Gov. Pritzker Announces Twelve Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees

Rikeesha Phelon will serve as a Member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees.* Phelon currently serves as Principal Consultant with Phelon Public Strategies and Associate Provost of Strategy, Communications, and Engagement with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU Medicine). Previously, Phelon served as Executive Director of Marketing, Communications, and Engagement at SIU Medicine and as Press Secretary with the Office of the Illinois Senate President. Active in her community, Phelon currently serves as Commissioner with Illinois Humanities and Trustee with Lincoln Community Hospital. Phelon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and Master of Arts in Communications from University of Illinois Springfield.

Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board

Kevin Shaw will serve as a Member of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board.* Shaw currently serves as Operations Manager at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, where he oversees rides, admissions, and park services. Previously, Shaw served as Operations Supervisor of Guest Services and Admissions at Six Flags, having served at the park since 2001. Shaw earned his high school diploma from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School.

Western Illinois University Board of Trustees

Jose Alba will serve as a Member of the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees.* Alba currently serves as Director and Team Lead with Real Estate Corporate Banking (RECB), a division of Bank of America’s Global Commercial Bank. Based in Chicago, he oversees a treasury team that manages RECB’s largest real estate clients. Previously, Alba served as Vice President and Senior Treasury Solutions Analyst with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Alba currently serves on the Board of Casa Central, and he serves as Co-Chair for several environmental, social, and governance initiatives at Bank of America. Alba also coaches wrestling and football for Batavia High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University.

Educational Labor Relations Board

Chad Hays will continue to serve as a Member of the Educational Labor Relations Board.* Hays most recently served as Executive Director of Crosspoint Human Services. There, he managed a $7 million budget funding service programs. Previously, Hays served as State Representative of the 104^th Legislative District from 2010 to 2018. Prior to his service as State Representative, Hays served as Vice President and Executive Director of Development and Mission Services at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center. Earlier in his career, Hays was elected Mayor of the Village of Catlin. Hays remains involved in his community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Vermillion Area Community Health Center. Hays has earned many accolades for his service to his community, including Citizen of the Year by Catlin, Illinois, as well as the Danville Area Community College Distinguished Alumni Award. Hays earned his Associate of Science from Danville Area Community College and his Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Public Relations from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Steven Grossman will continue to serve as a Member of the Educational Labor Relations Board.* Grossman most recently served as Associate Director and part-time Instructor at DePaul University’s Labor Education Center. Prior to his role at DePaul University, Grossman taught at Niles Township High School for over 20 years. Grossman holds extensive union experience, previously serving as President of the North Suburban Teachers Union and Vice President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Grossman earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Iowa and Master in the Art of Teaching History from University of Illinois Chicago.

Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

Brandy Johnson will serve as a Member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.* Johnson currently serves as Assistant Professor of Law at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School (SIU Law) and as Of Counsel with Early and Miranda, P.C. in St. Louis, Missouri. Previously, Johnson served as Assistant Professor of Practice at SIU Law and Senior Partner with Early and Miranda, P.C. Johnson teaches disability law, torts, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, and other health-law-related topics. Johnson serves on the Board of the United Spinal Association’s Illinois Chapter, and she has served on committees and in leadership positions with the Illinois State Bar Association, the Missouri Bar Association, the Jackson County Bar Association, America Inns of Court, and the Association of American Law Schools. Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her Juris Doctorate from SIU Law.

Health Facilities and Services Review Board

Keith Page will serve as a Member of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.* Page most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Anderson Hospital and Anderson Healthcare in Maryville, recently retiring from both roles. Previously, Page served as Vice President of Physician Services at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. Prior to his career in healthcare administration, Page served as Captain in the U.S. Army’s Medical Services Corps. Active in his community, Page currently serves on the City of Edwardsville Plan Commission, the Scott Credit Union Board of Directors, and the Anderson Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. Page was recognized by the Edwardsville Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Achievement Award and by Rotary International with a Paul Harris Fellow Award. Page earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University and Master of Hospital Administration from Saint Louis University.

Illinois Forensic Science Commission

Dr. Cris Hughes will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Forensic Science Commission.* Hughes currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Anthropology with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Deputy Forensic Anthropologist for the Champaign County Coroner’s Office. Previously, Hughes served as Lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology at Parkland College. Hughes is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is also affiliated with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the Society of Forensic Anthropologists, and the Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology. Hughes earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from University of Florida and her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology from University of California Santa Cruz.

Illinois State Museum Board

Sara Phalen will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois State Museum Board.* Phalen currently serves as Managing President of Phalen Consulting, Director and Curator at Warrenville Historical Museum and Art Museum, and Director, Registrar, and Education Coordinator with City of West Chicago Museum. Phalen volunteers her museum expertise with the Kane DuPage Regional Museum Association, People Made Visible, Illinois Association of Museums, and the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage. Phalen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and English from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, her Master of Nonprofit Management from North Park University, and her Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University.

Joliet Arsenal Development Authority

Dr. Anthony “Jay” Plese will continue to serve as a Member of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority.* Plese most recently served as Superintendent of Wilmington School District. Previously, Plese served as Executive Director of Wilco Area Career Center in Romeoville. A former elected official, Plese served two terms on the Wilmington City Council. Plese earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from Illinois State University, his Master of Science in Educational Administration from University of Wisconsin Superior, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration from Illinois State University.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Sherman Wright will continue to serve as a Member of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.* Wright is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of TEN35, a marketing agency specializing in transforming brands through culture. Wright is an inductee of the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, an alumnus of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 under 40, and has been recognized by Texas A&M University's Aggie 100 for leading one of the fastest growing alumnus-owned businesses. Wright is active in his community, currently serving as Board Member with OneGoal, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Francis W. Parker School, and Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative. Wright earned his Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Texas A&M University.

Public Administrator and Public Guardian

Thomas Hood will continue to serve as Public Administrator and Public Guardian of Lake County.* Hood currently owns and operates Hood Law Offices P.C. and serves as Mayor of Gurnee. Hood’s legal expertise is in decedents’ estates, guardianships, business law, and real estate. Prior to his election as Mayor, Hood served as Trustee for the Village of Gurnee. Hood earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from University of Illinois Chicago and his Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School, now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

* Appointments pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate.

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