Committees
Business Growth Committee
The Business Growth Committee reviews and monitors the EDC’s activities targeted to existing businesses, assists with prioritizing company outreach calls, and provides assistance with business issues as needed. The committee also assists with business recognition programs and networking events such as business roundtables. Finally, the committee reviews and monitors the EDC’s prospective industry marketing activities and assists EDC staff in developing target marketing programs and proposals. Because this committee functions as a “response team” for responding to prospective companies’ information needs and assisting with visits, membership must include experts on a variety of topics, including utilities, zoning/permitting, developers, workforce/training, transportation, and ally organizations.
EDC Staff Contact: Erik Kotewa
| Thomas Bruno | Champaign City Council |
| Gary Burgett | Smith/Burgett Architects, Inc. |
| Tom Carrino | City of Urbana |
| Mark Dixon | The Atkins Group |
| Steve Estes | Ameren IP |
| Laura Frerichs | Board Chair (Ex-Officio) |
| Jill Guth | JSM Development |
| Richard Helton | Village of Savoy |
| Rick Manner | Urbana Champaign Sanitary District |
| Jerry Ramshaw | Ramshaw Real Estate |
| Craig Rost | City of Champaign |
| Bruce Sandahl | Village of Rantoul |
| Mell Smigielski | Village of Mahomet |
| Ron Smith | Illinois American Water |
| Dennis Spice | Institutional Advisors, LTD |
| Masha Trenhaile | FDC, LLC |
| Matt Wavering, Chair | Coldwell Banker Commercial/Devonshire Realty |
Angel Investor Committee (UCAN)
The mission of the Urbana-Champaign Angel Network (UCAN) is to provide a forum for accredited investors to access and review selected investment opportunities in a confidential, efficient and effective manner. UCAN’s emphasis is to further economic development in the Champaign County area by matching capital providers with some of the best start-up business opportunities.
EDC Staff Contact: Carly McCrory
| Dennis Beard | Serra Ventures |
| John Clarke | University of Illinois |
| Mike Kirchhoff | Champaign County EDC |
| Laura Frerichs | University of Illinois Research Park |
| Tim Hoerr | Serra Ventures |
| Brendan McGinty | Carle |
| Lee O’Neill | UCAN Executive Director |
| Rob Schultz | Illinois Ventures |
| Chris Shroyer | Busey |
| Alan Singleton | Singleton Law Firm |
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is chaired by the Treasurer of the Corporation and is charged with reviewing/approving monthly corporate financial reports prior to their submission to the Board of Directors. In addition, the Finance Committee is directed to work with the President/CEO to propose a corporate budget for the next fiscal year at least 60 days prior to the end of the current fiscal year. Finally, the Finance Committee shall oversee any campaigns to identify and secure funding sources for corporate operations.
EDC Staff Contact: Mike Kirchhoff
| Mike DeLorenzo | University of Illinois |
| Laura Frerichs | Board Chair (Ex-Officio) |
| Diane Marlin | City of Urbana |
| Cameron Moore | Champaign County RPC |
| Craig Rost | City of Champaign |
| Bruce Sandahl | Village of Rantoul |
| Chris Shroyer, Chair | Busey Bank |
| Becky VonHolten | Midland States Bank |
Marketing Committee
The Marketing Committee will also assist in the development of appropriate marketing materials; and a public awareness campaign, including identification of publicity opportunities, local speaking engagements, regular media coverage, and preparation and distribution of newsletters and other publications to inform investors, stakeholders, allies, prospects (as appropriate), and the general public about the EDC’s activities, purposes, goals, and accomplishments.
EDC Staff Contact: Carly McCrory
| Mike Billimack, Chair | Carle |
| Thomas Bruno | Champaign City Council |
| Thomas Costello | C-U Mass Transit District |
| Paul Donohue | Provena |
| Laura Frerichs | Board Chair (Ex-Officio) |
| Craig Rost | City of Champaign |
| Nick Taylor | Re/Max Realty |
| Bill Walter | A & R Mechanical |
SBDC Advisory Board
Small Business Development Centers are required to create and maintain a board of advisors comprised of local/regional small business owners and other small business-related members such as lenders, equity investors, chamber of commerce representatives, other economic development individuals, educational institution personnel, governmental representatives, and other appropriate individuals who reflect the SBDC’s market sector focus. Meetings of this committee must comply with the Open Meetings Act.
EDC Staff Contact: Greg Gonda
| Betty Brennan, Chair | Taylor Studios, Inc. |
| Gary Burgett | Smith/Burgett Architects, Inc. |
| Paul Donohue | Provena |
| Laura Frerichs | Board Chair (Ex-Officio) |
| Mell Smigielski | Village of Mahomet |
Technology Committee
The Technology Committee works to promote Champaign County as a Midwestern hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Collaborating with the University of Illinois, its Research Park, and other partners, the committee monitors technology innovations, maintains a directory of local technology companies, and provides oversight for tech-related networking events such as TechMix, TechCocktail, and Innovation Celebration.
EDC Staff Contact: Carly McCrory
| Laura Berg, Co-Chair | NTT Data |
| Laura Frerichs | Board Chair (Ex-Officio) |
| Tim Hoerr | Serra Ventures |
| Liz Kellner, Co-Chair | Singleton Law Firm |
| Stephanie Larson | Technology Entrepreneur Center |
| Brendan McGinty | Carle |
| Maria Mobasseri | Parkland College |
| James Quisenberry | Champaign County Board |
| Mark Scifres | Pavlov Media |
| Alan Singleton | Singleton Law Firm |
| Svetlana Sowers | University of Illinois |
| Jed Taylor | Technology Entrepreneur Center |
| Ken Taylor | Neustar |
Workforce/Education Committee
In partnership with local employers and educational institutions, the Workforce/ Education Committee improves Champaign County’s economic competitiveness by identifying labor shortages and skills gaps and enhancing coordination of education and training resources to address the workforce needs of the local business community. Specifically, the Committee maintains a comprehensive directory of job training and employment resources and coordinates communication between program providers, educational institutions, and employers.
EDC Staff Contact: Mike Kirchhoff
| Carol Ammons | Champaign County Board |
| Mark Dixon | The Atkins Group |
| Laura Frerichs | Board Chair (Ex-Officio) |
| Lori Gold-Patterson, Chair | Pixo |
| Diane Marlin | City of Urbana |
| Dan McCall | ECI Building & Construction Trades Council |
| Cameron Moore | Champaign County RPC |
| Seamus Reilly | Parkland College |
| Cindy Somers | Spherion |
| Victor White | Prairieview-Ogden School District |
| Preston Williams | Unit 116 Schools |
