Meet the Board of Directors
SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors
The SIU Alumni Association’s National Board of Directors is a dedicated group of alumni leaders committed to advancing the mission and future of the organization and University. These individuals, chosen by a nominating committee of their peers on the board, help guide the strategic direction of the Association, ensuring that alumni engagement remains strong and responsive to the evolving needs of the University and its students.
Through their service, board members champion a lifelong bond between SIU and its graduates, bolster programs that support students and alumni, and serve as proud ambassadors for the Association in their communities and professions. Serving on the National Board is both a responsibility and an honor, a meaningful way for alumni to give back to the institution that helped shape who they are, while helping to shape what SIU will become for generations of students to come.
Executive Committee
President. Class of '85, '19. Chicago, IL
Scott founded Marketing Werks, Inc. in 1987 with his sister, Julie Guida ’79. The University laid a solid foundation for them, as each served stints in the position of Promotions Director for the SIU Arena. Prior to selling the $100 million independent experiential marketing agency in 2014, the firm employed a staff of more than 200 in its Chicago headquarters and Los Angeles and New York offices, plus more than 3,000 proven brand ambassadors throughout the United States. Clients included such valued brands as Verizon, PlayStation, Walgreens, Hershey, LEGO, Bridgestone, and United Health Care. Currently, Scott is principal at AKA Partners, a marketing communications firm in Chicago.
President-Elect. Class of '87. Dir. Global Vendor Management and Contracts, Symphony Clinical Research, Twin Lakes, WI
Laura graduated from the School of Agriculture with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition in 1987. She worked in the restaurant industry as a general manager and multi unit general manager for 23 years in the business and industry sector. She returned to school in 2010 and earned her Paralegal Certification and is currently working as the Director of Global Vendor Management and Contracts for Symphony Clinical Research in Vernon Hills, IL.
Symphony is the global leader in providing in-home services for clinical trials. Laura's responsibilities include drafting the contracts with the pharmaceutical companies conducting the clinical trials and also the global vendors who perform the in- home services for the clinical trials. Laura and her husband, Matt (Class of 1989) reside in Grayslake and are active in the Chicago chapter of the alumni association as well as life members of the association.
Immediate Past President. Class of '84, '85. Senior Analytical Chemist, Archer Daniels Midland Co., Forsyth, IL
Mike received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Plant & Soil Science from SIU and went on to complete his Ph.D. in Agronomy at North Carolina State University. Mike has served as Senior Analytical Chemist at ADM Research in Decatur, IL since 2001 specializing in the area of liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Mike is a member of the American Chemical Society and American Society of Mass Spectrometry and has served as President of the Central Illinois Chapter of the SIU Alumni Association. Mike attended Okawville High School and was a four-year letterman on the SIU baseball team from 1981 to 1984. Mike and his wife, Pam (Health Care Management ’89), have two daughters. Their oldest daughter, Lauren, also graduated from SIU and played volleyball for the Salukis. His wife Pam is an SIU graduate, Class of '89.
Vice President. Class of ’89. Vice President, Rendleman Orchards, Alto Pass, IL
Wayne, Vice President and part-owner of Rendleman Orchards, Inc. is a fifth-generation commercial specialty crops grower on his family’s centennial farm in Alto Pass, Ill. He graduated Magna cum Laude from the SIU College of Agriculture, was the 1989 Lincoln Academy of Illinois SIU Student Laureate recipient, and the third generation to attend SIU. Sirles has been actively involved in his industry through positions held with Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State Horticulture Society, Illinois Specialty Crops Association, among others. He currently serves on the Agriculture Advisory Boards for both U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and U.S. Congressman Mike Bost. He speaks at state and Midwest conferences, and supports continued research by the SIU College of Agriculture on his farm. He and his wife, Michelle '89, have raised two daughters, now the sixth generation on Rendleman Orchards.
Treasurer. Class of '84, '98
Greg is the Treasurer for the SIU Alumni Association’s National Board. He has over 25 years of experience in healthcare financial management roles and is currently employed by Deaconess Health Services as Chief Financial Officer for Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, Illinois. He was previously with Southern Illinois Healthcare, based in Carbondale, the last position being Corporate Director of Finance. He has served in volunteer leadership roles in various organizations, including President of the Southern Illinois Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), the United Way, and Rotary. He is certified as a Fellow of HFMA. Greg and his wife, Anna, are life members of the SIU Alumni Association and currently reside in Marion. They have a son, a 2019 graduate in Forestry from SIU, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
Pat Hewson
Legal Counsel, Attorney at Law, Gilbert, Huffman, Prosser, Hewson & Barke, LTD., Carbondale, IL
Director At-Large. Class of '99. Operations Consultant, San Francisco, CA
Makela earned a bachelor's degree in history from SIU Carbondale in 1999 and later a degree in cultural museum studies from harvard University in 2003.
She lives and owrks in San Francisco as an operations consultant, with a focus on administrative functions. During her two decards of experience, she has acquired a diverse background and proven track record in fundraising, event and project management, executive support, office management, social media strategy and client relationship management. She has worked for companies such as Twitter, Goldman Sachs, Monitor Deloitte, The Commonwealth Club of California and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.
Her career milestones include servince on the Blue Apron IPO administrative team, being part of a fundraising team that successfully raised $5.75 million for the purchase of a building for The Commonwealth Club of California, and starting the Alumni Relations Department for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Director At-Large. Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer, Naples Botanical Garden
Andrea has over 20 years in the nonprofit sector in a variety of roles. She joined Naples Botanical Garden in 2019 as the Vice President of Development and Marketing, where she leads the organization’s contributed and earned revenue efforts. She oversees audience development and the teams responsible for taking a guest from visitor to member to donor. She spent 11 years at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. There, she led the membership program, donor communications, and the Young Friends of the Garden program. She also led the public phase of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden for the World capital campaign. Before that, Andrea served in creative roles in the nonprofit and corporate sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communications and a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, and holds a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.
Director At-Large. Class of ’98. Medical Director, Value Based Care and Provider Networks, Sentara Health Plans, VA
Sunil of St. Louis, is the medical director for Value Based Care and Provider Networks, Sentara Health Plans, Virginia. Previously, he was vice president and chief medical officer for the BJC Medical Group in St. Louis. Prior to that, he was chief medical officer for Virginia of JenCare Senior Medical Centers, a Medicare Advantage HMO joint venture between Humana and ChenMed, Inc. He earned an MBA from SIU Carbondale in 1998 and was a 2016 inductee into the College of Business and Analytics Hall of Fame. He also has a graduate certificate in information systems from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.
Sinha also has served as vice president for medical affairs at the Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. He has been director for medical and public health policy for Pfizer in New York; senior medical officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Washington, D.C., and director of managed care of the VA Maryland health care system.
Sinha is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review, American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American College of Physician Executives. He is also a past regent for Maryland for the American College of Healthcare Executives and served a three-year term on the organization's national board of governors. Sinha is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a senior fellow of the Council for Excellence in Government and the Health Research Education Trust. Sinha completed an internal medicine residency at the Loyal University Medical Center in Chicago, where he served as associate chief of residence and was the recipient of the Intern of the Year award.
Director At-Large. Class of '83, '85. Language Services, LLC, Orland Park, IL
Rick is a two-degree SIU graduate, who for the past 23 years has served as CEO of Language Services LLC, a full-service translation firm specializing in international translation used to create authentic communications for global industries. A native of the Jersey shore, Wysocki was a four-year letterman on the SIU baseball team from 1980 to 1983, and his wife, Karen, was a Saluki Shaker. Rick was a graduate assistant at the SIU Student Recreation Center and a member of Eta Sigma Gamma national health honorary. He is actively involved with the SIU Chicagoland Golf Outing, served on the Distinguished Alumni selection committee, and was also on the baseball alumni committee to renovate Abe Martin Field. Rick and Karen have two daughters, the youngest graduated from SIU in May 2018. His wife Karen is an SIU graduate Class of '83.
Members At-Large
Class of '71. Retired, Public Relations Consultant, Washington, IL
Steve has been recognized throughout the years for his award-winning political writing, as well as his work in public relations. Before directing his own public relations firm, he worked as an acclaimed investigative reporter for the Daily Herald newspapers in suburban Chicago. Steve is active with both the Springfield and Peoria, Illinois chapters of the SIU Alumni Association. A St. Louis native, Brown and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Washington, IL. Their two sons are both SIU graduates - Mitch '20, '22 and Alec '21.
Class of ’81. Director of Business Development, Pedone Pinsa, LLC., St. Charles, IL
Forrest has been in the foodservice industry since graduating from SIU in 1981. After many years as an executive at a national foodservice broker, he has moved to the manufacturer side and is heading up sales and business development for Pedone Pinsa, a Roman-style pizza crust producer. He has been very active with SIU in the Chicago area, serving as Chairman for the Chicagoland Golf Committee for 20 years and SIU Day at White Sox Park for 10 years. He has also been involved with many other SIU events and fundraisers, and has been a board advisor at large for the SIU Delta Chi Fraternity Alumni Board for over 10 years. Forrest and his wife, Michele, live in St. Charles, IL, where they enjoy spending their free time with their two children’s families, their grandchildren, and traveling as often as possible.
Class of '77. Retired, Springfield, IL
Michael is the Director for the Office of Planning and Economic Development for the city of Springfield, Ill. He has 38 years of economic development experience including administrative positions with the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and AT&T.
Michael is a board member for the Illinois Tax Increment Financing Association and Springfield Senior Center. Farmer is also a private pilot and member of Springfield Flying 20. He and his wife, MaryBeth '81, have a son, Nicholas.
Class of '04, '07. Certified Risk Architect, Tedrick Group, Mount Vernon, IL
Casey earned his bachelor's degree from SIU in 2004 before he received a master's degree in kinesiology—sports and business administration in 2007. He is a certified risk architect with the Tedrick Group in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Before that, Hale worked with the SIU Athletic Department as a fundraiser for the Saluki Athletic Scholarship and Saluki Way project.
Hale is a lifelong resident of southern Illinois and a longtime advocate for SIU Carbondale. He lives in Marion with his wife, Deanna, and three daughters, Elly, Lilah, and Maggie. He enjoys golfing, cooking, and family in his spare time.
Class of ’89. New Business Development Manager, GHE Enterprises, Chicago, IL
Gary, the business development manager for GHE Enterprises, has been actively involved with his alma mater since graduating. Gary, who coordinated the SIU Black Affairs Council while a student at SIU, has been one of the leaders in the SIU Black Alumni Group (BAG), and served as the organization’s treasurer from 2009 to 2011. Professionally he has experience in sales and managerial duties with companies such as Coca-Cola USA, Quaker Oats, Barton Beers, Gallo Wine, and Sara Lee.
Class of '70. Owner, Hiatt Enterprises, Pontiac, IL
Richard (Rick) is a 1970 graduate of SIU in agriculture education. He is the current owner of Hiatt Enterprises, LLC, which does farm management, consulting, income tax preparation, land evaluation and bookkeeping. He is also a financial advisor with an independent branch of Wayne Hummer Investments of Chicago. In addition, he does volunteer work for various scholarship committees and charitable organizations, including serving as executive secretary for AGR Alumni Association, president of Good Samaritan nursing home, immediate past president of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and immediate past chairman of Community Bankers of Illinois Education Foundation. Rick currently lives in Pontiac, Illinois.
Class of '03. Litigation Attorney and Partner, The Cook Group, Chicago, IL
Meredith graduated from SIU Carbondale in 2003, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Journalism. In 2006, she received her juris doctor degree from UIC John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Licensed to practice law in Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin, Meredith co-leads the Chicago office of The Cook Group law firm. Her primary focus is in civil litigation, insurance defense, mass tort and toxic tort. Meredith is a Chicago resident. Chicago Bears and White Sox fan. She is a contributor to several organizations in her surrounding community, including Elgin Community Crisis Center, Great Chicago Food Depository, Deborah’s Place, Gilda’s Club and Lydia Home. She also co-founded Just City Legal Clinic based in Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois, a free legal clinic, and resource center for individuals.
While at SIU, Meredith was Homecoming Queen in 2001 and a proud member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, serving as its President in 2001. Meredith’s oldest sister, Liza Hudgens Hood (Class of 1999), and younger brother, Andrew Hudgens (Class of 2005), also graduated from SIU Carbondale. Liza serving at IGC President and Homecoming Queen in 1999. Andrew was a member of Beta Theta Pi and recipient of Distinguished Senior Award in 2005.
Class of '13. Community Development Program Manager, DePaul University, Chicago IL
Kaliah, of Chicago, is a 2013 graduate of SIU Carbondale, receiving a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice, as well as sociology.
In 2018, she graduated with a master of Public Administration with a public management specialization from DePaul University in Chicago. She is a community development program manager at DePaul University and an events and marketing specialist and brand ambassador for a diverse spectrum of lifestyle brands.
While at SIU, Liggons initiated into the Delta Beta undergraduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A second-generation Saluki, Liggons is a legacy Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member; her mother, a 1986 SIU graduate, initiated into the same chapter. As an undergraduate student, Liggons was heavily involved on campus activities as a member of several additional RSOs and student groups. In Chicago, she has served on the board and volunteered with a national nonprofit, Kicks 4 The City, which provided 100,000 pairs of shoes to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. She has also served on the board of the Nubian Connection Group, comprising SIU alumni with an aim toward assisting undergraduate students through scholarships and educational support.
Class of '86. CTO, ClickDimensions Inc, Atlanta, GA
Larry is a veteran executive and leader in the technology industry. He is currently the Chief Technology Officer of ClickDimensions, a leading sales & marketing automation software firm. Previously he was Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Liaison Technologies, a software company he co-founded, that was acquired by OpenText, Inc in 2018. Larry is a 1986 graduate of SIU Carbondale and a long-time board member, having previously served as president. Larry is also a member of the College of Engineering, Computing and Technology Industrial Advisory Board. He has also been involved in numerous other Association and university projects and initiatives, including the Saluki Alumni Plaza. Larry and his wife Amy (class of ’90), have six children and live in the Atlanta area.
Class of '80. Sr. Lab Technician, Merisant, Inc, Dolton, IL
Darzel is an experienced Senior Research and Development Technician who has worked in the Confectionary Industry for the past 34 years. He currently works for Merisant, Inc. which manufactures and markets tabletop sweeteners and other products. Prior to this position, he worked in various capacities for the Wrigley Manufacturing Company from 1983 to 2009. His responsibilities included sampling and testing incoming ingredient’s, conducting factory and process capability trials, developing job aid procedures, conducting GMP training for new employees and summer interns, generated certificates of analysis and he assisting the Corporate Quality Assurance Group with 2nd Party Supplier Audits. Darzel obtained certificates in the following areas, Food Safety, HACCP, Lean Manufacturing, Analytical Trouble Shooting, Statistical Process Control, Supplier Quality Assessment Training, Sensory and The Resident Course in Confectionary Technology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
In addition to his career, Darzel is a motivational speaker who has been to numerous schools in the Chicagoland area. He is also frequent panelist on the Clarise Mason Show which can be seen on CAN-TV21 in the Chicagoland area. He has spoken on the topics of Mentoring, Parenting, Education, Voting, Police Brutality and the Nuclear Family.
Class of ‘93. IT Product Manager, AF Group Commercial Insurance, Novi, MI
Justin is an Information Technology veteran with more than 25 years of experience driving business innovation, efficiency, and growth at major financial services and management consulting companies. Currently employed with AF group Commercial Insurance Organization based in Lansing Michigan, Roebuck is the IT Product Manager for the Guidewire Insurance Application Suite of AF group.
The Chicago native graduated from SIU Carbondale in 1993 with a degree in Business Management and as a member of the football team, he left SIU Carbondale as the all-time leading wide receiver in career receptions and yardage gained. Roebuck went on to obtain his MBA from Depaul in 1998 with a major in Finance. Roebuck currently resides in Novi, Michigan with his wife Marlo and their children Jordan and Lauren.
Class of ’87. Founder and President, Sanchez Advisory Group, Lake Zurich, IL
Daniel of Lake Zurich, Illinois is the founder and president of Sanchez Advisory Group, a consulting firm for the healthcare industry, specializing in helping hospitals with Requests for Proposals, negotiating contracts, and group purchasing. Sanchez has more than 36 years of experience in sales, sales management, and team development. Before establishing his own company, Sanchez was the vice president of sales and marketing for Emerald Textiles in San Diego, California, the chief business officer for the North American branch of Eleks, Inc. based in Lviv, Ukraine, as well as several vice president positions with Medline Industries, LP based in Northfield, Illinois. Sanchez graduated from SIU with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Class of ’10. Certified Public Accountant, CPCU, CLU, Bloomington, IL
Vance, a native of Metropolis, Illinois, is a 2010 and 2011 graduate of the SIU School of Accountancy, receiving both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. He is a senior manager at a Fortune 500 insurance company and a certified public accountant with CPCU and CLU designations. He describes himself as an avid Saluki basketball fan and always finds ways to bring fellow Salukis in central Illinois together for pre-game events. During basketball season, Sawyer co-hosts the “March to the Arch Podcast,” which covers all things related to Missouri Valley Conference hoops.
Class of ’75. College of Business, Retired (The Boeing Company), Ballwin, MO
Drew is a retired 34-year veteran of The Boeing Company in its Boeing Defense, Space & Security unit. He managed contracts with the U.S. Government Department of Defense and foreign governments/companies regarding aircraft and logistics support programs. Prior to his career, Stoker spent eight years as a Naval Aviator in the U.S. Navy, flying A-4 and F-14 aircraft. Originally from Murphysboro, Illinois, Stoker attended Southern Illinois University where he received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the College of Business. He has also been a member of the college’s Department of Finance External Advisory Board, as well as participates in mentoring programs and makes presentations to classes several times a year. In May 2016, Stoker was inducted into the SIU College of Business Hall of Fame.
Class of ‘01. Principal, Denver East High School, Denver, CO
Terita is the principal of Denver East High School, the largest and most decorated comprehensive high school in Denver Public Schools. She and her team lead a student body of 2,400 students and 200 staff. Before becoming principal, she worked as an English teacher, coach, school counselor, assistant principal, and athletic director. Walker also serves on the Colorado Association of Secondary School Principals board of directors, as well as the ice hockey committee chairperson for the Colorado High School Activities Association. In addition, she is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Mu Omega Omega Chapter.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication (Public Relations) at SIU, where she was also a four-year track and field athlete and Black Fire Dancer. She continued her studies with two master’s degrees in secondary education, school counseling, and education leadership at the University of Denver. In addition, Walker was a professional dancer/cheerleader in the NBA, AFL, and NFL for teams, like the Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Chicago Rush, and Denver Broncos.
Class of '81. Walker-Smith Consultants, Oak Park, IL
Elizabeth (Liz) is employed by MarketStar as a Channel Partner Manager supporting Avaya Mid-Market Partners in Customer and Team Engagement Solutions in the telephony environment. She is also the Owner of Walker Smith Consultants, LLC. Liz specializes in transformational leadership solutions which is the bridge between training and results. Walker Smith Consultants offers a comprehensive range of learning and development capabilities to clients, delivering improved business performance. Prior to Walker Smith Consultants, Liz enjoyed a successful career with Xerox Corporation where she specialized in sales, learning and development and program management. The Rockford Illinois native graduated from SIUC in 1981 with a degree in Speech Communications. She focuses on community service in the areas of educational and economic development, physical and mental health as well as political and international awareness and involvement. She is a lifetime member of the SIU Alumni Association and a past president of the Black Alumni Group. As BAG president she was able to lead efforts to raise funds and formally establish a scholarship committee to distribute scholarships and book awards to SIU students. Liz is married and has three daughters. She resides in Oak Park Illinois.
Ex-Officio Directors
SIU System President
Daniel came to SIU in March 2020 from Winthrop University, a 6,000-student public institution in Rock Hill, South Carolina, since July 2015. He has overseen the development of a strategic plan, an institutional rebranding, and improvement in student and employee satisfaction. Under his leadership, Winthrop set a new record for freshman applications in fall 2019, exceeding the previous record by more than 15 percent. Graduate enrollment increased more than 16 percent this year, four-year graduation rates increased by 7.7 percent over three years, and the diversity of faculty and managerial staff increased from 14 to 21 percent in less than three years.
Prior to accepting the Winthrop presidency, Mahony was dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University in Ohio from July 2008 to June 2015. He held positions at the University of Louisville in Kentucky from July 1995 to June 2008, serving as director of the sport administration program; chair of the Department of Health Promotion, Physical Education and Sport Studies; acting dean and associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development; and assistant and associate university provost.
Before his academic career, Mahony worked in both public accounting and intercollegiate athletics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a master’s in sport management from West Virginia University, and a doctoral degree in sport management from Ohio State University.
Mahony is widely published in the fields of sport consumer behavior and intercollegiate athletics. He is a former president of the North American Society for Sport Management and received the organization’s 2007 Earle Zeigler Award for his research contributions to the field.
Chancellor, Carbondale, IL
Austin became chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on July 1, 2020. His appointment was approved May 29, 2020, by the university’s Board of Trustees following a recommendation by SIU System President Dan Mahony.
A native of New Jersey, Dr. Lane graduated from Hackensack High School and attended Odessa Junior College in West Texas on a basketball scholarship. He holds a B.A. in psychology from Langston University, M.A. in human relations from the University of Oklahoma, and Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Lane’s career in higher education is marked by a variety of successive leadership roles and professional achievements. A 25-year higher education administrator and faculty member, Lane has served as president of Texas Southern University, executive vice chancellor of academic and student affairs at Lone Star College System, president of Lone Star College-Montgomery, vice president for student affairs at Tyler Junior College, and dean of students at the University of Texas at Arlington
Dr. Lane has served on a number of boards, including Texas Children’s Hospital, Greater Houston Partnership Economic Development board of directors, Amegy Bank advisory board, Montgomery County Women’s Center board of directors, Rotary Club of The Woodlands, the Texas Diversity Council board of directors, Montgomery County United Way Board, The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Conroe Economic Development Council and Education for Tomorrow Alliance board of directors.
Dr. Lane has been recognized among the 2017 top minority professional leaders in Greater Houston, recipient of the 2015 Drum Major Award, 2014 Interfaith of The Woodlands Hometown Hero Honoree, and 2012 Pacesetter of the Year for the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.
He is married to Loren Lane and has three children, Lauren, Chase and Lance.
Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Deborah Barnett was appointed to the SIU Board of Trustees by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on August 1, 2025. A first-generation student, Dr. Barnett earned both her doctoral and master's degrees in Workforce Education and Development (WED) at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. Deborah serves as the Executive Director for SI Now, a 17-county regional economic development initiative focused on business development, workforce development, and marketing the region to attract business investment.Prior to SI Now, Dr. Barnett served as the SIU Research Park’s Associate Director and Business Incubator Programs Director. During her 13 years at SIU, she also served as assistant professor of practice, and assistant Dean of Students with emphasis on adult learners and veteran students. Additionally, she has ten years of experience as a small business owner and held roles in workforce training, elementary education, and ministry-related service.
Dr. Barnett advances regional growth initiatives through service on the One Shawnee Board, Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) Advisory Board, Man-Tra-Con Corporation Board, and Alexander-Cairo Port District Board. Dr. Barnett was selected as a 2020 Fellow for the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy and completed DRA’s 2022 Harvard Executive Academy Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
A lifelong resident of Southern Illinois, Deborah is passionate about contributing to collaborative efforts to advance the region she serves. Barnett noted, “It is an honor to be appointed to the SIU Board of Trustees. As a proud alumna dedicated to advancing Southern Illinois, I look forward to working with my fellow trustees to further SIU’s mission and ensure the university continues to be a catalyst for opportunity and progress throughout our region and beyond.”
Deborah and her husband, Mike, live at the Lake of Egypt and have one son, Travis.