Elgin Area Chamber announces new board leadership
The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced its executive committee board leadership and new board members for 2022.
The 2022 chamber board chair is Michael Wong, SmithAmundsen, Partner; Yvonne Irving, vice chair, membership, KCT Credit Union; Keith Rauschenberger, treasurer, Rauschenberger Financial Advisors; and Yaneth Medina, past chair, Elgin State Bank.
New board members include: Lisa Baran, Elgin Sweeper; William Galdo, Flender Corp.; Dr. Rise Jones, Hamilton Wings; Dekovia Livingston, Livingston Taxes Inc.; and Max Zakharenko, Middleby Corp.
"On behalf of our members, I am grateful to our board leadership for their willingness to lead our chamber," said Carol Gieske, president and CEO, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. "Their volunteer time and energy supports our chamber with positive direction for the benefit of our business members and overall general community."
• Wong is a partner at the law firm of SmithAmundsen. As a management-side labor and employment law attorney, he provides aggressive and responsible representation to clients on a wide range of issues, including employment law issues and lawsuits, including discrimination and harassment, ADA disability issues, FMLA administration and claims, recreational and medical cannabis issues in the workplace, and a number of employee policy issues.
• Baran serves as Regional HR Manager supporting over 800 employees over four lines of business in Idaho, Montana, Texas, and at Elgin Sweeper Company in Elgin. She has been a member of the Elgin Development Group's Workforce Development Committee since 2014 and served as chairman since 2016. She and her family have been Elgin residents for the last 28 years.
• Galdo is CEO of Flender Corp. in Elgin which produces Winergy gearboxes and generators for sustainable power generation worldwide, in addition to gear units and first-class connections-couplings. Galdo is a native of Pennsylvania, where he grew up on a small horse farm. A resident of Pingree Grove since 2016, he and his wife of 28 years have three adult children.
• Dr. Jones is co-founder of Hamilton Wings, a non-profit organization, that through the best of arts education encourages positive youth development emphasizing youth responsibility for learning and leadership. She is a partner in Evaluation Solutions, a private consulting business and regularly performs as a distinguished and talented vocalist.
• Livingston started her career as a Tax Accountant in 2004 after launching Livingston Taxes, Inc. providing services to individuals and small business owners with income tax services, payroll, bookkeeping, financial advising and business start- up services. She serves on the board of the not-for-profit global Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) as the Director of Accounting and volunteers as a Commissioner for the City of Elgin Sustainability board.
• Zakharenko is president of Middleby Marshall, a division of The Middleby Corp. in Elgin. He is responsible for the strategy, product development, sales and day-to-day operations of the brands Middleby Marshall and CTX which are based and manufactured on Toastmaster Drive in Elgin. Prior to joining Middleby Marshall, he was an integral part of the Middleby corporate accounting team.
The Elgin Area Chamber is a proven collaborative business community resource and provides relevant, innovative, and impactful programming and services that ensure a healthy business climate and enhanced quality of life.
For more information, connect with the chamber online at www.ElginChamber.com; on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn social media platforms, or by phone at (847) 741-5660.