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.
Amy Graham
DirectorBoard Chair Committees: Facilitator Review / Hire, School Coordinator, Investor Recruitment & Care, MentoringAmy is director of Carthage Community Development, an organization commited to the economic vitality and quality of life in Carthage, IL. Amy has been a member of the Board of Directors for Hancock County CEO since its inception in 2015. She was instrumental with bringing the CEO Program to the county after meeting Craig Lindvahl at an economic development conference. Amy's passion for education and working with youth has defined her career as a teacher, a school administrator, and as a volunteer. "Who will be better today because of me?" ~Craig Lindvahl PHOTO: Christine Murphy, Craig Lindvahl, Amy Graham
Matt Dickinson
Board MemberTreasurer Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareMatt was born and raised in the Carthage area, but left the county for about 20 years beginning with college and then his early work life. With a young family, he moved back to Hancock County from "the City" in 1994. He is a member of the board of CEO because he knows there is a need to keep our youth interested in working and living in Hancock County, either directly out of high school or after they have graduated college (and in some cases, after a few years of work experience away from here). "CEO does a great job of introducing our high school students to the vast array of opportunities that are here in our local area" says Matt, and "we are beginning to see the pay-back from our efforts."
Amy Bruenger
Vice President Ag/Commercial LendingBoard Member Committees: Mentoring
Jamie Cousins
Vice President Commercial LendingBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care, MentoringJamie is Vice President Commercial Lending at United Community Bank. He currently resides in Hamilton, IL with his wife, Lexi Cousins, who is a teacher and coach at Illini West High School. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golfing, hunting, and is also an avid sports fan. He enjoys watching Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball and Football and he attends many games throughout the year. Jamie is excited to be involved in CEO and understands the interests of young professionals and the need for the program. "Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion"- Michael Jordan
Collin Dooley
AccountantBoard MemberCollin grew up in Hancock County, graduating from Warsaw High School in 2012. He attended Illinois College for undergrad and the University of Illinois Springfield to obtain his MBA. After recently moving back to the county, he learned about CEO and wanted to get involved. He works for Western Illinois Mutual Insurance Company in Carthage, IL as the accountant.
Joseph Goetz
ControllerBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareJoseph was born and raised in Hancock County and attended Western Illinois University earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accountancy. He currently serves as Controller of Carthage System and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant.
Brad Gooding
PrincipalBoard MemberBrad is the Hamilton High School Principal. He lives in Carthage, IL with his wife Becky and son Lincoln. He has a son Kennedy (wife Michaela and daughters Adley and Grace) who teaches and coaches at Hamilton Elementary/Junior High School. Brad enjoys spending time with his granddaughters and doing anything related to athletics. This is his 29th year in education having been a teacher, athletic director, coach, bus driver and administrator at Southeastern, Palmyra, MO, Unity, Illini West, Rushville-Industry and now Hamilton. He was involved with the CEO program when it began 10 years ago in Hancock County and was also a board member with the Brown Schuyler CEO program when it began in 2021. He sees that value that a hands-on, outside the box program can be for students and the opportunities itcan open for students in the future.
Brianna Grotts
Speech-Language PathologistBoard Member Committees: AlumniBrianna was born and raised in Hancock County. She was a former student in the first Hancock County CEO Class in 2016. After finishing college, Brianna moved back to the area and currently works in Warsaw and LaHarpe Elementary Schools as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Samantha Harnack
Executive DirectorBoard Member Committees: AlumniSamantha Harnack is the new Executive Director of Hancock County Economic Development (HCED). HCED has been a supporter of Hancock County CEO from the beginning and as such, Samantha is delighted to be a board member to support this amazing organization. Helping students become entrepreneursis a passion of Sam's and she loves acting as an ambassador, speaker, and fill-in whenever possible for these amazing young men and women.
Tecia Lantz
SuperintendentBoard Member
Tim Parrish
PresidentBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care, MentoringTim is President at Marine Bank and Trust in Carthage. He earned his B.B.A. from Culver Stockton College. Tim has been with Hancock County CEO Program since 2016.