JALC Foundation

Contact Info
618-985-2828 (ext. 8991)
foundation@jalc.edu
700 Logan College Drive Carterville, IL 62918

Meet Our
Board of Directors

The John A. Logan College Foundation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, exceptional men and women who generously give their time, expertise, and leadership. These passionate community leaders are true advocates for John A. Logan College, playing a vital role in advancing the mission of the Foundation through both their service and philanthropic support.

Since its establishment in 1971, the Foundation has worked hand-in-hand with the College to enhance educational excellence. It does so by funding innovative programs, expanding student support services, awarding scholarships, and celebrating the achievements of students, faculty, and alumni. Thanks to the commitment of our Board, the generosity of donors, and strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations, the Foundation continues to open doors and help students turn their goals into reality.

Marty Davis

Marty Davis

JALC Foundation Board President

Marty Davis grew up on a beef and grain farm in Vergennes, Illinois, and has built a distinguished 39-year career in the banking industry. A graduate of Elverado High School (1975), he earned an Associate of Arts and Science from John A. Logan College in 1982 and later completed a degree in Business Management from Mid-Continent College in 2008. He currently serves as President and CEO of Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company in Pinckneyville, Illinois—a $200 million institution with six branches serving Southern Illinois. Actively involved in the banking community, he has held numerous committee roles and is a past Chairman of the Illinois Bankers Association. Outside of work, he is deeply engaged in civic and church events. He and his wife, Susan Davis, have three children and four grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys family gatherings, BBQing, camping, back road adventures in a side-by-side, hunting, and savoring good food.

Deborah Payne

Deborah Payne

JALC Foundation Board Vice President

Deborah Payne, PhD, is the Emeritus Vice President of John A. Logan College. With a distinguished career in higher education, she continues to contribute to academic excellence as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, serving both Herrin, Illinois, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Amanda Throgmorton

Amanda Throgmorton

JALC Foundation 2nd Vice President

Amanda, a lifelong Marion resident, began her healthcare career in 1997 as a Certified Nurse Assistant at Marion Memorial Hospital, now Heartland Regional, where she has dedicated her entire professional life. While raising her two sons, she pursued higher education, earning Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and an MBA. Her career has included roles in the emergency department, disaster management, professional outreach, and occupational health, culminating in her appointment as Chief Operating Officer of Deaconess Illinois in August 2024. Known for her operational expertise and deep community ties, Amanda is committed to strengthening Deaconess’s regional presence. She is also an active community leader, serving on numerous local boards and volunteering with organizations such as the Lighthouse Shelter, Salvation Army, and Veterans Honor Flight.

Don Bigham

Don Bigham

Donald Bigham has served on the Foundation Board of Directors since 2015. He is a graduate of Elverado High School, Southern Illinois University -Carbondale and the University of Illinois College of Law. He is a partner in the Pinckneyville, Illinois law firm of Bigham, Tanner & Foster and has been engaged in the practice of law in southern Illinois since 1978. He is also a partner in Bigham Farms and enjoys assisting with the family farming operation. He serves as a Director of Murphy-Wall State Bank, The Friends of Pyramid State Park and Galum Cemetery Association. He and his wife, Gwen, reside in Pinckneyville, Illinois.

Ben Craft

Ben Craft

Ben Craft is a Commercial Officer at Banterra Bank and a proud Carterville native. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he has been an active member of the community for years, currently serving on the John A. Logan College Foundation Board since 2023. From 2016 to 2024, he served on the board of the Carterville Chamber of Commerce, including a term as President in 2020. He has been a member of the Carterville Area Rotary Club since 2021 and has been involved with several community organizations, including Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the Williamson County CEO program. He lives in Carterville with his wife, Sarah, and their three children—Kylee, Natalie, and Ryan. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, watching sports, reading, and spending time with his family.


Steve Falat

Steve Falat

Steve Falat is the General Manager / Market Manager for River Radio, overseeing 6 radio stations across Southern Illinois. Steve is also the official Public Address Announcer for Southern Illinois University Athletics. He serves as Master of Ceremonies for many university, community, and other charitable events throughout Southern Illinois. In addition to serving on the JALC Foundation Board of Trustees, Steve is the current Chairman of the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation Board, a board of Trustee for the Regional Economic Development Initiative S.I. Now, and also serves on the Carbondale Economic Development Committee. Steve is a former President of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as well as the Rotary Club of Carbondale. He was a former member of the SIU Alumni Association National Board of Directors, serving as its Vice President, a two-time President of the Saluki Booster Club, a former board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and was on the SIU College of Business Marketing Department External Advisory Board. Steve was named “2018 Business Leader of the Year,” and River Radio was named “2019 Regional Business of the Year” by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Jolene, are the parents of three grown daughters and have three grandchildren.

 
Rich Gossett

Rich Gossett

Rich Gossett is Vice President at First Mid Wealth Management and a Financial Advisor with Raymond James Financial Services in Carbondale, Illinois. A 1983 graduate of John A. Logan College and 1987 graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Rich brings decades of financial expertise to his clients. He actively serves his community as a member of the Du Quoin District 300 Board of Education and the Du Quoin Education Foundation Board. Rich resides in Du Quoin with his wife, Joella. They have three children and three grandchildren.

 
Debra Hale

Debra Hale

Debra Hale is a dedicated educator with a lifelong passion for student development and well-being. A graduate of Crab Orchard School, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science with an emphasis in Health Education and a Master of Science in Education in Educational Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Debra devoted 28 years to classroom teaching and 17 years as a School Counselor at Crab Orchard School, and also served as an instructor at John A. Logan College (JALC). She is married to Joe Hale, owner of Hale’s Automotive in Marion, Illinois. Together they have two sons, Casey and Neal, and are proud grandparents to five grandchildren: Ellyana, Lilah, Maggie, Ethan, and Evan. Debra remains actively involved in her grandchildren’s education and extracurricular activities. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and making lasting memories with her family.

Terance Henry

Terence Henry

Terance Henry is the IT Director for the City of Marion, leading technological advancements and managing network security for all city departments, including Police, Fire, Library, Water, and Sewer. A former entrepreneur with over 13 years of experience, he also taught computer and e-commerce courses for 12 years at John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University. Terance serves on several boards, including the Police Pension Board, Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board (Chair), and state and national advisory groups focused on cybersecurity and smart city initiatives. A 2023 graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute, he has received numerous awards, such as the Southern Business Journal’s Leaders Among Us, ACEC Engineering Excellence Award, and the Marion Chamber’s Apogee Award. In his spare time, he mentors youth and supports new entrepreneurs through his nonprofit, Connect 360.

Jim Marlo

Jim Marlo

Jim was first elected as Williamson County Commissioner in 2012 and was re-elected for a third term in 2024. He has served six years as Chairman of the Williamson County Board of Commissioners and currently serves on seven local boards. A longtime resident of Southern Illinois, Jim is originally from Herrin and now lives in Marion with his wife. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University and successfully ran a small business for over 30 years. Jim is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission, Williamson County Farm Bureau, and the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board. He is also committed to community service through his roles with the Crosswalk Community Action Agency (Chairman), Marion Lions Club, and as a supporter of local Special Olympics and Boy Scouts programs. He looks forward to continuing his public service during his new term.

Ryan Patton

Ryan Patton

Ryan Patton was born and raised in West Frankfort, Illinois, and is a proud graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has worked in the insurance industry since 2010 and now co-owns a family-run insurance agency, where he focuses on delivering trusted, personalized service to his clients. Outside the office, Ryan and his wife stay busy raising their three boys, who keep them on the go with sports and other extracurriculars. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Ryan enjoys just about anything related to athletics—whether it’s watching, playing, or cheering from the sidelines.

Megan Zeller

Megan Orange

Megan Orange, SHRM-CP, PHR is the Human Resources Director at Priority Staffing Group, Ltd., with over 25 years of experience in HR across banking, manufacturing, health care, and staffing. A Carterville, IL native and graduate of SIU Carbondale, Megan is passionate about workforce development and community service. She currently serves on multiple local boards, including the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless (Vice President), Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce (Secretary), and the Southern Illinois Chili Cook-Off (President). In 2019, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce.

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Jessica Doerr-Berger

Jessica Doerr-Berger is a respected leader in the auction and real estate industry with a strong commitment to public service and professional excellence. A proud graduate of Elverado High School, Jessica currently serves as the Lead Auctioneer for personal property at Doerr Auction & Realty, Inc., where she plays a key role in delivering trusted auction services throughout the region.

In addition to her professional work, Jessica is actively involved in shaping industry standards and public policy. She serves as Chair of the Auction Advisory Board, a division of the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, where she provides oversight and guidance to support ethical and effective auction practices statewide.

Jessica also contributes her expertise to local government as a member of the Jackson County Board of Review, helping ensure fair and accurate property assessments within the county. Her leadership reflects a deep dedication to community service, professional integrity, and the advancement of her field.

Gary Kelley

Dr. Gary Kelly

Dr. Gary Kelly, is a long-time career educator at both the K-12 and Higher Education levels. In 2019 he retired as the Superintendent of DuQuoin CUSD #300 where he served as a school administrator in the district for 26 years including the last 23 years as Superintendent. Kelly is a student-focused leader who served as President of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) in 2011, was an 8-year member of the IASA Board of Directors, and was named Illinois Superintendent of the Year in 2019. At the national level, he has served on both the AASA Governing Board and AASA Executive Committee, and in 2021, received the AASA Distinguished Service Award. During his time in DuQuoin, he was very active in community activities including being a Past President of the Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Lion’s Club, serving on the Christopher Rural Health Corporation Board, and as a member of the DuQuoin Youth Club Board. Presently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice at SIUC and an IASA Field Service Director, where he works with both aspiring and experienced school leaders. Dr. Kelly is a graduate of the community college system prior to receiving his bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later his Master’s and Ph.D degrees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His wife and both children are graduates of John A. Logan College prior to attending other higher education institutions where they received their bachelor and master’s degrees.

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Josh Combs

Josh Combs was born and raised in Carterville, Illinois, where he still resides with his wife and son. With over 20 years of experience in banking, Josh currently serves as Vice President, Commercial Lender, and Mortgage Manager at First Southern Bank.
Outside of work, Josh enjoys golfing with his family and spending time on the lake. Thanks to his wife’s travel agency, the Combs family takes every opportunity to explore new destinations and create lasting memories together.

Rodney Laningham

Rodney Laningham

Rodney Laningham is a 1981 graduate of John A. Logan College and earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University in 1984. He recently retired after 45 years of service with UPS and has spent over 30 years as a licensed auctioneer and real estate managing broker, licensed in multiple states.
He is a graduate of the Certified Auctioneer Institute at Indiana University and currently serves on the Auction Advisory Board for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Rodney is also the lead cattle auctioneer at Cattlemen’s Livestock in Wayne City and the Southern Illinois Equine Sale in Goreville.
Rodney operates a small cattle farm near Crab Orchard that has been in his family since 1854, making him the fifth generation to care for the land. He has a long history of supporting local and national fundraising efforts for charities, churches, civic organizations, and individuals in need.
He and his wife, Lynda, enjoy camping—especially in National Parks—and he is an avid collector of antique tractors, tools, toys, and farm-related memorabilia. Rodney is proud to support the John A. Logan College Foundation and its mission to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and the region.

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John Moreland

John Moreland was born and raised in Northwest Iowa and began his education at a local community college before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1963. He married his high school classmate, Mary, in 1964, and they recently celebrated 61 years of marriage. During his military service, he was stationed near Istanbul, Turkey, for 18 months as an intelligence instructor, during which he and Mary traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and the Holy Lands. Upon returning to the U.S., they completed a 2,200-mile motorcycle journey through Greece, Italy, Austria, and Germany. John was later assigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, where he worked in flight operations. After his tour, he earned a bachelor’s degree in modern city growth from the University of Texas and began his business career with McDonald’s, first as an area supervisor and later by launching an in-house advertising agency. In 1973, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he became director of marketing, advertising, and sales for a group of 21 McDonald’s locations. In 1980, John and his family relocated to West Frankfort, Illinois, where they opened their first McDonald’s restaurant. Today, the Moreland family owns and operates 22 locations across Southern Illinois, with both his son and daughter serving as operators. In 2021, they purchased the West Frankfort shopping center, which is now nearly fully occupied. John also serves on the board of the John A. Logan Foundation, remaining active in community and regional development.

Ex Officio
Board members

Staci Schafer

Staci Shafer

Assistant Vice President of Advancement & Executive Director, JALC Foundation Treasurer

Staci Shafer is the Assistant Vice President of Advancement and the Executive Director of the John A. Logan College Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Radio TV from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Shafer worked for NBC and ABC affiliates where she was honored by the Associated Press for Outstanding Reporting. She then transitioned into healthcare marketing, public relations and business development before beginning her career at John A. Logan College 15 years ago.
Since beginning her career at JALC, Shafer has managed annual giving programs, major gift outreach, corporate and foundation relations, legacy planning and prospect research. She provides leadership for the Foundation Board of Directors and oversees the awarding and administration of 1.5 million dollars in scholarships annually. She serves on the Strategic Enrollment Management task force and the Strategic Plan task force.
Staci is a lifelong resident of Southern Illinois. She currently lives in Vienna with her husband, Jeremy and their daughters.

Dr. Kirk Overstreet

Dr. Kirk Overstreet

John A. Logan College President

Kirk Overstreet, Ph.D., serves as President of John A. Logan College. Dr. Overstreet holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organization Development from Benedictine University, a Master of Arts degree in History from Ball State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from North Central College.
President Overstreet has served in higher education positions since completing his Master’s degree in History in 2004. Before coming to John A. Logan, he served in several roles in higher education, including Assistant Provost of Instruction at the College of DuPage, administrative positions at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a senior leadership member in a private post-secondary institution in Chicago. Until 2017 he served as an adjunct instructor of history at Lewis University. Before his work in higher education, Dr. Overstreet spent 15 years in the electrical construction industry as a Journeyman/Lineman. These formative years have helped guide his work with the community college mission of education and career training.
His credo is to be a leader who is “Thoughtful, Reflective, and Intentional.”
Dr. Overstreet is a first-generation student who started at a community college, left, and rebooted his educational pursuits at a community college—giving him a deep understanding of the many issues that our students face in their pursuits in higher education. Overall, his work has focused on providing quality educational opportunities to the community by leading change through inquiry, collaboration, and innovation.

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Dr. Susan LaPanne

John A. Logan College Vice-President of Business Services and CFO
JALC Foundation Treasurer

Dr. LaPanne has recently served as the Vice President for Finance and Administration at Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire. During the eleven years prior, she had served as the Associate Commissioner for Finance and Management for the Rhode Island Board of Education.
In addition to her most recent roles for the Rhode Island Board and for Keene State College, Dr. LaPanne has a rich professional history in financial affairs leadership. Her career has included leading teams in several roles, including budget/accounting manager, chief financial officer, and vice president of finance in the healthcare and education sectors. Dr. LaPanne also served as a full-time, tenure-track faculty member of the Accounting Department at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Her experience in the community college setting has inspired her passion for associate and technical education, which is the mission of John A. Logan College.
Dr. LaPanne earned her BA in Psychology and English Literature from Mount Holyoke College. She was a first-generation college student who benefited from the academic support in her undergraduate programs and deeply understood the challenges of first-generation students. She continued her education with a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island and her doctoral degree in Organization and Management from Capella University.

Stephanie Hartford

Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford

John A. Logan College Provost

Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford is a collegiate-level administrator and educator with more than 25 years of experience. She has held a variety of positions in both academic affairs and student services. In 2023, she was selected to serve as the College’s Provost, which provides oversight to Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Child Care Resource & Referral center. Prior to this role, she served as Assistant Provost of Academic Affairs. In this role, Dr. Hartford was responsible for the College’s transfer and career and technical education programs, workforce education, community education, adult basic education, alternative secondary education, and the learning resources to support these programs. Dr. Hartford champions student success and strives to deliver excellent educational programs that best serve students and the College’s district.
Dr. Hartford has also served as the Department Chair of Humanities and Fine Arts and Professor of Communication. For 16 years, Dr. Hartford was a full-time faculty member and had the privilege of teaching hundreds of students, many of whom took her public speaking courses. She was also highly involved with students while serving as the department’s academic advisor.
Throughout her time at the College, she served on numerous committees including the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation team, strategic planning, assessment, curriculum and instruction, online assessment team, strategic enrollment planning, behavior intervention team, master facility planning, integrative technology, scholarship committee, and more. She also served on several contract negotiating teams.
In addition to her academic experience, Dr. Hartford held several positions in student services. Areas include academic advising, new student orientation, non-traditional student services, early alert system, career services, admissions, and the Foundation.
Dr. Hartford earned a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in speech communication with a specialization in organizational communication. Additionally, she holds a M.S. Ed. with a specialization in college student personnel, and her bachelor’s degree is in public relations. Finally, Dr. Hartford is a proud graduate of Southeastern Illinois Community College where she was a scholarship member of its nationally recognized competitive speech team.
Dr. Hartford resides in Carterville with her husband, Jeff Hartford, and she is the mother of two children, Anna Hartford, and Nolan Hartford.

Jake Rendleman

Jacob G. “Jake” Rendleman

Jake Rendleman, a resident of Carterville, has dedicated his life to education, public service, and community leadership. A former science teacher at Herrin Jr. High School for 28 years, Rendleman has also served as a businessman, farmer, and civic leader.
He has been a member of the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees for 28 years, serving twice as Board Chair (2001–2003 and 2013–2015). He also served as President of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) from 2003–2004 and was honored with both the Meritorious Service Award and the Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award. In addition, Rendleman was appointed to the Illinois Community College Board from 2006 to 2018. He was President of the John A. Logan College Foundation from 1991 to 1994. He and his late wife, Carolyn, endowed the Rendleman Nursing Scholarship at the College in honor of his mother, a registered nurse.
His public service includes 29 years on the Carterville City Council and seven years on the Prairie State 2000 Authority. He remains active in many organizations, including the Carbondale Elks, Carterville Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau in both Jackson and Williamson Counties (since 1963), and the Carterville United Methodist Church.
Rendleman is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a master’s in Health Education. He is a charter member of Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho and was honored with the 2010 SIU College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Achievement Award for his contributions to community college education.
He and Carolyn raised two daughters, Amy Schwendemann and Susan Dennison, and have four grandchildren. His family proudly continues the tradition of service in education.

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