Mrs. Kristen Egan

Vice President for Advancement and Alumni

Kristen Egan was promoted to Vice President for Advancement beginning July 1, 2018. As a member of the Leadership Team, she advances the strategies to build resource and development capacity, as well as leads Advancement, Alumni, World Leaders Forum, and special events functions.

Since 2016, Kristen has worked on building donor relationships and capacity for the university. Over the last two years, she has focused on developing a foundation strategy and integrated planned giving program, strengthening the annual fund, establishing best practices for data collection and gift acceptance, as well as providing leadership to the Advancement team.

Kristen has more than 20 years of experience working in fundraising and marketing communications with Meyer Partners, the Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

Eliana Sarver 21′

Alumni associate coordinator GA

Eliana Sarver is an Alumni Board member Graduate Assistant. She originally graduated with her bachelor’s in Management and Marketing in 2021 from Judson. She is working on receiving her master’s degree and Judson University’s MBA program with a concentration in organizational leadership. Along with her work on the Alumni Board and taking classes in Judson’s MBA program, she also works as an Administrative Assistant for Big Timber Wealth Management in Elgin, IL. Eliana is passionate about learning, growth, and exploration.

Gary Neal ’14

Board Member

Dr. Gary Neal, Sr. is a retired Elgin Police Sergeant (2015) currently working as the Manager for Security Operations at the University of Florida Shands Hospital. Dr. Neal also has a virtual Life Coaching practice (Simply Redeemed Ministries, LLC.), and hosts his own podcast, “In Conversation with Dr. Gary.” Dr. Neal received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Service from Judson University in 2011 and completed his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in 2014. Dr. Neal rounded out his education at Adullam Bible College in Gainesville, Florida, where he completed his Doctorate degree in Cultural Theology/ Christian Education in 2020.

Robert O’Quinn ’14

Board Member

I am a retired officer of twenty-eight years from the Elgin Police Department. I graduated from Judson University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management. I also earned a certification for Emergency Management from FEMA and the Illinois National Guard. I also participated in two deployments during Operation Enduring Freedom. I am presently enjoying retirement and my wonderful family. 

Jackie Crandall ’74

Board Member

Life went too fast after leaving Judson to tell a long biography. Let’s just say, I went on to Michigan State for a Master’s in Deaf Education and worked as a teacher in Detroit (all grades, all subjects) using sign language for instruction while raising a family of three, and am now busy being a grandmother to eight darlings scattered several hundred miles apart in St. Paul, Atlanta, and near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania! 

Stevie Caterina ’17

Board Member

Mrs. Stevie Caterina is a Sales and Marketing Associate at Colorado Technical University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Judson in 2017. Stevie and her husband, Jeremiah, are parents to daughter Lorelei.

Dan Crask ’98

Board Member

Dan is a proud graduate of Judson University, where he studied Visual Communications and earned his degree in 1998. He has gone on to establish himself as a Brand Strategist & Partner for the company Brand Shepherd, based in Maryville, TN.

Dan is passionate about giving back to the Judson community and helping to shape the future of the university.

Ratisha Bolin ’19

Board Member

Originally from Flint, MI, Ratisha Bolin is a Greenbelt-certified supply chain professional with 18 years of experience in sales, customer service, customer fulfillment, and project management.  In 2004,  she received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Michigan State University.  She later went on to earn her Master of Business Administration from Judson University in 2019.  Ratisha is also a licensed minister and worship leader who serves in her local church, Second Baptist Church of Elgin, IL.

Art Fessler ’89

Board Member

Dr. Art Fessler is a retired educator who served in many roles in k-12 education including classroom teacher, building principal, and superintendent of schools. Art holds a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from the University of Illinois, Champaign, a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University, and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Judson University. In 2012, Dr. Fessler received the Robert Kottkapp Outstanding Dissertation Award (North America, Educational Leadership Category). In 2014, Art was named a Future Ready Superintendent by the United States Department of Education and was invited to attend the Future Ready Superintendent Summit in Washington DC. Dr. Fessler was also named to the National School Board Association 2014 “20 to Watch” in education. He has also been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for his service in developing administrative preparation programming. Art has served on national governing boards for AASA: The School Superintendents Association, the National Center for Education Research and Technology (NCERT), and the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI). Dr. Fessler held appointments to the Illinois Association of School Leaders (IASA) South Cook Professional Development Coordinator, Treasurer of the Suburban Superintendent Association, and the Finance Chairman and Executive Board Member for the South Cooperative Organization for Public Education.

Lori Heiselman ’93

Board Member

Lori Perry Heiselman is the Founder and CEO of Biscuit Media Group, a boutique entertainment PR firm. Lori received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1993. Lori and her husband Chris live in the Nashville area with their very spoiled dog, Betsy Ross.

Lisa Garcia ’13, ’20

Board Member

Ms. Lisa Garcia, PMP is a Senior Project Manager in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry. She is a lifelong learner with a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) in 2013 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2020, both from Judson University. She and her husband, Ray, are proud parents to Grace (JU ’25) and Brooke.

Tracy Miller ’86

Board Member

Tracy is an accomplished alumnus of Judson University, having graduated in 1986 with a degree in Computer and Information Science. He currently resides in Highland Village, TX, and is the Senior Vice President of Qualfon Group. 

Tracy brings a wealth of experience across serval industries. His extensive knowledge and expertise will be invaluable as we work to support alumni and promote the growth of Judson University.