Foundation Board
Matt graduated University of Illinois in 1996 with a BA in Finance. Matt also earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management in 2005 with an emphasis on Marketing, Strategy, and Finance. Matt is an adjunct professor at Rockford University. Along with his brother Ed, he owns and operates the Boone County Shopper.
Matt is actively involved in the community. He joined the Boone County Community Foundation Board in 2019. He also is a member and Past President of the Cosmopolitan Club of Belvidere, a board member and Past President of the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the District 100 Charitable Foundation, Secretary of Growth Dimensions, board member and Past President of Boone County Crime Stoppers, and Past Chairman of the Boone County Planning Commission. Matt lives in Boone County with his wife, Tara, and their two daughters.
Jeremy has been an active member of the Boone County Community Foundation since 2017. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Aurora University. Jeremy has years of experience in the financial industry, where he is currently the Vice President of Ag & Commercial Lending at German American State Bank.
Jeremy’s commitment to his community is evident in his volunteer work as president of the North Boone Education Foundation, vice-president of North Boone Youth Sports, and as a volunteer coach for North Boone Junior Tackle and Poplar Grove Power Baseball.
His past commitments include former president of the Plano Economic Development Corp, past board member of Fox Valley YMCA, program manager for North Boone Junior Tackle, program manager & co-founder of Poplar Grove Power Baseball and co-founder & volunteer coach of Poplar Grove Power Softball.
Dr. Dale Drake has been a long time supporter of the Boone County Community Foundation as he enters his 10th year in serving as a Director. After retiring from his dental practice here in Belvidere, Dr. Drake continues to volunteer and support the community through his work not only with the Foundation but the Boone County Museum of History, the Rock Valley Foundation Board, and the Rockford County Club Board of Directors.
A life-long resident of Boone County and a graduate of Belvidere High School. Melissa attended the University of Northern Iowa, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Arts, Leisure, Youth, and Human Services, specializing in Therapeutic Recreation. She has worked with and for non-profits, service clubs, local government and various programs in and around Boone County. As a proud wife and mother, her roots run deep in the Boone County area. Melissa has served as the Assistant to the Executive Director of the Foundation for four years prior to taking her role as the Executive Director.
Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science of Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois. As a licensed architect, he is part owner of Ollmann Ernest Martin Architects in Belvidere.
He serves on the board of directors for the Belvidere YMCA, is a member of the Belvidere IOU Club and is involved with the District 100 Foundation. He joined the Boone County Community Foundation in 2016. He is also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he is the current council president.
Along with his family, Dave owns and operates Gallano Trucking, Inc. in Belvidere, IL. As a Boone County native, Dave is involved with the Belvidere IOU Club, the Boone County Community Foundation and countless other local organizations.
An avid outdoorsman, Dave lives and works in Boone County with his wife and son.
After obtaining his Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Illinois, Scott went on to get his MBA from Aurora University. From the University of Wisconsin, he was a graduate of the School of Banking. Scott has been with Poplar Grove State Bank for over 18 years. He has served as past president and board member of the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce.
Gerald recently joined the BCCF in 2018. He served as an associate, circuit, and chief judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit from 1987-2007. Currently retired, Gerald stays active in giving back to the community by volunteering thru the Belvidere Rotary Club, Belvidere IOU Club, and Northern Illinois Hospice.
Barb graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She taught high school Biology and Chemistry in Iowa before returning to Illinois to join the family business, Edwards Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove. Barb loves people, hiking and being with family. She is a founding member of the North Boone Education Foundation and a member of the Poplar Grove United Methodist Church.
Jeff graduated from Northern Illinois University. He serves as the Senior Vice President of Stillman Bank. He is very active in our community through his involvement in the Belvidere IOU Club, Blue Thunder Boosters, Belvidere Masonic Lodge, Tebala Shriners Club of Rockford, and the Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce.
Natalie Hyser Barber joined the Tobin and Ramon Law Firm in 2014 and became a law partner when Curt Tobin retired in 2015. Natalie is a native of Boone County where the Firm is located. After over 85 years, the Firm still has a mission of providing the highest quality of legal service to Belvidere, Boone County and the greater surrounding area. Natalie brings her expertise in estate administration and trust planning services including charitable giving, special needs planning, succession planning for farm and business families, as well as basic wills and powers of attorney, and probate and trust administration and real estate services to the Foundation and our mission. In addition to raising her young family, Natalie volunteers with the Parks & Conservation Foundation, the Rotary Club, and Zonta.
Since 2011, Jen has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Belvidere Family YMCA. She graduated from Western Illinois University with bachelors’ degrees in public communication, human relations, and political science. She went on to obtain her graduate degree in public communications. Jen works tirelessly for Boone County serving on several boards and committees including secretary of the Boone County Board of Health, steering committee for Build-A-Bike, member of Cosmopolitan Club of Belvidere, member of Zonta of Belvidere, community liaison for Seth Kids, committee member for District 100 Strategic Plan, committee member for Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs Strategic Plan, member of Boone County Drug Prevention Coalition, committee member for City of Belvidere Heritage Days, steering committee Member for Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce’s Hometown Christmas, member of District 100 Wellness Committee, and committee member for Santa for All. When she isn’t volunteering at a community event, Jen loves going to concerts with her daughter Garren.
Amy is a graduate of Western Illinois University where she played volleyball and graduated with her B.A., cum laude, in Communications. She went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University with her Master’s Degree in Organizational/Corporate Communications. She has been the Development Director for RAMP since 2007.
Amy has been active in the community and has served as a member of the North Boone School District 200 Board of Education, a member of the North Boone Booster Club, Boone County Special Education Cooperative, K-Cancer Baseball Not-For-Profit, North Boone Junior Tackle, Belvidere Cosmopolitan Club, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Northern Illinois Planned Giving Council.
Butch has worked for the North Boone School District for over 50 years, he retired from CamCar Textron after 35 years, and has been with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department for over 15 years. He has also served on the Boone County Fair Board representing the County Line Grange.
Butch has been an active supporter of many different organizations and events in and throughout Boone County.
Jamie Proctor joins us from Americold where she spent the last 27 years, most recently as General Manager for the two Belvidere locations. Her most recent accomplishments include leading the development of a Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program and established and led a global team to validate, define and launch the program for their Center of Excellence sites. Along with this she has extensive experience leading employee development processes and programs, employee engagement and community initiatives to continue building strong partner relationships across organizations.
Outside of work, Jamie spends her free time with her husband of 34 years, their two daughters who are both nurses, and her 5 year old grandson and 3 month old granddaughter.
Nancy Razón is an educator, civic leader and passionate advocate for her community. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Northern Illinois University, she began her career as a bilingual teacher for her hometown school district of Belvidere. Her bi-cultural background and expertise in the area of language coupled with the Latino needs of her community led her to serve as a liaison for public informational sessions with her local mayor’s office, police and fire department.The philosophies Nancy learned in education along with her life experiences inspired her to start the very first and only leadership youth group to date that serves Belvidere’s Latino middle and high school students. This program works to help students unveil their strengths and achieve their educational goals while unleashing the leader within. Nancy is also intentional about giving back to her community. She has served as president and secretary of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Belvidere. President of the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC). She has served on the board of the Ida Public Library and the YWCA. She is a proud graduate of Latinas on the Plaza – Leadership Mastery Institute and recipient of the 2019 Latinos 40 Under 40 Award. As a leader, Nancy sets the leadership bar high for herself, she doesn’t just preach the leadership stuff – she works hard to live it and teach others to do the same.
Michael has been active with the Boone County Community Foundation, since 2014. He is currently a partner with Reno & Zahm LLP.
He is a graduate of North Boone High School and went on to receive his B.A., cum laude, in Economics and Political Science from Knox College. He received his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University.
He is actively involved in the Cosmopolitan Club of Belvidere, where he serves as president. Michael is also vice president of the Lions Club of Poplar Grove and volunteers as a youth basketball coach. He is a past president of the Boone County Bar Association and former Boone County Board member.
Ken has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for over 4 years and is currently the Chairman of the Board. A former Illinois Education Association President and retired District 100 teacher, Ken graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia Teachers College and a Master’s in elementary education from Northern Illinois University. His past foundation experiences include School District 100 and the Belvidere Park District Foundation Board. Ken is an avid golfer, a 50’s and 60’s car enthusiast, and an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Therese grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa, and received her Bachelor’s degree and M.D. from the University of Iowa. She completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in New York before moving to Belvidere in 2002. She practiced locally for several years before taking time off to raise a family. She is on the Foundation Boards of Boylan High School and Club Blue Rockford. She lives in Belvidere with her husband, Scott, and their four children.
Jean is a founding member of the Boone County Community Foundation. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree. Jean taught in the Belvidere School District, retiring after 26 years.
She is Vice President of the Belvidere Township Park Board, President of the District 100 Foundation for Excellence in Education, and Secretary of the Boone County Arts Council. Jean is also the treasurer of the Panhellenic Society of Belvidere.
A lifelong resident of Belvidere, Heather has been a member of the Boone County Community Foundation since 2017. She graduated from Kishwaukee College with an Associate’s Degree in Agriculture and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a minor in Communications from Northern Illinois University. Professionally, she works as the Business Enterprise Manager for Growth Dimensions Economic Development of Boone County, IL.
She is dedicated to her community serving as a member of the Boone County CASA and the Boone County Community Foundation. She is a Sunday School teacher & Nurturing Committee member at Zion Lutheran Church-Belvidere.
Heather is a past board member of the Belvidere School District Board of Education, University of Illinois Extension and Habitat for Humanity of Boone County. She lives in Belvidere with her husband and two children.
Earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in business from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, John graduated from the GM School of Merchandising and Management and is a member of the Chevrolet Legion of Leader Sales Society.
He joined the Alpine Bank Family in 2006 as a board member and is the former vice president of Wolf Chevrolet Sales, Inc. in Belvidere, which has been owned and operated by three generations of the Wolf Family since 1924. John is past president and a board member of the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce, a board member and executive committee member of Growth Dimensions of Belvidere and Boone County, Inc., and current chairman and a member of the Belvidere Salvation Army Advisory Board. In addition, John is a board member of the Boone County Community Foundation, a board member of UW – Whitewater Alumni Association, vice chairman of the Illinois Auto Dealer Association, a past president and member of the Belvidere IOU Club, and a board member of the Boone County Historical Museum. John is also a volunteer and member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.
600 South State Street
Belvidere, IL 61008
(p) 815-544-7231
(f) 815-544-7221
