SBJ Staff

Amanda M. Brown,  24 Occupation: Member engagement coordinator, Illinois Senate Email: amandamarie275@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communication and education from UIS; Master’s in public administration with a certificate in community planning, UIS (in progress) Family: Parents and two younger brothers Affiliations/community activities: Board member and event committee for Kiwanis Club of Springfield Downtown, creator […]

Jake Woollen 33 Occupation: Orchestra and choir conductor, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Choral Society Email: jwoollen@ilsymphony.org Education: Bachelor of music in cello; master’s in orchestral conducting from University of Michigan; post-graduate studies at the Vienna University for the Performing Arts Affiliations: Illinois Symphony Orchestra; Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra; Springfield Choral Society; UIS Music; Sing […]

Trae Covington 33 Occupation: State Farm agent and partner at TD Capital Ventures, LLC Email: trae@traefromsf.com Education: Bachelor’s in criminal justice Family: Wife, Marguerite; parents, Terry and Carla Covington; siblings, Taija Charnley and Terry Grigsby Affiliations/community activities: American Business Club; community sponsors of Gonzo’s Legacy: The Zack Defreitas Project; Rumble Around the Lake; trunk or treat; Voices of […]

Natalie Grider 38 Occupation: Hairstylist and owner of Appearances Salon and Retreat Email: appearancesng@gmail.com Education: USCA School of Cosmetology Family: Husband, Nathan; daughters, Hadley and Caroline Affiliations/community activities: Greater Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois; Sleep in Heavenly Peace; Central Illinois Food Bank and St. Agnes Church. What is your guiding […]

Becky Gabany 38 Occupation: Owner, ChangeBridge Consulting Email: Becky@ChangeBridgeConsulting.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communications; master of arts in human services Family: Husband, Adam; two sons, Julian and Arlo; 30-plus pets Affiliations/community activities: National Association for Community and Restorative Justice, co-chair, DEI committee; Washington Street Mission, life skills training facilitator, volunteer; St. Patrick’s Catholic School, community advisory […]

Jessica Barney 34 Occupation: Department administrator of internal medicine, SIU School of Medicine Email: jbarney@siumed.edu Education: MBA, Master's in nursing leadership Family: Husband, Justin; children, Noah and Sophia; Mom, Reny Drendel and sibling, Adam Drendel Affiliations/community activities: SIU Internal Medicine Community Advisory Board; volunteer with children’s programs at West Side Christian Church What is your guiding principle in life? My mother and my husband taught […]

Vistrit Choudhary 32 Occupation: Health policy coordinator at SIU School of Medicine Email: vistrit.c@gmail.com Education: Master’s degree in public policy, University of Chicago Family: Wife, Melessia; cats, Luna and Benzene; dog, Nala Affiliations/community activities: Rural Health Leadership fellow, National Rural Health Association; chair, Administrative Professionals Council, SIU School of Medicine What led you to your current career? While […]

Nick Koch 29 Occupation: Strategic account representative, TechGuard Security Email: nicholas.koch@techguardsecurity.com Education: University of Mississippi Family: Parents, Steve and Jodie Koch; Mom, Lisa Kincaid; Wife, Dr. Allison Long Affiliations/community activities: RISE, chair-elect, community service subcommittee, events subcommittee; United Way of Central Illinois, board of directors and resource development committee; Local First Springfield, board member; Chatham Jaycees, member; Wooden It Be […]

Benjamin McGill 39 Occupation: Sergeant with the Springfield Police Department Email: bmcgill2@gmail.com Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Family: Single with a golden retriever named Igloo Affiliations/community activities: Phi Beta Sigma Inc.; PBPA #5 Springfield; PBPA of Illinois; NOBLE; NAACP What is your guiding principle in life? My guiding principle is rooted in integrity and resilience. I […]

Jessica Sisk 39 Occupation: Director of residential operations, Hope Email: jsisk@hope.us Education: Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University Family: My fur babies, Luna and Ryno What led you to your current career? I began working at Hope 15 years ago and quickly realized I was working with a team of amazing people to support a […]

Zach Stead 39 Occupation: General superintendent of generation for CWLP’s generating facilities  Email: zach.stead@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; registered professional engineer. Family: Wife, Lauren; sons, Luke and Alex Affiliations/community activities: Rochester Competitive Baseball, head coach; Rochester Junior Football League, coach; Rochester Athletic Booster Club, member What is your guiding principle in life? Each morning I choose to be […]

Nick Oehmke 37 Occupation: Corporate business services officer, Clock Tower Community Bank Email: nick.oehmke@mortonbank.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management, Southern Illinois University Carbondale Family: Wife, Brittney; children, Olivia, Max and Nora Affiliations/community activities: Christ the King Men’s Club; member of Knights of Columbus 364; volunteer youth baseball and basketball coach What is your guiding […]