Meet Our Team

Lucinda Hart, CAE, MBA

President & CEO

Lucinda has 25+ years of nonprofit management, strategic alliance, business development, membership, and customer service experience. She oversees the programs and services that the Chamber provides to our members and the community.

Lucinda earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and her Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership & Management from Concordia University Texas. She attained her Certified Association Executive designation through the American Society of Association Executives. Lucinda received the Professional Excellence Award from the Texas Society of Association in 2011.

Lucinda is active in the community by serving as a member on the Board of the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, an advisory board member for the Tarble Arts Center at Eastern Illinois University, a member of the Effingham Area Alzheimer’s Awareness Dementia Friendly Community Action Committee, a member of Effingham Noon Rotary, and a member of Christ’s Church in Effingham.

Lucinda and her husband, Will, have two children and reside in Dieterich.

Contact For

• Chamber Policy Issues
• Business/Community Development
• Chamber Programs
• Public Relations

Becky Brown

Membership Director, NFCP

Becky is a Certified Not-For-Profit Executive and has over 25 years+ with the Chamber. In her role, she works as a resource with our business community and members. The part of her role that is her passion is watching a business connect and invest for their growth. In addition, she enjoys engaging members with benefits that support their business and coordinates ribbon cuttings and welcoming new members with immediate exposure. 

Becky received her Associates Degree in Accounting from Lake Land College in 1994; a Dale Carnegie graduate in 1996 & a graduate assistant in 1999; completed the Pacific Institute Investment in Excellence Training in 2006 and received the Dana Ketterling Lifetime Achievement Award – Bronze level for $175,000 in sales in 2020 from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. 

Becky  is also active in the community as a member of Sunrise Rotary & Past President for the club; a member of the Effingham Women of Today, and a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Strasburg.

Becky and her husband, Ken, reside in Effingham. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Contact For

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

Nicole Morrison

Director of Marketing & Communications

Nicole has 15+ years of hospitality experience, most notably in the catering and non-profit industry. She oversees the marketing, advertising, print & virtual publications, public relations, and event sponsorships for the Chamber.

Nicole graduated from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications & minor in Marketing. She uses her skillset to build personal and professional relationships, as well as establish foundations for growth in each of her endeavors.

Nicole currently lives in Effingham with her son, Dane.

Contact For

• Advertising/Marketing
• Events & Event Sponsorships
• Member Communications & News

Jamie Niemerg

Office Manager

Jamie has over 20 years’ experience with a background in office management, account representative, and customer service.  She is involved in the community and enjoys meeting new people and reconnecting with others.  Jamie enjoys assisting Chamber members to help them get the most out of their membership.     

Jamie was raised in Effingham.  After graduating from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, she moved to St. Louis, back to Edwardsville, and then returned home with her husband, Nate, and two daughters.  

She is an active member on the Advisory Board for Catholic Charities and serves on a variety of committees to organize various events and programs for the area.  

Jeff Fritchtnitch

Workforce Development Director

After 34 years in public education and serving as a teacher, coach, associate principal, principal and superintendent for his final 18 years, Mr. Jeff Fritchtnitch retired as the Superintendent of the Mt. Vernon Township High School District #201 in 2020. Locally, he was the Superintendent of the Altamont Community Unit School District #10, where he served as Superintendent for 10 years.

Jeff has served on several educational related committees and boards holding the position of president for many of them during his tenure.  He has been a presenter and facilitator at professional conferences, such as Illinois Association of School Administrators, National Association of School Administrators, as well as leading strategic planning for some area businesses, businesses throughout Illinois and several other states.  He also has been an inspirational speaker to school districts, student organizations and businesses throughout the Midwest.   

Jeff continues his educational work, serving as Education Solutions Advisor for Synapsis: Rural Illinois Shared Education (RISE) which focuses on educational technologies for distance learning and course sharing. 

Jeff’s main focus with the Effingham County Chamber is EC-JOBS (Effingham County Job Opportunities for Business Success).

Contact For

• EC-JOBS
• Workforce Development