Jeffrey AroninAronin is president of one of the nation's fastest growing pharmaceutical companies that he founded in 2001. The company develops and markets drugs for specialized patient groups, such as Nembutal and Membaral used to treat epilepsy. Aronin was included on Crain's Chicago Business' list of Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40.
Dennis BarsemaBarsema has more than twenty years of executive experience in telecommunications, software and optical networking. He has served as Chairman and CEO of Onetta, Inc., where he was responsible for leading the company through early stage growth and development. In 1997 Barsema joined Redback Networks as president and CEO, where he spearheaded the company through rapid growth and one of the most successful IPO's in Wall Street history. He has also held senior executive positions at Centigram Corporation, Softswitch, Primary Access, and Paradyne Networks. He currently serves on the board of directors of several early stage companies, including Blue Lane Technologies, Azanda Networks, and NetDevices. He also serves on the board of directors for non-profit organizations including the Northern Illinois University Foundation and Banco Oportunidade in Mozambique, Africa. He is an advisor to the School of Business at Santa Clara University and Northern Illinois University.
Peter M. ButterfieldAs president and chief executive officer of Kia Motors America, Butterfield heads one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. Since joining the Korean-based business in 2001, sales under Butterfield's direction have accelerated and Kia now ranks 14th among the 40-odd-brands sold in the nation.
Nick P. CalamosCalamos oversees research and portfolio management for Calamos Investments' family of mutual funds, closed-end funds, and separately managed accounts. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Calamos is a member of the Investment Analysts Society of Chicago. His book, "Convertible Arbitrage: Insights and Techniques for Successful Hedging," was released in July 2003. He is often quoted in the press, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's , Fortune, BusinessWeek, and Pensions & Investments. He has also appeared on CNBC, CNNfn, Bloomberg TV, and Wall $treet Week with Fortune.
Lyle Heidemann In June 2005, Heidemann was named CEO of True Value, a $2 billion Chicago-based hardware store cooperative. In 2003, he retired from Sears, Roebuck and Co. after 36 years with the Hoffman Estates-based retailer. At Sears, Heidemann served as executive vice president and general manager of home and off-mall stores, including hardware and dealer stores and was responsible for over $20 billion in revenue-generating business.
Kathleen L. KiernanA 29-year federal law enforcement veteran, Kiernan is the senior vice president for international law enforcement with MZM, Inc., a national security firm in Washington, D.C. In addition to leading a nationwide intelligence community project, Kiernan is guiding a multi-disciplinary team bridging the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. She previously served as the assistant director for the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Cherilyn G. MurerMurer is president and CEO of the Murer Group, a legal-based healthcare consulting group headquartered in Joliet, Ill. A former director of rehabilitation medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Murer and her colleagues now represent hospitals and health systems throughout the United States, providing strategic planning services and assistance in complying with complex state and federal regulations. Murer was appointed to NIU's Board of Trustees in 2005. She serves on the NIU College of Law's Board of Visitors, and in 2003 received the NIU Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumni Award for the College of Law. She also is a member of the NIU Foundation Board of Directors, and chairs that group's development committee.
Arnold "Arnie" SchafferSchaffer oversees the operations of the Southern Califronia region's four hospitals: Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance and Little Company of Mary - San Pedro Hospital. As chairman of the HASC executive committee, which represents more than 180 hospitals and hospital systems in the greater Los Angeles area, his goal is "to lead the hospitals of Southern California to constantly improve care, safety and access to care and find ways to amek health care more affordable to all."
Tracey Y. WilliamsonWilliamson, a premier up-and-coming professional in the music industry, walked the red carpet at the 2005 Grammy Awards in support of a nominated gospel recording that she produced. The 27-year-old also graced the pages of Ebony magazine's April issue as one of its "30 Leaders of the Future." In addition, another one of her productions received two nominations at the 2005 Stellar Awards. Williamson operates Early Growth Productions, a music services company she founded at the age of 12, and also serves as label director for Tyscot Records in Indianapolis, where she has written and produced for such music award nominees as The Rance Allen Group, Chicago Mass Choir, and DeAndre Patterson, in addition to producing two Gospel Kid's projects.