WHAT CEO BOARD MEMBERS DO
Board members are active, engaged community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to the operational oversight of our local CEO Program.
Facilitator Support
Board members provide ongoing support to the CEO Facilitator.
Event Planning
Board members plan and execute key CEO events, including investor and mentor socials, and the student trade show.
Student Recruitment & Selection
Board members organize recruitment efforts, engage with local schools, and oversee the selection of CEO students.
Mentorship Coordination
Board members recruit mentors, manage mentor-student pairings, and ensure mentor program success.
School Liaison
Board members maintain communication with school administrators to coordinate student participation and scheduling.
Investor Recruitment & Care
Board members recruit and maintain relationships with local investors, ensuring the program's financial sustainability.
Who is a board member?
Meet the local leaders who make up our CEO Board.
Karen Jones
Executive Editor, MachineryBoard Chair Committees: Event Coordinator, Media, MentoringKaren Jones is the Executive Editor, Machinery for Successful Farming magazine.
Karen received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications from the University of Illinois. Her professional experience includes employment in GROWMARK’s agronomy division, marketing services department, and corporate communications.
Karen and her husband, Christopher, farm in cooperation with Karen’s family. They have an eleven-year-old daughter.
John Keigher
CEOBoard Chair Committees: Media, Facilitator Review / Hire, Investor Recruitment & Care, MentoringJohn Keigher has built an accomplished career spanning more than three decades across transportation, manufacturing, financial services, and consumer products. Widely respected for his strategic vision and results-driven leadership, he has helped organizations scale operations, accelerate growth, and create long-term enterprise value.
Keigher served as Director and Partner of Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc., helping build the company into a globally recognized transportation industry leader and contributing to its successful exit. He later became CEO of Urban Farmer, guiding the company through substantial growth and helping establish it as a nationally recognized leader in the better-for-you food manufacturing space, culminating in another successful strategic exit. Following a distinguished executive career, Keigher remains active as a fractional executive, strategic advisor, and consultant to emerging and growth-stage companies.
Equally notable is Keigher’s deep commitment to community, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. He currently serves in numerous leadership roles, including:
Village Trustee and Finance Chairman, Village of Roanoke
Board Member and Governance Committee Chair, KCC Foundation Board
Board Member, Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship
Board Chair, Kankakee County CEO Program, which he helped establish in Kankakee County
Founding Board Member, Heart of Illinois CEO
Board Member, Roanoke-Benson Hope Center (Food Pantry)
He previously served as President of the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce and as a longtime board member of United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, among many other civic and nonprofit leadership roles.A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and workforce readiness, Keigher has played a pivotal role in mentoring and developing future business leaders through the CEO program, helping connect students with real-world business experiences, mentorship, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Jordan Kessinger
Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan OfficerTreasurer Committees: Investor Recruitment & Care
Jason Bachman
School CounselorBoard Member Committees: Facilitator Review / Hire, School CoordinatorJason Bachman
CEO Board Member
School Counselor
Head Football Coach
FFA Advisor
School to Career Coordinator at Eureka High School
Past small business owner
Past Agriculture Education Teacher
Amanda Gurdian
PrincipalBoard Member Committees: Facilitator Review / Hire, School Coordinator
DeAnn Heck
SuperintendentBoard Member Committees: School Coordinator, MentoringDeAnn Eckhoff Heck grew up in rural Benson and graduated from Roanoke-Benson High. Now part owner of her home farm, 19X1950 Family Farm in Benson, she is married to John Heck and mother of 3 beautiful daughters, and has 9 grandchildren. Together they farm a certified organic farm and have the area's only local online grocery store, Farm Family Foods.
She has a BS in Education from Bradley University, a Masters in Educational Leadership from WIU, an EDS from SIUE and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from SIUE. She taught English, Theater and Public Speaking for 2 years at Metamora High School and 14 years at Galesburg District 205. She was assistant principal and principal at Litchfield High for 8 years, Superintendent at Central A&M for 8 years and is currently the Superintendent of El Paso Gridley Schools.
Dr. Heck has been involved in the Montegomery, Shelby and now Woodford County CEO programs and believes that entrapraneurship is crucial to the heartbeat of our country.
Alan Zimmerman
OwnerBoard Member Committees: MentoringAlan is a rockstar crushing it in the world of car detailing. He wishes he had CEO when he was in school and is excited to be a part of the thriving program it is today!
Bob Bardwell
SuperintendantAdministrative Agent Representative Committees: Facilitator Review / Hire, School CoordinatorSuperintendent of Eureka CUSD 140
Joe Landers
Joe Landers is the Principal of El Paso-Gridley High School, where he is committed to fostering a positive, student-centered culture focused on academic growth and personal development. With a strong background in instructional leadership, curriculum planning, and school improvement, Mr. Landers has held principal roles at multiple schools and served in district-level leadership capacities.
He holds advanced degrees in educational leadership and remains actively involved with the Illinois Principals Association, where he serves on the State Legislative Committee and Executive Board for the Starved Rock Region. Recognized for his collaborative leadership style and dedication to building strong relationships, Mr. Landers leads with a focus on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
