SBJ staff

Age: 37 Occupation: Ward 5 alderwoman, lobbyist, owner of 5th Street GEM and real estate investor Email: lakeishapurchase217@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in speech communication Family: Proud cat mom to Tiger. Affiliations/community involvement:Lifetime member of NAACP; board member, Medics First and SIUC Saluki Women’s Council; member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority […]

Age: 39 Occupation: Vice president, mortgage operations, INB N.A. Email: spatrick@inb.com Education: High school graduate Family: Husband, daughter and family dog, Clyde Affiliations/community activities: Board of directors, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois; Illinois Bankers Association; Youth sports coach and volunteer; St. Jude run participant What is your guiding principle in life? No one achieves success […]

age: 38 Occupation: Wealth management , Morgan Stanley Email: Trevor.noonan@morganstanley.com Education: Lincoln Land Community College, Loras College Family: Proud son, brother and owner of a Pembroke Welsch Corgi named Tink Affiliations/community activities: SIU Denim and Diamonds committee member; tribal member of the Brothertown Indians in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. What is your guiding principle in […]

Age: 27 Occupation: Business owner, TPH Strategies Email: mdavis@tphstrategies.com Education: Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois Springfield; Bachelor of Science, accounting, Millikin University Affiliations/community activities: Board member and treasurer, Land of Lincoln Goodwill; secretary, Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair; board member, United Way; co-chair, Impact Life; ambassador, Springfield Chamber of Commerce  What is your […]

Age: 38 Occupation: Farmer and owner, Mueller Family Farm Email:  muellerfamilyfarmllc@gmail.com Family: Farm founder, grandma Linda Mueller; mother and stepdad, Mindy and Jody Carter; girlfriend, Amber Risen; fur family, Tank, Lily and Gus  Affiliations/community activities:  Old Capital Farmers Market; Urbana Market on the Square; Jacksonville Farmers Market; The Farms of Illinois; Slow Food Award; Illinois […]

Age: 36 Occupation: Executive vice president, finance and risk management, BOS. Email: gmarantz@bankwithbos.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in general management, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; MBA, Saint Louis University Family: Wife, Hannah; daughters, Palmer and Sloane; dog, Koufax Affiliations/community activities:Currently sit on the Springfield Public Schools Foundation board, Springfield Memorial Hospital board and Springfield Sports Hall of […]

Age: 38 Occupation: Restaurateur; owner of The Taco Joint Email: hectorlpz88@me.com Education: Jacksonville High School Family: Wife, Maasyel Nunez; daughter, Valentina Lopez What is your guiding principle in life? To build something lasting for my family and those who stand next to me. What led you to your career? I took a year off after […]

Age: 37 Occupation: Community engagement manager, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Email: mti.lingling@gmail.com Education: Master’s degree, translation and interpretation, University of International Business and Economics; Master of Arts, communication, and Graduate Certificate, entrepreneurship, University of Illinois Springfield Family: Spouse, Tommy; dog, Leia; cat, Mace; other family members in China and Switzerland  Affiliations/community activities: Springfield Immigrant and Advocacy Network; […]

Age: 23 Occupation: Founder and director of ILSportsWire  Email: jhart@hartmg.com Education: Bachelor’s degree, Illinois State University  Family: Parents, Julie and Matthew; sisters, Jane and Kate.  Affiliations/community activities: I work full time in the small-town communities around central Illinois covering high school sports throughout the year. What is your guiding principle in life? Compassion. ILSportsWire is […]

Age: 30 Occupation: Marketing and communications manager I, Springfield Urban League, Inc. Email: zhavijharris@gmail.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications, Hampton University Family: Parents, Darryl and Angela Harris; brother, Zaire J. Harris Affiliations/community activities: National Urban League-appointed Whitney M. Young leader; cross-cultural media correspondent for ICN TV Network (China), the Long March in 2016 […]

Age: 34 Occupation: Marketing and communications manager at Echo Electric, a Sonepar Co.Email: Michelle.graven@echoelectric.comEducation: Bachelor of Arts in marketing and communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in fashion business from Columbia College ChicagoFamily: Engaged, Arthur; cats, Remy and RooAffiliations/community activities: Women Advocating Today for Tomorrow; employee resource group, Sonepar USA; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Leadership Springfield […]

Age: 31 Occupation: Chick-fil-A owner/operator Email: isaac.freeman@cfafranchisee.com Education: Bachelor of Arts, public relations, Middle Tennessee State University  Family: Wife, Abby; son, Oliver, 4; daughter, Lily, 2 Affiliations/community activities: Springfield Sunrise Rotary Club, president; member of Cherry Hills Church What is your guiding principle in life? To glorify Jesus Christ by serving others, promoting growth and […]