EIU School of Business

Brandon Kuhl works in enterprise software and data solutions, helping organizations use data to make smarter business decisions and improve performance. With more than 15 years of experience, he has partnered with national brands across a wide range of industries.

A 1996 Eastern Illinois University graduate, Brandon was a member of the men’s tennis team and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He currently serves as a chapter advisor and enjoys staying active outdoors with his family in Colorado.

Ryan Kleiss has more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry, serving in roles ranging from branch operations to financial advising. He currently works as a financial advisor in Arthur, Illinois, focusing on retirement planning, wealth strategies, estate considerations, and business succession planning.

Ryan holds several professional designations and earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Eastern Illinois University, along with graduate degrees in business and management. He is passionate about helping clients make informed, long term financial decisions.

Jeff Bloemker has held senior leadership roles with several mid-sized organizations across Central Illinois, partnering with entrepreneurial teams to drive growth and operational success. His experience includes positions with Agracel, Mid America Motorworks, Heartland Human Services, and Bank of Hillsboro.

He is deeply involved in community and civic leadership, having served as Mayor of Effingham from 2015 to 2019 and on numerous local boards. Jeff currently serves as Vice President and Marketing & Commercial Loan Officer at First State Bank & Trust in Williston, North Dakota.

Todd Chesnut serves as Vice President of Sales and General Manager at Case Paper Co., where he leads sales, production, logistics, and administrative operations for a 60-member team. With more than 25 years at the company, he oversees strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and customer growth initiatives that drive revenue and operational efficiency.

Todd is known for building strong teams, strengthening customer partnerships, and improving processes that support long term success. His experience spans sales leadership, P&L management, vendor negotiations, and continuous improvement.

Deval Clearwater brings more than 30 years of experience in educational assessment, lifelong learning, and global market development. She works with partners and organizations worldwide to expand access to tools and services that help learners realize their full potential.

Throughout her career, Deval has led teams across customer service, sales support, product marketing, operations, and strategic initiatives, overseeing large-scale state, national, and international program implementations. She is passionate about using education to create opportunity and lasting impact.

Jason Haier has more than 20 years of experience in the medical device industry and currently serves as Director of Corporate Accounts at Argon Medical Devices. He leads a regional team responsible for negotiating health system contracts and strengthening partnerships across the United States.

Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Eastern Illinois University and was actively involved in campus leadership and Greek life. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Suzi, whom he met at EIU, and visiting their two sons.

Neal Hemenover serves as Chief Information Officer for Omnia Exterior Solutions, where he leads technology strategy and platform development to support innovation and business growth. He focuses on leveraging data and systems to improve performance across the organization.

With nearly 30 years of experience in technology, innovation, and project leadership, Neal is known for bringing teams together to deliver large-scale initiatives that drive measurable results.

Greg Imhoff is a Wealth Management Advisor with LPL Financial, where he helps individuals and families reduce risk, protect their assets, and plan confidently for the future. He develops personalized strategies focused on portfolio management, tax efficient planning, and insurance solutions tailored to each client’s goals.

Greg brings more than two decades of experience in financial services, including 18 years with Northwestern Mutual, where he built a practice serving more than 400 clients and guided significant retirement and insurance portfolios.

Steven Jamnik brings more than 40 years of commercial banking experience in the Chicago market. He currently serves as Senior Vice President at Busey Bank, helping clients achieve their financial goals through customized banking and lending solutions.

Steve earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Finance from Lewis University, and is a graduate of the University of Colorado’s Commercial School of Banking. He and his wife reside in Shorewood, Illinois.

Marc Joergens began his career in public accounting with KPMG and has since spent more than 30 years leading finance and accounting functions for organizations including Bunge Corporation, Caleres, and LMI Aerospace. His expertise includes strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and mergers and acquisitions.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Marc brings broad operational and financial leadership experience to the board. He lives in Columbia, Illinois, with his family.

Amanda Mandy Lewis serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for First Mid Bank & Trust. She oversees companywide operations, including deposits, loans, digital platforms, and facilities, with a focus on scalability, process improvement, and exceptional customer experience.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Mandy began her career with First Mid in marketing and advanced through several leadership roles. She remains active in community service and nonprofit leadership throughout the region.

Brian May is a financial and risk management leader with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations make informed decisions around strategy, capital allocation, and business growth. He specializes in translating complex data and analysis into clear insights that support executive leadership and long term planning.

He currently serves as Director of Energy Procurement at CBRE, where he leads market intelligence, financial modeling, and commodity risk management strategies for corporate clients and managed properties.

Chris Nichols serves as Chief Talent Officer at Council Capital, a healthcare services focused private equity firm based in Nashville. He leads human capital strategy across the firm’s portfolio companies, partnering with executive teams to strengthen leadership, drive growth, and build high performing organizations.

A first-generation college graduate and Eastern Illinois University alumnus, Chris is passionate about mentoring students and giving back. He provides strategic guidance and industry insight to help prepare the next generation of business leaders.

Blake Pierce began his career with Rural King after earning both his bachelor’s degree in Finance and MBA from Eastern Illinois University. Over the years, he has advanced through leadership roles supporting the company’s growth into a national retailer.

He currently serves as President of RK Real Estate and Development and remains active in local business and nonprofit boards. Blake enjoys volunteering and supporting community initiatives.

Matt Powers is the President, Founder, and Managing Partner of Powers Advisory Group, an independent investment advisory firm focused on delivering objective financial guidance and institutional quality investment management. He is a frequent national media contributor and recognized industry leader.

With more than 20 years of experience, Matt has worked with several major firms and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University. He remains active in his community through service and youth athletics.

Kurt Rankin joined Consolidated Communications in 1997 and has held a variety of engineering and operations leadership roles throughout his career. He now leads network operations for Fidium, one of the nation’s top fiber internet providers, delivering service across 26 states.

His experience spans technology infrastructure, service delivery, and large-scale operational management, with a focus on reliability and growth.

Brad Rozboril has built a 28-year career with Caterpillar leading technology and software engineering initiatives that support employees, dealers, and customers worldwide. He currently serves as Senior Director of Software Engineering, overseeing eCommerce, marketing, and CRM platforms.

Brad earned his degree in Computer and Operations Management from Eastern Illinois University and was a member of the men’s tennis team and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He enjoys staying active with his family.

Ashleigh Rutledge brings experience in banking, finance, human resources, and recruiting, with a focus on helping organizations operate efficiently and effectively. She enjoys managing budgets, improving processes, and supporting strong team operations.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and later completed both an MBA and a master’s degree in Management and Leadership. Ashleigh lives in Charleston with her family and enjoys supporting Panther athletics.

Emily Scherzer is a strategic relationship professional with experience in communications, client experience, and community engagement. She specializes in building strong partnerships and delivering exceptional service that connects organizations with the communities they serve.

Her work focuses on fostering meaningful relationships and creating positive experiences for clients and stakeholders alike.

Adam Schmidt began his career as an Admissions Counselor at Eastern Illinois University before transitioning into financial services and higher education advising. He currently serves as an Admissions Advisor at Parkland College, where he supports student recruitment and enrollment initiatives.

Adam earned his bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from EIU and was actively involved in campus leadership. He is passionate about helping students find the right path to success.

Jeff Scott brings 30 years of experience in technology and software development leadership. He currently leads delivery operations for KMS Technology Inc., managing teams across the United States, Vietnam, and Mexico.

Prior to KMS, Jeff held numerous software engineering and leadership roles at State Farm Insurance, where he focused on building and implementing enterprise software solutions.

Roy Shelley is a human resources leader with a career focused on supporting employees and strengthening workplace culture. He currently serves as Director of Human Resources at Koerner Distribution, where he supports more than 230 associates across a multi-county region.

Roy leads initiatives that enhance employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and professional development. He is a graduate of the Eastern Illinois University School of Business and remains active in community service.

Cori Trautvetter is a Partner at Mercer and serves as the firm’s U.S. Endowment and Foundation Commercial Leader. She advises endowments, foundations, and other institutions on strategic investment decisions, governance, and other aspects of investment programs.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Cori brings more than two decades of experience in investment consulting and remains active in nonprofit and community leadership.

Thomas Whitworth is a business development leader with experience helping organizations maximize value through innovative technology solutions. With a background in account management and customer strategy, he focuses on building strong partnerships and improving efficiency for the clients he serves.

He currently serves as Distributor Sales Manager for Autonomous Systems at Komatsu and has held several global and regional leadership roles within the company. Outside of work, Thomas enjoys spending time with his family and staying active.

Troy Williams has helped organizations navigate competitive energy markets and develop strategic energy plans for nearly three decades. His expertise spans electricity, natural gas, load response, and renewable energy solutions, supporting clients with smarter purchasing strategies and sustainability goals.

He serves as National Sales Manager at Constellation Energy, where he leads national sales efforts and builds enterprise partnerships across the country. Troy earned his degree from Eastern Illinois University and is a nine time Presidents Club award winner.