ECC Foundation welcomes three to board of directors
The Elgin Community College Foundation recently welcomed the following three members to its board of directors.
• William Templin, AIA, LEED AP: Templin is a partner and the director of production at DLA Architects in Itasca. He oversees all aspects of DLA's construction documents and specifications and enjoys comparing completed projects to their initial conceptual designs. Under Templin's guidance, the production staff creates the high quality project documents that make DLA stand out.
The Geneva resident is a graduate of Dundee High School and has attended ECC. He received an associate in architecture from Harper College and a bachelor's in architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a LEED Accredited Professional, Templin has advanced knowledge of green building practices and sustainability issues.
He is joining the ECC Foundation board to help others achieve their goals. He said attending community college helped focus his career path.
"Community college was a huge steppingstone in that path for me and I would like to be able to give back to others," Templin said.
• Mike Shales, CPA, CFO: Shales is a certified public accountant and chief financial officer at Shales McNutt in Elgin. He has been involved in construction-related accounting, finance, and administration for 24 years. From a customer's perspective, Shales' extensive industry experience results in the competent management of contracts, pay requests, change orders, and all other job-related documents.
Before joining Shales McNutt predecessor Seagren/Shales Inc. as part owner, Shales was the controller for a large road building and aggregate mining conglomerate. Knowing that information management is the key to running an efficient construction project with all parties working as a team, he is always looking for ways to employ technology to make the process smoother and more accessible.
In addition to his professional duties, Shales is very involved in the community - serving on the boards of United Way of Elgin, Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, Visiting Nurses Association of Fox Valley, and the Fox Valley Laborers Health and Welfare and Pension Funds. He graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin and earned a bachelor's in accounting from Western Illinois University.
Shales decided to join the foundation's board after appreciating what Elgin Community College has meant for the community for nearly 70 years.
"I will work hard to utilize my skills, knowledge, and network to help the foundation achieve its goals," he said.
• Fred Heid, M.A.: Heid, superintendent of Community Unit District 300 in Algonquin, began his career in education as a teacher at Booker Middle School in Sarasota County, Fla., earning Sarasota County's Teacher of the Year award in his third year. This recognition and subsequent opportunities inspired Heid to pursue a degree in educational leadership.
Heid later held assistant principal and principal positions at three other Florida schools and successfully transformed the culture and academic performance at each one. He became District 300 superintendent in June 2014.
At District 300, Heid established a five-year strategic plan focused on achieving the district's central mission: to ensure all students are college and career ready upon graduation. Among other accomplishments, he organized one of the largest 1:1 programs in the state and developed pathways programs offering high school students opportunities to earn industry credentials, internships with local business, and college credit before graduation. In his time as superintendent, 2,834 students have graduated from the district and have earned $31.6 million in scholarships.
"As an existing partner, I see the benefits of working more closely on education-related issues," Heid said about his decision to join the board. "I would also like to give back to my community. I began my college years at a community college and see tremendous value in the programs and opportunities it can afford our students and second-career professionals."
Heid earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of South Florida. He is a two-time nominee for Superintendent of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association, a 2003 University of Florida Outstanding Educator of the Year, named "What's Right in Education" by Sarasota magazine in 2003, and has three teacher of the year awards.
Ian Lamp, president of Lamp Inc. and chairman of the ECC Foundation board of directors, is pleased to have these community members join the board. He noted the particular skills and experience each brings to the board.
"These individuals are from our community, know our community well, and know firsthand the educational value community colleges provide - especially Elgin Community College," Lamp said. "They are a wonderful asset to our board and our mission to help students reach their goals at ECC and beyond."
Founded in 1984, the ECC Foundation raises funds through private donations to remove financial barriers, reward academic excellence, and advance learning for ECC students. For more information about giving opportunities, contact the ECC Foundation at (847) 214-7377 or visit www.elgin.edu/eccfoundation.