Member Spotlights
Want members to know more about you and your company? Complete our Member Spotlight form and email it to rrhrpa@gmail.com or contact our Membership Chair:
Mandy Anderson at mandya@serenityhospiceandhome.org
Member Spotlight! 
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please submit your Member Spotlight form as soon as you can so others can learn more about you and your organization.
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September 2024
This month's member spotlight is on Karla Dickson, SHRM-SCP, the Director of Human Resources for Stillman Bank.
A little about Karla: She grew up in Dixon but left the area for high school and college ("Go Illini!"). She landed her first HR job with Menards in Peru, IL and took a promotion to their corporate office in 2012. Karla and her husband relocated to Eau Claire, WI for that opportunity. Although she ended up leaving Menards, they stayed in the Eau Claire area for almost 9 years. In 2020, their daughter was born and we were motivated to move closer to home to raise her close to family. They moved to Byron in Spring of 2021 when she started her position at Stillman Bank. She currently works out of the bank's Oregon location. Outside of work, she is pretty busy with their 3 year old and two dogs. She likes exploring local parks, going to the library, getting involved in their church, and spending time with family. She is also on the board for United Way of Lee County / Ogle County and loves to "travel hack" vacations for their family.
Karla says that although she is new to RRHRPA, she was very involved with her local SHRM chapter when she lived in Eau Claire so she is looking forward to building connections within our business community. Especially with other HR professionals!
Welcome Karla!!
November/December 2023
Our member spotlight is on Bethany Burdick, SHRM-SCP, the VIce President of Human Resources & Corporate Secretary for Solutions Bank.
Bethany has been with Solutions Bank for over 19 years - starting as a part-time teller and advancing into her current position. She is an HR department of one and has built the department as the bank has grown to over 70 employees with a few acquisitions over the last few years. Along with all the HR responsibilities, she is the Corporate Secretary on the Board of Directors, she assists with the long-term strategic planning, manages employee engagement initiatives and manages the intranet site that acts as a central hub of all things happening at Solutions Bank including employee communication, training, policies, procedures and resources. Bethany is also on the Illinois Bankers Association Human Resources Committee.
Bethany says, "Outside of work, I have 18 month old twin boys named Maverick and Brooks. My husband and I live in Forreston with our boys and our cat, Olive. Our life is chaotic and wonderful!"
Bethany we are so happy that you have found time for RRHRPA in your very busy life! We're so glad you are here!
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October 2023
We would like to welcome another new member to RRHRPA. Mallory Wolf is the Office Associate II at Woodhaven Association. Woodhaven is a private recreational campground located near Sublette, IL.
A little about Mallory: she is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeremy, and they have two children: Ryleigh, 6 and Brantley, 4-1/2. She grew up in Amboy, went to Bradley University, then moved back to the Amboy area. She worked at Woodhaven for eight summers through high school and college and has been working there again for a little over 3 years.
She has previous HR experience working in staffing after college.
She likes to bake, ride in their Jeep Wrangler, spend time with family and friends, travel, and watch sports, especially football and volleyball.
Her husband is a farmer, so being a farmer's wife, she says, "consumes a lot of time."
She is looking forward to being a member of RRHRPA, by broadening her horizons and staying up to date on the latest trends and changes. We're so happy you have come onboard, Mallory! Welcome!!!!
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September 2023
We haven't had a spotlight in a while, but we have the honor of introducing a new member to RRHRPA! Mariah Long is the Human Resource Administrator at Willett, Hofmann and Associates, Inc. They are s a professional, award winning, multi-discipline organization, unique in both its capabilities and credibility, licensed to provide professional civil engineering, structural engineering, architectural design, and professional land surveying services. WHA has been providing professional design and land surveying services to municipalities, townships, counties, state agencies and private enterprises since our inception. We have a talented and diversified staff of more than 60 full-time employees who are experienced and qualified to provide an extensive range of professional services, including structural engineering, transportation engineering, water & wastewater engineering, civil site design, architectural design, land surveying services, and construction staking, observation and administration services.
Mariah has worked at WHA for just a year now.She joined them with 5 years of experience in HR. She adds, "I graduated from Oregon High School in 2011. I received a full ride scholarship to play volleyball at Sauk Valley Community College. I graduated from Roosevelt University with my BS degree in Hospitality Management. I have three younger sisters, Cydney, Hailey, and Rylie... They're the best sisters! I currently reside in Dixon with my boyfriend (Shawn) and his son, Draven."
In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, attending Draven's sporting events, and reading.
She is looking forward to connecting with other HR professionals through RRHRPA and is looking forward to being a part of our organization! We're so glad you joined us, Mariah, and we're happy you're here!!
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October 2022
Our Member Spotlight is on Joann B. Sheridan, a newer member of RRHRPA and the Controller/HR for Menk-USA, LLC. Menk-USA, LLC is the leading manufacturer of cooling radiators for power grid transformers in North America. Their radiators are sold worldwide.
Most of Joann's career has been in management and with numbers in the banking industry, media and other manufacturing companies. "Dealing with HR issues and accounting comes naturally to me," she says.
Joann states, "over the years I have committed myself to the roll of Controller and HR. My past experiences have helped me to evolve into a competent professional who is dedicated to my community, company, and our employees. I am a master of creating procedures, believing written work instructions for each position and task gives clear understanding and guidelines as well as a valuable resource and reference for the individuals performing these tasks."
Joann says "my left-brain self is list oriented, analytical, detailed, and highly organized, However, for fun and relaxation my right-brain self allows me to be creative." Her hobby is called Inspirations by JBS. She has an Etsy page that she says is missing close to 100 of her finished creations (because, as she states, "my creative self procrastinates on uploading images and descriptions, etc.)." Her art encompasses many types of media. She enjoys painting on canvas, wine bottles, vases, and wine glasses. She also works with resin art which involves designing tumblers, making coasters and trivets. In addition, she makes watercolor paintings and cards, as well as Christmas ornaments. Recently, she has started painting with palette knives. "My hobby," Joann says, "the process of creating art, is such a relaxing and rewarding experience. It keeps me grounded."
Joann is not currently SHRM certified, but is working towards that goal. She says as a new member of RRHRPA, she was interested in joining to build relationships with like-minded members from this area. Joann would appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals sharing thoughts, perspectives, and brainstorming ideas about how recent changes have impacted our industries and what we can or are doing to positively respond to this.
You've come to the right place, Joann! We're so glad you joined and look forward to your contributions to the HR world and RRHRPA.
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September 2022
Our September Member Spotlight is on Allison Cook. She is our only current student member and we are thrilled to have her.
Allison is a student at Purdue University. She obtained her Associate's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Office Management in May 2022. She has since returned to school for her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus in Human Resources. In the next 18 months, her goal is to obtain her Bachelor's degree and her SHRM Certification. For the long term, she would like to get her MBA. Currently, she is working at LIfescape Community Services in Rock Falls, as the Americorp Seniors RSVP Volunteer Coordinator ("a very long title," she adds).
Americorp Seniors RSVP is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and older. The RSVP program works with individuals to help find volunteer opportunities in Boone, DeKalb, Lee, Whiteside and Winnebago counties. Allison's job is to recruit and onboard volunteers and follow up with them to promote and maintain volunteer attendance. She also promotes and markets to local organizations to build rapport. Allison says, "my favorite part of my job is presenting, coordinating events, and building lasting relationships with our volunteers. In my spare time, I love spending time outside with my three amazing kids."
Allison continues, "RRHRPA has opened the doors to many kind and skillful HR professionals in our community. They have provided me with great advice, and a lending hand when needed. RRHRPA also offers many seminars that I am excited to attend to learn more about the world of HR." We're so glad you found us, Allison, and we hope RRHRPA can continue to light that HR fire in you!
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May 2022
This month, let us introduce our newest member, Morgan Germann, GBA, GBDS. Morgan is a Client Executive for Holmes Murphy which was founded in 1932 and has since grown to be the largest employee owned and controlled brokerage firm in the nation. They span 13 offices in 11 states and employ over 1,000 full-time associates. Holmes Murphy is blazing a new trail in the employee benefits and risk management consulting industry, and they are dedicated to delivering custom solutions to help their clients save time, money and lives. Morgan says, "we take the time to get to know you, your organizational culture, and find out what tools, programs, and services make the most sense for you. As an independent company, Holmes Murphy's vision for the future is to remain privately held where the owners of the company stay involved in the business by working closely with our clients. We serve more than 9,000 total clients around the globe from our offices throughout the United States."
Morgan has been an Employee Benefits Consultant with Holmes Murphy for 6 years. A few of her responsibilities include: leading the overall healthcare strategy and financial budget, ensuring compliance, reviewing insurance in place, and assessing the future needs of my clientele. Her office works with employers of all sizes and funding arrangements. Prior to her current role, she was a HR Assistant at the University of Iowa. She adds, "my hope is to be a resource to fellow RRHRPA members as they navigate the complexities of US healthcare."
On a personal note, Morgan has been married to her husband, Greg, for 3 years and they reside in the Quad Cities. They have one fur baby, but no human children yet. In her free time, she enjoys watching Iowa Hawkeye sporting events, golfing, traveling, and completing DIY home projects.
Morgan we're so glad you have joined RRHRPA and we look forward to your wisdom and expertise in the future.
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April 2022
Our spotlight is on a new member, Trinette Flanagan, Fiscal Operations HR Assistant at Tri-County Opportunities Council. Tri-County provides services to the community to help and sustain self-sufficiency in times of need.
Trinette is new to the Rock Falls area. She was originally from Northern California, then moved to Houston, Texas at the age of 23. Most of her career has been in the not-for-profit animal rescue industry as an HR/Payroll administrator. For the last decade, she has worked in the Oil and Gas industry doing the same administrative work. She has done payroll for 50 employees up to 500 employees. In her spare time, she enjoys arts, crafts, antiquities and antiques. She is always welcoming of new challenges.
We are so glad you joined RRHRPA, Trinette, and we hope you find our group to be helpful and inspiring. Welcome!
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March 2022
We welcome as one of our newest members, Crissy Hart, who is the Director of Human Resources for Micron Industries Corporation in Sterling. Micron has been a supplier of choice for over 40 years of original equipment manufacturers and control system builders around the world. Their long history in magnetics began with control transformers. Micron developed the industry’s first epoxy encapsulated control transformer receiving a patent for the ImperviTRAN® and remains the time-tested industry leader. In addition to control transformers, Micron is a provider of low voltage general purpose and buck-boost transformers. Units are available with encapsulated or ventilated enclosures in both single and 3-phase configurations. Micron’s DINergy™ product offering encompasses a full line of DC power supplies for the industrial environment. These product lines are built to the same rigorous quality standards that made our ImperviTRAN the premier control transformer in the marketplace.
Crissy states, “ I have been married to a wonderful man for the last 18 years who blessed me with three amazing bonus children. They are all now adults and married. We have 6 grandsons who are a blast to be around. We had a miracle child after years of health battles. Emma is now 14, and will be going to high school next year. Then we have our very sweet Buttercup, who is a Bullador, which is mix of a lab and bulldog. My husband and I are part of the "sandwich" generation. I am originally from Rock Falls, but it has been years since I have lived there. My parents just moved closer to me recently. We live outside of DeKalb, IL on 3 acres in a little farmette. I have been in HR for over 25 years and traveled for the last 16 years supporting Operations, Commercial and VPs. We were affected by COVID-19 and my husband had a pretty big health scare that was the jolt I needed to refocus my priorities. So, I left working for Fortune 500 companies and moved to working for a small private company, where I have full autonomy to develop the HR Strategy. I also have an amazing work-life balance to be there for my family. We might, steal some time this summer and let the breeze hit our face on the Harley. That is when we are not sitting at the softball field cheering on our amazing daughter.
Crissy is currently working on another master’s degree in social work, with a concentration on school counseling.
As she said above, she recently changed job from working with a bigger global organization, having responsibility globally as well across all of North America. While she says she always belonged to the National SHRM organization, she did not join a local affiliate since her responsibility encompassed over 32 different states and 4 different countries. Crissy says, “ I am super excited to be joining this group to help me refocus on and tap into [local expertise] to provide some brainstorming and support as I shift my mindset from a big organization to supporting a small organization.” Crissy, we are so glad you’re here and will count on some of that big organization expertise you possess to help us as well. Welcome to RRHRPA!!
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February 2022
Our February Member Spotlight is on Janel Stahr, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Stahr Media LLC. in Rock Falls. Stahr Media LLC is a website development and maintenance company that does print and digital graphic design, marketing support (social media, advertising, news releases, editing, etc.) and technology services. Janel says, "We do really just about anything you can think of that has to do with a computer. And as we state on our website, 'If we can't do it, we know a guy!'"
Janel has been married to her best friend, Nathan, since 1999. He owns their business and works with there her full-time. They met while working at the Gazette (now Sauk Valley Media) and, interestingly enough, Janel was Nathan's boss there for quite some time. They have both always been in the media world and knew they wanted to own a business, so, as she states, "we are thrilled to have the opportunity to achieve this goal and continue to see growth even through economically tough times."
Janel and Nathan have a 20-year-old daughter, Grace, who is currently finishing her sophomore year at University of Wisconsin-Platteville, majoring in music education and minoring in advertising & marketing. She is engaged and plans to get married in the summer of 2023. They also have son, Quinn, who is 13, and an aspiring YouTuber, of course! They have a dog, Emmy, and a cat, Ozzy. They enjoy cooking, road trips, attending hockey games, watching movies and YouTube videos in what little free time they have.
Janel says she joined RRHRPA to have access to HR professionals. "Our business is very small, with just a few part-time employees, and handling HR myself, I have questions here and there about how to handle things. I reached out to the Sauk Valley Area Chamber and the Small Business Development Center for a resource that wouldn't require me to sell one of my children, and they recommended this organization. I'm excited to be able to network and have someone to reach out to when issues come up."
Janel is the perfect example of the benefits RRHRPA can provide to a small business owner. We're glad you are here, Janel, and reach out whenever you need us!
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January 2022
Welcome to a new year and a new Member Spotlight. This month we are featuring Amanda Bolin who is the HR Manager at Kreider Services in Dixon. Kreider Services assists mentally disabled individuals with working and living daily needs.
Amanda has worked for Kreider for ten year this July. She started as a DSP and has moved her way up over the years. She has two beautiful girls, aged 8 and 10. Her oldest is autistic and non-verbal. She enjoys crafting and building furniture in her spare time.
While Amanda is not a certified HR professional, she says, "I have really enjoyed the training that RRHRPA has held. I have retained some very good information." Amanda, we are so glad you are a member and thanks for sharing with us.
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October 2021
Our October Member Spotlight is on Amy Ackert who is the General Manager of Administrative Services at Woodhaven Lakes Association in Sublette, IL. Woodhaven Lakes is a private, gated recreational property owner resort. The 1,756 acres of woodlands, lakes and prairies provide a spectacular natural setting for relaxing with family and friends. Woodhaven offers seven lakes for fishing. There are 15 miles of natural trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Two pools and a beach provide a great way for families to relax and cool off during the hot summer months. The year-round recreation staff provides structured recreation programs and services throughout the year. Wildlife is abundant at Woodhaven and it’s very common to see deer frolicking through the prairies during all seasons.
Amy grew up in Dixon and moved to the Amboy/Harmon area when she married her husband, David. They have two boys: Joseph, 18, and Michael, 13, who keep them very busy with their activities. Amy and her family enjoy the outdoors and riding ATVs. She also enjoys crafting and spending time with friends and family. Amy says, “I have worked in some capacity of customer service and HR throughout my career. I have worked for many great organizations my life, but by far, Woodhaven Lakes has been the best. The work environment is amazing; I love being able to look out my window and see the deer roaming around.”
Amy also states, “I have not been an active member of [RRHRPA] for several years, but this group has so much knowledge and experience to offer. I appreciate that I can send a message out to the group and get great responses.” Amy, we’re glad you have stayed a member for so long and still enjoy hearing all we have to offer. Thanks for being here!
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September 2021
Welcome back to our second half of 2021. We'd like for you to get to know member Dawn Kanzler, CCAP (Certified Community Action Professional) who is the Fiscal Operations Manager at Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC). She has been been a Certified Community Action Professional since 2012. TCOC is a nonprofit Community Action Agency that investigates the impact of poverty throughout their nine county service area to work in partnership with individuals, families and communities to provide opportunities that support movement toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Dawn has her Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting and has been employed with Tr-County Opportunities Council for 30 years. In the course of her duties and responsibilities, she have been afforded the opportunity to help people change their lives and to witness significant changes that happen daily with the assistance provided by the community action network. Dawn says, "I don't work directly with clients since I'm behind the scenes ensuring the agency's transparency, integrity and accountability." Dawn is married with four children and five grandchildren and she lives just outside of Dixon. She loves watching any sporting or extracurricular events that her grandchildren participate. "Being a 'Nana' is the best job ever!" she states. Every fall she vac and her spouse vacation with the same couples from different states at a resort at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri for relaxation and enjoyment.
Dawn says that she "enjoys the networking opportunity with other businesses/organizations through RRHRPA. I love the support and knowledge from the members. This group has been very beneficial and I look forward to working with everyone in the future." Thanks, Dawn, for including your expertise in our group as well.
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May 2021
We thank Kelly Nicholson of Kreider Services, Inc. for agreeing to be our May Member Spotlight. Kelly is an HR Recruiter/Assistant and while she has been at Kreider for several years, she is fairly new to HR.
Kreider is a non-profit organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They serve individuals mainly in the Sauk Valley area, but they also have a few group homes in the Stockton/Galena area as well. They pride themselves in helping these individuals have a meaningful day everyday!
Kelly was born and raised in Dixon, and graduated from Dixon High School. She attended Sauk Valley Community college and also graduated from Hamilton Technical College in Davenport, IA, where she studied medical assisting ("a far cry from HR" as she says). "I am married to Jesey and together we have a 6-year-old son, 5-year-old daughter, 11-year-old male Weimaraner and a 1-year-old female mixed breed pup!" Kelly has worked in several different capacities while employed at Kreider. She began in 2011 as a substitute DSP (Direct Support Professional) and worked directly with individuals they serve on a daily basis for two years. She married her husband in January 2012 and in July 2013, she was transferred to the front office of Kreider Services as the front desk receptionist. A year later her son was born and she moved to part-time status, which allowed the opportunity to take a secretary position with the agency. From 2014 - 2018, she worked as a secretary for Kreider at their main building and transitioned into the HR department in the summer of 2018. Kelly says, "During my time in HR I have learned a LOT and hope to continue on the learning path in this department."
"I have attended some of the RRHRPA meetings," Kelly states "and have listened to a couple speakers. This is beneficial and appreciated, as I do not have a background in the HR world." We're happy we can assist in your learning, Kelly, and thrilled you are a member of RRHRPA!
