The 24th Annual Decatur Leadership Institute DLI offers a Newly Enhanced Program which begins in early September 2008 with a Team Development exercise and Orientation session at Rock Springs Environmental Center.
DLI participants will meet every Thursday until the last session in February 2009. The sessions are from early morning or late afternoon depending on the session and are held at various locations throughout Decatur. Field trips and a group project are also part of the program.
A graduation banquet is scheduled in mid February, 2009.
DLI boasts of over 550 graduates. Almost every Board, Commission, or service organization in Decatur enjoys the leadership of a DLI graduate.
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Decatur Leadership Institute
2008 Tentative Sessions Calendar - PDF Printable Version
COMING SOON
Additional Experiences (Must complete at least 2)
Richland Community College Auditorium & Shilling Center
Police Ride Along
Fire Ride Along
Burn Building
Farm Exchange
Washington Fly-In (at discounted rate)
Karen Bjorkman
Karen is the Assistant City Librarian of the Decatur Library in Decatur . She graduated from Monmouth College with a Degree in Accounting and NIU with a Masters in Library and Information Studies. In addition, Karen holds Associate Degrees in both computer science and the arts
Erin Brownlow
Erin is Regional Marketing Coordinator for Busey Bank. She is a life-long resident of Decatur. After completing two semesters at Richland Community College, Erin transferred to Parkland College where she completed her A.S. Degree in Business Administration. She also holds a B.S. Degree in Marketing from UIUC.
Kylee Flider Kylee is an Account Executive/Radio Marketing Professional with Joyner Radio (formerly Archway Broadcasting). She was born in Chatham and raised in Mt. Zion. Kylee graduated from EIU with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications Studies with a concentration in Corporate Communications and a minor in Advertising and Pre-Law. Kylee was Recognition Cabinet Chair and Press Publicity Cabinet Chair for Delta Zeta Sorority. In addition, she was a member of the Public Relations Committee and the Money Making Committee of EIU's Steering Committee for the annual Greek Week.
Patrick Hoban Patrick is Director of Information and Technology for the Economic Development Corporation of Dec tur and Macon County; the owner of Vain Studios, a web design company; and Ba r M anager at Blocks Brewery located in downtown Decatur. Patrick studied at ISU with a concentration in Art and at Richland Community College with a concentr tion in graphic design. In addition, he undertook Design and Media library, ElementK.com, Cluster Study Analysis at the U of I, the Pacific Institute, BEDC a t SIU, and ESRI GIS at Calm River. Patrick is completing a B.A. in Economics from the U of I. While a ttending ISU, Patrick held the position of Social Chair for Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He is actively involved in the economic development of Macon County. Patrick decided to take the DLI course in order to help develop our community to its fullest potential so that our children will have a brighter tomorrow.
John Hubert John is a Retail Banking Officer and Consumer Sales Manager at Soy Capital Bank, Dec tur. John was born in Joplin, Missouri, and raised in Collinsville. He is a graduate of SIU with a B.S. in Business Administr tion and a concentration in finance. John has been active in church leadership at St. John's Lutheran Church in Decatur for the past ten years. A desire for continuing personal development led John to the DLI.
Wendy Kernan Wendy is Consumer Sales Manager at Regions Bank, Decatur. She was born in Kewanee. Wendy studied Educational History at WIU and received her B.A. Degree from SIU. While residing in Carbondale, she was Branch Manager of Regions Bank, a graduate of Carbondale Leadership, past Advisory Board member of BBBS, and a board member of the Katrina Fund. Wendy joined DLI to gain knowledge of Decatur's cultural and business environment.
Rheem Lock Rheem is Product Manager, Sucralose at Tate & Lyle in Decatur, Illinois . She was born in Miles City, Mont na, and has been a Decatur resident since 1994. Rheem graduated from Millikin with a B.A. in Philosophy. Prior to her promotion to Product Manager at Tate & Lyle, Rheem held a position in Customer Service and, also, as a Sales Representative at Tate & Lyle. She is a member of the Junior Welf re Associ tion and a Junior Achievement volunteer.
Megan Moore Megan is Director of Accounting at Richland Community College. In addition, she oversees Business Services and Student Accounts at Richland. Megan is Treasurer for the Decatur Community Partnership.
Teri Moore Teri is Director of Development and Marketing for Easter Seals in Central Illinois. She was born in Mattoon, Illinois. Teri received an A.A. in Business from Lake Land College, Mattoon, a B.A. in general studies from EIU, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and a M.B.A. specialization in Non-Profit Management from Walden University . She is Secretary for the Noon Kiwanis and President of the Shelby County Interagency. Teri wanted to become more involved in the community and she chose the DLI to start this process. In addition, she knew the DLI would give her great networking capabilities.
Cathy Moroney Cathy is the Director of the Medical Records Department and Privacy Officer at St. Mary's Hospital. Cathy attended ISU, where she earned national certification from the American Health Information Management Association. She has twenty years experience in Health Inform tion Management. She has been an instructor for both ICD-9 and CPT coding classes at Richland Community College. Cathy is also and advisory board member for the Office Technology program at Richland and a member of the advisory board for the Midwest Technical Institute in Lincoln, Illinois .
Margie Muehleback Margie is a twenty-year veteran of St. Mary's Hospital in Community Relations focusing, specifically, in Community Education. She has served on committees for Cancer Survivor's Day, Seniorama, Decatur Celebration, Macon County Safe Kids Coalition. In addition, she has highlighted St. Mary's at such events as the Farm Progress Show, Futures Unlimited, and the Greater Decatur Business Expo. Margie works diligently with Decatur physicians in order to bring community education lectures to Decatur.
Matt Naber Matt Naber joined the Dunn Company in 2005 as the Pavement Maintenance Unit Leader. He was born in Decatur and attended St. Teres a High School after which he received a B.S. in Business Operations from DeVry Institute of Technology in 1991. After living in Arizon a and Kansas for several years, Matt returned to Decatur to start a family. He is currently a Board Member for the Decatur YMCA & the Mt. Zion Chamber of Commerce. Matt attended the DLI to further develop his business associations within the Decatur community and to cultivate new relationships with my classmates.
Hank Norris Hank is a Realtor with Brinkoetter & Associates, Inc., in Decatur. He is also a hot airballoon specialist and factory sales rep for Cameron Balloon, U.S. Hank received a B.S. in Cinema and Photography from SIU. In 1991 he also received a commercial balloon pilot rating. While residing in Danville, Hank was the manager for a not-for-profit neighborhood redevelopment initiative, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Home Builders Association, President of the Balloon Association of Greater Illinois, and Founding Director and Vice-President of the Vermillion Herit age Found a tion. Hank decided to enroll in the DLI in order to gain knowledge of the Decatur area as an industrial, business and service community, and to gain networking opportunities with the leaders in those are as and the DLI class members.
Michelle O'Bryan Michelle is a Senior Accountant with the CPA firm Sleeper, Disbrow, Morrison, Tarro & Lively, LLC in Decatur. She has been with the firm since 2002 where she concentrates mainly in the areas of tax for individuals, estates, trusts, corporations, and partnerships. She is a life-long resident of Decatur. Michelle graduated from Millikin in 2001 with a B.S. Degree in Accounting. She then graduated from UIUC with a Masters of Science in Accounting, specializing in taxation. Michelle is President of the Central Illinois Estate Planning Council; former Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary of the Central Illinois Estate Planning Council; a member of the Millikin Central Illinois Alumni Steering Committee; former Chairperson for the Baby Talk Financial Task Force; and has taught for the Millikin Mentoring Program. Michelle learned of the DLI through former participants and decided to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the community, hone her leadership skills, and gain a network of like-minded individuals.
Amanda (Mandi) Podeschi Mandi is Associate Director of Development in Millikin's Alumni Office and also serves as an adjunct faculty member. She was born in Decatur and received a B.S. Degree in secondary education from Millikin in 2002. She also received an M.A. in history from UIS in 2005. Mandi is secretary for Sharon U.M.C.'s Administrative Council and Mission Committee, serves on DOVE Inc.'s Board of Directors, co-organized the Penguin in the Park 5K Race, and helps with the Staley Striders youth cross country and track programs. Mandi joined the DLI because of a desire to develop social nd business connections within the Decatur community and to meet fellow classmates with a wide array of backgrounds and experience.
Justin Pratt Justin is an Accounting Systems Analyst with Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur. He received a B.A. in Management Information Systems from Millikin and is currently studying toward a B.A. in Accounting from Millikin. Justin is President of the Sangamon Valley Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and is involved in the local Diabetes Association, the Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, and the Millikin Alumni Board.
Melanie Rapp Melanie is Cash Operations Manager for CEFCU (Citizens Equity First Credit Union) in Decatur. Melanie started as a teller a t CEFCU and was then promoted to Cash/Member Services Rep before accepting a position in the management training program. Through this program, she was promoted to her current position. Melanie is a member of several task teams within CEFCU. She cowrote the Cashier Training Manual and is a CEFCU certified trainer for cashiers. She is currently in her fifth year training cashiers and will begin training in Business Services in 2008. Melanie serves as the Fourth Vice- President and the Foundation Representative for the Greater Decatur Chapter of Credit Unions.
Stephany Rogers Stephany is the Customer Relations Manager for the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. She is a native of Cerro Gordo and Graduated from Robert Morris College in Springfield. Prior to her association with the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Stephany worked for Sam's Club for the past 15 years, where she was a Supervisor for the past 8 years.
Georgeanne Sadomytschenko Georgeanne is President and owner of GRS Human Resources, Inc. She holds a B.A. in Human Resource Management from Millikin and an M.A. in Business Administration from EIU. In addition, Georgeanne is certified as a Professional in Human Resources through the Society of Human Resources Management. She is also a certified OSHA trainer, certified through the American Society for Training and Development, and is fully licensed in the insurance field. Georgeanne volunteers as a Chamber Ambassador, is a speaker for Partners in Education, and is a member of the Decatur Society for Human Resource Management, Rotary 180, ASTD, Small Business Council, and the Millikin-sponsored Women Innovation for Successful Entrepreneurship (WISE).
Joan Schollmeier Joa n is a n Inform a tion Technology An a lyst with C a terpill a r, Inc., Dec a tur . She w a s born in Freeport , Illinois , a nd received a B a chelor of Business Administr a tion Degree in Production Oper a tion M a n a gement from the University of Wisconsin , Whitew a ter. She a lso holds a n M.B.A. from ISU. Jo a n is a Group Le a der for the IT Dep a rtment a t C a terpill a r a nd a Junior Achievement Instructor. She decided to join the DLI to meet new people a nd to le a rn more a bout the community.
Michael Steers Mike is the Manager for National City Bank, South Shores Branch, in Decatur. He is a 2001 graduate of Millikin, receiving an undergraduate degree in Business Marketing.
Nancy Sullivan Nancy is the Web Services Developer at Richland Community College and chairs the RCC Employee Appreciation Taskforce. Raised in Jerseyville, IL, she attended Illinois College in Jacksonville earning her B.A. in English. A former teacher & technology coordinator, Nancy serves on the Advisory Council for Futures Unlimited and the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education. Nancy is also the current President of Theatre 7 in Decatur.
Heather Thomas Heather is Program Coordinator for the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. She was born in El Paso, Texas, but was raised in Decatur. Heather received a B.A. in Christian Education from Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln. She was the former Director of Children's Ministries in Anderson, Indiana, for 5 years, where she recruited and trained a staff of over 60 volunteers. As Program Coordinator for the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Heather has been involved in the DLI in the past; however, this time she wanted to be aparticipant.
Julie Trueblood Julie is Executive Secretary at Heritage Behavioral Health Center and a freelance marketing and writing consultant. She received a B.A in the fields of English Composition and Literature from Millikin. She will be pursuing a Masters Degree from Millikin in Business Administration. Julie is a member of the Decatur Are a Women's Network (DAWN), the Decatur Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAPP), and the Decatur Ad Club. Julie joined the DLI to strengthen her network of contacts, to learn innovative strategies for effective leadership, and gain valuable knowledge and insight from long-standing Decatur business leaders.
Daniel Winter Daniel is a member of the Decatur Board of Education- District #61, specializing in finance. He was born in Earlville, Illinois, and received a B.S. Ed. in geography from ISU and an M.S. Ed. in educational administration from EIU. He also completed post-graduate studies at UIUC, UIS, and NIU.
