Board of Directors
Fiscal Year 2024-25
Four alumni of Southern Illinois University have joined the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. They are serving three-year terms that will conclude June 30, 2027.
The board governs the SIU Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization that provides alumni and friends a means to invest in the university. Established in 1942, the Foundation solicits and administers gifts from private sources in support of SIU Carbondale’s academic mission. Private funding is generated through annual giving, planned giving, major giving, corporate and foundation relations, and campaigns.
John Forbes, CPA, is a native of Southern Illinois who grew up in Carterville and graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, he served as a staff accountant in the Middle Market Practice Group at KPMG Peat Marwick in St. Louis. During that time, he also obtained the designation of certified public accountant. Before founding Forbes Financial Group in 2005, he was an investment representative with Edward Jones in Carbondale for nearly 10 years. Forbes holds an Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional designation as well as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation from the College for Financial Planning. He and his wife, Karen, have supported SIU through donations to multiple areas, including Saluki Athletics, WSIU, and The Together We Can Do More Scholarship Fund. They live in Makanda and have three daughters and three grandkids.
“Giving back to SIU changes lives. It makes generational impact,” Forbes said. “It’s certainly a valuable place to invest time and money into. It’s amazing when people who are passionate about something get together and collaborate, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
David Hartley, CPA, CISA, graduated from SIU in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. A Carbondale native, he is a business and technology executive with over 30 years of continuous innovation and leadership. He was recognized by the Missouri Society of CPAs with its “Impact Award: Outstanding Innovator” in November 2018 and elected to serve as a Member of the MOCPA Board of Directors for 2020-2023. He was formerly vice president and CIO at Arch Coal (now Arch Resources), one of the world’s largest, safest and most environmentally responsible coal producers. He and his wife, Barbara, have been regular supporters of the Accounting Circle Fund in SIU’s College of Business and Analytics. They live in St. Louis and have two adult children.
“I am very excited to be a member of the SIU Foundation board and contribute back to what I consider a great institution and a great cause,” Hartley said. “I’m very humbled by this opportunity. SIU has been a huge part of my life.”
Darius Robinson received his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology in 1995 and a master’s degree in manufacturing systems in 1998, both from SIU. He has made significant contributions to SIU students and his community, including establishing an endowed scholarship for graduates from East St. Louis Senior High School. He is also involved in various volunteer activities, such as supporting schools in Ghana and Mexico through the Sister Cities Committee of Hanover Park. In his role at Menzies Aviation, he manages the jet fuel and hydrant system that fuels the aircraft at O’Hare International Airport. His dedication to giving back and helping others is inspired by his father, who was a strong role model in his life. He and his wife, Norlander, live in Hanover Park.
“When I saw how Chancellor Lane, his staff, and the SIU Foundation bringing alumni together and breaking fundraising records, I realized that the Foundation board was the entity with which I wanted to align myself,” Robinson said.
Toni Williams received her bachelor’s degree from SIU in 1991, majoring in elementary education. She later earned master’s degrees from Chicago State and University of Illinois Chicago. She is also a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. After a 10-year career in the Chicago Public Schools system, she opened the Children’s Center for Creative Learning, which provides a nurturing and creative learning environment for children ages 6 months to 6 years. She is also an owner-operator of multiple McDonald’s franchises.
“Our legacy and our history are strong, and it’s going to be strong for many years to come,” Williams said. “I want to thank Salukis everywhere for all they do across the globe.”
PRESIDENT Diane R. Compardo ’91, M.A. ’92 Partner The Compardo Team Moneta Group St. Louis, MO
PRESIDENT-ELECT Daniel G. Korte ’85 Global Vice President PPG Industries, Inc. Trenton, IL
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Matthew S. Solverson ’86 Director, R & D Programs General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems Carbondale, IL
MEMBERS
Kevin Bame ’79, M.B.A. ’02 Retired Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance Southern Illinois University Murphysboro, IL
Barry Batson ’90 Captain United Airlines Chicago, IL
Bill Beck ’70 Retired CEO Beck Bus Co. Mount Vernon, IL
Sean Boston ’92 Director of Marketing and Retail Execution Emery Jensen Distribution Chicago, IL
William Casperson, M.D. ’81 Retired Chief Medical Officer BJC HealthCare Belleville, IL
Oyd Craddock ’80 Retired Sales Executive IBM Corporation Atlanta, GA
Robert Dennis ’84 Owner/Photographer Robert Dennis Photography Santa Fe, NM
John M. Forbes ’90 President/Owner Forbes Financial Group Makanda, IL
Edward A. Hamilton ’88 Independent Investor Former Managing Director and SVP Banc of America Securities Charlotte, NC
David E. Hartley ’91 Partner-In-Charge, Advisory Anders CPAs + Advisors St. Louis, MO
Dr. Kelly Higgins ’01 Academic Practice, Internal Medicine General Carbondale, IL
Robert Jensen, Ph.D. SIU Professor Emeritus Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL
Dawn Korte, Ph.D., ’90 Vice President & Executive Advisor SAP, Inc. Trenton, IL
Ella M. Phillips Lacey, Ph.D. ’64 ’77 ’79 Professor Emerita Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL
Dr. Austin A. Lane Chancellor Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
Howard Lo ’86 CEO VisitView Corporation Orange, CA
Dr. Daniel Mahony President Southern Illinois University Springfield, IL
William McGraw ’69 Retired Stock Yards Packing Company Chicago, IL
Scott Moller ’85 Owner/Advisor AKA Media Chicago, IL
Beth Rausenberger Mueller ’94 Partner Deloitte Chicago, IL
Mike O’Day ’85, ’86 Senior Director of Managed Transplant Program OptumHealth Minneapolis, MN
Randy Ragan ’67, M.B.A. ’68 CPA/Retired Partner RSM US Springfield, IL
Darius Robinson ’95 Operations Manager Menzies Aviation Hanover Park, IL
Neil Swartz ’78, ’86 Retired Vice President Toyota Motor North America Frisco, TX
Steve Tedesco, M.S. ’81 President Running Foxes Petroleum/Atoka Centennial, CO
Roger B. Tedrick ’70 SIU Board of Trustees Owner Tedrick Insurance Agency Mount Vernon, IL
Gloria C. Tison Vice President and General Counsel Legence Bank Manager/Counsel Kotner Title & Abstract Harrisburg, Illinois
Greg Webb ’79 Vice President Archer Daniels Midland Chicago, IL
Toni R. Williams ’91 Owner, Children’s Center for Creative Learning Owner-operator, McDonald’s South Holland, IL
Michael Williamson, M.D. ’79 Professor and Chair Emeritus of Radiology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM
EMERITUS
Marcia L. Bullard ’74 Retired CEO, Editor, President USA WEEKEND Washington, DC
Michael Carr ’74, J.D. ’79 Attorney Carbondale, IL
Paul L. Conti ’72, M.B.A. ’74 Retired Chief Assets Officer Vericlaim Inc. Glen Ellyn, IL
Greg N. Cook Former President Cook Portable Warehouse Anna, IL
Larry DeJarnett ’62, M.S. ’63 Retired Managing Director The LAMAR Group Palm Desert, CA
G. David Delaney ’83 Chief Executive Officer Itafos Lake Forest, IL
Jim Gildersleeve ’72 President Gildersleeve Fertilizer Co. Hudson, IL
Roger Gray ’64 Retired Bank President Central Bank of Marion Cobden, IL
Kenneth J. Hull ’58 Retired Chairman and CEO Follett Corporation Downers Grove, IL
F. Lynn McPheeters ’64 Retired Vice President/CFO Caterpillar, Inc. Hilton Head Island, SC
Mary Kay Moore ’78, M.S. ’81 Retired CEO Neuro Restorative Hilton Head Island, SC
Pamela Pfeffer ’67 Community Leader Nashville, TN
Adaire Putnam ’81 President Putnam Communications San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Susan W. Rashid ’87 President SWR, LLC Evanston, IL
Marsha G. Ryan, M.D., J.D.’87 Retired Physician/Surgeon Carbondale, IL
Howard M. Spiegel ’75 Retired Account Manager Arrow Semi-Conductor Buffalo Grove, IL