About the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce
For over 30 years, the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce has been the catalyst for economic vitality in our community.We believe that together, we are more.The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that supports and advances the business and economic climate of the community. We connect over 250 members (consisting of businesses large and small, representing more than 5,000 employees) to valuable resources, and to one another.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is be composed of 11 elected members, five of whom shall be elected in alternate years to the other six. The directors are elected for a term of two years. The government and policy-making responsibilities of the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce are vested in the Board of Directors, which controls its property, is responsible for its finances and directs its affairs.
Dr. Becca Lamon, President
Ball-Chatham School District, 217-483-2416. Dr. Becca Lamon is currently the Superintendent of the Ball-Chatham CUSD 5 and an adjunct professor at Purdue University – Fort Wayne. She also currently serves on the board of the Capital Area Career Center (CACC) and the Regional Office of Career and Technical Education (ROCTE). Her educational leadership and passion center around curriculum, instruction, and the integration of technology into the classroom. Her daily focus is to ensure that every BCSD student receives an outstanding education and is successful after graduating from Ball-Chatham. Dr. Lamon is active in many community organizations including the Chatham Jaycees, the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce, Titan Fuel, and the Ball-Chatham Education Foundation. Her husband, Ward, is the Director of Special Education for Springfield 186, and they are the proud parents of their son, Morgan.
Marcie Williams, Vice President
The Tap Room, 217-697-1942. Marcie Williams is the manager for The Tap Room in Chatham, and began working there in 2019. Her passion started from a love for craft beer and she quickly became interested in whiskey and bourbons. Marcie previously lived in Arizona and was a franchise owner for The UPS Store and then worked as an Independent Logistics Manager. Being involved with The Tap Room has allowed her to meet many people in Chatham and become more active in the community. Marcie’s adult children both graduated from Glenwood High School. She currently resides in Chatham.
Jon Sturgeon, Treasurer
Bank of Springfield, 217-483-6525. Jon Sturgeon is currently a Vice President for Bank of Springfield. He joined BOS in October 2007 and has held a variety of positions including Personal Banker, Chatham Banking Center Branch Manager, Mortgage Loan Officer, and Mortgage Market Leader. Jon currently oversees several teams in the Compliance division. He started his banking career in 2001 as a teller after graduating from Springfield Southeast High School. He obtained his Associates Degree from Lincoln Land Community College. In addition to being the Treasurer for the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce, Jon serves on the Village of Chatham Planning Commission, is Clerk for the Chatham Township Community Building Board of Managers, and has served as Treasurer and Scholarship Committee chair for the Chatham Jaycees. He and his wife, Casey, moved to Chatham in 2005 and have one daughter, Cayleigh.
Tracy Formea, Secretary
Formea Insurance Group, Inc., 217-483-1536. Tracy Formea is a graduate of Glenwood High School and Illinois State University. In 2003, she founded Formea Insurance Group, Inc., an independent insurance agency, in Chatham. Since opening her business, she has been an active member of both the Chatham Area Chamber and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Her involvement with the Chatham Area Chamber has included volunteering on all event planning committees along with a member of the Board of Directors. For six of those years on the Board, she has also been a member of the Executive Board serving as President, Past President, Vice President, Secretary, and currently President for a second term. Her volunteer work with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce includes ten years as an Ambassador. Tracy is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois, Local First, Pi Beta Phi, and Chatham Christian Church, where she teaches Sunday School. Tracy and her husband Chad are the proud parents of Reagan and Cooper.
Michael Murphy, Past President
Coady Law - 217-713-2344. For more than 20 years, Mike has helped businesses, municipalities, and individuals navigate environmental, administrative, and complex civil litigation matters throughout Illinois and Missouri. His practice focuses on providing legal practical legal solutions that protect clients' interests, whether through proactive risk management, regulatory compliance, or litigation.
He has extensive experience representing clients in environmental enforcement actions, commercial disputes, transportation and trucking litigation, premises liability, employment matters, insurance coverage, and appellate advocacy in both state and federal courts.
He is the immediate past Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section Council. and is currently Co-Chair of its Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference.
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Amy Byers, Director
Chatham Area Public Library - 217-483- 2713. Amy Byers is the Director of the Chatham Area Public Library District, where she manages a team focused on lifelong learning, digital literacy, and community involvement. She has over 17 years of experience in library science, public service, and leadership.
Amy earned a Master of Library Science (MLS) from Indiana University and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Politics from Cornell College. She has been involved in leadership roles within the Chatham area and across the state and currently serves as the Immediate Past-President of the Illinois Library Association. For over 15 years, she has mentored new library directors in the state and speaks annually about strengthening relationships between library directors and trustees.
Throughout her career, she has launched initiatives in youth literacy, technology access, outreach, and community partnerships. Recently, she helped secure additional funding for the library through a referendum, which will enhance the spaces, services, and programming of the Chatham Area Public Library.
Amy is dedicated to providing welcoming spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection for everyone in the community.
Amy lives in Chatham with her husband, Ryan, and their Labrador, Brutus. They love supporting local Chatham businesses and non-profits in their free time.
Angie Koester, Director
Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc. (CMT), 844-426-8364. Angie Koester is Director of HR for Crawford Murphy & Tilly, Inc. Angie grew up in Chatham, and graduated from Glenwood High School in 2003. She went on to further her education at Purdue University, where she graduated in 2007 with a major in Business.
She, and her husband, Jared, also a Glenwood graduate, are active members of the Chatham Jaycees. Together they have three children: Jake Koester - sophomore at Glenwood High School, Jimmy Koester - 8th Grader at Glenwood Middle School, and Addi Jo Koester - 4th Grader at Ball Elementary.
About her interests outside of work, she says, “I am currently in the stage of life where my hobby is watching my children play their hobbies. You will find me most nights on a sideline cheering for whatever sport is in season. Between Football, basketball, soccer, dance, pole vault, track, baseball, softball and volleyball, the kids keep us hopping. It's never boring and it is my greatest honor to have a front row seat to watch them shine!”
Courtney Bouvet, Director
CEFCU Credit Union, 309-633-7369. Courtney is a graduate of Glenwood High School, Class of 2000, and went on to attend Lincoln Land Community College. She has served the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, and most recently, Lead Ambassador. She is a Business Development Account Executive at CEFCU Credit Union and has been with the organization for 14 years. Courtney’s primary focus is to partner with local businesses in the Sangamon County region as well as the Metro East region. She works with the businesses to establish free accounts for their employees as well as on-site financial education and training events.
She is very active in the community and serves on the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair Board. She is also an Ambassador with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
She and her husband reside in the Springfield area with their dogs, Kaiser and Noelle.
Jane Hay, Director
Jane Hay Sales & Staging- The Real Estate Group, 217-414-1203. Jane is a full-time real estate broker and partner with The Real Estate Group serving both sellers and buyers in the Chatham and Springfield areas. Her real estate business model is based on excellent customer service, cutting edge marketing and free home staging for every listing. Prior to her career in real estate, Jane’s professional background includes work as Project Assistant for the Secretary of State’s Office, Executive Staff Member for Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, and Office Administrator/Paralegal for Wolter, Beeman, & Lynch Law Offices. Jane enjoys community service and promoting local interests. She currently serves on the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chatham Area Public Library Foundation Board, member of the Village of Chatham Planning Commission, and Vice Chair of the Ball-Chatham Titan Fuel Board. Born and raised in nearby Taylorville, Illinois, Jane moved to Springfield 1989. She and her husband, David, made Chatham their home in 1998. David works at Chatham-Glenwood High School where he is a teacher and Head Football Coach.
Stephanie McDannald, Director
Emerson Press, 217-628-3441. Stephanie is the Sales and Marketing Director for Emerson Press since 1989. Emerson Press is a full service commercial printer, specializing in single-to full color printing, larger format items as well as promotional products. Please see emersonpress.net for a full list of products. Prior to working for Emerson Press, Stephanie worked for Southwest Graphics in St. Louis, MO. Stephanie earned her marketing degree from Millikin University in 1988. She serves on the boards of the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Women in Leadership, Women Entrepreneurs, and The Divernon American Legion Auxiliary. Stephanie resides in Divernon with her husband, Doug, and their son, Colton.
Zach Thornton, Director
The Crowne Plaza, 217-585-2840. Zach Thornton was born and raised in the Chatham community, and is currently the Catering Sales Manager at the Crowne Plaza Springfield. After graduating from Glenwood High School in 2010, he continued his education at Western Illinois University, where he studied Hospitality Management. He then returned to the Chatham area to begin his career in event planning at Panther Creek Country Club. Zach is very involved in the local community; he is a member of the Rotary Club of Springfield in Chatham and the Glenwood Athletic Boosters, and gets involved in numerous other volunteer organizations and events throughout the year. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and giving back to the community.
Ambassadors
Chamber Ambassadors act as liaisons between the Chamber and membership. The Ambassador position is crucial to the maintenance of membership of the Chamber.
They are:
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Educators: Inform members and prospective members about the Chamber and its services and benefits.
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Communicators: Keep the information channels open between members and the Chamber, acting as a sounding board to gather ideas and suggestions for improving member programs and services.
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Motivators: Encourage members to be involved with the Chamber events and programs and inspire members to grow and more fully benefit from their investment in the Chamber.
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Mentors: For new members.
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Cheerleaders: for the Chamber, assisting in ribbon cuttings, networking, and socializing.
Network News
The Chamber's Weekly Newsletter
The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce's weekly newsletter, the Network News, is available via email to anyone! If you'd like to sign up to receive our weekly newsletter, email coordinator@chatham-il-chamber.com.
