Amber Schmidt is currently the Service Outreach Director for Discover Dixon/Dixon Chamber of Commerence and Main Street and serves as the program coordinator for the Dixon Rotary Club. Previously to starting at Discover Dixon/Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street, Amber was the Ambassador President of the Discover Dixon Ambassador Committee. Graduating from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, Amber loves everthing outodoor recreation and is an avid hiker. With a professional history of being a Program and Event Director for multiple Illinois Park Districts and the YMCA, Amber is now making an impact in the greater Dixon region through her efforts at DCCMS and volunteering with many regional non-profits in Dixon and the surrounding area. 

Julie Jacobs is the office manager at Blackhawk Hills Regional Council.  She has more than 35 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors.  Julie has received training in non-profit management, board development, grant writing, and administrations.  Over the past 18 years, Julie has served on a variety of local boards/committees – Tri County Opportunties Council, Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Sauk Valley Community College Leadership Program Board, YWCA of the Sauk Valley Board, and St. Mary’s Pastorial Council.  She has also served on capital campaigns for the CGH Health Foundation, United Way of Whiteside County, and Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA.  She has been recognized both locally and nationally for her work including the YWCA of the Sauk Valley Women of Achievement Crete Dillon Bowman Award Community Leadership and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Women of Courage and Vision Award. 

Julie has been married to her spouse, Brad for 36 years.  She has two grown daughters and two grandkids.  She enjoys volunteering as an adult leader for the YMCA’s Girls on the Program.  A program the trains junior high girls to run a 5K while learning about local businesses.

Julie has been involved in the WACC CEO Program since its inception.   

Shane is the Vice-President for Physician Services and Clinic Operations at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL.  Shane has been employed at CGH for over 28 years.  In addtion to being a board member of the WACC CEO board, he serves on the YMCA Board of Directors and City of Rock Falls Utilities Committee.  He is also a Rock Falls Rotarian.

As a lifelong area resident who is committed to public education, I am excited to have joined the board in August of 2022. I have been in education since 2006, working as a 2nd-grade teacher, Reading Specialist, and Response to Intervention (RtI) Coordinator, and since 2012 as an administrator for Polo CUSD #222. Additionally, I serve on the board of the Illinois Principal Association while also mentoring new administration in the Northwest region. I am adept in administrative and board collaboration, curriculum alignment, and school improvement. Ongoing learning has been a priority within my career path, attending Northern Illinois University and Aurora University, has afforded me a well-rounded skill set, including first-rate team leadership and teaming abilities. Most recently, I graduated with my doctoral degree and will be finishing up my finance degree in December of 2022. Working with our youth is a passion and I look forward to serving the students and the families in the area.

Deborah Kelly works at Newman Central Catholic as a school counselor.  She has been at Newman for 32 years.  Currently she is the varsity volleyball coach and B.L.I.N.D. group faculty advisor.  She has been part of the CEO board from the beginning of the program and her daughter, Shannon Kelly, is a CEO alumni.

Dallas Knack is the executive director of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she owns a handmade home-based business, The Violet Veranda. She has been a mentor for the CEO Program for a handful of years and is excited to take the next step to join the board. Dallas is involved in various groups and organizations including the Sauk Valley Community Leadership Program, Sterling Main Street's Economic Vitality, and her sorority Alpha Gamma Delta, where she is a chapter advisor and facilitates the Empower Leadership Program. In her spare time, Dallas enjoys traveling and dragging her husband along on impromptu road trips.

Aaron Flick is a Senior Marketing Associate at Wahl Clipper Corporation and is in his first year on the WACC CEO Board. Prior to joining the board, Aaron has been a CEO Mentor for nine years. He graduated from Lewis University in 2011 with a Marketing Degree and received his MBA from Lewis University in 2012. Aaron currently resides in Sterling, IL with his wife Devon and two daughters Jovie (6) and Remy (5). 

Gary Sandrock is the owner operator of Sandrock Farms/Sauk Valley Angus, Rock Falls, Illinois.  He also is the Managing Owner/Partner of Deer Valley Banquets and Best Cob Manufacturing.  He has served on the WACC CEO Program Board for 8 years.  Currently, Gary also serves as Chariman of New Life Lutheran Church in Sterling, Illinois and is a board member for the Regoinal Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization.  He is a past president of the Sauk Valley Area of Chamber of Commerce, Montmorency School Board, and Illinois Angus Assocaiation along with being a member of a variety of other local and state boards and committees.  Gary and Kathy have been married 32 years and have 5 children and 9 grandchildren.

Christopher Tennyson is a former Juvenile Detective and School Resource Officer. Since switching over from Law Enforcement to the education field, Christopher has taught High School, served as a High School Assistant Principal, Principal, and now Regional Superintendent of Schools for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties in Illinois. Christopher is a certified ALiCE trainer and also in instructor in developing behavioral threat assessment teams and was featured in the New York Times for safely handling a near crisis situation at Fulton High School in 2018.