Our Staff

	Jim Mentesti, President A native of Chicago’s south side, Jim Mentesti has been president of Great River Economic Development Foundation since 1986. He is a graduate of Quincy College, where he served as director of development for eleven years, and was later administrative manager of Quintron Corporation in Quincy. Email: gredf@gredf.org
	Nikki Albright, Office Administrator As office administrator, Nikki is responsible for scheduling, bookkeeping, general information and office management. She is a Quincy native and joined the staff of Great River Economic Development Foundation in 2005. She was previously employed by the Area Agency on Aging, and was administrative assistant and bookkeeper for the Adams County Homemaker Health Services Email: nikkia@gredf.org
	Charles Bell, Director, Quincy Entrepreneurship Center Charles Bell joined GREDF as a business consultant in 2002, and became Director of the Quincy Entrepreneurship Center (located at GREDF) in 2005 when it was created by the State of Illinois. Charles’ expertise includes incentive and loan programs and business planning. He administers several revolving loans funds, has worked for the Small Business Development Center and Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials, and has owned commercial printing and publishing businesses. Email: charlesb@gredf.org
	Maggie Strong, Project Manager Maggie Strong joined the GREDF team in November 2007 as a Project Manager. Maggie works in a part-time capacity and is involved in marketing, public relations, and special projects for GREDF. A Quincy native, Maggie has her B.S. in Arts Management from Quincy University. She has experience in marketing and public relations. In addition to her work at GREDF, Maggie also coordinates the Midsummer Arts Faire. Email: maggies@gredf.org
	Deborah Hyde, Project Manager Deborah Hyde joined GREDF in September 2008 and is involved in a variety of projects, particularly in the area of downtown economic development. In addition to her work at GREDF, Deborah works part-time as a staff assistant for the Historic Quincy Business District. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Deborah has her B.A. in Political Science and plans to attend law school in Fall 2009. Email: deborahh@gredf.org
	Pete Pohlman, Energy Specialist A retired area manager with AmerenCIPS, Pete is a past GREDF board member and coordinated the Quincy Community Energy program. Pete assists GREDF in trying to attract and develop renewable energy projects. He also assists on projects with large or unique energy requirements or applications. Email: energy@gredf.org
	Shelby Schoonover, CoordinatorTri-State Development Summit and YP Quincy The Tri-State Development Summit, a regional initiative co-founded by GREDF in 1996, includes 35 counties in Western Illinois, Southeast Iowa and Northeast Missouri. YPQuincy, a program for Young Professionals in the Quincy area, was introduced by GREDF in 2005. These programs are now coordinated by Shelby through a partnership with the University of Illinois Extension and the support of businesses and organizations throughout the region. Shelby received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. She served as Director of Tourism in Mattoon, IL and as recreation supervisor for the Quincy Park District. Email: sschoon@uiuc.edu
	Megan Backs, Student Intern As a student intern, Megan is involved in many different projects at GREDF, primarily in the area of marketing. She is currently studying to receive a Bachelors degree in Communications with a minor in graphic design from Quincy University. She also holds a second internship at the YWCA Quincy. Email: meganb@gredf.org