Board of Directors
The One Shawnee Board of Directors is the leadership group tasked with managing our operations and carrying out One Shawnee's mission. Meet our Board of Directors below:
PATRICK WINDHORST
Board President
State Representative, 118th District
Patrick helped create One Shawnee in an effort to improve our communities and region. Through the years, he has served on several non-profit boards and foundations as well as being active in local civic organizations. Patrick served as Massac County State’s Attorney for over a decade before being elected State Representative in 2018.
SHERRIE CRABB
Board Vice President
CEO, Family Counseling Center, Inc.
Sherrie graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelors of Social Work and Masters of Science in Human Development and Family Life. Sherrie also leads multiple community organizations and coalitions throughout the state and most notably is the Chairperson of Illinois Partners for Human Service and serves as a Commissioner for the State of Illinois’ Youth Budget Commission. She is a tireless, passionate, and hands-on leader who serves her community by advocating for and educating others about issues and trends related to the Illinois human services sector.
MARTIN ROWE
Board Treasurer
President/CEO, First Eldorado Bancshares, Inc.
In his position at First Eldorado Bancshares, Martin also serves as Managing Director of Legence Bank. He has committed to using his business experience to better his community, serving as Board President of the Egyptian Health Department, past President and current board member of the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, as an active member of the Delta Leadership Network and his area Rotary Club. Martin is also a trustee for the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield.
BETH MONTFORT
Board Secretary
Retired Teacher
Beth is a retired special education teacher and former leader of the Harrisburg Education Association. Although retired, Beth has continued to serve her community. She recently finished up a term as the police and fire commissioner for the City of Harrisburg and is active in Saline County service initiatives such as We Are Community Strong and Step Up and Make an IMPACT.
DALE FOWLER
Board Member
State Senator, 59th District
Senator Fowler has dedicated his life to public service and philanthropy, holding several senior positions within state government and founding the Fowler-Bonan Foundation, best known for its “Clothes for Kids” of southern Illinois program and Heaven’s Kitchen meal service. Dale also spent time in the private sector as the Business Development Officer for Peoples National Bank and in elective office as a Saline County Board Member, City Commissioner and later Mayor of the City of Harrisburg. He was first elected to the State Senate in 2016.
DR. DEBORAH BARNETT
Board Member
Associate Director of the SIU Research Park and Director of Business Incubator Programs, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Dr. Barnett earned her doctoral and master's degrees in Workforce Education and Development (WED) at SIUC. Dr. Barnett is the Associate Director of the SIU Research Park and has also served as SIU's Assistant Dean of Students, earning respect campus-wide for her support of and advocacy for SIU’s veteran, military, and adult learner populations. She also has ten years’ experience as a small business owner and has held roles in workforce training, elementary education, and ministry-related service.
JODY JOHNSON
Board Member
Unit 27 County Extension Director, University of Illinois Extension
Jody Johnson has spent many years involved in community development initiatives serving on multiple economic development and broadband expansion boards as well as helping start Friends of the Shawnee National Forest. He currently serves on the board of the Shawnee Community College Foundation, Johnson County 2000, Inc., and is an elected Village Trustee in Goreville.
NICHOLAS MOTT
Board Member
Legislative Aide, Office of State Representative Patrick Windhorst
A lifelong Southern Illinoisan, Nicholas grew up in rural Johnson County where he spent many summers working with his father's logging business. A Murray State University graduate, he is now raising his young family with his wife in Harrisburg. He serves as Legislative Aide to 118th District State Representative Patrick Windhorst. In his role managing the district office, Nicholas serves as the state representative’s liaison to the community, communicating with stakeholders and helping constituents with state government related issues.
JOE HACKLER
Ex-Officio Board Member
Communications Director, Illinois Republican Party
Joe has a passion for community development and is excited to put his marketing and communications skills to work for the region. He previously served in former Governor Rauner’s administration and as his gubernatorial campaign’s Southern Illinois Director before heading up the Randolph County Land Resource Management Office.
RHONDA BELFORD
Board Member
President, Ohio River Scenic Byway, Inc.NFP
A Hardin County native, Rhonda has diverse experience, serving in state government as a marketing representative for the State Treasurer’s office, and in healthcare administration in both Long-term and Primary care settings. She is a fixture on the civic scene serving actively on numerous boards and commissions such as the Ohio River Scenic Byway, Southeastern Regional Planning and Development Commission, Egyptian Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, Fluorspar Festival Committee and Harrisburg Kiwanis.
TONY COX
Board Member
County Coroner, Gallatin County
Tony owns and operates Gallatin County’s oldest family run funeral home and monument company and has served in leadership on numerous boards including as President of the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association and on a national board for the Red Cross. He has served as Gallatin County Coroner since 1980 and has been active locally with his area chamber of commerce and the Knights of Columbus.
DEBORAH JOHNSON
Board Member
Retired, Higher Education Administration
Deb worked in higher education for over 20 years at Shawnee Community College, most recently serving as Trio Educational Talent Search Director. She is a graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy and served as CEO/CFO for the Cairo Heritage Foundation.
JOSH STAFFORD
Board Member
Superintendent, Vienna High School
Josh is a pioneering education administrator who has propelled Vienna High School to be a statewide leader in vocational education opportunities with 10% of recent graduating classes leaving Vienna High School with associates degrees. He also serves in various regional and statewide initiatives dedicated to education policy and advocacy. A native of Johnson County, Josh is active with the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, is involved with Little Egypt Emmaus and Chrysalis Camps, serves on the Eagle House Ministry Board, and is the youth leader at Fellowship Baptist Church.
LARRY MIZELL
Board Member
Retired, Former Warden & Chief Deputy Director IDOC
Larry has vast experience in leadership positions within state government and the local community. He started in the prison system and rose all the way to Warden and later Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Larry finished his career as the chief executive of the Family Counseling Center, Inc. in addition to serving on numerous boards, commissions, and leadership groups for an array of initiatives for Southern Illinois.
DR. GREGORY MASON
Board Member
Dean of Workforce Innovation, Adult Basic & Continuing Education, Shawnee Community College
Gregory is passionate about workforce development and is a certified Business Retention and Expansion Specialist. He is also active in several regional and local initiatives including the Illinois Small Business Development Network, the Union County and Metropolis Chambers of Commerce, Alexander-Pulaski County NAACP and the Southern Illinois Coalition of Minority-Owned Businesses.
ANDY SISULAK
Board Member
District Aide, Office of Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler
In addition to his role in Senator Fowler’s Office, Andy is also the Executive Director of the Southern Illinois Mayor’s Association. Andy is all about regional development, serving on various boards and initiatives including as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Fowler Bonan Foundation, member of the Regional Advisory Council for Delta Leadership Network, and as a committee member for Southern Illinois Bridges to the Future.
ANGIE HAMPTON
Board Member
CEO, Egyptian Health Department
Angie is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She is active in opioid crisis response planning regionally, statewide and nationally and has written numerous grants for systems change around behavioral health issues. In addition to her Masters from SIU, she completed the Harvard Executive Leadership Academy.
Region.
KRISTY STEPHENSON
Board Member
Assistant State’s Attorney, Massac County
Kristy Stephenson has extensive experience in regional issues serving as Southern Region Director and Policy Advisor to former Governor Bruce Rauner, the Governor’s designee to the Delta Regional Authority, as well as Downstate Director for former State Comptroller Leslie Munger. Kristy also served as the elected City Treasurer of Metropolis and has sat on multiple local development boards and commissions.
TRISH STECKENRIDER
Board Member
Executive Director, Metropolis Convention & Visitors Bureau
Trish is an expert on all things tourism as head of the bureau that organizes The Superman Celebration and Fort Massac Encampment, events that bring thousands to Southern Illinois. She has a Masters degree from NYU in Tourism and Travel Management and is excited to put her marketing, promotional and tourism system expertise to use in bettering the Shawnee Region.