Kirk bode - BOARD VICE PRESIDENT…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? I believe that I have a duty, as a Christian, as an Attorney, and as a longtime resident of Morton to give back of my time and talents to the wonderful village of Morton.

Kirk is currently self-employed. Law Office of Kirk W. Bode

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Juris Doctor from University of Illinois

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Legal skills

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? My Christian Faith and the Bible

Tell us about your family. I’ve been married to Barb for 46 years. We have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren, all of whom live locally.

back

BARB GETZ - BOARD TREASURER…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? The MCF is such a blessing to the community of Morton. It's hard to find an organization in the community that has not been impacted through the Gather, Grow Grant mission of the MCF. The dollars gathered, grown and then granted will impact Morton and keep our community vibrant for years to come. Who wouldn't want to be part of that!

BARB is currently retired: Treasurer and Business Manager, Morton Consolidated Unit School District (MCUSD) 709

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: B.S Finance, Bradley University, MBA Bradley University, CPA

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Grant-writing, Finance/Investments, Cash Management

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Traveling, cooking and spending time with family and grandchildren

Tell us about your family. Married to Michael Getz who is a lifelong Mortonite. We have lived in Groveland and Morton since 1987 and raised our 3 children here. Mike and I have 7 grandchildren - 5 live in Morton and 2 live in Birmingham Alabama.

back

Sylvia SMITH hasinger - immediate past-president…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? "It takes a village...” to help others; to raise children; to support schools and worthy organization; to have each others' backs; to keep the village thriving and a safe, active, beautiful place for many generations. MCF leads and provides the capability for us to do all these things through a legacy of giving that helps our "Village of Morton" - and the people who call it home now and in the future. It's an honor to serve on the MCF Board.

Sylvia is currently employed by: Advanced Technology Services (ATS) as HR Director.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Journalism/Communications; minor in music; MBA/Stanford Executive MBA; Human Resources (multiple areas); leadership development and coaching; teaching emotional intelligence; improving culture in workplace/teams.

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Experiences in public and private companies (large and small) and non-profits. An appreciation to listen and understand (and change for the better) from diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Helping others proactively and in need (individuals and organizations); animals; horse riding; my children (in that order - LOL).

Tell us about your family. Been a part of the Morton Community for many years...has three kids - Mack, Remy and Gabrielle; three dogs - Scottie, Sophie, Kuma, a cantankerous cat, Bisquit, and a horse called Romeo. Through life and work, lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Japan - Morton is "home" by choice.

Back

TIM GRYL - trustee…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? I see the Morton CF offering a vehicle for people and families in the community to offer support to many unique needs of individuals and groups in the communities. Without the services MCF provides, many of those needs would not be served. The successes that MCF supports will strengthen Morton for future generations, and I want to see MCF continue.

TIM is currently retired from: Caterpillar Tractor Co

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: BA - Mathematics, MA - Statistics

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Communications and presentations, as well as organizing teams that achieve goals and win.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? I really enjoy when I'm able to use some of my skills and talents to help others achieve the goals they want.

Tell us about your family. I'm very proud of my wife and family of 4 boys who have, or are pursuing, careers in the medical profession. And we're excited that we've recently welcomed our first grandchild.

Back

CINDY honegger - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? Quote from St. Teresa of Calcutta, "We can do small things with great love." A strong sense of community and service that leads us to want to be a part of the greater good. The gift of granting and honor of remembrance of the beauty of many lives and their legacy is very humbling and a true blessing.

Cindy is currently retired: Retired RN, pediatric oncology; Many volunteer jobs in education and ministry at Blessed Sacrament School and Parish, Art teacher, 2nd grade religious education, preparation for Holy Communion, Athletic contributions to Youth soccer, and MHS girls soccer and Cross Country.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: BSN Nursing

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Fundraising skills, community involvement, and service to many non profit organizations, involvement in schools, both religious and public, homebound, aging ministry, healthcare, and grants.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Service to others brings joy, ministry to those in need, seniors and youth. Giving back to many, both in action and word.

Tell us about your family. I grew up in San Diego, CA, and spent many years traveling as a pediatric nurse. Married to Andy Honegger for 22 years, moved to Morton in 2000 from Boston, MA where I was working as RN at Boston Children's Hospital in pediatric oncology. We have two young adult daughters, Freshman and Junior at University of Notre Dame. We love living in Morton!

back

Jeff king - Past President…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? The work and mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life today and for generations to come! The fact that the work of the MCF Staff, Board and many supporters will impact our great community FOREVER is the compelling story for me!

Jeff is currently retired: Retired from State Farm (Corporate Systems Management)

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Bachelor of Science - Eastern Illinois University, ChFC, CLU

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Broad financial knowledge from 20 years banking, 20 years at State Farm, ChFC / CLU education, etc. Strong network within the Community. Passion around the Morton Community Foundation and the future of our great Community.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Planning, organizing and execution of a project/event/initiative for the benefit of all parties.

Tell us about your family. Married to Mickey for 36 years. 3 children (Michael, Molly and Patrick) and 1 grandson (Charlie). Active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish and School (as the volunteer Athletic Director for the past 6 years)

back

Ali Klopfenstein - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? Having grown up in Morton and benefitted from this incredible community that my family and I get to call home, I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to give back and be a small part of helping Morton continue to grow. The Community Foundation has become a pillar within our community for creating lasting value for all who live in and visit our great town. I’m proud to serve the Foundation and help them in their mission to improve the quality of life for our residents for generations to come!

Ali is currently employed by: State Farm as Asst. Vice President-Planning & Analysis

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Bachelors Degree-Finance, ChFC designation

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Solid community network, especially in youth sports community. Communication, planning, financial, data analysis skills.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Mentoring new leaders, working with individuals who are working to learn how to manage both a successful career and a family, teaching/coaching students on leadership skills

Tell us about your family. Married to husband PJ for over 20 years. 3 children, all active in school and sports activities.

back

stacy litersky - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? I love serving on the MCF board with a fun and committed group of people helping to support our wonderful community and all the working parts that make Morton such a special place to live and raise a family.

Stacy is currently employed by: OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois, Foundation

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: BA in Communications, Minor in Psychology and English/Writers Workshop

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Strong community network, Strong fundraising skills especially with events, volunteer management and auctions.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Work within Morton Schools, Morton Gameball Run, Heller Center for Kids with Cancer, MCF - giving back to local community and charities

Tell us about your family. 2 active daughters, Blair & Reece and a spoiled dog named Poppy.

back

Laura luginbuhl - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? Part of my life vision is to make a lasting impact on my community through development and/or philanthropy. Serving on the Board of the MCF compliments this vision. I want to be a leader in my community who serve with humility.

Laura currently works for Culvers: Director of Community Engagement, Culver's

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Butler University MS in Speech Language Pathology from Illinois State University Certificate of Clinical Competency from American Speech and Hearing Association

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Strong community network, Communications, Strategic planning and Volunteering

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Mentoring and training others to achieve their greatest potential.

Tell us about your family. My husband Ryan and I have been married for 16 years, making him an honorary Mortonite. We have 3 boys who stay very active in sports and all things outdoors. One of our family goals is to visit all the National Parks.

back

Dr. DEJAN MAKSIMOVIC - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? There is no greater gift than giving, whether that's time, wisdom, or something you made specifically for someone. Being part of the board allows me to give back to the community we call home.

Dejan currently works for Carle Health: Dejan is a Family Medicine Doctor who also teaches at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, teaching future family physicians.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: DO

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Networking, woodworking

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Educating future family physicians has been an extremely fulfilling experience.

Tell us about your family. My wife, Jane, and I have one daughter named Ava.

back

Darren martin - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? I've been blessed to spend 50 years in the Morton community, so I look forward to volunteering in the efforts to leave a great place to live to the next generation.

Darren is currently employed by: Caterpillar - Aftermarket Parts Customer Services Manager

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Secondary Education, but 22 years experience in Supply Chain Management at Caterpillar

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Strong community network

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? People and organizational development

Tell us about your family. Married for 26 years to Tammy Shull (fellow MHS graduate class of 1989) and have three children ages 18, 22, 24. We've lived most of our lives in Morton with brief 2-year stints in Caracas Venezuela and Brussels Belgium.

back

DAN MEMINGER - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? Volunteering my time and energy to continue to help grow a great organization that invests in the community. Morton is an amazing community, one my family and I are blessed to call home with our children. Being able to serve an organization that understands and values continued investment in the future success of community is important for all generations; past, present and future.

Dan currently works for Morton Community Bank: Dan is Senior Vice President, Corporate Investments / ALCO Manager at the bank.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Accounting/Finance

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Community networking, strategic planning and financial management.

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Being around family and friends, playing golf and investing.

Tell us about your family. Married to Brittany and have two kids with big personalities. Emmitt and Stella. We are blessed to be there parents.

back

JEFF MUNIZ - PAST PRESIDENT…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? The Morton Community Foundation is a great way to give back to a generous community that has given so much to the parks, schools and non-profits over the past 25 years. Being part of the passion and mission of the MCF is truly fulfilling as this gem will only continue to shine brighter for generations to come.

Jeff currently works for Caterpillar: Caterpillar - Division Communications Manager

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Bachelor of Journalism - University of Missouri-Columbia Minor in Atmospheric Science - University of Missouri-Columbia Certificate in Broadcast Meteorology - Mississippi State University

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Communications / Presentations Media Relations Social Media Strategic Planning Non-Profit leadership & Youth Sports Coach

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Giving back and helping others through the blessings and talents provided to me.

Tell us about your family. Wife - Bliss is a Spanish teacher at Morton High School 3 Daughters: Mary Kate (19) - a sophomore at Illinois State University, Allee (15) - sophomore at Morton HS, Linsee (14) - freshman at Morton HS Former news anchor, reporter and meteorologist at WEEK-TV in Peoria from 2001-2010

back

Chris rajkumar - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? Text

Chris is currently employed by: Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Text

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Text

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Text

Tell us about your family. Text

back

JOE SANDER - trustee…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? The mission of the MCF to Gather, Grow, Grant is a fundamental cornerstone in the investment of the people and organizations that serve our community. It is my passion to promote the service before self values that have been established within the Morton community and keep this investment moving forward for generations.

Joe is currently employed by: Morton Unit School District 709 as Superintendent

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Doctorate of Education, Masters of Administration, Bachelors of Mathematics

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Strong community network, School Finance, Communications/Presentations, Social media capabilities, Strategic planning, Volunteer committee management, Grant-writing, Public Service, Military Service

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? I love to be actively engaged in organizations that have a mission or purpose to provide opportunities for growth and development across the community.

Tell us about your family. My wife, Jennifer and I have called Morton home for 25 years and have been blessed with 4 amazing children, Luke, Ryan, Jillian and Matthew.

Back

EMMA SANFORD - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? I would love to serve in the Board of the MCF now that I have moved back to my hometown of Morton,IL. I am proud to call Morton my home and look forward to being able to impact the community positively. The Morton Community Foundation is very important to my family as my grandfather,Phil Kuhl, was involved with starting the foundation. It excites me to be able to continue his legacy with the foundation.

Emma currently works for EMC Insurance: Emma is a Talent Acquisition Specialist.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Bachelor’s Degree: Elementary Education; Minor:Marketing

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Event planning, community involvement, interviewing

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? I enjoy working out, spending time with friends, and making memories with my family at our lake house.

Tell us about your family. My husband, Austin Sanford, and I have been married for 3 years. We recently relocated to Morton,IL for his new career as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. We are proud parents to a golden doodle named Rush.

back

Justin sidney - trustee…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? I like to live by this quote by Jim Elliott, a Christian missionary who died as a missionary in the jungles of Ecuador…"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Justin is currently employed by: Edwards Lifesciences - Field Clinical Specialist

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Nursing.

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Communication, Education, and Relationship Building

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? Spending time with my family

Tell us about your family. My Wife and I have three wonderful children who are extremely busy. We love playing outside, going on walks, and learning new things together.

Back

ALISSA WILLIAMS - TRUSTEE…

What compels you to serve on the MCF Board? MCF is one of Morton's Hidden Gems that brings so much to the community and helps support Morton in being a wonderful place.

Alissa currently works for the Morton Public Library: Alissa is Director of the Morton Public Library.

Formal Educational Background\Certifications: Undergraduate Degree in Communications, Masters in Library & Information Science

What unique skills and capabilities do you bring to the Morton Community Foundation Board? Strong community network, Fundraising skills, Communications/Presentations, Social media capabilities, Strategic planning, Volunteer committee management, Grant-writing,

What brings you joy and/or energizes you? I enjoy connecting people to the right resource.

Tell us about your family. Married to Michael, daughters Luci (13) and Abbi (11)

back