American Red Cross of Greater Chicago - About Us - Leadership

ABOUT US

Board of Directors

Board Executive Committee
Kary McIlwain, Board Chair Young & Rubicam
Aileen B. Blake, Vice Chair Finance Northern Trust Company
R. Scott Falk, Vice Chair Philanthropy Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Deirdre C. Drake, Vice Chair People Resources Harris Bank
Christopher D.Bowers, Vice Chair Nominations NES Rentals
Claudia A. Wolf, Secretary Deloitte Partner Forensic & Dispute Services

Members/Governance
Shan Bhati, Edelman Public Relations
Pamela O. Blackwell, Blackwell Consulting Services
Paul D. Carbery, Frontenac Company
Robert B. Chodos, Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler
Jeffrey P. Connor, ARAMARK Healthcare Mgmt Srvs
Brian J. Cook, USG Corporation
Theodore L. Dysart, Heidrick & Struggles
James M. Farrell, Merge Healthcare, Inc.
Susan G. Gallagher, True Partners Consulting LLC
Dr. Larry J. Goodman, Rush University Medical Center
Grant Hellwarth, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Jane Kiernan Baxter, Healthcare
Jerrold I. Martin, Exelon Business Services Company
Judy Boler McCormack, Boler Family Foundation
Brad Moore, Chicago Tribune Media Group
Raymond Orozco, City of Chicago / Mayor’s Office
Georgiann Pangere, The Pangere Corporation
Richele Soja, Hewitt Associates
Janis K. Tratnik, W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Nancy Wright, Blue Plate

Emeritus Members
Sidney N. Doolittle
John P. Grube
Urath P. Thornton
James A. Unnerstall

Ex-Officio Member
Amy Logenbaugh, Auxiliary Board President Lakeside Financial Group

Board of Directors FY 2009-2010

Executive Committee

Kary McIlwain
Board Chair (FY09, FY10)
Former Vice Chair Service Delivery
Former Chair Service Delivery Committee
Former Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Task Force (FY 06)
Volunteer since 2005

Kary McIlwain is the President and North American Managing Partner of Young & Rubicam, a marketing and communications company, where she is responsible for strategy and operations. Over the past 17 years she has been a player in just about every business or branding situation with clients such as Kraft Foods, M&M Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and AT&T to name a few. Prior to her current position, Kary spent time in Brand Planning, Account Management and New Business development at Young & Rubicam New York. She holds a BA in Journalism from Bradley University and a Masters in Marketing and Advertising from Northwestern University. She also served as co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Task Force 2006 which developed the FY2007-09 Chapter Strategic Plan. She resides in Oak Park with her husband and son.

Aileen Blake
Vice Chair, Finance & Treasurer
Chair, Finance Committee
Former Audit Committee Member
Volunteer since 2006

Aileen Blake is Executive Vice President and Controller, The Northern Trust Corporation. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Aileen was Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis for Pepsi Co. Beverages & Foods (formerly The Quaker Oats Company) where she served in various financial capacities including Auditing, Financial Planning. She began her career as an Auditor at Price Waterhouse. Ms. Blake has a BS degree from Indiana University, an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and is a CPA. She was also a “40 under 40” recipient of Crain’s Chicago Business and the Treasure & Risk Management Magazine. In addition she is a member of Financial Executives International and a Millennium Circle Member, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She resides in Chicago with her husband and three children, including a set of twin boys..

R. Scott Falk
Vice Chair, Philanthropy
Chair, Philanthropy Committee
Former Vice Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee
Former Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Former Chair Heroes Award Breakfast Nomination Selection Committee (FY08)
Volunteer since 2007

Scott Falk is a partner at the international law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a position he has held since 1995. He joined the firm in 1990 and specializes in corporate and securities law practice. He is a graduate of Harvard with an A.B. magna cum laude and Harvard Law School J.D. cum laude. In additional to several professional recognitions, he is a member of the Advisory Board of The Chicago Children’s Humanities Festival. Mr. Falk is married and resides with his family in Winnetka.

Diedre C. Drake
Vice Chair, People Resources
Chair, People Resources Committee
Volunteer since 2006

Deirdre Drake is Senior Vice President Human Resources for Harris Bank, NA. Prior to joining Harris Bank, Ms. Drake was with the Aramark Corporation in Downers Grove as Vice President of the Service Master Facility Services Group and in Philadelphia where she was the Vice President ServiceMaster Healthcare Management Services and Senior VP Human Resources for their Healthcare & Education Division. She was also with MCI Telecommunications in Dallas Texas and Kraft /Food Ingredients Group in Memphis Tennessee. Ms. Drake holds a MBA from St. Joseph’s University and a B.S. in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Ms. Drake resides in Chicago.

Christopher Bowers
Vice Chair, Nominations
Chair, Nominations Committee
Chair 2008 Heroes Breakfast
Former Financial Development Committee Member
Former Marketing & Communications Advisory Committee Member
Volunteer since 2005

Christopher (Chris) Bowers is currently the Senior VP of Customer Strategy and Sales and Marketing for NES Rentals, a heavy equipment rental company. He was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau where he was responsible for promoting Chicago as a destination for group meetings and tourism. Mr. Bowers is a 30-year veteran of United Airlines where he served as Senior VP-Sales & Reservations. Among his accomplishments while at United were lead roles in building the airline’s Chicago hub, creating corporate sales initiatives, implementing and expanding the International Star Alliance system, and responding to industry challenges in the aftermath of 9/11. He earned a degree in business administration from Monmouth College and is a current trustee at The Field Museum and a former Board member of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Financial Development Committee and the Marketing & Communications Advisory Committee. He resides in Inverness, Illinois with his wife Dinah.

Claudia Wolf
Board Secretary
Vice Chair People Resources Committee
People Resources Committee Member
Audit Committee Member
Volunteer since 2008

Claudia Wolf is a Partner in Forensic & Dispute Services at Deloitte Financial Advisory Services in Chicago. She is the HR and Operations leader and is also responsible for the National Director of the firm’s Business Insurance Consulting practice. Ms. Wolf has over 24 years of experience in insurance claims accounting. She has spent her career performing analysis of financial and operating data necessary for the determination and verification of losses sustained due to property and casualty and other disruptions to businesses. She also serves as Midwest FAS Diversity Leader and Campus Recruiting Partner for Forensic and Dispute Service Practice. Ms. Wolf is a graduate of Loyola University in Chicago where she received a BA in Business Administration in Accounting. She resides with her husband in Darien, Illinois.

Members

Shan Bhati
Vice Chair, Philanthropy Committee
Co-Chair 2010 Heroes Breakfast
Former Finance Committee Member
Volunteer since 2008

Shan Bhati is Executive Vice President, General Counsel of Daniel J. Edelman, Inc. the largest independently owned public relations firm in the world. She counsels Edelman’s senior management on a wide range of issues including contract negotiations, acquisitions, labor and employment matters, litigation, strategic planning and implementation of and compliance with corporate policies and procedures. Prior to joining Edelman, Ms. Bhati was an attorney in the Domestic Legal Operations Group of Abbott Laboratories and worked as an attorney in California for the Intellectual Property & Technology Licensing Group at Gray, Cary, Ware & Freidenrich and the Honorable Vaughn R. Walker, US District Court, Northern District of California. She has an undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Chicago and her J.D. from University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Ms. Bhati is a resident of Chicago.

Pamela O. Blackwell
Former Vice Chair, Finance Committee
Finance Committee Member
Volunteer since 2007

Pamela Blackwell is Chief Executive Officer of Blackwell Consulting Services. Blackwell Consulting Services is a full service management and information technology consultancy. Ms. Blackwell holds a certification in Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.S. in Business Management from Northern Illinois University. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Christopher House, Providence St.-Mel School and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). She resides in Schaumburg with her two daughters.

Paul Carbery
Chair, Disaster Response Committee
Former Vice Chair, Service Delivery
Former Board Secretary
Former Chair, Service Delivery Committee
Former Finance Committee Member
Former Chair, Community Safety Task Force
Volunteer since 2005

Paul Carbery is Managing Director of Frontenac Company, a private equity investment firm based in Chicago with more than $1 billion under active management. Mr. Carbery has more than 16 years of experience in private equity investing and has led investments in healthcare services, publishing and technology services. He current serves on the Boards of Trilogy Health Services, a long term care company, Crescent Healthcare, a specialty pharmacy distribution company and Aspire Media, a publisher of consumer, enthusiast magazines. He is an honors graduate of Yale College and received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Stanford University. He also holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Zimbabwe. He resides with his family in Oak Park.

Robert B. Chodos
Finance Committee Member
Former Vice Chair, Financial Development Committee
Former Financial Development Committee Member
Volunteer since 2008

Robert Chodos is Principal, Office Advisory Group at Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler (Colliers B & K). He joined the firm in January, 2005 as a principal in their downtown Office Advisory Group following a 15-year career with The John Buck Company where he was the principal in charge of the Strategic Advisory Group that specialized in Representation and Strategic Planning. Mr. Chodos began his career in 1980 with the Tenant Rep Group, Realsource, Inc. formerly known as Irvine Associates. During his 27 year career, he has supervised assignments ranging from Strategic Real Estate Planning, HQ relocations and build-to-suits, data center site selection and development, Big Box warehouse site selection and construction, production facilities site selection and construction totaling more than 10 million. Mr. Chodos earned a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont in 1978. He is a graduate of the Chicago Community Trust’s “Leadership Greater Chicago Fellowship” program in 1994. He resides with his family in Northfield.

Jeff Connor
Vice Chair, Preparedness Committee
Nominating Committee Member
Former Vice Chair, Financial Development
Former Chair, Financial Development Committee
Former Service Delivery Committee Member
Volunteer since 2005

Jeff Connor is the Senior Vice President of Sales & Client Development, Aramark Corporation where he develops the growth strategy for the healthcare market as well as organizes and deploys sales resources across the market place and spectrum of service offerings. Mr. Connor joined Aramark in 1987 and has held key sales leadership positions resulting in significant new business sales and market penetration. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has attended the Aramark Strategic Leadership Institute and the Executive Leadership Institute. He resides in Geneva, IL with his family.

Brian J. Cook
People Resources Committee Member
Former Vice Chair, Audit
Former Chair, Audit Committee
Former Board Chair (FY03-06)
Former Co-Chair, People Resources Committee
Former Governance Committee Member
Former Finance Committee Member
Volunteer since 2001

Brian J. Cook is the Senior Vice President, Human Resources for USG Corporation. He is responsible for human resource administration for each operating subsidiary as well as corporate human resource functions, including labor relations, industrial safety and organization planning. Mr. Cook is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, a director for the University of Illinois Center for Human Resource Management and a Trustee of the USG Foundation. Mr. Cook earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from Virginia Tech. He also graduated from DePaul University College of Law and is licensed to practice law in Illinois. He lives in Deerfield with his wife and children.

Theodore (Ted) L. Dysart
Nominating Committee Member
Volunteer since 2009

Theodore L. Dysart is a Managing Partner with Heidrick & Struggles where he is a leader in the Global Board of Directors Practice and Partner-in-Charge of the Chicago Office. He is also an active member of the CEO search practice. Mr. Dysart is responsible for senior-level executive search assignments and is a functional specialist at Heidrick & Struggles, working exclusively on board, CEO and succession planning engagements. Executive Search Review named him one of
six “executive recruiters to watch” in 2004. In 2007 and 2008, he was named to the Directorship
100, a listing of the most influential individuals in corporate governance by Directorship magazine.
Serving as a board- and CEO-level advisor, Mr. Dysart helps clients to identify and attract the proper mix of leadership required for building and managing effective businesses. He is a regular commentator on the subject of corporate governance, and his comments have appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN as well as other local and regional papers. Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, he was a Vice President with The Directorship Search Group, a consulting firm that specialized in corporate governance consulting and board director searches. Earlier, he worked for WIN Enterprise, Inc., a member of the WIN Group. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Ted was a member of the first class to receive a bachelor’s degree in management information systems. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2007. He resides with his family in Oak Park.

James M. Farrell
Chair, Preparedness Committee
Preparedness Committee Member
Former Service Delivery Committee Member
Volunteer 2008

James Farrell is currently the Vice President, Operations for Merge Healthcare, a financial technology holding company based in Chicago. Mr. Farrell came to Merge Healthcare after holding various roles with increasing responsibility at Illinois Tool Works (ITW), including sales and marketing positions with Wilsonart International and Paslode. Most recently, Mr. Farrell was the Business Manager for ITW Duo-Fast Construction, a manufacturer and supplier of fastening systems for the residential construction market. He has additional sales experience from his tenure at EMC Corporation, a leading supplier of hardware, software and services in the data storage industry. Civic and professional affiliations include the Rush Hospital Associates Board, the Economic Club of Chicago, the President’s Council of the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Chicago Club. Mr. Farrell received his Bachelor of Science in Management from Purdue University and his Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He resides with his family in Lake Forest.

Susan G. Gallagher
Philanthropy Committee Member
Co-Chair 2010 Heroes Breakfast
Former Vice Chair, Audit Committee
Former Audit Committee Member
Co-Chair, Tiffany Circle Initiative (FY07, 08, 09)
Former Vice Chair, Financial Development
Former Chair, Financial Development Committee
Volunteer since 2005

Susan G. Gallagher is the Chief Operating Officer of True Partners Consulting LLC. She is the former Managing Director of Huron Consulting Group where she was in charge of Strategic Development. Previously, she was the head of Client Relationship Development at the 250-partner Chicago office of Arthur Andersen LLP and the former partner in charge of professional services and government services industry sector. Ms. Gallagher has over 20 years experience consulting with legal counsel on complex financial matters including litigation, damages and investigations. She was one of the founding partners in Andersen’s initiative to attract and retain women and is the founder of the Senior Businesswomen’s Forum, an organization of Chicago’s leading businesswomen. She holds a BBA, from St Mary’s College in Notre Dame Indiana and is a Certified Public Accountant. He resides with her family in Park Ridge.

Dr. Larry J. Goodman
Nominating Committee Member
Former Service Delivery Committee Member
Volunteer since 2005

Dr. Larry J. Goodman is President and Chief Executive Officer of Rush University Medical Center and holder of the James A. Campbell, M.D. distinguished service chair. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Goodman was the senior vice president for medical affairs of the Medical Center and Dean of Rush Medical College where he serves as Professor of Medicine. He also served as Medical Director of Cook County Hospital. He received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1976, having previously graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan undergraduate program. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including being named Outstanding Medical Resident in 1979 and Medical Attending of the Year in 1984. In addition, Dr. Goodman’s research has focused on infectious diseases, particularly gastrointestinal infections. Dr. Goodman resides with his family in Oak Park.

Grant Hellwarth
Vice Chair, Finance Committee
Vice Chair, 2010 Heroes Breakfast
Finance Committee Member
Volunteer 2008

Grant Hellwarth is a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, responsible for the Chicago/Milwaukee Systems and Process Assurance practice. He joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1986 as an associate and was admitted to partnership in 1999. During Mr. Hellwarth’s career at PricewaterhouseCoopers he was an International Tour Manager in Cairo and Warsaw. Mr. Hellwarth is a CPA and a Certified Information Systems Auditor. He attended The Ohio State University where he received a BS in Agriculture with honors in Agricultural Economics and Accounting. He also served on the Board at Berea Children’s Home and Family Services in Berea, OH for over six years. He resides in Inverness with his wife and children.

Jane Kiernan
Preparedness Committee Member
Volunteer since 2009

Jane Kiernan is the General Manager of IV Therapy Medication Delivery for Baxter International, Inc. An accomplished healthcare industry executive, Ms. Kiernan has held executive positions in Healthcare for 26 years, 20 of which have been with Baxter Healthcare Corporation. These positions have included progressively more responsible duties in finance, sales and marketing, operations, and general management in both corporate and line roles. Ms. Kiernan holds a BA in Business from Southern Methodist University. She serves on the board of directors for American Medical Systems, a Minneapolis-based medical device company that is a leader in male and female pelvic health. She is also a past-president of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, Chicago Chapter. For three years, Ms Kiernan was an executive board member for the Institute of Women Today, an organization that provides shelter and support to homeless women and children on the south side of Chicago. Jane resides in Chicago.

Jerrold Martin
Vice Chair, Disaster Response Committee
Disaster Response Committee Member
Former Service Delivery Committee Member
Volunteer since 2005

Jerrold Martin is Vice President—IT Energy Delivery for Exelon Business Services where he leads the areas of customer/marketing, operations, asset management, support services and real time operations. Prior to joining ComEd in 1998, Mr. Martin held multiple IT senior management positions at Ameritech and Accenture. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from Eureka College. He has also served as an adjunct professor of MBA programs at Roosevelt. Mr. Martin resides in Frankfort, Illinois with his wife and two children.

Judy Boler McCormack
Vice Chair, Nominating Committee
Philanthropy Committee Member
Nominating Committee Member
Co-Chair Tiffany Circle Initiative (FY08, 09)
Volunteer since 2005

Judith (Judy) Boler McCormack is a Trustee of the Boler Family Foundation. Her background and training is in physical therapy and athletic training. She has held related positions with the Fort Collins Sports Medicine Clinic, Rush University Medical Center and Lutheran General Hospital where she became certified to teach Red Cross CPR and Water Safety. She was a volunteer with the Junior League of Chicago and the Hinsdale Community House Antiques Show Committee. Ms. McCormack has a B.S. Degree from Bradley University and a Master’s in Science from Colorado State University as well as A.T.C. Board Certifications. She is married with two children and resides in Hinsdale.

Brad Moore
Chair, Marketing & Communications Committee
Marketing Committee Member
Volunteer since 2008

Brad Moore is currently the Vice President of Targeted Media for Chicago Tribune Media Group. In this role he oversees RedEye, Hoy, TheMash and Triblocal. Prior to taking this role in 2009, Mr. Moore was general manager of the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye edition where he oversaw the publication’s editorial, circulation, operations, sales, marketing, and financial functions. He previously served as business manager for RedEye from its launch in October 2002 to July 2004. From 1999-2002, Mr. Moore served as development manager for Tribune interactive and Tribune Company, where he negotiated and managed strategic partnerships and investments for Tribune’s print and online businesses. He also served as sales manager of Chicago Tribune’s rental classified advertising category. Prior to joining the Tribune Company in 1997, Mr. Moore was a senior auditor with PriceWaterhouse LLP. Mr. Moore, a CPA, holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree from the Mendoza Graduate School of Business, Executive Management Program at University of Notre Dame. He is also on the board of Rock for Reading and the metro Board of Metropolitan Family Services. He resides with his family in Chicago.

Raymond Orozco
Disaster Response Committee Member
Service Delivery Committee Member
Volunteer since 2008

Raymond Orozco is the Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M.Daley for the City of Chicago, which he was appointed to effective February 1, 2010. He is the former Executive Director, Office of Emergency Management & Communications a position to which he was appointed by the Mayor of Chicago in June, 2008. Prior to that he served as the Fire Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department an appointment by Mayor Daley in May, 2006. He also served as the Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner and coordinated several emergency incidents such as the LaSalle Bank Fire and the Metra train derailment. He began his career as a firefighter in 1980 and has successfully risen through the ranks of the CFD holding various positions such as Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief, respectively. Mr. Orozco attended Western Illinois University were he received a BA. He is a certified EMT-B.

Georgiann Pangere
Philanthropy Committee Member
Volunteer since 2010

Georgiann Pangere is the Public Affairs/Community Liaison for The Pangere Corporation, a specialty construction contracting firm that’s been owned and operated by her husband’s family for three generations. It has worked on projects such as the Trump & Majestic Star Casino and the Gary/Chicago Airport. Previously, Ms Pangere was an Adjunct Lecturer in Biology (1978 – 1992) with Indiana University Northwest and with the National Park Service as a Naturalist Ranger, YCC Corps Environmental Education Instructor, and Bicentennial Coordinator. Ms. Pangere is very active in her community, including volunteering at the American Red Cross of Northwest Indiana (Board of Directors), Boy Scouts of America, The Legacy Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of America, and Habitat for Humanity. She is also a Co-Founder of the Nicholas J Pangere Fund, Previously she served on the Board of Directors for American Red Cross Ohio-Indiana Blood Region, Crown Point Adult Education, and Calumet Region Montessori School. Ms. Pangere graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Public Administration. She also performs in Chicago area theater and jazz venues as Nikki George and is music director at SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral Chapel. Ms. Pangere is married to Steve Pangere and is a lifelong Lake County, IN resident

Richele Soja
Disaster Response Committee Member
Volunteer since 2009

Richele Soja is the Global Client Development and Marketing Leader for Hewitt Associates' Consulting business and a member of Hewitt’s Executive Council. In her role, she is responsible for managing and growing Hewitt’s overall client relationships. She also works closely with Hewitt’s regional Consulting leaders to bring innovative and relevant solutions that meet the complex HR needs of Hewitt’s 3,000+ global Consulting clients. During her 17-year tenure at Hewitt, Ms Soja has held a number of management-level positions. Prior to her current role, she was the North American HR Consulting Leader. She also served as the North American Client Accounts Leader for Hewitt’s Benefits Outsourcing business and was the leader of Hewitt Consulting’s Midwest region. Before joining Hewitt, Ms Soja held positions in operations management and human resources at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. She has also served as a faculty member of Rush University’s Graduate College in the Health Systems Management program. Ms Soja holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Dominican University in River Forest, Ill. and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa. She resides with her family in Hinsdale.

Janis K. Tratnik
Nominations Committee Member
Former Board Chair (FY 07 – 08)
Former Chair, Heroes Breakfast (FY05)
Former Chair, Service Delivery Committee
Former Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Task Force (FY06)
Founding Member of the Tiffany Circle
Volunteer since 2003

Janis (Jan) Tratnik is the Director, Global Communications and Public Affairs at W. W. Grainger, Inc. headquartered in Lake Forest. Prior to her position at Grainger, she held a number of management positions at the former Morton International including Director, Corporate Communications. Ms. Tratnik has nearly two decades of experience in crisis communications and emergency preparedness and was a member of a Chemical Manufacturers’ Association taskforce charged with creating communications guidelines for the industry. She is familiar with the volunteer programs of the American Red Cross through her volunteer experience with the St. Louis Chapter and her leadership of corporate United Way campaigns. She recommended Grainger’s adoption of the Red Cross “Ready When the Time Comes” program and is responsible for its management at Grainger. Ms. Tratnik graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology and an M.Ed in Counseling from the University of Missouri. She also holds an M.A. in Psychology from National-Louis University and is an adjunct instructor there. Ms. Tratnik resides in Evanston with her husband and daughter.

Nancy Wright
Philanthropy Committee Member
Former Financial Development Committee Member
Volunteer since 2009
Nancy Wright is President of Blue Plate. She began her career with the company in 2007 and is responsible for day-to-day operations while overseeing the company’s restaurants, including Blueprint, an imaginative American Restaurant and lounge situated inside the Merchandise Mart and Rhapsody, the critically-acclaimed restaurant located at Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Center, as well as supporting the operational efforts at Park Grill operated by Blue Plate and Mainstay Hospitality. Recent posts included Aramark, the globally known professional food, hospitality and facility management company, as well as Chicago Botanic Gardens and The Museum of Science and Industry. Wright holds more than 25 years of consulting, management and customer relations expertise. She is also an active member with the Catering Executives Club of America. Most recently, Wright served as a consultant to businesses, restaurants, cultural institutions and nonprofits. She specialized in providing operational analyses and delivering business-building solutions related to human resources, strategic planning, customer service and staff training and development. She resides in Park Ridge.

Emeritus Members

Sidney (Sid) N. Doolittle
Former Board Chair (1999 – 2001)
Former Board Secretary
Former Vice Chair, Service Delivery
Former Vice Chair, Financial Development
Former Chair, Property Strategy Committee
Former Chair Planning & Evaluation Committee
Former Chair Financial Development Committee
Former Audit Committee Member
Former, Nominations Committee Member
Former Health & Safety Advisor, National
Volunteer since 1982/Emeritus Member Awarded 2003

Sid Doolittle was the founding partner of McMillan & Doolittle Retail Planning Partners, specializing in retail strategy. He has served on various boards of the Northwestern Memorial Medical Group, as well as on the Board of Elders at Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. In addition to his many positions on the Chapter Board and Committee Chair, he served as Chair of the Property Strategy Committee from 2001 to 2003 which was instrumental in moving the Chapter to the purchse of its own headquarters building. Mr. Doolittle received a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute and later a Master’s of Business Administration in Advance Management from Harvard Business School. He currently resides in Evanston, Illinois with his wife.

John P. Grube
Former Board Chair (FY 94-97)
Former First Vice Chair
Former Chair, Financial Development Committee
Former Audit Committee Member
Former Budget & Finance Committee Member
Former Board Development Committee Member
Former Financial Development Committee Member
Former Chair, Capital Campaign
Volunteer since 1985 / Emeritus Member Awarded 2006

John P. Grube, prior to his retirement in 2009, served as the Executive Vice President for Northern Trust Company where he held numerous senior management positions with Northern Trust Company since joining the bank in 1983 as Vice President in the Metropolitan Department. Before joining Northern Trust, Mr. Grube was the Assistant Dean of Students at Stanford University. Mr. Grube holds an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University. John and his wife reside in Hinsdale.

Urath P. Thornton
Former Board Secretary
Former Chair, Volunteers
Former Board Development Committee Member
Former Budget & Finance Committee Member
Former Human Resources Committee Member
Former Nominating Committee Member
Former Service Committee Member
Former National Convention Nominating Committee Member
Volunteer since 1965 / Emeritus Member Awarded 1986

Urath Thornton is a former teacher with the Chicago Board of Education. Mrs. Thornton has also had a long career with the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago where she was a member of the Board of Directors for 18 years. Mrs. Thornton combined her interests when she served as the chair for many years of the Chapter’s Holiday Knit Shop Fundraiser. Furthermore, Mrs. Thornton was a member of the National Convention Nominating Committee and was the Coordinator of Volunteers during the 1979 Houston floods.

James A. Unnerstall
People Resources Committee Member
Former Financial Development Committee Member
Former Board Chair (FY91-94)
Former, First Vice Chair
Former Vice Chair Financial Development
Former Chair, Financial Development Committee
Former Chair, Long Range Planning Committee
Former Chair, Program and Evaluation Committee
Former Chair, Services Committee
Former Board Development Committee Member
Former Member National Resolutions Committee
Former Member National Board of Governors Strategic Planning Committee
Volunteer since 1982 / Emeritus Member Award 1999

Mr. Unnerstall is the former Vice President of Planning and Administration of the Amoco Oil Company. He later served as executive director of crisis management planning for Amoco Corporation, a position he held from 1990 until his retirement. Mr. Unnerstall is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla with a BS in chemical engineering. He has served on the boards of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce; Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry; the United Way, Rotary Club and Lions Club. Mr. Unnerstall currently resides in Frankfort, Illiniois with his wife.

Amy Logenbaugh
Auxiliary Board Chair
Amy Logenbaugh is with Lakeside Financial Group. She is the current member of the Auxiliary Board of young professionals who undertake various fund raising events during the year. To provide more support and recognize their efforts, the Board several years ago approved that the current President of this group be appointed by the Board Chair for the duration of their chairmanship to sit ex-officio on the Chapter Board. Amy is the fifth Auxiliary Board Chair to serve as a Liaison to the Board. The others were Maureen Mulvihill, Kimberly Carris, Laurie Metanchuk and Kimberly Wong Hartmann. Her prior position was in the recruiting field in client development and relations. She received a B.A. in Business from Monmouth College and is working on attaining her CFP designation through Northwestern University. An active member in several professional associations, Amy has been a member of the Red Cross Auxiliary Board since 2008 and was the co-chair of the Red Cross Golf Classic in June, 2009.