Keri Dodson
President
Keri Dodson is the Community Engagement Director at Bridgeway, a nonprofit organization providing health and human services to communities in northern and west central Illinois. Prior to her role at Bridgeway, Keri worked for Western Illinois University’s Athletic Department. Keri has a rich history working in the sports field, but now takes her expertise into making community members “fans” of the nonprofit organizations she is a part of. In addition to serving as the Orpheum Theatre’s Board President, she is a board member for Camp Kidz, the chair for Young Professionals Network in Galesburg, member of the Young Professionals Network in Macomb, a Mental Health First Aid Trainer, and a volunteer at many local nonprofit organizations in the Galesburg area.
Andrew Driscoll
Executive Director
Graduating from Peoria High School, Andrew Driscoll started his career as a professional actor and singer in New York City performing on Broadway and along with his solo performance work also released 3 vocal recordings. Post 9/11, Andrew made the choice to move back to Peoria and create its first resident nonprofit professional theatre exclusively contracting actors and stage managers from Actors’ Equity Association within the Apollo Theatre on Main Street. After 2 years, he made the business decision to relocate the effort as a for profit venture along Peoria’s Riverfront with the purchase of a venue called The Waterhouse on Water Street. For the next 20 years, The Waterhouse at the original location and for the last 10 years in the MAXAM Building has been the umbrella organization which has hosted and executed over 1,000 private banquet events and 850 shows including performances from Central Illinois Dueling Pianos, Peoria Cabaret Theatre, and the Broadway Lounge.
Ryan Probst
Treasurer
Ryan was born and raised in Galesburg and still enjoys spending time in the community. He joined the board in 2021 and was happy to accept the role of Treasurer last year. Ryan has worked at the Holiday Inn Express in Galesburg for 8 years and loves hanging out with his son Reid. In his spare time Ryan spends most of his time outdoors or on DIY home projects.
Corey Fineran
Secretary
Corey is a Co-Founder and the CEO of Transition Curriculum Inc. (NextUp), a company that creates curriculum and resources that prepare high school students with disabilities for life after high school in the areas of employment, independent living skills, and post-secondary training. Corey was born and raised in Galesburg until age nine. He returned to Knox County with his family and has called it home since 2012. Corey is also on the Quad Cities Transition Planning Committee and Knox County Transition Planning Committee and previously served on the ROWVA Public Schools Foundation.
Members
Gary Morgan
Gary graduated from Abingdon High School and subsequently attended WIU to study Medical Technology. He worked at Galesburg Cottage Hospital and was a Laboratory Manager at St. Clement Hospital. He spent 37 years in medicine sales and management. After retiring, he began to volunteer to restore The Orpheum Theatre. He is now a restoration volunteer at The Galesburg Community Art Center as well.
Scott Cramer
Scott Cramer is a full time real estate agent, author and founder of several micro-startups. He has launched several faith-based initiatives and is currently the pastor of The Grove Church. Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Knox College. As the sixth generation of his family to call this area home, Scott and his wife Jena raise their seven children on a hobby farm in rural Knox County.
Alec Guroff
Alec Guroff is the CFO of Knox College, and a proud member of the Knox County community. Before moving to the area, he provided finance, accounting and consulting services to non-profit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. Alec is also treasurer and head of the finance committee at the Synetic Theater and a member of the finance committee at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land.
Karen Cates
Karen has been a member of the Galesburg community off and on since 1999. She is a management consultant specializing in executive coaching, strategic planning and advisor to leadership teams in for- and nonprofit companies. Retired from teaching in 2020, she instructed at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University for 25 years and at Monmouth College for eight years in the aughts. Karen has consulted to nonprofit boards for 30 years and served six years on the board of the then Galesburg Civic Art Center and as a co-founder of Farm to School of Park County in Livingston, Montana for eight years.
Jaclyn Smith-Esters
Jaclyn Smith-Esters fell in love with Galesburg 20 years ago when she moved from her hometown Galva to attend Carl Sandburg College. She fully immersed herself in the community by participating with the local arts and the Orpheum Theatre. In 2008 Jaclyn left Galesburg to pursue higher education at Western Illinois University and received two bachelor’s degrees: Theatre and Anthropology and shortly afterwards received her master’s in sociology. While attending school she met her husband Paul and started a family. After their son was born it was easy to decide where to move to raise their pride and joy. “Galesburg is a city that has a big heart and progressive minds.” Jaclyn currently works for the Salvation Army with the program Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). Her passion is creating a community that is dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
Dylana Larson
