Meet Our Team

Katie Koester

President & CEO

Katie is passionate about helping Effingham County remain a place where businesses, communities, and people can succeed.

As President & CEO, Katie provides strategic leadership for the Effingham County Chamber, working alongside the Board of Directors, members, and community partners to advance initiatives that strengthen local businesses and support regional prosperity. She is passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities for collaboration, and ensuring the Chamber remains a trusted resource and advocate for the business community.

Katie brings a diverse background in hospitality, business management, marketing, and leadership. Before joining the Chamber, she served as Integrator and Special Event Manager at Firefly Grill, where she helped lead operations and organizational strategy. She also holds a real estate broker’s license with RE/MAX Key Advantage, giving her additional perspective on business development and the local market.

A graduate of Kentucky Christian University, Katie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Marketing, and Hospitality. She is actively involved in the community through Sunrise Rotary, the City of Effingham Tourism Advisory Board, 100+ Women Who Care of Effingham County, her church, and other local charitable organizations.

A lifelong advocate for her hometown, Katie believes the Chamber’s greatest strength is its ability to bring people together, foster meaningful connections, and create an environment where businesses and communities can succeed together. She proudly calls Effingham home.

Photo: Nuxoll Photography

Contact For

• Advocacy
• Business Development
• Partnerships
• Policies
• Workforce Development

Becky Brown

Membership Director, NFCP

For more than three decades, Becky Brown has been helping local businesses build connections that last.

As Membership Director for the Effingham County Chamber, Becky is often one of the first people members meet. She enjoys welcoming new businesses, celebrating milestones through ribbon cuttings, and helping members discover the programs, events, and benefits that help their businesses grow. Watching businesses become engaged, make new connections, and find value in their Chamber membership is what she enjoys most.

A Certified Not-for-Profit Executive, Becky brings more than 30 years of Chamber experience and a genuine passion for supporting the local business community. She earned an Associate of Science in Accounting from Lake Land College and has completed professional development through Dale Carnegie and The Pacific Institute’s Investment in Excellence program. In 2020, she was recognized with the Dana Ketterling Lifetime Achievement Award (Bronze Level) from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Becky believes relationships are at the heart of a strong business community. She is an active member and past president of Sunrise Rotary, a member of Effingham Women of Today, and a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Strasburg.

Becky and her husband, Ken, call Effingham home and enjoy spending time with their two children and six grandchildren.

Photo: JA-FA Photo

Contact For

• Business Referrals
• Community Relocation Information
• Event Scheduling
• Membership
• Volunteering

Nicole Morrison

Director of Marketing & Communications

Nicole believes every business has a story worth telling.

As Director of Marketing & Communications for the Effingham County Chamber, she helps members gain visibility through strategic marketing, public relations, events, sponsorships, and digital communications. From ribbon cuttings and grand openings to major community events and business success stories, Nicole enjoys connecting people with the businesses and organizations that make Effingham County unique.

With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, nonprofit organizations, and event planning, Nicole combines creativity with strategy to help promote local business and strengthen the region’s economy. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Marketing, she also serves on the City of Effingham Tourism Advisory Board.

When she’s not working, you’ll probably find Nicole at a baseball field with Zach and their three boys, Nolan, Dane, and Kayce, where life is measured in innings, concession stand dinners, and weekends spent cheering from the bleachers.

Photo: Nuxoll Photography

Contact For

• Marketing & Advertising
• Events & Sponsorships
• Press Releases & Member News
• Social Media & Digital Marketing
• Website & Chamber Communications

Jenny Shelley

Operations Assistant

Helping people has always been at the heart of Jenny’s career.

As Operations Assistant, Jenny is often the first point of contact for members and visitors, providing friendly service and helping connect people with the information and resources they need. She supports the Chamber’s day-to-day operations, including member inquiries, accounts receivable, Business After Hours, event registration, and administrative services that help keep everything running smoothly.

With more than 25 years of experience in customer service, accounting, and finance, Jenny brings a thoughtful, organized approach to every interaction. She earned an Associate of Arts in Accounting and a Certificate in Management from Lake Land College.

Outside of work, Jenny enjoys crafting, spending time outdoors, and cheering on baseball. She and her husband, Roy, have one son, Cal, and three dogs who happily keep the household on its toes.

Photo: Carrsan Carroll Creative

Contact For

• General Chamber Questions & Information
• Accounts Receivables & Member Billing
• Business After Hours
• Chamber Bucks
• Membership Directory Updates
• Visitor & Relocation Information