Union County CEO Program

10/09/2026

Today you have the opportunity to increase your financial support of Union County CEO Program through SICF's Day of Giving! By making a donation of any size through the givesi.org link, you increase the amount of extra funds we will receive through their bonus pool from area investors in the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, our fiscal agent. It's so easy and any amount is appreciated. Just use the link given or go to givesi.org, click donate, find and click Union County CEO Program (there is another CEO program as well, so be sure it's ours) and then go to the "cart" at the top of the page. Contact Evelyn Bailey, 618-697-4038, with questions. Thanks to all for the many ways you support this outstanding program!

💚 Believe it or not - GiveSI is this Thursday and Friday! 💙

Get ready for 30 hours of incredible community impact! The GiveSI campaign brings all of Southern Illinois together to support over 100 local charitable organizations and make a direct difference right here at home.

Because donations made during this window are eligible for bonus pool funds, your generosity goes even further!

📅 Giving Begins: Thursday, October 8th at 5:00 PM
⏰ Giving Ends: Friday, October 9th at 11:00 PM

💡 3 Ways You Can Help Right Now:
• Donate Online: Visit the official GiveSI Donation Portal to view participating local groups and make a fast, secure gift starting at just $5.
• Spread the Word: Share this post! Tag your favorite regional charity, use the hashtag , and let your friends know how they can keep regional philanthropy strong.
• Join us for the GiveSI Main Event at the ThrillHouse on Friday, October 9th! You can have an amazing time while out supporting your favorite area nonprofit!

Let's show the strength of our community and keep local dollars right here in Southern Illinois. Every single dollar counts!

👉 Learn more and pick your causes: GiveSI.org

10/09/2026

Stepping inside the Union County Courthouse gave our Union County CEO class a whole new appreciation for the people and the work that keep our county running. 🏛️

A heartfelt thank you to Union County Clerk Stephanie Cox, Chairman of the Union County Commissioners Max Miller, and Deputy Treasurer Heather Barrow for opening your doors and sharing your time, your stories, and your wisdom with our students. Together, they bring a wealth of experience: Mr. Miller has served as a commissioner for 14 years, Ms. Barrow has been with the treasurer's office for about eight years, and Ms. Cox has served as County Clerk for over a year.

These three are truly part of the Union County CEO family. Stephanie has been a long-term member of our UCCEO board and a mentor, Max's grandson, Maddox Thorpe, is a 2021 UCCEO alum, and Heather's son, Reece Barrow, is a 2020 UCCEO alum. All three continuously support our program with their encouragement, enthusiasm, and willingness to share about CEO with others, and that belief makes a real difference. One student shared how much it means to hear community leaders say they believe in them, and that hearing it helps them believe in themselves a little more. Thank you, Stephanie, Max, and Heather, for being those voices for our young leaders. We are so thankful for you!

Our class was amazed to learn just how much happens inside a courthouse beyond court cases. Students got an up-close look at birth, marriage, death, and land records, along with old surveys and beautifully bound, handwritten documents, including a marriage license dating all the way back to 1818, when Union County became one of Illinois' original counties. Several students noted how personal and beautiful those early records are, and many left with a deeper respect for the organization and care it takes to inventory, sort, and protect our county's history.

They also learned how county decisions are made for the benefit of the people, and how local property taxes are put to work, with about 70% supporting our schools and other local services like the highway department. Hearing Mr. Miller speak about the postponement of Choate's closure reminded students how deeply our community cares about the jobs, families, and institutions that make Anna home.

Beyond the records, our speakers offered life lessons that truly resonated. Students reflected on the importance of first impressions and "dressing for success," of staying curious and asking questions, and of finding a career that fits who you are, whether you're an introvert or an extrovert. Mr. Miller's example stood out to many: you can disagree respectfully, use your voice to advocate for change, and still work alongside others for the good of the whole community. As one student put it, the visit was a reminder to think decisions through carefully and consider every option and opinion before making big choices.

We are so grateful for leaders who invest in the next generation! 💙

10/08/2026

What a treat it was for Union County CEO to spend the morning at Flamm Orchards! 🍎 A huge thank you to Jeff Flamm, Austin Flamm, and Parker Flamm for opening their doors. Since our visit happened to fall on Jeff's birthday, the class kicked things off by singing "Happy Birthday" to him. We're so grateful he chose to spend part of his special day with us!

With 138 years of history dating back to the late 1800s, Flamm Orchards is so much more than a favorite local stop. Students were surprised to learn it's a true commercial grower, supplying retailers like Rural King and shipping fruit to Wisconsin, Kansas, and as far as New York. Even students who have visited Flamm's countless times walked away with a new appreciation for how far its impact reaches beyond Southern Illinois.

Austin and Parker led us behind the scenes, and we saw the operation in action: apples being washed, quality-checked, labeled, stickered, and bagged. While every piece of fruit is still hand-picked and packed by a crew of more than 110 workers, modern machinery keeps it moving quickly to get the best quality product on shelves fast. One student summed it up well: big investments can pay off in the long run. The class was also impressed by the massive cooling rooms (big enough to hold all of Cobden's students and staff!) and the new automatic sealing cooler doors.

A highlight for many was the bakery, where the smell alone won everyone over. Students saw firsthand how much care goes into making jams, even after a recipe has been perfected. Flamm's growth into baked goods, jams, and applesauce, along with expanding where its produce is sold, taught the class a valuable lesson: always keep an eye out for the next opportunity to move your business forward, big or small.

Austin and Parker also gave an honest look at the challenges facing agriculture today, including how policy affects farming and how the H-2A program brings in the hardworking crews who help keep the orchard running each season.

What stood out most was seeing three generations of the Flamm family sharing their story with so much pride. Students described the visit as laid-back but incredibly educational, and we can't wait to see what Austin and Parker bring to the orchard in the years ahead. And yes, the donuts were every bit as delicious as you'd hope! 🍩

Thank you, Flamm Orchards, for your time, your hospitality, and your investment in our students!

10/06/2026

Nearly 100 future entrepreneurs, one ThrillHouse, and a day full of connection! 🎢

Our Union County CEO team joined CEO programs from across Southern Illinois for a Regional Networking Summit at ThrillHouse Family Entertainment Center in Marion, and the students came away energized, inspired, and more connected than ever.

We had a great time with future business leaders from Jackson CEO, Jefferson County CEO, Johnson County CEO, Little Egypt CEO, Mount Carmel CEO, Saline County CEO Program, Wayne County CEO.

We're so grateful to Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship’s Director of Community Engagement, Chris Egleston, and Social Media Specialist, Kasie Woodworth, who returned to share their expertise. Chris showed students how to personalize a business pitch for the audience in front of them, and he used a few impressive magic tricks and a drawing demonstration to drive home the power of body language and reading a room. Kasie led an eye-opening session on target marketing, helping students think about how businesses identify their ideal customers through factors like age and location. Her talk also sparked some great reflection on how much of the advertising they see every day is aimed squarely at them, and where the line falls between smart marketing and consumer privacy.

When our Union County CEO participants were tasked with leading the icebreaker for nearly 100 of their peers, they decided the best way to get to know each other was to "Just Dance," and everyone did! Stepping onto the dance floor in front of a room full of new faces took real courage, and they embraced it with good humor and great spirit.

A huge thank you to the ThrillHouse team, Denny Chapman and Dylan for opening their doors and giving us a behind-the-scenes tour. Students were amazed by the sheer size of the facility and inspired by the story of a team that saw an opportunity, shaped an idea, and made it happen. And of course, the arcade, laser tag, and selfie booth made for plenty of laughs (and a few bragging rights).

Days like this are exactly why regional events matter. Participants stepped outside their comfort zones to meet peers from other counties, reconnected with friends from Johnson County they first met during our DISC assessment in August, and learned how other CEO classes approach challenges. As one student put it, these are colleagues "who I think I can now say are my friends!"

Building relationships across programs, hearing from experienced professionals, and seeing a thriving local business up close are experiences that shape confident, community-minded entrepreneurs.

Thank you to Jefferson County CEO facilitator, nealy_hamson for spearheading this event and to everyone else who made this day possible. We can't wait for the next one!

10/06/2026

Team chemistry doesn't happen by accident. It's built one conversation, one challenge, and one shared laugh at a time. 🤝

Our Union County CEO Class of 2027 was grateful to welcome back The AJ Wildcats Superintendent Mr. Brett Detering for our second team-building session, hosted at The Pizza Villa.

The morning began with the class sharing and discussing ideas for our class business. Students found that talking ideas through openly, and hearing a perspective from outside the program, helped them see new possibilities and build excitement for what's ahead.

Mr. Detering then led the class through hands-on activities centered on communication and trust. In the first exercise, partners had to give and receive precise directions, a powerful reminder that clear communication and attention to detail matter. As one student reflected, when 15 people are coordinating a single business, everyone must be able to trust, respect, listen, and ask questions when something isn't clear.

The class also took on a survival challenge: ranking 15 items they'd choose first if stranded on the water, then working together to build one shared list. The exercise revealed how differently each person thinks under pressure and how much stronger a team becomes when it values every perspective. Mr. Detering connected these lessons to the class business, to their future ventures, and to life beyond the classroom.

Students shared that his sessions are fun, genuine, and full of takeaways, and several appreciated the chance to connect with him one-on-one this time around.

Thank you, Mr. Detering, for investing your time and energy in our students again. And a big thank you to The Pizza Villa for opening your doors and giving us such a welcoming space to learn and grow together. Community partners like you make experiences like this possible. 🍕

10/06/2026

Rooted in business at Lotus Naturescapes! 🌿

Our Union County CEO team recently spent a beautiful morning at Lotus Naturescapes, owned by Mike McLane, at the intersection of IL Rt 3 and IL Rt 146 in Ware. Many of our students have driven past this business for years, some knowing it only as "the place that sells rock," so getting a closer look was a real eye-opener.

The team was welcomed by Ms. Rhonda Tweedy, Mike’s right hand at Lotus. She had some breakfast treats that tasted great and got us energized for our visit! Before the business conversation began, students explored the gorgeous property and took photos together. They were impressed by the care that goes into every plant, pond, and fish.

Rhonda explained that Mike started out digging ponds for customers and soon discovered a growing demand for beautiful, natural decorative elements like rock, stone, mulch, and plants. That discovery grew into a whole new business: Lotus Naturescapes.

Some of the young professionals' biggest takeaways:
�🌱 Be ready to pivot. While many businesses struggled during COVID, Lotus Naturescapes saw a boom, a reminder that circumstances can shift quickly in either direction.
�🌦️ Weather affects everything. Our students keep hearing this from local business owners in the ag industry, and now they understand why rain can keep customers away, even from a rock yard.
�💡 Build around your passion. Not everyone will be your customer, but there's always someone who is. Your job is to find them, and that often starts right here at home.
�🤝 Support local. Small businesses face real ups and downs, and community support makes a lasting difference.

Thank you, Rhonda and Mike, for opening your doors and sharing your story so generously with our class. We're grateful for community partners like you who invest in the next generation of leaders! 💚

10/01/2026

What does it really take to keep a farm running? 🚜 Our Union County CEO Class of 2027 found out firsthand during a visit to Lambdin Farms in Wolf Lake. A big thank you to Randy Lambdin, Eric Lambdin, and Cole Pender, a proud UCCEO Class of 2025 alumnus 🎓, for an eye-opening morning filled with honest conversation and hard-earned wisdom. 🌾

Many of our students have grown up around agriculture, yet they still came away amazed by just how much the world depends on farmers. They learned how factors like fuel prices ripple through the cost of crop production, why the Lambdins keep reliable older equipment running rather than investing in costly new machines, and how farming is truly a year-round job, with every season setting the stage for the next harvest. The apple demonstration was a big hit 🍎, a simple but powerful illustration of how little of our world's land is actually available for farming.

The conversation went well beyond farming. Randy and Eric shared lessons that will serve these students for life: keep money back for a rainy day, grow slowly, and be ready for changes you don't see coming. They reminded us that everyone's path looks different and that college isn't the only road to success. 🛤️ One piece of advice from Randy especially stuck with our students: "Never give up on your passion. There are endless opportunities, and if you have something that you want to work for, work for it!" 💪

Students especially appreciated how naturally the conversation flowed and how they were treated as capable young adults. Most of all, they were inspired by the Lambdins' and Cole’s genuine love for their work, a pride that holds steady in good years and hard ones alike.

A special thank you to our student liaison, Shelby Pender, who did an outstanding job with introductions that were both informative and entertaining! It was extra special having her introduce her own brother, Cole. 👏 Seeing siblings follow each other through UCCEO means so much to our program. When an alumnus comes back to share his journey and his sister steps up to lead the conversation, it shows the kind of lasting impact this experience has on families and our community. 💙

Thank you to Lambdin Farms for investing in the next generation of leaders. Our students left with a deeper appreciation for agriculture and the people who keep our communities fed and running. 💚

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

Happy Birthday to Mr. Jeff Flamm!! Our annual visit to Flamm Orchards fell upon his special day so we greeted him with a song!! Jeff, we hope your day is FLAMMTASTIC!!
🎊🍏🧁🎉🥳🍎🎊