I’m a lifelong resident of Marion, Illinois. After graduating from Marion High School, I attended John A. Logan College and later the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana. My husband, Pearl, and I are proud parents to three wonderful sons—Nicholas, Jarrod, and Blake—as well as three amazing daughters-in-law. We’re also blessed with four of the best grandchildren anyone could ask for! With our family living in Georgia and South Carolina, we take every opportunity we can to travel and spend time with them.

Outside of work, I value faith, family, and community. I’m an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and I enjoy cooking, spending time outdoors, and making memories with loved ones.

A Lifelong Career in Finance & Leadership

• 1978–2001: My banking career began at Bank of Egypt, later acquired by Banterra Bank. Over 23 years, I served in a variety of roles including Teller, Assistant Cashier, Consumer Lender, Collections Officer, and Vice President/Commercial Lender. The friendships, challenges, and mentorship I gained during these years laid a strong foundation for the next phase of my career.

• 2001–2012: In the fall of 2001, I was recruited to help launch a new bank in Marion for Old National Bancorp. I oversaw construction, regulatory filings, staffing, and operational setup. In just three years, our incredible team helped the bank grow to $50 million in assets. These years were some of the most exciting and fulfilling of my career.

• 2012–2016: After briefly considering retirement, I was invited by Mayor Bob Butler and Commissioner Anthony Rinella to serve as Director of Water for the City of Marion. This public service role brought new challenges and growth, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.

• 2016–Present: I returned to banking as a Business Banker and Commercial Lender with U.S. Bank, continuing to work with local business clients to support their goals through tailored financial services and solutions.

Giving Back

Community involvement has always been a core value for me. I’ve served in leadership and volunteer roles with:

• Marion Chamber of Commerce (Past Chair and committee member)

• United Way of Southern Illinois (serving 30+ counties)

• Salvation Army of Illinois

• Marion Unit #2 School Board and Foundation

• Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow)

• The Voyage Senior Living