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.
Michael Murphy, President
HeplerBroom, LLC, 217-528-3674. Michael is a partner at the law firm of HeplerBroom, LLC. His primary focus is environmental litigation, but he has experience litigating many other types of cases in both federal and state courts, including defending businesses and individuals in lawsuits involving personal injury (such as car accidents and slip-and-falls), products liability, property damage, employment law, contractual disputes, and insurance coverage. When necessary, he takes cases to trial. He also handles appeals. He’s argued cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and in three of the five Illinois appellate districts and has prepared briefs for appeals in Illinois appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Illinois that resulted in favorable decisions for the firm’s clients. In his environmental practice, he often initially assists clients in their interactions with regulators (such as Illinois EPA) before a suit is filed to try to avoid formal litigation and achieve compliance. If the Attorney General’s Office pursues enforcement, he efficiently and effectively handles the court proceedings by focusing on practical solutions that satisfy regulators and lead to a resolution. In an environmental emergency, Michael helps clients navigate regulatory and enforcement demands, including defending clients in proceedings where the Attorney General is seeking immediate relief under Section 43 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. When enforcement is not yet an issue, Michael assists clients with environmental compliance questions involving federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, permitting, rule-making, and regulatory relief. His complete practice profile can be viewed at
https://www.heplerbroom.com/professionals/murphy-michael. He and his wife have four children who attend Ball-Chatham schools. Michael also volunteers his time coaching local baseball, softball, and basketball teams in Chatham recreational sports programs.
Dr. Becca Lamon, Vice 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.
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.
Jeff Dillman, Secretary
MASCO Packaging & Industrial Supply Co., 217-744-0339. Born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. Jeff came to Masco Packaging with over 20 years in the State and Federal Government. He takes satisfaction in helping his staff and customers. He is very active in the local community, serving on various boards and helping locally owned businesses. He is a proud member of the Springfield Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge, and the TRN Club. Jeff recently graduated from the FBI Citizen’s Academy in 2023. He served as the Chairman of the Ambassadors for the Greater Springfield Chamber of
Commerce and was the Ambassador of the year in 2018 and 2019 and recently the Ambassador Chair for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the following boards: Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President for the Family Service Center, the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Advisory board for the Salvation Army, and the FBISCAAA Board. Jeff is married to his wife, Mary Beth, and he enjoys relaxing in their outdoor oasis, cooking, hunting, fishing, and spending time with their boxer, Otto.
Tracy Formea, Past President
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.
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 dog, Odin.
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.
Nathan Stotts, Director
Computer Works, 217-483-1171. Nathan was raised in the Chatham Community, and is a Glenwood High School graduate, Class of 2006. He is currently the owner of Computer Works Family in Chatham. Computer Works Family has proudly served the Chatham community for over 20 years, evolving from a PC Sales and Service provider to a full-fledged IT services provider for businesses. In 2024, they expanded their services to include marketing services such as logo and marketing materials design, as well as web development, with the ultimate goal of being a go-to destination for all business IT needs. In addition to serving on the Chatham Area Chamber Board, he coaches his son's SASA soccer team. He enjoys creating memories with his family, coaching, and 3D Printing.
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.
Marcie Williams, Director
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.
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.
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December 5, 2024
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December 12, 2024
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December 19, 2024
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December 26, 2024
