Laura Anderson: Elmhurst

Winning Systems, Inc.

Laura Anderson began her career with the Illinois House of Representatives after obtaining her degree in Public Relations and Communication at Western Illinois University.  After 16 years with the Illinois Legislature Laura became Chief of Staff for the Illinois House Republicans in 2002.  Her expertise in legislative affairs include issues relating to Human Services primarily in developmental disabilities, foster care and education.

In January 2003, Laura Anderson created Winning Systems, Inc., a professional fundraising, resource development and organizational development firm. 

Laura has been married to Chris Kachiroubas, who serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court in DuPage County, for 14 years.  They have three children, Alex, Chandler and Tess.

Mark Biel: Springfield

Chemical Industry Council of Illinois

Mark A. Biel, CAE is Executive Director for the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois (CICI), a statewide trade association based in Des Plaines. Mark is located in the Springfield office which closely monitors legislative and regulatory activity, with particular emphasis on environmental, energy and tort reform issues. Prior to becoming Executive Director in 1999, Biel served as Director of Government Affairs for six years. In 2005, Biel also served as President of the Illinois Society of Association Executives (ISAE).

Before joining CICI, Mark served for four years as Director of Government Affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA). During that time, the American Society of Association Executives ranked the IMA’s lobbying program as the best in the nation.

Founded in 1951, CICI represents over 110 chemical firms which manufacture, blend, distribute and sell beneficial chemicals. These companies employ over 50,000 people statewide.

Matt Bisbee: Quad Cities

Victory Enterprises, Inc.

Matt Bisbee is the Illinois Director for Victory Enterprises Inc., a Davenport, IA-based political consulting/marketing firm.  His role has been business development in Illinois for both Victory Enterprises Inc. and its sister company VictoryStore.com, a web-based campaign and promotional products retailer.  Bisbee has incorporated Victory Enterprises Inc. services into political campaigns throughout Illinois.  He also organizes grassroots support for issue-based campaigns in Illinois and Iowa.  Prior to working for Victory Enterprises Inc., Bisbee spent more than four years on the congressional staff of U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson (IL-15) as Press Secretary and Spokesman.

Matt Bisbee holds a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He is married to his wife Sherri and has two young sons.

Kevin Conway: Chicago

Cooney & Conway

Kevin Conway is a partner and trial attorney in the Chicago, Illinois personal injury law firm of Cooney & Conway.

Kevin received his J.D. from the Loyola University School of Law in 1976 and his B.A. in 1973 from Loyola University of Chicago.  He has achieved million-dollar-plus settlements and/or verdicts in all areas of personal injury law, including aviation, construction, mass torts and asbestos.

Kevin was a member of the Board of Managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association from 1988-1997 and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 1995.  He was president of the Association in 2004.  Also, as an active member of the Chicago Bar Association, he chaired the CBA Tort Litigation Committee and co-chaired the Young Lawyers Section of the Trial Technique Committee.  He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and is listed in Who's Who in American Law.

Darcy Davidsmeyer: Schaumburg

Motorola, Inc.

Darcy Davidsmeyer is Director of State & Local Government Relations for Motorola, a global leader in wireless and broadband communications technologies.  Darcy is responsible for directing the state and local legislative and public policy function of Motorola.  Her duties include company spokesperson on all public policy matters relating to state and local governments and primary interface to international organizations based in Chicago area.  Darcy works in the corporate headquarters in Schaumburg and has been with Motorola for over nineteen years.  

Some of the major legislative issues that Darcy has professionally worked to impact are: North America Free Trade Agreement; permanent status of the Normal Trade Relations for China; and, more recently, federal homeland security funding for local and state governments’ interoperable communications.

William J. Fleischli: Springfield

Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association

William J. Fleischli is the executive vice president of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association/Illinois Association of Convenience Stores.  Mr. Fleischli is a native of Springfield, Illinois and a graduate of St. Louis University in Missouri with a degree in teacher education.  After graduation he embarked on an 11-year career in teaching.  Afterwards, he moved on to various management position in state government.

In 1994, William assumed his current position of executive vice president of IPMA/IACS.  In June of 1996, he accepted a national award in government relations from the American Society of Association Executives in Washington D.C.  He and the IPMA/IACS staff were honored for leading the association's comprehensive campaign to pass an important piece of legislation that was integral to the livelihood of its members.

William and his wife Cindi reside in Springfield and are the parents of four sons: Cullen, Evan, Billy and Ryan.

Clark Gyure: Springfield & Carbondale

Gyure and Associates

Clark began his career with the Illinois Department of Law Enforcement - Bureau of Identification, where he instituted valuable improvements on the methods utilized by the state's various criminal justice information systems.  He later served as Executive Assistant & District Manager for U.S. Congressman Ken Gray.  Upon the Congressman's retirement, he served as Special Assistant & Regional Director for U.S. Senator Alan Dixon.  In 1993, Clark established Gyure & Associates, which has an emphasis on government relations, communications management, and media relations. Among his clients are healthcare providers, municipalities, foundations, community colleges, state and Federal agencies, banks, and resorts.

Keith Hebeisen: Chicago

Clifford Law Offices

Keith Hebeisen has been a trial attorney for 20 years.  He was the Editor of the Illinois Bar Journal for two years, and he has edited the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook since 1992.  On June 3, 2005 he was sworn in as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.  He has planned and moderated numerous continuing legal education programs, including the ITLA Medical Malpractice Seminar, a widely attended all-day program held annually in Chicago. 

As a partner at Clifford Law Offices, Keith Hebeisen is a highly respected leader in the law and serves as an example of excellence to the profession.

Dave Johnson: Urbana

University of Illinois College of Law

Dave Johnson is the Assistant Dean for Communications at the University of Illinois College of Law, coordinating public relations and marketing efforts for one of the nation’s premier public law schools. Dave has been with the University of Illinois since 1988.  He is a Champaign native, earning his B.A. in Communications from the University of Illinois in 1986 and his M.S. in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy in 1987.

Dave served on the Champaign County Board for six years, including two years as Human Services Committee Chairman. Dave and his wife, Laurie, a math teacher at Champaign Centennial High School, have three children.

Allison L. Jones, MD, MS: Danville

Carle Clinic

Dr. Jones, a specialist in occupational and environmental medicine, joined the Carle Clinic Association in 2004, the same year she became a Medical Review Officer and a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.  Dr. Jones received her B.S. in Physiology & Neuropsychology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 1986, her M.S. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Urbana-Champaign in 1988, and her M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 1992.  Dr. Jones belongs to the American Medical Association, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and is an Honorary Delegate for Sigma Xi National Research Society.

David Kohn: Chicago

Union League Club of Chicago

As Director of Public Affairs at the Union League Club of Chicago, David Kohn oversees the Club's public policy advocacy activities, serves as its liaison to local, state and federal government officials, and works to build coalitions with other civic organizations.  He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Council on Economic Education and is also Secretary of the Armed Forces Council of Chicago.

Mr. Kohn's background includes over 20 years of experience in media and government.  He served for many years as press secretary to former U.S. Congressman John Porter.  In that role he directed the Congressman's media relations and was spokesman for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services and Education that Representative Porter chaired until his retirement.

Mr. Kohn earned his bachelor's degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago and a master's degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Paul Kuchuris: Naperville

Lincoln Foundation for Performance Excellence

Prior to joining the Lincoln Foundation, Paul was the Principal of ProFORM, Inc., a private performance improvement consulting firm.  Paul developed his expertise in a variety of different roles over his 26 years with Navistar (International Harvester).  During that time, he held such diverse positions as product consultant, sales & marketing manager, training & development manager, and dealer personnel development director.

Paul currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Performance Excellence, the DuPage County Workforce Investment Board's Workforce Systems Committee, Benedictine University's Business Management Institute Advisory Board, and the Career Advancement Network Advisory Board.

Brad McMillan: Peoria

Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service

Brad McMillan is the Executive Director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service at Bradley University.  This institute, designed to educate ethical, collaborative, and bipartisan leaders while providing students experiences leading to successful careers in public service, is a partnership between Bradley University and the Dirksen Congressional Center.

Prior to his current position, Brad was District Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Ray LaHood.  He was responsible for supervising three district offices and serving as a liaison in the 18th District's 20 counties.  He has also worked with several law firms, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Illinois Appellate Court of the Third District.  He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on the Character and Fitness Committee of the Third Judicial District.

Brad holds a law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Ed Murnane: Arlington Heights

Illinois Civil Justice League

Ed Murnane was named President of the Illinois Civil Justice League early in 1993 after serving for four years in the Reagan and Bush Administrations, including three years as the Midwest Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration.  He also served in the White House as an Assistant to President Bush and Director of Presidential Advance.

Prior to joining the Bush Administration, Ed was the Public Affairs Director for the Regional Transportation Authority.  He is also a former award-winning journalist and was the political editor of The Daily Herald in Chicago's suburbs.  Ed has served on the board of directors of the American Tort Reform Association since 1997 and currently sits on ATRA's executive committee.  He is a native of Chicago and lives in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Duane Noland: Springfield

Assn. of Illinois Electric Cooperatives

N. Duane Noland is the President & Chief Executive Officer for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives based in Springfield.  The Association provides legal, engineering, communication, safety training and legislative representation for 25 electric cooperatives, three generation and transmission cooperatives and eight telephone cooperatives.  Since formed in 1942, Noland is the fourth president of the Association.

After graduation from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Agriculture, Noland became the seventh generation to operate the centennial family farm in Macon and Christian counties.  As a member of the Illinois General Assembly, Noland represented the citizens of central Illinois serving four terms in the Illinois House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate, retiring as Assistant Majority Leader.  An active civic and agricultural leader, he serves on the board of directors for Millikin University, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Chairman of the Illinois Ag in the Classroom Coalition and on America's Heartland National Advisory Board.  Duane and his wife Tina are the parents of two sons and a daughter.

Ron O'Connor, APR: Belleville

O'Connor & Partners, Inc.

With nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, communications and public relations, Ron has worked on behalf of a variety of clients active in the financial services, tourism, hospitality, entertainment, professional services, retailing, healthcare, development, real estate, construction, environmental protection, agricultural and chemical industries.  Ron is currently President and Managing Partner of O'Connor & Partners, Inc.

A long-time member of the Public Relations Society of America, he served on the National Counselor's Business Standards and Practices Committee, where he wrote the preamble to the Code of Ethics for American public relations practitioners.  Ron has served as chair or member of a number of public relations committees, including the Board of the St. Louis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Bob Rich: Urbana

University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs

Robert F. Rich is Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs and Professor of Law, Political Science, Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, Community Health, and Health Policy and Administration at the University of Illinois. 

He is the author of seven books and over 50 articles in the areas of health law and policy, federalism, information policy, and science and technology policy.  His most recent book, Consumer Choice: Social Welfare and Health Policy, was published in 2005. 

He is married and has three children.

Kevin Riggs: O'Fallon

St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Assn.

Kevin Riggs was recruited by the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association as Director of Illinois Government Affairs to lead their lobbying and public policy initiatives in Springfield, Illinois.

An Illinois resident, Kevin brings varied public policy and governmental affairs experience to his position, including serving as a Senior Appropriations Budget Analyst for the Illinois General Assembly; working for the Census Bureau as a Regional Supervisor in Special Population Counts and Decennial Counts for Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and previously he serving as Manager of Community Development for the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

Kevin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  Currently, Kevin resides in O’Fallon, Illinois with his wife and family.

Joshua Robbins: Chicago

Serafin & Associates, Inc.

Joshua began his interest in politics and communications in 1993 when he was appointed student trustee on the Miami University Board of Trustees.  In 1994 he managed special projects for George Voinovich’s 1994 Ohio gubernatorial campaign.  From 1995 to 1998 he served as director of special communications for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, a $23 billion agency.  Joshua joined Serafin & Associates in 1998 and has built a reputation for cultivating strategic partnerships and fighting for his public, private and governmental sector clients in the Midwest.  In 2004 he received an Emmy nomination for the NAACP Illinois/Fox Chicago U.S. Senate Candidates debate.  He and his family live in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Don Schaefer: Springfield

Mid-West Truckers Association

As Executive Vice-President of Mid-West Truckers Association, Don Schaefer represents the interests of 2,600 trucking company members who are domiciled in Illinois and 14 other states.

Schaefer joined the Association in 1992, overseeing their federal, state and local government and regulatory efforts and representing them on issues such as toll increases and truck taxes, truck and driver safety, and improved truck access to local business.

Prior to joining Mid-West Truckers Association, has was Associate Director of the American Petroleum Institute - Illinois Petroleum Council.  He also served as a television and radio reporter covering the Illinois & Wisconsin legislature and served as press secretary for state officers and political candidates.

Jay Stewart: Chicago

Better Government Association

Jay is Executive Director of the Better Government Association.  He began his public affairs career at the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, serving as a member of the Congressional Rapid Response Team.  He then joined the BGA as staff attorney and conducted public interest litigation, including lawsuits related to the BGA investigation of casino gambling and the "Licenses for Bribes" scandal.

Jay then spent a year as general counsel to Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, before returning to the BGA as its Executive Director.

Jay has a bachelor's degree with honors from the State University of New York and received his law degree, also with honors, from the DePaul University College of Law.

David Sykuta: Springfield

Illinois Petroleum Council

David is a lifetime-resident of Illinois.  He graduated from Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields in 1968 and he received his B.S. in Political Science and History from Illinois State University in 1972.  After interning with the Illinois legislative staff, he was hired as a full-time legislative consultant for the Illinois Senate Republican staff in 1974.  In 1976, he jointed the Illinois Petroleum Council as associate director and was appointed executive director in 1986.

In 1996, David co-founded the Partnership for Environmental Progress.  He is an active member of the Illinois Society of Association Executives and Business and Industry Federation.  He and his wife, Marcia, reside in Springfield and have two children, Amy and Jonathan.