Committees
Chamber Committees – Community Leadership in Action.
The People Behind the Chamber
The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce is supported by dedicated leaders, volunteers, and staff who work together to strengthen the local business community and guide the chamber’s initiatives.
The Chamber of Commerce staff
Colleen Peterlich
Melissa Daugherty
Executive Board
Coleman Engelkes, First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Chair
Cindy Rivas, Sarah Bush Lincoln, Previous Chair
Tina Held, Carle Clinic, Senior Advisor
Ross Hutchinson, All-American Realty Homes & Land, Treasurer
Dustin Clodfelder, Midwest Roofing, Chair Elect
Board of Directors
Includes Executive Board plus:
- Chad Burgett, Charleston Community Unit School District #1
- Dustin Clodfelder, Midwest Roofing
- Emily Floyd, Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate
- Blake Furry, Furry Overhead Door Co.
- Jay Gatrell, Eastern Illinois University President
- Alex Gowin, Jersey Mike’s
- Kristin Iverson, Coles County Farm Bureau
- Amber May, EIU Athletics
- Sam McCullough, Coles County Regional Planning & Development
- Paul Mejdrich, Diepholz Auto Group
- Colleen Peterlich, CACC President & CEO
- Shae Plush, Villas of Hollybrook
- Steve Pamperin, City of Charleston
- Jennifer Swensen, Century 21 KIMA Properties
- Brittany Tierney, Eastern Illinois University Admissions
- Matt Walker, Safety Storage Inc.
- Brandon Wolfe, Oetting & Associates Insurance Agency
diplomats
Chamber Diplomats are a welcoming group of member volunteers who help bring the Chamber’s mission to life. They play an active role in supporting local businesses, strengthening connections, and creating meaningful experiences throughout our community.
- Chris Callahan, Callahan Law Office
- Pam Cougill, Carle Clinic
- Vanessa Duncan, Special Olympics Illinois – Region I
- Emily Floyd, Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate
- Brian Gillespie, The Doggie Depot
- Tina Held, Carle Clinic
- Lori Henderson, The City of Charleston Tourism Department
- Sarah Hendrix, First Neighbor Bank
- Austin Hernandez, First Mid Bank & Trust
- Kristin Iverson, Coles County Farm Bureau
- Leah Jenkins, Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Kathleen Kidwell-Edwards, Kathleen Kidwell Photography
- Bobbi Kingery, Eastern Illinois University Career Services
- Chelsy Lorance, Get it Gone Dumpster Rentals
- Ray Lugo, CACC Executive Assistant
- John Marr, Eastern Illinois University Career Services
- Ryan Mefford, First Mid Bank & Trust
- Paul Mejdrich, Diepholz Auto Group
- Deborah Muller, City of Charleston
- Chas Parker, CCAR Industries
- Colleen Peterlich, CACC President & CEO
- Jimmy Peterlich, Myerscough Foods Arby’s
- Shae Plush, Villas of Hollybrook
- Abbey Roley, Midwest Roofing
- Doug Stanberry, All-American Realty Homes & Land
- Allisha Staten, Peoples Bank & Trust
- Megan Stoltz, First Mid Bank & Trust
- Bailey Taylor, Sarah Bush Lincoln
- David White, DMPS
- Sarah Will, First Neighbor Bank
- Hailee Williams, 1st Federal of Central Illinois
- Jason Wyatt, 1Lead
in addition, we look for people to serve on event committees such as:
- Annual Dinner
- Golf Outing
- Tour De Charleston
- Scare on the Square
- Community Breakfast
- Become a Diplomat