Cristina has two degrees from SIU, a Finance undergraduate degree and Master of Business Administration. After grad school, she spent 5 years with Saluki Athletics on campus.

She opened her State Farm agency in Carbondale in 2018 and remains heavily involved with supporting the campus and Carbondale communities.

She is currently a member of the Saluki Pride Committee through the Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Young Alumni Committee through the SIU Alumni Association. Her and her husband, Joel, have two children, 5 year old Luca and 2 year old Dori Jo.

Jolene Falat is the Assistant Vice-President & Branch Manager of First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust in Carbondale.

She has served as the treasurer of the board of the Science Center of Southern Illinois and is chairperson of the “Chef Clash in the Arena” (formerly “100 Men Who Cook”) annual fundraising event that benefits several local charities.

Jolene attended the University of Illinois and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Mid-Continent University. She and her husband Steve live in Murphysboro and have three grown children, all who have graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and three grandchildren.

Michael Lewallen is a Commercial Officer for Banterra Bank in Carbondale. Prior to getting started in banking, he obtained a bachelor’s of Finance from Southern Illinois University in May 2006.

In addition, Michael is the chairman of the Saluki Pride Committee through the Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the Young Alumni Committee through the SIU Alumni Association. Michael is a graduate of Leadership Carbondale and co-owner of Studio Day Spa.

Michael lives in Carbondale with his wife Lauren and daughter Miori.

Jonathan Ihrig is the General Manager for Saluki Sports Properties.

Dr. Tena Bennett is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary Enterprises. She provides leadership of external enterprises and overseeing the operations, finances and operations of the Student Center, Recreational Sports and Services, Rainbow’s End Daycare and University Housing.

Dr. Bennett is a resident of Carterville, she has lived in the community for 15 years and worked at SIU in various roles within Student Affairs. Tena currently chairs the Chamber's Leadership Carbondale program and serves on various committees.

Marcy Cascio-Hale is a research attorney for the Fifth District Appellate Court, has her own skincare business, and has started a self-care group dedicated to helping individuals live better lives. She grew up in northern Illinois and relocated to Carbondale in 2006. She graduated from the SIU School of Law and has resided in Murphysboro since 2011.

She is active in her local BNI WIN chapter, advocating for small businesses throughout southern Illinois. She hosts the Notable Net-worker show on BNI Mid America TV, as well as her own “Business Brag” moment on Facebook.

Marcy resides in Murphysboro with her husband, Christian, and has one son who graduated from Carbondale Community High School and John A. Logan.

Aaron Christ is the Director of Operations at Intertape Polymer Group.

Josh Judge is the Owner of Judge Services located in Carbondale. Judge Services offers a
range of Exterior Cleaning and Exterior Lighting services. They have serviced all of Southern
Illinois for the past 10 years. In 2021 they were awarded Business of the Year by the
Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

Josh is also a volunteer soccer coach for Carbondale Junior Sports. Josh's wife, Melissa, is
Principal of Tri-County Center School in Murphysboro, IL.

Josh and his wife Melissa are both graduates of SIUC. They currently live in Carbondale and
have 2 young boys that attend Giant City School.

Jenna Jamieson is a Assistant Lecturer and B.S. Program Director at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.

Melissa Ray-Roach is the Director of the Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.

Chris Stayton is the owner of the Town Money Saver of Southern Illinois. Town Money Saver is a direct mail advertising platform that reaches nearly 35,000 families and businesses every month from Murphysboro and Carbondale to Marion and Lake of Egypt.

Chris and his wife Dawn, another local business owner (SureLock Home Watch), moved to southern Illinois in August of 2020 and have been actively involved in the local community and their church since they moved here. He is fueled by a passion to help other small business owners thrive and grow.

In addition to being a fan of Saluki athletics, Chris is also a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks.

Goldie Robinson is an Insurance Agent at Robinson Insurance Agency. 

Robinson has a combined 19yrs. experience in the fields of security, security instruction, insurance, consultation, and firearm instruction. In addition to operating the Motivational Speaking Firm, GFORCE, Robinson is also the owner of Robinson Insurance, LLC, U-Carry Solutions, LLC, and the Supervising Coordinator for HBT Security Inc., Southern IL Region

Carolin Harvey was elected as Mayor of Carbondale in 2023 and previously served for several years on the City Council. She previously worked at SIUC in the Bursar’s Office, Division of Continuing Education, and Registrar’s Office.

Carolin attended Miles College, John A. Logan, and SIU. She has been involved with the Chamber through attending monthly luncheons, volunteering for the golf scramble, and helping with other events.

Carolin and her husband James have two children.

Austin A. Lane became the chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on July 1, 2020.

A native of New Jersey, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Langston University, his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, and his Ed.D. from the University of Alabama.

A 25-year higher education administrator and faculty member, Lane has served as president of Texas Southern University, executive vice chancellor of academic and student affairs at Lone Star College System, president of Lone Star College-Montgomery, vice president for student affairs at Tyler Junior College, and dean of students at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Dr. Lane has served on a number of boards and has been deeply engaged in the communities he serves. He was recognized among the 2017 top minority professional leaders in Greater Houston, recipient of the 2015 Drum Major Award, 2014 Interfaith of The Woodlands Hometown Hero Honoree, and 2012 Pacesetter of the Year for the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

He is married to Loren Lane and has three children, Lauren, Chase and Lance.

Ryan Thomas has been Principal of Carbondale Community High School District 165 since 2018 and has previously served as Assistant Principal and Special Education Teacher in the district. Mr. Thomas is a CCHS graduate and holds degrees from Eastern Illinois University and McKendree University.

Ryan lives in Carbondale with his wife Vanessa and their three daughters, Hannah, Lydia, and Ruby.

Woody Thorne is the Chief Development Executive of Community Affairs at Southern Illinois HealthCare.