WHAT CEO BOARD MEMBERS DO
Board members are active, engaged community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to the operational oversight of our local CEO Program.
Facilitator Support: Board members provide ongoing support to the CEO Facilitator.
Event Planning: Board members plan and execute key CEO events, including investor and mentor socials, and the student trade show.
Student Recruitment & Selection: Board members organize recruitment efforts, engage with local schools, and oversee the selection of CEO students.
Mentorship Coordination: Board members recruit mentors, manage mentor-student pairings, and ensure mentor program success.
School Liaison: Board members maintain communication with school administrators to coordinate student participation and scheduling.
Investor Recruitment & Care: Board members recruit and maintain relationships with local investors, ensuring the program's financial sustainability.
Who is a board member?
Meet the local leaders who make up our CEO Board.
Ken Wright
PresidentBoard Chair Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care, MentoringKen Wright, a life-long resident of Piatt County, has worked at State Bank of Bement since 1982, serving as the Bank’s President since 2012. In addition to serving as President, he also is a Board Member for State Bank of Bement, State Bank of Cerro Gordo and Bement Bancshares, Inc. Over the years, he has been involved with many organizations, both in Bement and in Piatt County. He currently is President of the Piatt County Nursing Home Foundation Board, President of Bement Township Cemetery Board, serves as Treasurer and Board Member of Bement Public Library District as well as Treasurer and Board Member of the Piatt County Public Building Commission. Ken attended school in Bement, Cisco and Monticello and is a graduate of Monticello High School and the University of Illinois. “I am honored and proud to serve on the Sangamon Valley CEO Board. The program offers students the opportunity to learn and experience fundamentals of business that might have otherwise been unavailable to them. I have discussed business fundamentals and participated in Banker Day with prior groups, and find it a great learning experience for both the students and myself. The growth that I have witnessed in the students over the course of the year is amazing and will surely help them in whatever endeavor they choose for their career.”
Callie McFarland
Dir. Community DevelopmentVice Chair Committees: Media, Mentoring
Heather Lawhead
Vice President of Retail BankingTreasurer Committees: Event Coordinator, MediaHeather is the Vice President of Retail Banking for First State Bank in Monticello. While she's been at First State since 2014, she's had over 18 years of banking experience in the Monticello community. She also currently serves on the board of directors for the Monticello Rotary Club. In the past, she has served in a variety of volunteer positions for other community organizations and takes pride in being able to give back to her community. Heather and her husband, Andy, have two children, Emma and Wyatt. She enjoys spending time with family, attending her children's school activities, and sporting events.
Karen Freese
Owner/ManagerSecretary Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care
Shelley Beery
Guidance CounselorBoard Member Committees: AlumniShelley has been a guidance counselor and social worker at Monticello High School since 2005. She is a graduate of Teutopolis High School in Effingham County, where CEO all began. She loves coaching softball and playing golf.
Adam Clapp
PrincipalBoard Member Committees: Event Coordinator, Mentoring
Kevin Feeney
AgentBoard Member Committees: Event Coordinator, Facilitator Review / Hire, Investor Recruitment & Care
Sean German
PrincipalBoard Member
Doug Kepley
PrincipalBoard Member Committees: AlumniDoug has been the high school principalat Bement High School since 2005. He is a graduate of Newton Community High School in Jasper County. Doug and his wife, Joan reside in Monticello and have two children, Lauren and Garrett.
Cindy Luedke
MayorBoard Member Committees: Event CoordinatorI am a retired teacher having taught 34 years at Argenta-Oreana High School. At the present time, I am serving as the mayor of Argenta.
Steve Tenhouse
CEOBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareSteve is the chief executive officer at Kirby Medical Center in Monticello and has served in that role since 2005. He is a certified public accountant, is dual board-certified with the American College of Health Care Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association, has a Bachelor of Business degree in Accounting from Western Illinois University and a Master in Healthcare Administration from ohio University. Steve enjoys cycling, CrossFit, and playing bad golf.
Emily Weidner
SuperintendentBoard MemberDr. Weidner is the Superintendent of Cerro Gordo CUSD #100. She served as a teacher and administratorin Rantoul for 8 years and a principal in Monticello for 15 years. Dr. Weidner lives in Monticello with her husband, Justin, and their 3 children, Jack, Ali, and Grace.