Tammi Hilton, a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate, transitioned from corporate sales to entrepreneurship. She launched Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers in Cottleville in 2019, employing 60-75 people, and founded NoMoGasTax, a tech startup. Balancing business and family, she enjoys travel and outdoor adventures with her two children, embodying a life full of memorable experiences.

Jeri Schultz of Jeri Schultz and Associates is a distinguished leader with extensive experience across healthcare, legal, education, and government sectors. Renowned for her leadership consulting, she excels in executive program development, change leadership, and customized solutions. Her commitment to transformative change and strategic insights make her a sought-after expert, driving innovation, growth, and operational excellence in diverse organizations.

Katie is the President/Founder of KP Consulting Group, serving Catholic organizations nationwide. She has held key roles at Catholic Leadership Institute, USA TODAY, and the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Katie serves on boards, teaches marketing, and holds an MBA and BS. Married for 18 years with four children, she lives in Cottleville, MO.

John founded JEMA in 2010 after two decades with HOK, Hardy Holzman Pfieffer Associates, and Arcturis. He is a renowned design talent with award-winning projects and experience leading complex teams. His portfolio spans various sectors, advocating for community building and sustainable design. John also lectures at Washington University's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.

Caleb, a lifelong resident of O’Fallon, Missouri, co-founded a business in 2009 to give back to his community. With over 20 years as an electrician, he is deeply involved in local organizations and his church. An Eagle Scout and Boy Scout leader, Caleb values honesty, integrity, and philanthropy. He enjoys family time, hunting, and endurance mountain biking.

Monica Adams is an award-winning television and radio host; a transformation consultant, stylist and sought after motivational speaker. After 30 years in the broadcasting industry, she started her own talk show which highlights inspiration, motivation, and positivity.  She recently served as the Morning Anchor on KSDK television, the NBC affiliate in St. Louis, and KTVI, where she was the traffic anchor since 2005. Adams started her career reporting on the Blues, Rams, and Cardinals for radio. Monica is married, loves the arts, and supports first responders.

John Wiemann, Vice President of Operations & Strategic Initiatives for St. Charles Community College (SCC), holds a business degree in management along with a master’s degree in health administration from the University Missouri. Wiemann has over twenty-five years of health care and insurance industry experience along with fifteen years’ entrepreneurial experience owning an insurance brokerage firm.   

Prior to joining SCC, Wiemann served eight years in the Missouri House of Representatives, with the last four years being elected by his peers to serve as Speaker Pro Tem. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Speaker Pro Tem Wiemann championed many important pieces of legislation related to insurance, healthcare, education, government transparency and workforce development.

Wiemann is active in his community of O’Fallon and St. Charles County. He’s a member of numerous civic organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Businesses, Knights of Columbus, and the Lewis & Clark Pachyderm Club. John and his wife of 35 years, Yvette, live in O’Fallon and have two adult sons, Blake and Clayton. 

Dr. Rex McKanry has been with SCC since 2012 as a faculty and department chair of Computer Science and currently is the Dean of Technical Sciences. His background includes working in industry as a utility electrician managing electrical and electronic needs of a 1,000,000 sq. foot manufacturing facility in Central Illinois. Duties included maintenance and repairs of high and low voltage systems, including PLC programming. Dr. McKanry has also served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician maintaining electrical systems on surface ships and submarines. Dr. McKanry has also worked in higher education in the roles of an HRIS Analysis, Curriculum Technology Manager, and a Learning Management System Administrator. Courses that Dr. McKanry teaches include Python Programming, Java Programming, Data Structures w/Java, System Analysis and Design, Introduction to Programming for Animation and Computer Games, Introduction to Information Technology, Basics of Data Communications, Data Visualization, Mobile Apps Development, Computer Programming Logic, and Computer Security.

Ken Kershaw is the Chief Financial Officer at St. Charles Community College. Kershaw is an operations focused CFO with extensive experience in Global Management, Finance, Treasury, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Human Resources, and Information Technology, spanning his 35+ year career. Mr. Kershaw has led global businesses through rapid growth, mergers, acquisitions, carveouts and reorganizations in complex market and financial conditions.  He has served as the Global Managing Director and President of DuPont’s Clean Technology division and has held CFO positions in both the specialty chemical and automotive industries. Kershaw has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Accounting from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and holds an MBA from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.

With 20 years of experience in strategic business development and operational leadership, Shelley Machens has focused the majority of her career on driving growth for startups and emerging companies. Machens' background includes significant achievements in launching disruptive technologies and fostering instrumental partnerships while positioning organizations for sustained success in competitive markets.

Machens joined St. Charles Community College in 2024 as Chief of External Campuses. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lindenwood University and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Steve Oberg is an Associate Professor of Business Administration at SCC and currently serves as Chair of Accounting, Business Administration and Economics. Professor Oberg has served in higher education since 2010, joining the faculty ranks at SCC in 2018. Oberg has worked as a self-employed consultant, a restauranteur, and has been a contributing member and partner on several entrepreneurial teams.

Associate Professor Jeri Schultz is a distinguished professional with extensive experience working with national and international corporations across healthcare, legal, higher education, and government sectors. Known and recognized for her leadership consulting expertise, Schultz has successfully led executive program development, change leadership initiatives, and customized solutions tailored to the unique needs of diverse organizations. With a deep commitment to facilitating transformative change, she is recognized as a leader in the industry, helping organizations drive innovation, growth, and operational excellence. Her facilitation expertise and strategic insights make her a sought-after leader in her field.

Tom Rodgers is a rare combination with experience in business building (3 startups), consulting (over 20 years), and practical teaching (Adjunct Professor-Business over 25 years). As an independent consultant, he brings these skill sets together to improve the lives of entrepreneurial owners of small to mid-size enterprises (SMEs).

Rodgers carries his passion for entrepreneurship and teaching into his personal life as a member of the Advisory Board for the Entrepreneurial Institute at St. Charles Community College, which is where he also teaches Entrepreneurship, Operations/Quality, Marketing/Sales, and Management. He is working toward certification as a Pickleball Instructor/Coach with the goal of developing motivated junior players.

Edward (Ed) V. Weber has been involved with advanced computer technologies in the manufacturing, finance, grocery, retail, government, entertainment, promotional products and educational industries for over 35 years. He is the President/Owner of Weber Enterprises, Inc. as well as an Associate Professor of Computer Science at St. Charles Community College. Weber continues to promote growth and prosperity of both companies and individuals through education, training, and the implementation of new skills.

Expert Knowledge: Gain firsthand knowledge from successful entrepreneurs what it takes to succeed in business.
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