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 the 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, strengthen 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, offering alumni a meaningful way to give back to the institution that helped shape their lives while helping shape the future of SIU for generations to come.

Executive Committee

President. Class of '87. Dir. Global Vendor Management and Contracts, Symphony Clinical Research, Twin Lakes, WI

Laura graduated from the School of Agriculture in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. 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, earned her Paralegal Certification, and currently serves as Director of Global Vendor Management and Contracts for Accellacare Limited, a division of Icon Clinical Research.

Accellacare is a global leader in providing in-home services for clinical trials. Laura's responsibilities include drafting contracts with pharmaceutical companies conducting clinical trials, as well as with the global vendors who provide in-home trial services. Laura and her husband, Matt ('89), reside in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and are active in the SIU Alumni Association's Chicago Chapter. They are also life members of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Immediate Past President. Class of '85, '19. Marketing Consultant, Co-Owner, Hanger 9. Chicago, IL
Scott is a two degree SIU alum, gradating with a degree in journalism and advertising in 1985, and completing his MBA in 2019.  SIU provided a strong foundation to lead Scott into his marketing career.  Scott worked in the SIU ticket office and then became Director of Promotions in 1984.  He promoted some of the biggest rock’n’roll and country tours of the day for the SIU Arena.  Scott founded Marketing Werks, Inc. in 1987 with his sister, Julie Guida, ‘79. 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.   In 2025, he became a co-owner of the popular nightclub Hangar 9 in downtown Carbondale.  He also serves as the Immediate Past President of the SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

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President-Elect. 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, Illinois. 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 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. The orchard itself has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Vice President. 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 works in San Francisco as an operations consultant specializing in administrative operations and organizational effectiveness. With more than two decades of experience, she has built a diverse professional background and a 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 service 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. She is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Treasurer. Class of ’10, '11. 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, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in accounting.

He is a senior manager at a Fortune 500 insurance company and holds CPA, CPCU, and CLU designations. An avid Saluki basketball fan, Vance enjoys bringing fellow Salukis throughout central Illinois together for pre-game events and alumni engagement opportunities. During basketball season, Sawyer co-hosts the March to the Arch Podcast, which covers all things related to Missouri Valley Conference hoops.

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Pat Hewson

Legal Counsel. Class of '86. Attorney at Law, Gilbert, Huffman, Prosser, Hewson & Barke, LTD., Carbondale, IL

Pat and his wife, Barbara, are life members of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Director At-Large. Class of '00. Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer, Naples Botanical Garden. St. Louis, MO
Andrea has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, serving in variety of leadership and development 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 cultivating lifelong engagement, guiding guests 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 in Visual Communications, a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, and holds a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. She is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Director At-Large. Class of ’98. Medical Director, Value-Based Care and Provider Networks, Sentara Health Plans, Glen Allen, 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. Before that, he was chief medical officer of JenCare Senior Medical Centers in Virginia, a Medicare Advantage HMO joint venture between Humana and ChenMed, Inc. He earned an MBA from SIU Carbondale in 1998 and was inducted into the College of Business and Analytics Hall of Fame in 2016. He also has a graduate certificate in information systems from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.

Sinha has also 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 Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, where he served as associate chief of residence and was the recipient of the Intern of the Year award. He is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Director At-Large. Class of ’87. Founder and President, Sanchez Advisory Group, Lake Zurich, IL
Daniel is the Founder and President of Sanchez Advisory Group, a healthcare and commercial laundry consulting firm based in Algonquin, Illinois. With more than 38 years of experience, he specializes in healthcare textile operations, strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, quality management systems, operational improvement, and leadership development.

Throughout his career, Daniel has held executive leadership positions with Emerald Textiles, Medline Industries, and Eleks before founding his consulting practice. Today, he advises hospitals, healthcare systems, and commercial laundries throughout North America, helping organizations improve operational performance, implement best practices, and achieve quality certification standards. He is also a frequent speaker and moderator at industry conferences.

Daniel earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1987. As a member of the SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors, he is committed to strengthening alumni engagement, mentoring future leaders, and supporting initiatives that advance the University and its students. He is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Director At-Large. 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, where she specializes in transformational leadership solutions that help connect training to measurable 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 SIU Carbondale in 1981 with a degree in Speech Communications. She is actively involved in community service focused on educational and economic development, physical and mental health, and political and international awareness. She is a life 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, has three daughters, and resides in Oak Park, Illinois.

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Members At-Large

Class of '94. Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley, Indianapolis, IN
Robert W. Best, CFP, is a Senior Vice President with Morgan Stanley and a partner in the Kelley/Best Group of Morgan Stanley in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rob has been recognized by Forbes as one of Indiana's Best-in-State Wealth Management Advisors and advises on more than $600 million in client assets, including those of nonprofit organizations. Rob graduated from SIU in 1994 and earned an Army commission through the University's Saluki ROTC Battalion. He spent several years on active duty before pursuing his civilian career in financial services. Rob remains engaged with SIU through his Life Membership in the Alumni Association, involvement with the Sigma Phi Epsilon, Illinois Kappa Chapter Fraternity alumni group, and participation in events, including Homecoming and regional Saluki gatherings. Rob and his wife, Missie ('95), reside in Zionsville, Indiana.

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Class of '71. Retired, Public Relations Consultant, Washington, IL
Steve has been recognized throughout his career for his award-winning political writing and his work in public relations. Before founding and 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 and is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association. A St. Louis, Missouri, native, Steve and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Washington, Illinois. Their two sons are also SIU graduates: Mitch ('20, '22) and Alec ('21).

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Class of  '77. Retired, Springfield, IL
Michael retired as Director for the Office of Planning and Economic Development for the city of Springfield, Illinois. He has more than 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 serves on the boards of the Illinois Tax Increment Financing Association and the Springfield Senior Center. Michael is also a private pilot and a member of the Springfield Flying 20. He and his wife, MaryBeth ('81), have a son, Nicholas, and are both life members of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Class of '04, '07. Certified Risk Architect, Tedrick Group. Marion, IL
Casey earned his bachelor's degree from SIU in 2004 and later completed a master's degree in kinesiology, sports and business administration in 2007. He serves as a Certified Risk Architect with the Tedrick Group in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Prior to joining the Tedrick Group, 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.

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Class of '70. Owner, Hiatt Enterprises, Pontiac, IL
Richard (Rick) is a 1970 graduate of SIU, earning a degree in Agriculture Education. He is the owner of Hiatt Enterprises, LLC, which provides farm management, consulting, income tax preparation, land evaluation and bookkeeping services. He is also a financial advisor affiliated with an independent branch of Wayne Hummer Investments in Chicago. In addition, he volunteers with 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 resides in Pontiac, Illinois. He is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Class of '03. Litigation Attorney and Partner, The Cook Group, Chicago, IL
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, Illinois, resident and a Chicago Bears and White Sox fan. She is a contributor to several organizations in her surrounding community, including the 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, and is a life member of SIU Alumni Association. 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.

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Class of '92. President, PRSA Chicago Chapter, Chicago, IL
Andrew James Krause is the President of PRSA Chicago and a Chicago-based communications and public relations professional with an entrepreneurial background in marketing, promotions, and stakeholder engagement. A former student leader in SIU’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter, Krause remains actively involved with the University through alumni events, student speaking engagements, and mentorship of Saluki interns and early-career professionals.

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Class of '03. Managing Vice President, Gartner's Marketing and Communications Practice, Chicago, IL
Jennifer Polk is a business and marketing executive who serves as a Managing Vice President in Gartner’s Marketing and Communication Practice, where she leads analysts delivering strategic insights to Chief Marketing Officers. A former Chief Marketing and Digital Experience Officer at Feeding America, Jennifer brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning marketing, digital strategy, and organizational transformation. She is a proud alumna of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s College of Business and Analytics and remains actively engaged with SIU through mentorship and service. Jennifer is also a wife, proud mother of three, and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She lives in Aurora, Illinois.

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Class of '80. Sr. Lab Technician, Merisant, Inc, Dolton, IL
Darzel is an experienced Senior Research and Development Technician who has worked in the Confectionery 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 ingredients, 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 assists 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 Confectionery 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. He is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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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.

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Class of '00. Assistant Principal, Thornridge High School, Dolton, IL
Sean J. Smith’s connection to Southern Illinois University Carbondale began in 1996 when he arrived on campus as a 16-year-old freshman from Abilene, Texas. As the son of a military parent, he spent much of his youth moving between states before finding a sense of belonging at SIU. While earning his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2000, Sean became a campus leader, serving in Undergraduate Student Government and as president of both the Black Affairs Council and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Today, Sean serves as Assistant Principal at Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois. His career has included leadership roles with Chicago Public Schools and as principal of Vivian E. Summers Preparatory School. He holds three graduate degrees and is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. A dedicated alumnus, Sean founded the Chicagoland “Dinner with Salukis” series, strengthening alumni connections and supporting Saluki-owned businesses.

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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.

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Class of '98. Superintendent, Red Bud Community Unit School District 132, Red Bud, IL
Jonathan August Tallman is Superintendent of Red Bud Community Unit School District 132, a role he has held for 14 years, leading district operations, finance, personnel, and strategic planning. A proud SIU alumnus and former Saluki football player, Tallman has remained actively engaged with the University through service on the SIU Alumni Association’s College Council, representing the School of Education. He is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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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. She is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

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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, a 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 a SIU graduate, Class of '83. They are both life members of the SIU Alumni Association.

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Ex-Officio Directors

SIU System President
Daniel Mahony 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 an 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.

Before 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.

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Chancellor, Carbondale, IL
Austin became chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on July 1, 2020. His appointment was approved on 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, an M.A. in human relations from the University of Oklahoma, and an 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 several 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.

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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.
Before 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 has held roles in workforce training, elementary education, and ministry-related service.
Dr. Barnett advances regional growth initiatives through service on the One Shawnee Board, the Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) Advisory Board, the Man-Tra-Con Corporation Board, and the 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.