4-H Foundation Board Member

Ken Ropp, McLean County

Ken Ropp is a grain and dairy farmer in Normal. He and his wife, Becky, are both leaders of the Linden Lead ‘em 4-H Club in McLean County. Ken was an 11-year member and was selected as a 1989 National 4-H Congress delegate. Ken also was on the state 4-H dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl teams and participated in the 4-H Washington Focus citizenship program. Ken serves as the dairy superintendent of the McLean County Fair. Ken enjoys golfing and is an ILLINI sports enthusiast. Ken earned a degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois. He and Becky have one daughter. Ken’s extended family was recognized with the 2003 Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award.

Mark Sturgell, Macon County

Mark Sturgell is the owner and president of Performance Development Network where he works as a leadership coach, motivational speaker, and performance consultant. Mark has served as the director of Business and Corporate Solutions at the Millikin Institute and is a past president of organizations including the Central Illinois Chapter-American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), the Macon County 4-H Foundation, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Heart of Illinois Chapter, and the Metro Decatur Chamber of Commerce Commodores. Mark was a member of the Bell Ridge Ag 4-H Club and is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and was a 4-H member in Edgar County. Mark and his wife live in Decatur and have three sons.

Dick Barclay is the Regional President and Chief Executive Officer of US Bank in Springfield. He has worked in the banking industry in central Illinois for more than 30 years. Dick was a member of the Allin Pathfinder’s 4-H Club in McLean County during his days growing up near Stanford. Dick earned a degree in Business Administration from Illinois State University and serves on ISU's College of Business Advisory Board. He serves as a Trustee of Downtown Springfield, Inc. and has been both the campaign chair and a board member of the United Way. Dick enjoys golfing and traveling and playing "Grandpa". Dick, and his wife Kathy who works as a realtor with RE/MAX Associates, have two daughters, a son, and one grandson. Dick was recognized with the 2004 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award.

Kraig Krause is a grain farmer, substitute teacher, and the former mayor of his hometown of Easton. He invests significant time in providing leadership to community and agricultural organizations. He is a past president of the College of ACES Alumni Association and the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program’s Alumni Association. He serves on the board a nursing home, bank, and several other organizations. Kraig was a member of the Easton Ramblers 4-H Club in Mason County.

Barb Renquist Clark, Mongomery County

Barb has had diverse work experience ranging from teaching to working the night shift with the United States Postal Service to working for a management consulting firm. She graduated in 1972 from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of German. Barb grew up on a far near Butler, Illinois in Montgomery County. At the time that Barb joined 4-H, there were boys' clubs for agriculture and girls' clubs for home economics in her county. Barb was a 6-year member of the Prairie Rangers, an agriculture club and a 10-year member of the Butler Grove Lassies, a home economics club. In the summer of 1970, she was a member of the 4-H Teen Caravan to Austria. Barb remembers the trip opening up her eyes to the benefits of experiencing cultures through relationships with local people. The travel bug had bitten Barb, she has enjoyed travelling domestically and internationally ever since her experience. Along with traveling, Barb has spent years volunteering. She has volunteered for church and community activities such as literacy programs, the Ronald McDonald House, soup kitchen work, and community assistance programs. She currently volunteers as a docent with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and leads walking tours in and around the Chicago Loop. Barb has also recently completed the Master Gardener Training in winter of 2009. After her training, she enjoyed volunteering with the Master Gardener team who cares for the Smart Home Garden at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Rich Clemmons, McLean County

Rich Clemmons has worked with the Illinois Farm Bureau for 36 years in governmental and external relations. He earned a degree in education from Illinois State University and has recently served as president of the ISU Alumni Association. Rich is also active in his church and with Kiwanis International. Rich grew up in Lexington where he met his wife, Gretchen, who is a McLean County 4-H alumna. Rich and Gretchen have a son, two daughters, and three grandchildren. Rich enjoys golf, basketball, and camping.

Chris Francis, Will County

Chris recently finished his freshman year at U of I with a major in Ag Economics. He doesn’t know what he wants to do with it yet, but thinks it is a broad enough field to give him time to decide. He is also a licensed auctioneer, so the business management concentration of Ag Econ could come in handy there too. On campus, he is a member of the College of ACES Student Advancement Committee and is serving on the steering committee for ExplorACES 2009. He is also active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Chris was an 11-year 4-H member in Will County and is from a family with a long time 4-H tradition. His favorite projects were Forestry, Entomology, and Sheep. Some major 4-H accomplishments include the National 4-H Congress Youth Leadership Team, where he introduced Miss America to a crowd of 1100; placing first and being on the winning team at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational; and serving for three years on the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team, to which he was elected chair for 2008-09. He is honored to be serving as the youth representative for the Illinois 4-H Foundation!

Beverly Haselhorst, Stephenson County

Bev works part-time as Educational Program Coordinator for University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County.  She previously taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Dakota High School. Bev received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois where she met her husband Pete, a retired captain with American Airlines.  Bev was a member of Nora 20th Century 4-H Club in Jo Daviess County.  Both she and her daughter were members of 4-H House Sorority.  Bev’s son was a delegate to the 2002 National 4-H Congress.  Bev volunteers with numerous educational and community organizations and received the YWCA’s Women of Excellence Community Service Volunteer award in 1991.  She enjoys flying with the three family pilots, traveling to Fighting Illini football games, and visiting her second home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Keith Parr, DuPage County

Keith Parr is a partner with Lord, Bissell & Brook, LLP attorneys at law in Chicago. His practice focuses on issues in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, agribusiness and energy areas. Keith earned an Agricultural Science undergraduate degree and a law degree from the University of Illinois and has served on the College of ACES Advisory Committee. He and his wife, Lissa, reside in Elmhurst and have twin daughters and one son. Keith is a native of Donnellson and was a member of the Reno Ramblers 4-H Club in Bond County.

Jim Schmidt, McLean County

Jim Schmidt serves as the Director of Special Services for the Illinois Farm Bureau and is a 30-year employee of IFB. Born and raised in Carrollton, Illinois, Jim was a 10-year member of the Brushy Hustlers 4-H Club and was named a 1971 National 4-H Club Congress delegate. An IFYE ambassador to Jamaica for a six-month exchange, Jim is a Quincy University graduate. Jim worked as a 4-H Youth Advisor for 1 ½ years in Pulaski and Alexander Counties. Jim has been a Project Leader volunteer and has served on various county extension and 4-H committees in McLean County. Jim resides in Normal with his wife, Arlene. They have one daughter, Amber, who was a 10-year 4-H member and National 4-H Congress delegate.

Sheri Seibold, Champaign County

Sheri is a member of the Illinois State 4-H staff and serves as an Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development with areas of responsibility in volunteer development, risk management, staff development, and Cloverbuds.  She has a degree in Home Economics Education from Iowa Wesleyan College and Northern Illinois University.  Sheri was an active member of the Steuben Sewing Songsters 4-H Club in Marshall County.  She is a member of the Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Education (IEPYE) and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4HA).  Sheri has worked in various locations during her Extension career including Lake, Grundy, and McHenry Counties as well as the Grayslake, Manteno, and Matteson Extension Centers in northeastern Illinois.

Dorothy is preparing to finish her senior year at the University of Illinois with a major in Agriculture Communications. She plans to use her degree to find a position in Agriculture Communications that will utilize her writing, marketing, and public relations skills. Dorothy has kept herself extremely active and engaged in campus life throughout her tenure at the University. She currently serves as the Fall 2009 President of the 4-H House Cooperative Sorority on campus. She also serves as the Vice-President External for ACES Student Council and is an active member on the Student Advancement Committee as well. Dorothy was an 11-year, Jasper County 4-Her. Her favorite project was sewing. Dorothy has received many awards and accolades both in 4-H and on campus. She has earned the American FFA degree. Dorothy has also gone through the rigorous Illinois Leadership Program in order to earn her Illinois Leadership Certificate. She was also recently awarded the Orion Samuelson Scholarship. Dorothy is honored to serve on the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board!

Steve Streitmatter, Peoria County

Steve Streitmatter had a 32 year career with GROWMARK FS. He retired from GROWMARK in 2005 as a member of their energy division. Prior to GROWMARK, Steve spent four years with the United States Air Force. Steve was a member of the Alta Better Beef 4-H Club in Peoria County. He credits his 4-H involvement for providing the opportunity to first meet his wife, Fran. Fran is a former 4-H Youth Development Educator and a former member of the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board. Steve and Fran relocated from Mahomet in Champaign County to Princeville in Peoria County last year. Steve and Fran have two daughters and now spend their winters in Naples, Florida. Steve enjoys volunteer work and part-time farming.

O. Glenn Webb, Johnson County

Glenn Webb owns a farm near Tunnel Hill. He and his wife, Phyllis, raised three children on their Johnson County farm. Glenn earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois and a master's degree and a Ph.D. in education administration from Southern Illinois University. Glenn is a former Board Chairman and President of GROWMARK. Glenn served as a Vice Chairman and Lead Director with the Archer Daniels Midland Board of Directors and served several years as director and officer for banks that are part of the Farm Credit System.  He is very involved as a community and church leader, and was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. in 2000. His wife Phyllis, was a leader of the Webb Town Merrymakers 4-H Club for 33 years.

Eric grew up around McLean County 4-H all of his life.  His parents were both club leaders and avid 4-H supporters.  Eric was an 11 year 4-H member, a dedicated 4-H Federation member, as well as officer and past King of the McLean County Fair.  Residing in Elmwood, Illinois, he works as Brand Supply Manager for LG SEEDS, a national brand of corn/soybean/alfalfa seed.  Eric graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. and M.S. degree in Crop Science Agribusiness in 2002 while living four years at Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.  His past experiences on the U of I Judging Team lead him to judging many 4-H livestock shows in Illinois and other states.  His wife, Tara, is also a 4-H supporter and works in the dairy industry.  Eric’s interests include livestock, farming, and snowmobiling.

Lila Jeanne Eichelberger had a 40 year career as a home economics teacher. She retired in 1989 as department head from Centennial High School in Champaign. A member of 4-H House cooperative sorority, Lila Jeanne earned a Home Economics undergraduate degree and master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Lila Jeanne was a member of the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club in Mason County. Lila Jeanne was elected to the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board in 1993 and served from 1993-1999. In 1999, she was named “Board Member Emeritus” in recognition of her effective leadership and tireless work in successfully transitioning the Illinois 4-H Foundation operations into the Office of Advancement in the College of ACES. Lila Jeanne is a charter member of the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame and was recognized with the Friend of Illinois 4-H Award in 1999.

Dr. Robert G. Hoeft, Interim Associate Dean, Extension & Outreach

Dr. Denise Legvold, Assistant Dean & Director, 4-H Youth Development

E. Louise Rogers, Associate Dean, Advancement, College of ACES