The External Advisory Committee is a committee made up of persons outside of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics. The committee is tasked with providing advice on Departmental programs as an external group with appropriate interests in the State of Illinois; responding to requests for advice on policy regarding operation and direction of the Department, after appropriate briefing from the Head of the Department; and bringing to the attention of the Head of the Department the committee's concerns about policy matters and other questions of substance as these affect the operation and direction of the Department.

Members are appointed for a three-year term. Terms begin in August and run through a full academic year. 

External Advisory Committee 2024-25

Sharon Allen

Sharon Allen

Term: 2023-2026

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. 1999, Finance 

Current Position: Co-Founder and CEO, Sterling Wealth Management

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David Chicoine

David Chicoine

Term: 2019-2025

Education: 
South Dakota State, B.S. Agricultural Economics, 1969 
University of Delaware, M.S. Agricultural Economics, 1971
Western Illinois University, M.A. Economics, 1978 
University of Illinois, Ph.D. Agricultural Economics, 1979  

Current Position: Professor Emeritus of Economics and President Emeritus, South Dakota State University

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Terry Hinds

Terry Hinds

Term: 2019-2025

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural Economics, 1978 
University of Wisconsin, Graduate School of Banking, 1996 

Current Position: Chief New Markets & Assurance Officer, Compeer Financial

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Aleksi Knepp

Aleksi Knepp

Term: 2024-2027

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural and Consumer Economics, 2022 
University of Illinois, M.S. Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2023 

Current Position: Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski

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Cody Lewis

Cody Lewis

Term: 2024-2027

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural and Consumer Economics, 2019
University of Illinois, MBA, 2024  

Current Position: Trading Manager at Archer Daniels Midland

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David Maurer

David Maurer

Term: 2019-2025

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural Science, 1984 

Current Position: Commercial Manager for Urban Pest Management, Corteva Agriscience

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LeeAnn Moss

LeeAnn Moss

Term: 2024-2027

Education: 
University of Guelph, Honors B.Sc Agriculture, Animal & Poultry Science, 1984
University of Illinois, Ph.D. Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2000 

Current Position: Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University

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Micah Pope

Micah Pope

Term: 2023-2026

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural Economics, 2008 
Purdue University, M.S. Agricultural Economics, 2006 

Current Position: Senior Consultant, Centrec Consulting Group

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Mindy Spencer

Mindy Spencer

Term: 2023-2026

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural Economics ‘97 
University of Illinois, MBA Marketing ‘98 

Current Position: Vice President for University Advancement, Eastern Illinois University

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Susan Sutherland

Susan Sutherland

Term: 2019-2025

Education: 
University of Illinois, B.S. 1979, Agricultural Economics 
University of Illinois, M.S. 1981, Agricultural Economics 
University of Illinois, MBA, 1982 

Current Position: Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation

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Past Members

Corey Flournoy (2018-2024) - Co-Founder and Principal, Creative Outreach Consulting

Landon Frye (2018-2024) - Director of Sales & Partnerships, Ambrook

Lauren Lurkins (2018-2024) - Founder, Lurkins Strategies, LLC