John Keigher brings to the board extensive executive leadership and experience in operations, strategic planning and marketing in the food, transportation and financial industries. 

A strategic driven CEO with many years of executive experience in industry leading world-class organizations. Servant leadership and a proven successful track record of building high performance cultures and being a very involved community partner. Proactive business advisor, innovative internal advisor and influential collaborator.

Career Highlights
John serves as the Business Development Officer for the State Bank of Herscher, a community bank in Kankakee County.  John previously served as CEO, COO, CFO, Advisor and Board Member of Urban Farmer, a leading speciality gluten-free, vegetable dough manufacturer from 2018-2022.  John served as VP, Director, leadership team and Co-owner of Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc from 1993 to 2018.


Active Board Member for:

United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties, Leadership Society Chair

Kankakee Community College Foundations Board, Goverance Chair

Kankakee County CEO, Board Chair 

Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce, Past Board President.

Mike O’Brien serves as Commercial Relationship Manager for Midland States Bank, working in the bank’s Kankakee office.  In this role, Mike originates commercial loans, services a portfolio of loans and refers clients and prospects to the bank’s investment and equipment financing departments.  Mike also specializes in gathering large deposits from local governments, individuals and businesses. 

Prior to joining Midland States Bank, Mr. O’Brien served as Chief Operating Officer of HomeStar Bank and Financial Services.  In this role, Mike oversaw the bank’s deposit strategies in addition to the retail banking, electronic banking, deposit, marketing and trust departments as well as the title insurance subsidiary.  Mr. O’Brien also served on the Board of Directors of HomeStar Bank and Financial Services and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the American Bankers Association’s School of Marketing and Management.

Mr. O’Brien is licensed to practice law in Illinois and prior to joining HomeStar, Mr. O’Brien practiced law in Illinois, focusing his practice on corporate and local government law. 

Mike also serves as an Alderman on the Kankakee City Council, representing the people of the Second Ward.  He serves as Chair of the Budget Committee as well as a member of the Public Safety, License & Franchise and Environmental Services Utility committees.  Mike devotes much of his time to issues related to public safety, housing and city finances.  

Mike is also a Board member of the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.  He has previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kankakee Development Corporation, Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce, Presence St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Kankakee River Valley.  He also served on the Board of Directors of Presence St. Mary’s Hospital and Bishop McNamara Catholic School.

Mike graduated from the DePaul University College of Law in 1999, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University in 1996 and graduated from Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee in 1992.

Mike lives in Kankakee with his wife Nikki and their three children.

Angela Morrey, a native of Kankakee County, is the Director of Marketing and Business Attraction for the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County. This organization serves as the county's economic development group and works with state and federal agencies, and with workforce, education, utility and finance partners to attract and retain business, in workforce training and development, transportation, community livability and downtown/commercial growth.

Angela has an extensive background in media communications, business management and operations, and leadership roles.

She began her career in television / broadcast journalism, working with NBC and WB affiliates in Wisconsin, covering news in all aspects, from local farmers markets to unsolved murders. When the Milwaukee station she was with discontinued its newscast, Angela became General Manager of a local hotel and convention center, during which the facility underwent a complete remodel, while still hosting overnight guests, weddings, meetings and more.

A family relocation moved Angela into her next several roles including operating an in-home childcare business, serving as a quality control specialist and as an online journalist and columnist.

Angela holds a Bachelors Degree from Northern Illinois University. She is an active volunteer at her children’s schools, church and other organizations in the community.

Mia serves as the Director of Programs and Communications at the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley where in her role she manages the grant and scholarship programs as well as digital and print marketing.

She is a graduate of Purdue University Northwest with a bachelors in Hospitality and Tourism Management and minor in Nutrtion.  While in college she was involved as a supplemental student instructor, community tutor for elementary students and cheerleading captain.  She funded her way through college with her unique background in the service industry as a Pet Stylist before joining the foundation in March of 2020 as their full time office manager.

Mia moved to Manteno in 2018 where she now lives with her husband and their three children.  She enjoys volunteering in the community as a Softball Coach for River Valley Rage and various activities at the Manteno Elementary School. 

She currently serves as a board member of the Manteno Youth Baseball Softball Leage and Kankakee County CEO, as well as a steering committee member for Success by Six.

Causes Mia cares about:  Early Childhood education, mental health, and health & nutrition

Monica Pizano is an award winning Real Estate agent. Monica is nationally recognized for being one of the top 250 Latino Real Estate agents in the entire U.S. Monica has been servicing Kankakee County and the surrounding area for over 19 years. She comes with a wealth of knowledge not only as a leading Realtor but also as a real estate investor. Monica is also the first Latina to own a Real Estate Brokerage in Kankakee County. Monica is a full service real estate broker specializing in serving buyers, sellers & real estate investors. Monica has been a REALTOR® in the Kankakee area since August 2003. She was born and raised in Kankakee county and is very familiar with our market. She is not only fluent in Spanish but is also bi-cultural and moves effortlessly between the Mexican and American communities.

Nicole joined the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley in 2009 when she returned to her hometown of Kankakee after a 15-year career in business management with The Musicland Group and Delaware North Companies. Nicole quickly stepped into a program coordinator role where she led an early childhood coalition while also handling the day-to-day operations of the Foundation. She assumed the role of Executive Director in November 2014. Nicole also serves as the President for the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations and is a member of Kiwanis Club of Kankakee. She also serves on several committees throughout the region that focus on health, workforce development, economic development and children’s mental health.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Music degree from Millikin University. She is a member of the Herscher American Legion Auxiliary Post 795, County West Survivors Relay For Life team, Herscher Labor Day Parade Co-chair and is a Cantor for St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church. She enjoys camping and boating with her husband, Joe, and with family and friends.