Members of the Board of Directors have a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing building maintenance to working with staff to develop educational opportunities and fundraising plans. Much of that work is done by the board’s seven committees. To contact a board member, visit the board contact page.

Executive Committee

Jerry Reppert (Chair), Jim Slonoff, Nathan Jones and Charlie Wheeler

The Executive Committee is composed of the board officers of the Foundation. Members are elected by the entire board on an annual basis. The Executive Committee is to plan the work of the board and to exact responsibility from members by providing agenda and other guidelines for board actions. Another chief role of the Executive Committee is to provide guidance for the organization between board meetings. The Executive Committee assumes broader functions and makes more of the policy decisions which permits the Foundation to operate and make decisions effectively.

Programming and Oversight Committee

Sam Fisher (Chair), Jerry Reppert, Jim Slonoff and Kathy Farren

The Programming and Oversight Committee is charged with providing guidance and support to the Foundation Executive Director as needed. The committee will have oversight of all programs and functions of the Foundation. The committee should be available as needed by the Foundation Executive Director.

Board Development and Governance

Jon Whitney (Chair), Jerry Reppert, Kathy Farren, Nathan Jones, Jim Slonoff and John Galer

The Board Development/Governance Committee oversees the identification, recruitment, vetting, orientation, training, and retention of board members. This committee looks for opportunities to strengthen and evolve the board’s effectiveness, capacity, composition, and ability to lead the organization into the future. It is the committee’s responsibility to act as a nominating committee for the annual election of officers and board committee responsibilities and assignments. The committee is charged with an evaluation of the effectiveness and participation of current board members.

Finance and Investment Committee

Jim Slonoff (Chair), Cheryl Wormley, Carter Newton, Sam Fisher and Doug Ray

The Finance Committee’s purpose is to oversee the creation of the budget, monitor and report on the financial status and activities of the agency, ensure the financial policies and practices are followed, and oversee investments. Additionally, the committee pre-approves the annual IPF budget before being presented to the full board for approval. The committee is also charged with development and implementation of an annual compensation plan for all Foundation employees. The finance committee includes the CFO, Foundation Executive Director & IPF legal counsel as ex-officio members. 

Fundraising and Financial Resource Development

Kathy Farren (Chair), Cheryl Wormley, John Galer, Doug Ray, Julie Boren, Carter Newton and Ron Wallace

The Fundraising and Financial Resource Development Committee works closely with staff to create and implement the financial resource plan that will guide the staff and board’s activities in seeking out and securing funding from diverse sources. This committee may also take the lead in working with the other board members to explore the best ways they can contribute to the fundraising effort. The committee oversees CNI fundraising efforts, ACORN, Fourth Estate and all grants of the Foundation. This committee includes the CFO, Foundation Executive Director & Development Director as ex-officio members.

Education Committee

Linda Jones (Chair), John David Reed, Charlie Wheeler, Loretta Meeks, Dr. Peggy Bradford and Jason Piscia

The Education Committee is responsible in developing along with staff the educational opportunities that the Foundation provides to practicing journalists, journalism students and educators. The committee is responsible for providing guidance/direction to staff on the successful implementation of the annual IPA/IPF convention. This committee works with the Executive Director.

Capitol News Illinois Committee

Charlie Wheeler (Chair), John David Reed, Doug Ray, Nathan Jones, Jim Shrader, Wendy Martin and Jason Piscia

The Capitol News Illinois Committee is responsible for oversight of the bureau to ensure the continued success in providing comprehensive news coverage of the Illinois governmental process. The committee will contain at-large members that have a vested interest in CNI. Two members from this committee should also be on the CNI Broadcast Operations Oversight Committee that has been formed in conjunction with the Illinois Broadcasters Association.