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 10 years ago.   

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.

Leadership starts with the desire to move a group towards achieving a common goal. The leader is the inspiration and director of the action. They lead by example and with a combination of personality and perseverance, make others want to follow them.

As the Publisher of SVM one of our core missions is advocate for our communities. My involvement in our communities helps me to stay focused on what’s important. It allows me to learn first hand what the needs are here in the Sauk Valley. My Call to Action is to leverage the strength of Sauk Valley Medias reach by providing a voice on important community issues. 

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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.

Kris Noble has been with the SVACC since 2014 and the Executive Director since 2015. As Executive Director, her responsibilities include implementing the Strategic Plan as developed by the Board of Directors. The three key priorities include: Providing Value to Membership, Strengthen the Local Community, and Enhance Community Leadership. She is responsible for overseeing 2 staff and over 200 volunteers to develop objectives and implement action to accomplish the Strategic Priorities. In 2018 Kris led the SVACC to a 5-star accreditation Status with the United States Chamber of Commerce. In 2019 the SVACC was awarded the Outstanding Chamber of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. In 2021, the SVACC was the first chamber to be recognized as an IACCE Certified Chamber. Kris uses her background in community development and building relationships to promote workforce development between education systems and the business community.

 Prior to the Chamber world, Kris worked as an Adolescent Therapist for LSSI. In addition, over 28 years, Kris has worked as a consultant in community wellness with an emphasis in positive youth development, community engagement, and strategic planning. She has collaborated with school districts, not-for-profit organizations, service clubs, businesses, preschools, and faith communities on how to make environments more youth friendly and improving youth/adult relationships and partnerships.

Kris graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. The is trained as a Lead trainer in the 40 Developmental Assets through Search Institute. She was awarded the 2019 Women of Achievement Crete Dillon Bowman Award for Community Leadership. She has completed her 2^nd year of IOM through the United States Chamber of Commerce.

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. 

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.