The Alumni Board of Directors
Alumni Board Mission: As a Board, we are deeply committed to our mission to unite and serve alumni from Judson University and encourage alumni loyalty, support, and involvement in the University.
Dr. Gene Crume, Jr.
President
Dr. Gene C. Crume, Jr. became Judson University’s sixth president in April 2013. Since arriving at Judson, Dr. Crume led the University through its first comprehensive strategic planning process. The Board of Trustees approved the plan, Shaping Our Future: The Strategic Plan for Judson University, 2014-2019, in February 2014. He has also helped secure $11.84 million in gifts from individual donors since arriving at Judson in support of the strategic plan. During his tenure, overall enrollment has increased by 4.5% and over a half dozen, new academic programs have been developed as well as men’s volleyball and football.
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.
Bonnie Bienert
Assistant to the President
Bonnie has been working at Judson for 20 years, beginning in 2002. For 16 years, Bonnie served as the Director of Alumni Relations until her transition to the role of Assistant to the President in September 2018. Six of her children are Judson alumni, as well as two son-in-laws and two daughter-in-laws. Bonnie continues to serve the Alumni Board in her current role.
Chris Bayer ’04
Board Member
Chris is a graduate of Judson University, where he studied business administration and earned his degree in 2004. He has gone on to establish himself as the Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits for the company, Assured Partners. Chris has a strong background in community outreach, serving on several boards and committees, including River Bend Food Bank, Field Church Galesburg, Galesburg Noon Lions Club, and Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce. He is excited to share his ideas and continue improving alumni relations while serving on the board.
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.
Stevie Caterina ’17
Alumni Board Vice Chair
Mrs. Stevie Caterina is a Sales Operations Analyst at Redox, Inc, and a Salesforce Admin. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Judson in 2017. Stevie and her husband, Jeremiah, are parents to daughter Lorelei.
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!
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.
Carissa Dahik ’98
Alumni Board Chair
Mrs. Carissa Dahik is a Senior Customer Service Representative for Sensient Flavors. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Judson in 1998. Carissa volunteers her time as the Community Engagement Manager for Rahab’s Daughters, an anti-human trafficking organization. She served as the Global Outreach Ministry Director for Village Church of Bartlett from January 2020-October 2021. She enjoys running and has completed 6 marathons, a triathlon, and various other races. She served with FCA Endurance as the Chicago Huddle Leader and has had several of her devotionals published by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Carissa has been married to Steve since 2011.
Rick Eddy ’90
Board Member
Rick is a proud graduate of Judson University, where he earned his degree in Communication Arts in 1990. He currently resides in Canton, IL, and is the Senior Program Director for the Canton Family YMCA.
Rick has a strong background in community outreach and program development and is excited to continue improving alumni relations while serving on the Board.
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.
Susan Fleshman ’76
Board Member
Graduated from Judson with a Fine Arts degree(1976) and went on to receive my Masters in Church Music in 1979 from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. For 20+ years I served as Minister of Music and Senior Adults at a church in the Old Town neighborhood of Alexandria. Presently I play piano worship music for a ministry associated with Fort Belvoir Army base, serve as an interim worship leader in s local church and teach 30 private piano students in my home studio. That’s all to say – I am still going strong for God and I am thankful!
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.
Tonya McClay ’13
Board Member
Tonya McClay is a Sr. Manager in technology at Allstate Insurance Company leading the Digital Workforce Enablement organization. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Alabama State University in 2000. In 2013, she received her Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Judson University. Tonya is married to Jerry and together they are a blended family of 5 children.
Tom McCoy ’82
Board Member
Tom is a 1982 graduate of Judson with a BA in Business Administration. He also had a love of history and music studies while at Judson. He is a financial advisor associated with the M&E Catalyst Group. He currently lives in Marshalltown, Iowa with his wife Jade. He has 4 children and 6 grandchildren.
Eliana McRoberts ’21 / ’23
Board Member
Eliana is a proud graduate of Judson University, where she studied management and marketing and earned her degree in 2021. She also went on to complete her MBA at Judson in 2023. Currently, Eliana is an administrative assistant and financial paraplanner for Big Timber Wealth Management. Eliana is passionate about connecting and creating lasting relationships with Judson alumni and engaging them in meaningful ways to support the university.
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.
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.
Lisa Ramirez ’20
Board Member
Lisa Ramirez is the Sr. Director of Customer Success for HARTING Americas located in Elgin. I graduated from Judson in 2020 with my BA. I married in 2011 to Marco, and 4 kids (Marco Jr. 18, Jaida 15, Christopher 12 and Lailani 11).
Pete Wach ’14 / ’21
Board Member
Mr. Pete Wach is the Senior Enterprise Portfolio Manager at Alliant Credit Union. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Marquette University in 1991. Pete went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership in 2014 from Judson University and was the recipient of the AMES Leadership Award. He also earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Judson University in 2021 and was the recipient of the W.R. Meadows Award. Pete is married to Noreen and they have a daughter, Hannah, and two sons, Matthew and Jacob.
Class Delegates:
1964: Vacant
1965: Bob Coats – [email protected]
1966: Vacant
1967: Ken and Nancy Morgan – [email protected]
1968: Don Ferrell – [email protected]
1969: Vacant
1970: Ellen (Powell) Kidwell – [email protected]
1971: Linda (McNeil) Gierlack – [email protected]
1972: Vacant
1973: Sally (Ackermann) Boscaljon – [email protected]
1974: Jackie Crandall – [email protected]
1975: Sandy (Hazelwood) Barnard – [email protected]
1976: Susan Fleshman – [email protected]
1977: Vacant
1978: Vacant
1979: Rene (Floyd) Gorbold – [email protected]
1980: Vacant
1981: Vacant
1982: Vacant
1983: Vacant
1984: Lynn (St. Germaine) Long – [email protected]
1985: Pam (Byerly) Chambers – [email protected]
1986: Tracy Miller [email protected]
1987: Hope (Wilson) Harrison – [email protected]
1988: Vacant
1989: Art Fessler – [email protected]
1990: Rick Eddy – [email protected]
1991: Vacant
1992: Chris & Michelle Brown – [email protected], [email protected]
1993: Vacant
1994: Cathy (Reardon) Liebenow – [email protected]
1995: Scott Liebenow – [email protected]
1996: Lisa McCoy-Ward – [email protected]
1997: Chris & Nicole (Wagner) Skrzypchak – [email protected]; [email protected]
1998: Debby (Thrun) McMahan – [email protected]
1999: Joy (Brewer) DeLaere – [email protected]
2000: Vacant
2001: Vacant
2002: Deanna (Thomas-Burks) Gruening – [email protected]
2003: Michelle (Yubetta) Swidrak – [email protected]
2004: Vacant
2005: Vacant
2006: Amy Shuflin – [email protected] and Steve Muchoney – [email protected]
2007: Vacant
2008: Vacant
2009: Rachel Moody – [email protected]
2010: Vacant
2011: Erin Philpot – erin.mic
2012: Matt DeBall – [email protected]
2013: Adam Westhauser – [email protected]
2014: Greg Butler – [email protected]
2015: Shalina Wozny – [email protected]
2016: Rebekah Tabb – [email protected]
2017: Alan Osinski – [email protected]
2018: Abby Jungles – [email protected]
2019: James Fleshman – [email protected]
2020: Jenna Zelm – [email protected]
2021: Jenna Zelm – [email protected]
2022: Madison Pinas – [email protected]
2023: Eliana McRoberts- [email protected]
2024: Kaylee Sergeant: [email protected]
Patty Curtiss – [email protected]
Noelle Dodge – [email protected]
Nicholette Gonzalez – [email protected]
Nancy Hererra-Cheng – [email protected]
Rene (Rosaura Noemy) Hernandez-Romero – [email protected]
Anne O’Hara – [email protected]
Julia Perez – [email protected]
Carlos Ruperto – [email protected]
Vickey Tiggs – [email protected]
James Thomas – [email protected]
Peter Wach – [email protected]
Matthew Wilhelmi – [email protected]