Rural Partners Board of Directors
Robert Baren
Legislative Liaison
Illinois Dept. of Agriculture
State Fairgrounds
PO Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794
Telephone: (217) 785-5485
Email Robert
Susan Wynn Bence
RP Vice Chair
Community Liaison
Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services
806 E. Walnut St. Suite A
Watseka, IL 60970
Telephone: (815) 432-1078
Fax (815) 432-1079
Email Susan
Dick Breckenridge
1560 N. 1100 East Road
Taylorville, IL 62568
(217) 414-4188
Email Dick
Dan Fisher
Treasurer, City of Gillespie
906 N. Clinton St.
Gillespie, IL 62033
Telephone: (217) 825-8189
Email Dan
Carol Jo Fritts
P.O. Box 127
201 N. Meridian St.
Toledo, IL 62468
Telephone:(217) 549-5188
Email Carol Jo
Pat Gleason
RP Secretary
e-Learning and Engagement Specialist
IL Section American Water Works Assn.
545 S Randall Road
St Charles, IL 60174
Telephone: (630) 377-1595 x7
1-866-521-3595 x7
Email Pat
Molly Hammond
RP Past Chair
Associate Director
Rural Development Business Center
USDA
2118 West Park Court, Suite A
Champaign, IL 61821
Telephone: (217) 403-6203
Email Molly
Liz Hunter
Jackson County Treasurer
1507 W Walnut St
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 521-3152
Email Liz
Matt Johnson
RP Treasurer
Vice-President, Govt. Policy
Shawnee Communications
P.O. Box 69
120 W. Lane
Equality, IL 62934
Telephone: (618) 276-3335
Email Matt
Laura Hepp Kessel
RP Chair
Director
Telehealth Services
SIU School of Medicine
175 S Main Street
Canton IL 61520
Telephone: (309) 543-2199
Email Laura
Steve Kline
President/CEO
The Economic Development Group, Ltd.
1701 Clearwater Ave.
Bloomington, IL 61704
Telephone: (309) 664-7777
Fax: (309) 664-7878
Email Steve
Brenda Matherly
Asst. Director of Local Government
Illinois Farm Bureau
1701 Towanda
Bloomington, IL, 61702
Telephone: (309) 557-3151
Fax: (309) 557-3729
Email Brenda
Chris Merrett
Director and Professor
Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs,
Western Illinois University
518 Stipes Hall
Macomb, IL 61455
Telephone: (309) 298-2281
Fax: (309)298-2142
Email Chris
Brian Moody
RP Assistant Treasurer
Director
Tuscola Chamber & Economic Development, Inc.
214 N. Main St.
Tuscola, IL 61953
Telephone: (217) 253-2552
Fax: (217) 369-0940
Email Brian
Fernanda “Fhernie” Pedraza-Schmitt
Branch Manager, Springfield Branch Office
U.S. Small Business Administration
3330 Ginger Creek Drive, Suite B-East
Springfield, IL 62711
(202)579-3108
Email Fhernie
Blanche Shoup
Director
Workforce Investment Office of Western IL
P.O. Box 231
Galesburg, IL 61402
Telephone: (309) 344-1575
Fax: (309)344-2446
Email Blanche
Anne Heinze Silvis
RP Assistant Secretary
Asst. Dean, Community & Econ Development
University of Illinois Extension
555 Bevier Hall; 905 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Telephone: (217) 333-5126
Email Anne
Jerry Townsend
6707 N. West Arrowhead Dr.
Urbana, IL 61802
Telephone (217) 369-1010
Email Jerry
Norman Walzer
Professor and Director Emeritus
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
DeKalb, IL 60115
Telephone: (309) 333-3131
Email Norman
Charles Watkins
Chief of Staff
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
Office of the Lt. Governor
214 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Telephone: (217) 558-3085
Fax: (217) 558-3094
Email Charles
Kim Watson
Senior Account Manager
IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
2309 West Main Street, Suite 124
Marion, IL 62959
Telephone: (618) 993-7630
Fax: (618) 993-764
Email Kim