Dr. Patrick Hamper grew up in Aurora, IL and graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry in 2004. Then went on to dental school at Southern Illinois University, where he met his wife, Stephanie, and they both graduated in 2008. He and his wife lived in Hawaii for 2 years before settling in Minonk for 12 years to start a family.They moved to Bloomington in 2024 but still practice in Minonk and Toluca. Hehas two lovely daughters and hobbies include golf, tennis, watching the Chicago Bears (Go Bears!) and business / financial planning. He loves to go to the annual Bershire Hathaway meeting in Omaha to really get his business fix. He heard about CEO from two patients before starting the program. One who was on the board of the Woodford county CEO and and one who started a chapter in Kankakee. They had such great things to say about the program that he felt compelled to start a chapter here as his way to give back ot the community (and have fun at the same time.)

John Keigher brings to the board extensive executive leadership and experience in operations, strategic planning and marketing in the food, transportation and financial industries.A strategic driven CEO with many years of executive experience in industry leading world-class organizations. Servant leadership and a proven successful track record of building high performance cultures and being a very involved community partner. Proactive business advisor, innovative internal advisor and influential collaborator. Career HighlightsJohn serves as the Business Development Officer for the State Bank of Herscher, a community bank in Kankakee County. John previously served as CEO, COO, CFO, Advisor and Board Member of Urban Farmer, a leading speciality gluten-free, vegetable dough manufacturer from 2018-2022. John served as VP, Director, leadership team and Co-owner of Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc from 1993 to 2018.Active Board Member for: United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties, Leadership Society ChairKankakee Community College Foundations Board, Goverance Chair Kankakee County CEO, Board ChairKankakee County Chamber of Commerce, Past Board President.

Dr. Charlie Zimmerman is the Principal of Metamora Township High School, where he is passionate about fostering a supportive and challenging learning environment for all students. A lifelong resident of Metamora, Dr. Zimmerman is deeply committed to the community and its future. He believes in the power of education to transform lives and strives to empower students to reach their full potential. He is a strong advocate for student well-being and believes that a strong work ethic, combined with a supportive community, are essential for success. Dr. Zimmerman is a graduate of MTHS and credits his own positive high school experiences for inspiring his career in education. He and his wife, Amanda, are proud parents of four children.

Amanda is a seasoned bookkeeper and financial coach with over 20 years of experience, specializing in service-based businesses. She serves as the Treasurer,bringing her financial expertise to support its mission. Passionate about helping others, she has been actively involved in her community, serving on the boards of Moms Club and New Hope Church, mentoring fellow bookkeepers, and leading as a Girl Scout Leader. Raised in Minonk, IL, and now residing in Metamora, IL, she is committed to financial stewardship, integrity, and making a meaningful impact. As the owner of Allied Numbers, she is passionate about helping business owners achieve financial clarity and peace of mind through accurate bookkeeping and strategic financial guidance. With a strong commitment to integrity and honesty, Amanda empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions that support long-term success.

Jessica Stech is the Office Manager at Fieldcrest Dental and a dedicated member of the Heart of Illinois CEO Board. As a parent of two students in the Fieldcrest School District, she is passionate about creating opportunities for local youth to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Jessica joined the board to help ensure that students in her community have access to the transformative experiences offered by the CEO program.