My husband and I, along with eight other business associates, started the company in 2000. We built a new facility in 2003. Heartland manufactures and ships labels in the United States and Canada. Heartland has a distribution center in Dallas. We started a second shift in 2015. In 2020, we built a second addition to our facility and started manufacturing boxes. In 2021, we found it necessary to build another addition to our facility. God has blessed our work, and we give him the praise… Show more My husband and I, along with eight other business associates, started the company in 2000. We built a new facility in 2003. Heartland manufactures and ships labels in the United States and Canada. Heartland has a distribution center in Dallas. We started a second shift in 2015. In 2020, we built a second addition to our facility and started manufacturing boxes. In 2021, we found it necessary to build another addition to our facility. God has blessed our work, and we give him the praise. Although an owner, I currently do not participate in the daily operations of the company due to my other work and family commitments. Show less

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to again work with the team at Hutsonville Schools. I helped to support and enhance technology within the district, as well as wrote and managed several million dollars worth of grants. I was an Amazon Future Engineer Educator, and our first class of 10 high school students was chosen to beta test for Amazon! Each year our Amazon students learned to code with Python, Java, and Scratch. We expanded our birth to three childhood program from 1… Show more I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to again work with the team at Hutsonville Schools. I helped to support and enhance technology within the district, as well as wrote and managed several million dollars worth of grants. I was an Amazon Future Engineer Educator, and our first class of 10 high school students was chosen to beta test for Amazon! Each year our Amazon students learned to code with Python, Java, and Scratch. We expanded our birth to three childhood program from 1 employee to 9 through a 3+ million dollar state grant I had the pleasure of writing. The program, which includes all of Clark and Crawford county, was said to be the second largest in the state two years ago.Several other grants have supported playgrounds, books, wifi access, computers, security systems, a greenhouse, broadband wiring, football equipment, video conference equipment, and a variety of other needs. Win-win.Grants allowed us to upgrade wiring in the grade school and the junior high buildings. A new phone system was put in place, as well as a new security system.During the 2020 remote learning time, we were able to ensure access for all students and teachers. When students transitioned back, we juggled dual classrooms with some students at home and some at school. It was a wild ride and yet also an amazing learning opportunity about what we could do remotely with our current technology.I officially retired from the state in 2024. It was a blessing in my life to have worked at Hutsonville Schools. Show less

This position is the head of the financial aid department for the college and is responsible for managing all aspects of financial aid - FAFSA applications, Pell Grants, loan processing, scholarships, etc. Initial applications for federal funding come in to our department and are reviewed. For the 16-17 school year, we processed 111 subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. Loans and Pell Grants processed in the first 6 months totaled over $1,100,000. Veteran's educational benefits and… Show more This position is the head of the financial aid department for the college and is responsible for managing all aspects of financial aid - FAFSA applications, Pell Grants, loan processing, scholarships, etc. Initial applications for federal funding come in to our department and are reviewed. For the 16-17 school year, we processed 111 subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. Loans and Pell Grants processed in the first 6 months totaled over $1,100,000. Veteran's educational benefits and Federal Work Study are the responsibility of the Financial Aid Department. I also worked with a team to do major updates on our system to automate processes. Show less

I started consulting in the 90s and established an LLC in 2009. I usually put consulting work on hold and take it off my timeline when I am working directly for one organization. I have worked with numerous non-profits and communities to do community and project planning, and to find grant funds. A large percentage of my work through my LLC has been pro bono for non-profits in my area. I am also a big advocate for community foundations and for the CEO entrepreneurship effort. I have… Show more I started consulting in the 90s and established an LLC in 2009. I usually put consulting work on hold and take it off my timeline when I am working directly for one organization. I have worked with numerous non-profits and communities to do community and project planning, and to find grant funds. A large percentage of my work through my LLC has been pro bono for non-profits in my area. I am also a big advocate for community foundations and for the CEO entrepreneurship effort. I have worked with communities and organizations to win both large and small grants over the past couple decades. I have enjoyed being a part of many community projects such as forest preserves, museums, recreational trails, playgrounds, boat launches, safe routes, community foundations, tourism projects, downtown upgrades, community buildings, and entrepreneurship efforts. I enjoy working with community people and businesses who come together for the greater good of Rural Illinois. Show less

ECIDC is a 30-year-strong organization that assists in bringing together the community leadership, resources, and organizations concerned with economic development in a joint effort, giving 11 counties a unified voice for East Central Illinois. ECIDC has over 80 member organizations, and 6 new organizations were added over the last year that I served. Champaign County approached ECIDC with an interest in joining, and I worked with the board to develop plans to formally add the county… Show more ECIDC is a 30-year-strong organization that assists in bringing together the community leadership, resources, and organizations concerned with economic development in a joint effort, giving 11 counties a unified voice for East Central Illinois. ECIDC has over 80 member organizations, and 6 new organizations were added over the last year that I served. Champaign County approached ECIDC with an interest in joining, and I worked with the board to develop plans to formally add the county. Responsible for annually coordinating 4 executive committee meetings, 4 full board of director meetings, numerous committee and community meetings, the Annual East Central Broadband Summit with 50-75 attendees, the Annual Manufacturer's Roundtable with over 100 attendees, and the Annual ECIDC Banquet with 150-200 attendees. Assisted with community broadband planning and coordination with dozens of providers such as AT&T, Frontier, Mediacom, Metro Communications, the state cooperatives, and numerous other entities.Coordinated an economic development opportunity in which six rural communities partnered together to apply for a large grant - we pulled in several thousand dollars worth of funds for area communities, and created new partnerships. Worked to support the colleges within our region. Entrepreneurship development was successful through such means as providing technical assistance to the Creating Entrepreneurship Opportunities Class. Stayed in contact with other state and federal agencies in order to enhance services and distribute information to our region. Managed three web sites, including the regional tourism web site http://eastcentralillinoisevents.com/ Worked with a larger ECI Super Region Area consisting of numerous college districts in order to combine expertise, resources, and potential for collaborative projects. I resigned in 2015 to pursue other interests. I am very thankful for my time as the ECIDC Executive Director. Show less

PCI, also known as Broadband Illinois, was a large federal and state grant funded project which completed in 2014. PCI was the designated broadband authority for the State of Illinois. I was originally hired as a consultant and then as the first Regional Leader/Manager for the project. My area included 27 counties and was home to Eastern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois. PCI managed several million dollars worth of broadband development grants… Show more PCI, also known as Broadband Illinois, was a large federal and state grant funded project which completed in 2014. PCI was the designated broadband authority for the State of Illinois. I was originally hired as a consultant and then as the first Regional Leader/Manager for the project. My area included 27 counties and was home to Eastern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois. PCI managed several million dollars worth of broadband development grants for providers in Illinois.Worked to assist communities,companies and residents get high speed Internet access. Provided technology training for new users, as well as advanced training for community leaders on what broadband can really mean for them. Marketed new broadband service options through e-newsletters, Facebook, press releases, and numerous community meetings. Worked a great deal with Internet providers. Worked with a team and brought in additional grant funds to assist businesses and communities. Assisted our GIS experts in gathering, verifying, and publishing data on Internet access levels in all areas of Illinois. Part of a team that promoted Internet adoption activities such as basic training by libraries and community colleges, grants to support builds or equipment, and entrepreneurship education. Show less

Worked with non-profits and municipalities to write and win millions of dollars worth of grants for community projects. Worked on community project development in numerous areas.Worked with University of Illinois statewide project (Illinois Resource Net) to give technical assistance on federal grant applications. Crawford County was second only to Cook County in number of applications submitted and won. Established curriculum and provided individual and group training for… Show more Worked with non-profits and municipalities to write and win millions of dollars worth of grants for community projects. Worked on community project development in numerous areas.Worked with University of Illinois statewide project (Illinois Resource Net) to give technical assistance on federal grant applications. Crawford County was second only to Cook County in number of applications submitted and won. Established curriculum and provided individual and group training for community organizations.Teamed with U of I to create a new online training opportunity for non-profits.While working for U of I Extension, I was approached by Broadband Illinois to assist with a project in coordination with the extension office. Broadband Illinois then asked if I would work directly for them as their first regional leader, and I started with them in 2011. It was not an easy decision as I enjoyed my work and the people at U of I Extension. Show less

Reported to the Clark County Park District Board while having responsibility for staff, programs, and implementation of strategic plan. Oversaw project development, budget appropriations, and grant management. Coordinated and facilitated all board meetings. Hired and supervised staff. Evaluated income, expenses, and historical data to determine the budget and make recommendations to the board. Managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, levies, payroll taxes… Show more Reported to the Clark County Park District Board while having responsibility for staff, programs, and implementation of strategic plan. Oversaw project development, budget appropriations, and grant management. Coordinated and facilitated all board meetings. Hired and supervised staff. Evaluated income, expenses, and historical data to determine the budget and make recommendations to the board. Managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, levies, payroll taxes, etc.Organized a strategic plan committee for the park, and facilitated the development of the first updated plan since the original plan was developed in 1978. Wrote and managed over $500,000 worth of grants for the 1200-acre park district. Grants created expansion and better utilization of facilities. Upgrades paid by grant funds included new docks, new restrooms in two locations, new basketball courts, a new soccer field, a new shelter at the trails, a new shelter with concession stand at the campground, and repairs at trails. Created new ways to bring revenue into the park – marketing program, weekly and monthly camping, additional fishing areas, updated facilities, utilization of winter activities. Show less

Formerly known as Golden Rule Insurance - was purchased by United Healthcare. I provided training and developed materials for hundreds of employees in a two state area. I spent over 50 days in Indy during my last year with the company. We were building our business (Heartland) and raising two boys during that time, so it was a wild ride.

First technology director hired for Hutsonville and Palestine School Districts. Later hired as Technology Specialist for the Regional Office of Education which covered 12 school districts.Responsible for network planning, software installation, troubleshooting, and a variety of other technical duties.Organized and chaired the first technology committees. Organized, marketed and provided numerous training sessions for teachers, administrators, and office staff in 12 school… Show more First technology director hired for Hutsonville and Palestine School Districts. Later hired as Technology Specialist for the Regional Office of Education which covered 12 school districts.Responsible for network planning, software installation, troubleshooting, and a variety of other technical duties.Organized and chaired the first technology committees. Organized, marketed and provided numerous training sessions for teachers, administrators, and office staff in 12 school districts.Collaborated with teachers to evaluate district scores and needs for projects and funding.Worked with administrators of 12 school districts to analyze training needs.Working with a team of teachers and administrators, we wrote state approved Technology Plans for Hutsonville and Palestine School Districts. Plans were needed for eRate and grants.Wrote several hundred thousand dollars worth of winning grants for the schools. Show less