SBJ Staff

Kelsey Varner 26 Occupation: Assistant treasury management officer Email: kelseyvarner@carrolltonbanking.com Education: Bachelor’s in business administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; 2025 graduate of Illinois Bankers Association’s Future Leaders Alliance Family: Husband, John; dogs, Tuff and Bandit Affiliations/community activities: Ambassador/team captain for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; 2022 Leadership Springfield graduate; Friends of Sangamon County […]

Adam McConnell 39 Occupation: Human Resources; associate HR business partner and employee relations lead at Horace Mann Email: adam.mcconnell@horacemann.com Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota Family: Single Affiliations/community activities: Legislative director, Central Illinois Society for Human Resource Management board of directors (2025-present); Legislative committee member, Central Illinois Chapter SHRM […]

Ginny Evans 39 Occupation: Director of patient experience and hospitality for Memorial Health Email: evans.ginny@mhsil.com Education: Bachelor of business administration and marketing from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; MBA from University of North Florida Family: Husband, Aaron Evans; sons, Desmond (8) and Emric (5) Affiliations/community activities: Project SEARCH host; Memorial patient experience advisory committees What is […]

Tim Flinn 38 Occupation: Financial adviser, Stifel Investments, Jacksonville Email: flinnt@stifel.com Education: Western Illinois University Family: Wife, Colleen; children, Cashin (11), Robyn (9) and Leo (7) Affiliations/community activities: Board member, Prairieland United Way; treasurer, Jacksonville Main Street What is your guiding principle in life? I strive to be a source of light in the lives of […]

Manasi Hulyalkar 39 Occupation: Pediatrician and pediatric obesity specialist  Email: mhulyalkar85@gmail.com Education: MD, MBA, Diplomat ABOM Family: Husband and two boys Affiliations/community activities: Asian Indian Women’s Organization What is your guiding principle in life? I treat my patients with the same care I want for my family. What led you to your current career? I wanted a […]

Allison Long 29 Occupation: Dentist at Prairie Dental Group Email: drlong@prairiedentalgroup.com  Education: Rhodes College, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Family: Parents, Rae and Scott Long; husband, Nicholas Koch Affiliations/community activities: Vice president of G.V. Black District Dental Society; board member and volunteer for Wooden It Be Lovely; executive committee member and community service chair of […]

Greg Moredock 36 Occupation: Corporation counsel for the city of Springfield Email: Gregory.moredock@springfield.il.us Education: Bachelor of science in business administration, University of Dayton; juris doctorate, University of Cincinnati College of Law Family: Wife, Annie; daughter, Maggie and parents Bill and Sue Moredock Affiliations/community activities: Illinois State Bar Association, Board of Governors; Sangamon County Bar Association, board member; […]

Tim Sommer 39 Occupation: Chief of police, village of Rochester Email: tsom5985@gmail.com Education: Bachelor’s in law enforcement and justice administration Family: Spouse Ashleigh; daughter, Annabelle; son Henry Affiliations/community activities: Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police; Sangamon County Law Enforcement Executives; Central Illinois Association of Law Enforcement Executives; Massey Commission Law Enforcement Hiring, Training, Wellness and Cultural Competency Workgroup; Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors; Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special […]

Marscia Anderson 32 Occupation: President and CEO of Solid Rock Youth Transitional Services Email: Manderson@solidrockyts.org Education: Bachelor of Arts in communication, public relations and marketing Family: Husband, three brothers including a brother-in-law, sister and two nieces Affiliations/community activities: Board member of Abundant Faith Christian Center What is your guiding principle in life? “Well done, my good and […]

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 […]