Meet 2019's Leaders Among Us, 12 Southern Illinoisans we look up to
A note from editor Tom English:
First, I’d like to congratulate each and every one of our members of this year’s class of Leaders Among Us.
Each of you brings something to our community to make it better. For that, we are proud. For that, we are grateful.
Being a leader isn’t easy. It takes hard work. It takes dedication.
The great thing about being a leader is that it can be anybody in any walk of life. It just takes being a special person in a special place.
Each one of this year’s honorees does all of the above. These 12 men and women are some of the best and brightest in Southern Illinois, and they were all nominated passionately by their peers. That means they’re all doing something right and good for Southern Illinois and beyond.
I say this every year, but every year it still rings true — these are the people we look up to and they’re the people we can count on when we need them.
Simply put: These are the people that make Southern Illinois the great, unique place that it is.
So, let’s raise a glass to all of the members of the 2019 Class of Leaders Among Us. Each of you have a true part in making our region what it is.
Cheers!
(12) updates to this series since Updated
Thanet Natisri keeps gaining accolades and recognition, both in his native Thailand and here at home. Some comes from his donation of meals fr…
Authors call it foreshadowing — subtly giving an advanced hint of what is to come later in a story. Used well, readers develop expectations of…
Long before Mike Monchino became a mainstay in Herrin, long before being recognized as a leading businessman, a tireless volunteer and an enga…
It’s been said that all roads lead home. Union County Farm Bureau Manager Stephanie Rhodes would agree, although she warns that it may not alw…
Some of Shadi Frick’s earliest memories involve music. While other children carried around a favorite toy or perhaps a blanket, Frick was rare…
Not long after opening the door to her Elkville home, Mary Ann Horstmann admitted she had to move a pile of books so the visitor would have a …
Brad Dillard is a busy man during the day. As the director of Plant and Service Operations at Southern Illinois University, he often is in his…
When Mary Nell Chew stopped at her home to gather some items before meeting others for dinner on a summer day earlier this year, she noticed a…
It is not uncommon for homeowners to remodel part of a garage, converting a place for cars and storage into a family room or an additional bed…
Paula Maloney of Murphysboro has a hard time sitting still. In fact, she says even the thought of sitting and doing nothing doesn’t sit well w…
Herby Voss considers himself a late bloomer. Sure, he had a lot of success as a college gymnast, an account executive for several local firms …
Marion’s Emily York embraces her long family history of teaching, taking care of others and making a difference.