Business Advisory Board
The Eastern Illinois University School of Business Advisory Board serves in an advisory role to the Chair of the School of Business and as advocates of the School. The objectives of the Business Advisory Board are to:
- Provide an interface between the School and business community
- Provide advice and support to the Chair on a variety of issues related to the management and offerings of the School
- Promote positive public relations for the School.
Member Biographies
Brandon Kuhl, Sr. Enterprise Sales Manager, Oracle, Boulder, CO
Brandon brings energy, passion, and commitment to everything he does from his laser focus on his customer's success to knocking his quota out of the park. With over 15 years in the enterprise software data space, Brandon has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including Toyota, Nestle, Hulu, Clorox, and Best Buy. He takes pride in inspiring them to see the power of data and the impact it can have on their business.
Brandon graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1996 with a Bachelors degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. While at Eastern, Brandon lived the full college life by being a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity as well as a member of the EIU Men's Tennis Team. Outside of work, Brandon is currently the Chaper Advisor for Pi Kappa Alpha at the University of Colorado and enjoys playing tennis, snowboarding, trail running, mountain biking and anything that has to do with the outdoors. Brandon shares a zest for life in Boulder, Colorado with his wife, two kids, and black lab who is the ONLY one that can actually keep up with him.
Jeff Bloemker,Vice President, Marketing/Comercial Loan Officer, First State Bank and Trust, ND
Jeff Bloemker has held senior management roles with several mid-sized Central Illinois companies and organizations. He has had the opportunity to work with some of the best entrepreneurial minds in Downstate Illinois. Including Agracel, Mid America Motorworks, Heartland Human Services, and Bank of Hillsboro. Jeff has also been deeply involved in the Effingham community, serving on a wide variety of civic and government boards. Jeff served as the mayor of Effingham from 2015 - 2019. Currently, Jeff is Vice President/Marketing & Commercial Loan Officer at First State Bank & Trust in Williston, North Dakota.
Neal Hemenover, Chief Information Officer, Omnia Exterior Solutions, TX
As Chief Information Officer of Omnia Exterior Solutions, Neal is responsible for the technology direction of the organization and ensuring the delivery of new platforms that will help grow the revenue of the business. Neal is focused on understanding the key functions of the exteriors market and to leverage data and technology to support Omnia Exterior Solutions' growth strategy. Neal is helping Omnia Exterior Solutions climb to the #1 exteriors business in the US. Neal has almost 30 years in technology, innovation, data, and project management leadership. His skills are used to bring teams together to accomplish large scale projects in a short amount of time to delivery the company's goals.
Blake Pierce, Vice President of Finance, Rural King, Mattoon, IL
Blake has spent his professional career at Rural King, America’s Farm and Home Store, after earning his Bachelor’s in Finance and Master’s of Business Administration at Eastern Illinois University. Since that time, he has advanced through many roles and responsibilities assisting the company as they grew into the national retailer they are today. Currently, he leads the Real Estate and Development affiliated companies of Rural King, RK Real Estate and Development, as President. Blake is also co-owner of Warren James Winery in Mattoon with his brother Cole, and serves or has served on many board of directors in the area, including Emerald Acres Sports Connection, Coles Together, Elevate CCIC, Inc., Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Illinois Alumni Association, and the Lake Land College Foundation. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering for local projects and serving as a regional advisor for the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Brad Rozboril, Senior Director Software Engineer, Caterpiller Inc., Peoria, IL
Brad joined Caterpillar directly after graduation. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Software Engineering responsible for leading the teams that deliver eCommerce, Marketing Enablement and CRM solutions to support Caterpillar employees, dealers, and customers worldwide. During his 28 years at Caterpillar, Brad has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of technical and leadership role, gaining experience implementing and supporting technology solutions across the following areas of the business : Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Dealer Systems, and Parts Distribution. He has also led internal infrastructure projects to transform the collaboration technology available to employees worldwide.
Brad graduated from Eastern Illinois University in December 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Business (Computer and Operations Management). While at Eastern, Brad was a member of the EIU Tennis team as well as a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He is married to an EIU alumni, they have one son and a dog that keep them very busy in their free time.
Cori Trautvetter, Partner, U.S. Endowment and Foundation Commercial Leader, Mercer, St. Louis, MO
Cori is a Partner and serves as Mercer’s U.S. Endowment and Foundation Commercial Leader and is part of the Endowment and Foundation Leadership Team. She is located in the St. Louis office and is also a member of the firm’s Endowment & Foundation and Values-Aligned Strategic Research Teams.
Prior to its acquisition by Mercer in 2018, Cori was a Managing Director at Pavilion Advisory Group Inc. where she provided strategic investment advice to endowments, foundations, defined contribution plans, defined benefits plans, healthcare organizations and Taft-Hartley funds along with heading up the firm’s Endowment and Foundation Practice. Cori joined Pavilion Advisory Group Inc. in 2000.
Prior to joining Pavilion Advisory Group Inc., Cori served for five years as an Associate Banker at Illini Bank in Springfield, IL. At Illini Bank, her responsibilities included managing consumer loans for numerous clients.
Cori is a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®) Association. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Eastern Illinois University. She currently serves on the Eastern Illinois University’s School of Business Advisory Board. Cori is also a Board Member for Youth In Need, a nonprofit child and family services agency and is an Investment Committee Member for the Daughters of Charity – Province of St. Louise.
Steven Jamnik, Senior Vice President, Busey Bank, Joliet, IL
Steve has over 40 years of commercial banking experience in the Chicago market. Currently he is a Senior Vice President with Busey Bank specializing in assisting clients achieve their financial goals. Steve received his B.S. in Finance in 1984 from Eastern Illinois University. He also holds a Master's of Science in Finance from Lewis University (1992) and is a Graduate of the University of Colorado's Commercial School of Banking (1990). He and his wife Amy (EIU 1985) reside in Shorewood, IL. They are the proud parents of two boys, Jeremy (Sarah) and Jameison (Mallory).
Roy Shelley, Director of Human Resources, Koerner Distributor, Inc. Effingham, IL
Roy's career progression showcases his dedication and commitment to the field of Human Resources. Starting with an administrative role at Patterson Companies, he eventually moved to Koerner Distributor to take on the Director of Human Resources position. Koerner has entrusted Roy with the important responsibility of supporting over 230 associates in the 66 county Koerner Territory. As the Director of Human Resources, Roy has taken on the role of implementing various HR initiatives to improve the lives of Koerner associates. Roy has served on multiple non-profit Board of Directors in an effort to give back to the community. Roy is a 2006 Eastern Illinois School of Business graduate.
Mandy Lewis, Executive Vice President, First Mid Bank & Trust, Mattoon, IL
Amanda (Mandy) Lewis was named Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer (COO) for First Mid Bank & Trust in 2023 and serves on the Executive Committee of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. In her COO role, Lewis oversees all operational functions of First Mid, including deposits, loans, business servicing, digital platforms, and facilities with responsibilities of creating scalability across a multi-state infrastructure, process optimization, and driving excellence while enhancing the customer experience.
A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Lewis joined First Mid in the Marketing Department in 2001 and became Vice President, Director of Marketing, in 2005. She was then promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Deposit Services Officer (CDSO) in 2014, managing a multi-state branch network, the treasury management team, and First Mid customer support channels. She was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2019, serving in the CDSO role until being promoted to Chief Operations Officer.
Lewis was a member of the Journal Gazette’s 2011 Class of 20 Under 40 and has been recognized by the Illinois Business Journal as a Rising Star for career accomplishments. She was also the recipient of the First Mid Chairman’s Award in 2013, an award honoring employees in the organization who have consistently performed above expectations or achieved extraordinary results. Lewis is a past Board member of Mid Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters. She currently serves on the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation Board, the Eastern Illinois University Business Advisory Board, is a member of the Toledo Town & Country Women’s Club, and serves as a volunteer for Girl Scout Troop #2139. Lewis resides in Greenup, IL, with her husband, Cody, and their four children, Callie, Gaven, Trey, and Cora Lewis.
Emily Scherzer, Director of Client and Community Relations, Busey Bank, Champaign, IL
Emily Scherzer is a seasoned professional in the strategic relationship space, with a strong background in communications, client experience, and community relations. She excels at building and maintaining relationships, ensuring exceptional service, and fostering strong connections between clients and the broader community.
Jason Haier, Director of Corporate Accounts, Argon Medical Devices, Birmingham, AL
Jason has over 22 years experience in the Medical Device field. During his 18 year tenure at Argon Medical Devices he has served as a Territory Manager, Regional Sales Manager, Strategic Accounts Manager, and most recently Director of Corporate Accounts. In his most recent role, he has built a regional based Corporate Accounts Team that is responsible for negotiating health system contracts across the US. Jason graduated Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. While at Eastern, Jason held many positions within the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity including President and Vice President. Outside the fraternity he served two terms as Interfraternity Counsel Vice President of Recruitment, Homecoming Committee Philanthropy Co-Chair, and numerous Greek Week Committees.
Outside of work , Jason loves spending his time with his wife (Suzi) whom he met while attending EIU and visiting his two sons that currently attend University of Mississippi.
Matt Powers, Founder and Managing Partner, Powers Advisory Group, Highland, IL
Matt is the President, Founder, and Managing Partner of Powers Advisory Group.
Matt is a market expert and a repeat guest on CNBC programs such as Halftime Report, Squawk Box, Worldwide Exchange, and Power Lunch, as well as Yahoo Finance Wealth. He regularly shares insights on the firm’s core strategy of dividend growth and provides analysis on the broader financial markets.
He holds over 20 years of experience as a financial advisor for some of the largest investment firms in the industry - including Smith Barney/Citigroup, Edward Jones, and NFP Securities. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University.
He is actively involved in his local community, serving as a past board member for the St. Paul School Advisory Board, the Highland School District Foundation, Highland Boys Basketball Association, Highland Business Education Alliance, and was the 2011 General Chairman of the St. Paul Kirchenfest. Matt is currently the Chairman and has organized the Highland Optimist Basketball Shootout for 16 years - the largest one day high school basketball event in the Midwest. He is a member of the Highland Optimist, and the St. Louis Sports Commission. He has coached youth basketball at all levels for many years.
Matt and his wife Cathy reside in Highland, IL along with their four children - Logan, Layna, Brynn, and Beau, and 2 dogs - Elbe and Teddy.
Thomas Whitworth, Distributor Sales Manager- Autonomous Systems, Komatsu, Tucson, AZ
Chris Nichols, Chief Talent Officer - Council Capital, Nashville, TN
