Sharon Allen
Term: 2023-2026
Education:
University of Illinois, B.S. 1999, Finance
Current Position: Co-Founder and CEO, Sterling Wealth Management
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
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
Nancy Geubelle
Term: 2025-2028
Education:
Manhattanville University, B.S. Business Management, 1990
Current Position: Director of Gift Planning, University of Illinois Foundation
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Heather Hampton+Knodle
Term: 2025-2028
Education:
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural Communication, 1994
University of Nottingham, England
St. Petersburg Agricultural Institute, Russia
University of Illinois Springfield, M.S.
Current Position: President of Knodle, Ltd. Family Farm, Manager of KABF Logistics
Chad Hertz
Term: 2025-2028
Education:
University of Illinois, B.S. 1992, Agriculture
University of Illinois, M.S. 1994, Agricultural Economics
Current Position: Chief Executive Officer, Hertz Farm Management, Inc.
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
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
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
David Maurer
Term: 2019-2025
Education:
University of Illinois, B.S. Agricultural Science, 1984
Current Position: Commercial Manager for Urban Pest Management, Corteva Agriscience
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
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
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
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
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