Top Community Leaders

awards

Top Community Leaders Under 40

The Top Community Leaders recognizes individuals who make a difference in the community. Those who possess empathy, the ability to inspire, strong communication skills, & pride in their community.

Since 2008 we have shined the spotlight on these young leaders for their contributions in the betterment of the Effingham County area and overall wellbeing of those who call it home. Congratulations to these recipients and thank you for your commitment to our growing community!

Group & Headshot Photographer: Piotrowski Studios

2024 Recipients

Layna Bond
Bond & Associates - American Family Insurance

Lindsay Budde
Dieterich Unit #30

Lee Buehnerkemper
Dieterich Bank

Kyle Dasenbrock
Planter's Precision

Emily Flach
Illinois State Board of Education

Brooke Hoene
Teutopolis Unit #50

Hannah Hutchinton
Evergreen Nursing & Rehab

Anthony Jansen
Farnsworth Group

Brandy Kelley
Brandy Kelley Counseling

Kasey Kemme
University of Illinois Extension

Kylie Koester
Coach Kylie Tennis & Simply Sweets Bakery

Tony Kreke
St. Anthony High School

Megan Lustig
Siemer Milling Company

Jessica Reeder
Effingham Unit #40

Carissa Snow
Grunloh Construction, Inc.

Alex Steppe
RE/MAX Key Advantage

Allison Stevens
Midland States Bank

Alec Stevenson
The Alley Cat

Mallory Weber
Mosaic Counseling

Kalen Whitney
Whitney Roofing

Sarah Zerrusen
Stevens Industries, Inc.

Past Recipients

Alex Anderson
Logan Arney
Kayla Bowling
Ryan Brandt
Michael Brummer
Mike Esker
Chris Etter
Michelle Fombelle
Andrew Grunloh
Clayton Hinton
Jennifer Kinkelaar
Derek Koester
Nick Lechman
Krista Mette
Tyler Micenheimer
Katie Rincker
Christo Schultz
Kayla Schumacher
Henry Siemer
Michelle Smith
Tiffany Wasson
Bailey Whitney
Courtney Yockey

Alecia Booher
Avery Braunecker
Matt Carpenter
Andrew Decker
Dana Devall
Josh Douthit
Austin Eaton
Obie Farmer Jr.
Kelsey Frost
Chelsea Gouchenouer
Rachel Grunloh
Andrew Koester
Olivia Koester
Cayla Meyers
Kristin Niemerg
Jessica Polk
Sara Ruholl
Jared Sudkamp
Megan Wahl
Lindsay Wantuck

Adam Bohnhoff
Lynn Buenker
Shelby Dasenbrock
Kory Doty
Elizabeth Huston
Aaron Jones
Jared & Bethany Nelson
Justin Niebrugge
Michelle Niebrugge
Adam Niemerg
Kellie Niemerg
Tayler Polk
Russ Runde
Chipman John (CJ) Schmidt
Tyler Shoemaker
Martha Stice
Brandon Weber

Dr. Navi Arora
Stacy Dasenbrock
Jody Deters
Ashley Dillingham
Dr. William Fombelle
Stephanie Gobczynski-Uebinger
Jennifer Hecht
Kallee Heuerman
Shelby Hinterscher
Troy Jansen
Jordan Kocher
Corey Lybarger
Dr. Janice Monroe
Trina Niemerg
Travis Oaks
Ashley Vincent

Monica Schumacher
Amanda Kemme
Patrick Kreke
Joe Knabe
Pete Jansen
Deano Tull
Douglas Levi Slater
Kelsey Baker
Billi Jansen
Jodi Thoele
Molly Bushue
Jordan Koerner
Chelsey Koester
Amy Hoffmeister
Zachary Storm
Lexie Caraway
Luke Althoff
Alec Ring
Hailey Niemerg
Amanda Tucker
Lisa Koerner
Jason Addis
Tasha & Dustin Ruholl
Dylan Meadows

Alicia Schuette
Jill Ruholl
Samatha Mulheron-Clawson
Adam Storm
Ryan Fearday
Janelle Garcia
Jennifer Jones
Sarah Dirks
Cindy Mayer
Adam Moore
Brittany West
Jordan Niebrugge
Jake Donsbach
Cody Hinterscher
Zach Scott
Gina Willenborg
Alex Wright
Seth Wilson
Seth Schuler

Lee Althoff
Stephen Anderson
Nikki Bloemer
Adam Butts
Allison Donsbach
Chad Ely
Eric Emmerich
Shawn Finney
Chad Hawkins
Jake Pals
Ryan Rolape
Fr Michael Rosa
Rob Runde
Dr. Lisa Sasso
Luke Schuette
Drew McGee
Roy Shelley
Katie Smithenry
Chris Swing
Jami Sparks

Sasha Althoff
Dawn Burrow
Greg Bushue
Luke Doedtman
Brian Flach
Ali Habing
Amy Hewing
Lisa Himes
Adam Huston
Justin Krile
Aaron Lock
Alexandra Meyer
Nick Niemerg
Shawna O’Dell
Tyson Reed
Meghan Rewers
Andy Schabbing
Joseph Schumacher
Brittany Whitaker
James Wortman
Julie Zeigler

Dacia Albin
Josh Bledsoe
Ashley Buehnerkemper
Matt Cekander
Christi Donsbach
Kera Emmerich
Jill Feldhake
Bethany Flach
Mike French
Cheyenne Goss
Patrick Johnson
Bryan Kibler
Bobbi Kinkelaar
Becky Kinman
Tasha Hoffman
Michelle Loy
Becca Niebrugge
Brittany Palmer
Matt Pals
Julie Shamhart
Tiffany Toney
Tabitha Welch

Jill Beck
Chad Chojnicki
Matt & Amy Dammerman
Russ Deters
Amanda Emmerich
Tara Flaig
Sara Fuesting
Amy Guy
Tim Hecht
Dr. Matthew R. Jones
Amanda McKay
Mike Meyer
Jason Semple
Elizabeth Short
Ben & Shannon Siemer
Jeff Traub
Jennifer Vahling
Jodi Waymoth
Phil Webster

Pam Apke
Valerie Belusko
Courtney Carr
Rachel Collins
Dr. Alison Conant
Ashli Davidson
Rochelle French
Curtis Frost
Rachel Geving
Brian Henning
Beth Heuerman
Carrie Koenig
Katie Koester
Bill Myers
Chris Overbeck
Jesse Patnaude
Justin Roley
Tyler Sterchi
Jamie Waldhoff
Cody Willenborg
Michael Williamson

Jay Buehnerkemper
Grant Bushue
Vicki Bushur
Angie Buzzard
Niall Campbell
Eric Chojnicki
Matt Dasenbrock
Alex Hagler
Brad Hardiek
Sarah Hewing
Colby Higgs
Jonathan Kabbes
Nick Patton
Diana Robbins
Kevin & Carrie Schultz
Kim Stanfield
Jamie Stang
David Soltwedel
Jay Wallace
Kirsten Wolff-Osteen

Tara Beard
Chelle Beck
Austin Brooks
Ashley Brummer
Travis Franklin
John Gillmore, Jr.
Brittny Gipson
Michael Janis
Heather Mumma
Matt Passalacqua
Mark Probst
Kevin Roepke
Abigail Schuette
Lisa Siemer
Christopher Tingley
Matthew Weidner
Justin Wendling
Bart Willenborg
David Wolfe
Drs. Chuck & Ali Schumacher

Lee Beckman
Tracy Willenborg
Bernie Blanchette
Tina Brumleve
Chris Debolt
Joseph Fearday
Karen Greuel
Robert Grupe
Jeanne Hamilton
Nikki Hilton
Sarah Horner
Kim Jansen
Kelly Sager
Julie Stephens
Kurt Strullmyer
Nicki Suckow
Joey & Manny Trupiano
Kathy Wines
John Zumbahlen

Diane Aherin
Jason Fox
Christy Hakman
Tracie Higgs
Matt Hirtzel
Chris Kabbes
Beth Knierim
Todd Martin
Emily Miller
Tony & Aleyda Munoz
Don Niehart
Deana Nuxoll
Elizabeth Price
Kelly Roepke
Jon & Lisa Schafer
Dr. Michael Schultheis
Dan Starwalt
Chad Thompson
Kelly Willenborg
Sarah Wright

Gina Beall
Glen Howell
Stacia Thomas Bloemer
Emily Hartke
Tom Heischmidt
Ryan Jennings
Tammy Lett
Libby Moeller
Kent Niebrugge
Jim Raddatz
Richard Niebrugge
Johnathon Paholke
Trent Schmid
Tonya Siner
Catherine Griffith
Brad Wallace
Angela Waymoth Lappin
Lisa Wortman
Jason Wrone
Eric Zeller

Up & Coming Leaders

Up and Coming Leader award was launched in 2020, recognizing the positive impacts that these next generation leaders have on the future growth of Effingham County.

The award is given to individuals between the ages of 14 and 20 who are full-time students at an Effingham County high school, achieve a “B” average or greater, involved in extracurricular activities through school or leadership organizations, and have significant contributions to the community as a leader.

Group Photographer: Piotrowski Studios