois employment law and regulations to create a political climate conducive to the creation and retention of jobs in Illinois. Jay has held high-profile, senior level lobbying positions with the Associated Employers of Illinois (1987-1996), Central Illinois Public Service Co. (1983-1987) and the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (1978-1983). Shattuck is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
Mary Taylor
 Mary came to the Chamber with 28 years experience working in administrative capacities with a Fortune 500 manufacturing company. She joined the Chamber in December 2002 as Receptionist at the Springfield headquarters. Her current duties include a variety of administrative assignments including working with the Director of Local Chamber Relations and maintaining IACCE information. She provides support in all aspects of the daily operation of the Chamber.
Tom Wolf
 Tom is in his first year as Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Energy Council. Tom is responsible for leading the Council’s charge to encourage the development and availability of all kinds of energy and conservation measures in an environmentally responsible and cost effective way.
Tom joined the Chamber after more than 20 years as a public affairs executive, most recently as vice president with the Chicago-based Jasculca/Terman and Associates. As senior strategist and project manager for corporate, not-for-profit and government clients -- as well as notable business and political leaders -- Tom's accomplishments and relationships position him well to build the Chamber’s new Energy Council.
Prior to his work at Jasculca/Terman, Tom worked with an international political consulting and public relations firm in Washington, DC. He received his bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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