Northern Kane County Chamber announces board leadership
The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce recently announced its executive board leadership for 2024-25.
Serving as board chair is Michael Simpson, vice president and designated managing broker with Baird & Warner Real Estate in Algonquin. Other members of the executive board include: vice chair Ron Graziano, Kyuki-do Martial Arts of Sleepy Hollow; secretary Pat Szpekowski, APR, PR Strategies & Communications, inc.; treasurer Tiffanie Young, Northwestern Medicine; immediate past chair Jay Bennett, Edward Jones Investments & Financial Services; and Melissa Hernandez, chamber president.
"I am honored to serve as the 2024-25 chair of the Northern Kane County Chamber board of directors," Simpson said. "Over the past several years, I have come to really appreciate the chamber's role in supporting and serving our Carpentersville, Gilberts, East Dundee, Sleepy Hollow and West Dundee business communities and municipal partners.
"My chair predecessors Tiffanie Young and Jay Bennett, and our president Melissa Hernandez have led the chamber so well through challenging times," Simpson said. "I am committed to continuing their great work, and finding new and innovative ways to support and serve our members."
Simpson has been involved with the Northern Kane County Chamber for many years as a member. He joined the board of directors in 2019 and has been an active and engaged board member and officer, attending numerous ribbon cuttings and volunteering for chamber events. He is a past member of the Ambassadors, and was appointed treasurer in 2021.
In addition to holding an Illinois real estate license since 2001, he is also licensed in Florida. He is very engaged in real estate advocacy at the local, state and national levels, chairing and serving on numerous committees. He is a past president of the Realtor Association of the Fox Valley (2018-19) and the 2021 RAFV Realtor of the Year.
In addition, he was recently appointed to the Illinois Realtors board of directors for a three-year term. He is also the Illinois Realtors state legislative contact for state Sen. Don DeWitte. Prior to real estate, he had a 25-plus year successful career in the international logistics industry.
Simpson, a native of North Carolina, and his wife, Dianne, are residents of Cary. They have three adult children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Chamber board members are comprised of individuals representing diverse business expertise. They include: Jeanne Allen, Village of Gilberts; Bryant Crawford, 5-Star Computer Services; Yasmin Diaz, Associated Bank; Ernie Gamino, Edward Jones Investments & Financial Services; Drew Glassford, Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township; Lori-Ann Haiges, Polynt Composites USA, Inc.; Michael Hasselbring, State Farm Hasselbring Insurance Agency; William Hof, Village of Sleepy Hollow; Tom Jaynes, Polynt Composites USA, Inc.; Matthew Karras, Karras Law, P.C.; Ann Meyer, Farmers Insurance Agency; Greta Salamando, Village of Carpentersville; Tammy Ray, Elgin Community College; Tim Scott, Village of West Dundee, and Oscar Tapia, BMO Harris.
"Our board members volunteer and donate much of their time, energy and efforts to support the chamber in its direction, events, and our local business community," Hernandez said. "On behalf of all of our members, we thank them for their willingness to serve."
The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for business interests by identifying and following the needs of the business community through leadership, education, development, support and promotion. It represents the communities of Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Sleepy Hollow, and West Dundee.
For more information, contact the chamber office at (847) 426-8565. Visit nkcchamber.com.