Board & Committees

Board Members

Dale Bainter, Interim President
The President serves as the Chairman of the Board, presides at the Annual Business Meeting and, subject to Board approval, appoints committees and committee chairs, and notifies all officers and committee members of their election or appointment. This position also presides as the Official Delegate for all open meetings of the Board of Directors of NEHA.
 
President Elect, Vacant
The President Elect assists the President, attends Board meetings and is the presiding officer in the absence of the President. This position also resides as the Alternate Delegate for all open meetings of the Board of Directors of NEHA. 
 
Justin Dwyer, Past President
The Immediate Past-President is responsible for organizing the Annual Education Conference.
 
Stacy Thompson, Treasurer
The Treasurer has custody of all Association funds and reports the financial condition of the Association at the Annual Business Meeting and to the Board at other times as may be requested. 
 
Giordan Kaplan, Secretary
The Secretary keeps complete records of all proceedings of the Association and Board, has custody of all records unless otherwise provided for, and performs other duties as set forth in the Constitution. 
 
Stanley Ciezczak, North Chapter Vice President
The North Chapter Vice President serves as liaison officer between Chapter and the Board. This position may, subject to Board approval, appoint such committees as are deemed necessary to maintain the efficient and effective operation of the Chapter and designate one member of each committee to serve as recording secretary for that committee.
 
Central Chapter Vice President, Vacant
The Central Chapter Vice President serves as liaison officer between Chapter and the Board. This position may, subject to Board approval, appoint such committees as are deemed necessary to maintain the efficient and effective operation of the Chapter and designate one member of each committee to serve as recording secretary for that committee.
 
Molly Peters, South Chapter Vice President
The South Chapter Vice President serves as liaison officer between Chapter and the Board. This position may, subject to Board approval, appoint such committees as are deemed necessary to maintain the efficient and effective operation of the Chapter and designate one member of each committee to serve as recording secretary for that committee.
 
Ashley Gustafson, North Chapter Director
The North Chapter Director is elected by Chapter members to represent the North Chapter as a Director on the Board. 
 
Renee Afdahl, Central Chapter Director
The Central Chapter Director is elected by Chapter members to represent the Central Chapter as a Director on the Board. 
 
Doug King, South Chapter Director
The South Chapter Director is elected by Chapter members to represent the South Chapter as a Director on the Board. 
 
Mikayla Riley, Director at Large until 2025
The Director at Large until 2025 will represent all association members as a Director on the board in 2025.
 
David Banaszynski, Director at Large until 2026
The Director at Large until 2026 will represent all association members as a Director on the board in 2026.
 
Dale Bainter, Director at Large until 2027
The Director at Large until 2027 will represent all association members as a Director on the board in 2027.
 
Heather Anderson, Office Manager
 
 

Committees Chairs

Christine Czernecki, Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair reviews the Association Constitution and Bylaws for effectiveness and validity, and recommends appropriate amendments to it. This position also evaluates amendments proposed by the Board of Directors or members of the Association, prepares appropriate resolutions for approval by the Board and submission to the membership at the Annual Business Meeting, and prepares recommendations or similar resolutions initiated by members in accordance with Bylaw V.
 
Stacy Thompson, Finance Committee Chair
The Finance Committee Chair reviews the annual financial report of the Treasurer, recommends to the Board registration fees for meetings, changes in dues, and other actions relating to Association income and expenses, and prepares the Association budget for the following year. 
 
Justin Dwyer, Legislative Committee Chair
The Legislative Committee Chair reviews proposed local, state, and national legislation relating to environmental health and evaluates the potential effects of them. This position also recommends legislation for Association sponsorship and recommends to the Board an official Association position and action relative to any proposed legislation. 
 
Dave Banazynski, Professional Development Committee Chair
The Professional Development Committee Chair recommends to the Board programs, publications and procedures to maintain and encourage respect for ethical practices and professional attitudes by members of the Association. This position also recommends to the Board policies which might better define and interpret ethical practices, investigates incidents of alleged unethical conduct by members of the Association and/or employers, and investigates complaints of failure to comply with LEHP licensure requirements and refer to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation if appropriate. They then monitor follow-up and develop a strategies for future professional licensure legislation.  
 
Colleen Kelley, Honors Committee Chair

The Honors Committee Chair shall tally all properly completed ballots received by the date established by the President. The final tally shall be certified by the chair of the Honor Committee and transmitted immediately to the President and Board of Directors

Katie Lynn, Strategic Planning Committee Chair
The Strategic Planning Committee Chair reviews and evaluates all functions and activities to guide the future direction of the Association and recommends action plans and timelines to the Board of Directors within the boundaries of the mission statement. 
 
VACANT, Conference/Sponsorship Committee Chair
The Conference/Sponsorship Committee oversees and acts as an advisor to all conference planners. Provides necessary information and documents to assist planners in understanding what it takes to have a successful event. Communicates with the board any concerns that may arise regarding conference planning. Provides the report needed by the office to file the renewal application for our LEHP CEU Provider License when directed. Handles all co-sponsor requests received by IEHA to ensure all information is provided prior to delivering the request to the co-sponsor review committee.

Brian Eckert, General Environmental Health Committee Chair
The General Environmental Health Committee chair is responsible for representing our organization in any General Environmental Health groups. They will be a liaison for any general environmental health questions within the organization. They will report to board any updates regarding General Environmental Health. They will serve as a representative for any general environmental health committees. They will work with the Legislative Chair to discuss any rule or law changes.

Betty Croissant, Retail Food Committee Chair
The Retail Food Committee Chair is responsible for representing our organization in retail food groups. They will be a liaison for any Retail Food questions within the organization. They will report to board any updates regarding Retail Food. They will serve as representatives for the Food Safety Advisory Committee. They will work with the Legislative Chair to discuss any rule or law changes.

Justin Dwyer, Special Food Events Committee Chair
The Special Food Evens Committee Chair is responsible for representing our organization in Temporary Food, Farmer’s Market, and Cottage Food Stakeholder Groups. They will be a liaison for any Retail Food questions within the organization. They will report to board any updates regarding any special food events. They will work with the Legislative Chair to discuss any rule or law changes. They will serve as an alternate representative for the Food Safety Advisory Committee.

Aaron Due, Private Water/Wastewater Committee Chair
The private Water/Wastewater Committee Chair is responsible for representing our organization in Private Water or Wastewater groups. They would be responsible for reporting to board any updates regarding private water/ wastewater. They will work with the Legislative Chair to discuss any rule or law changes.

Abbi Gorsage, Student Representative
The student Representative would be responsible for promoting Environmental Health amongst the colleges. They will be an advocate for the student members.
 
LC Yang, Student Outreach

The Chair of this committee is responsible for promoting IEHA among university students and environmental health faculty. The Chair should work with other committees as needed, and especially with the Program and Education, Public Relations, and Membership Committees.

Lenore Killam, Publications Committee Chair
The Publications Committee Chair publishes the official journal of the Association, a copy of which shall be provided free to each member of the Association. This position also serves as editor of the journal, may solicit paid advertisements from any reputable commercial firm or voluntary agency, and publishes other materials as authorized and directed by the Board of Directors. 
 
Cassidy Reynolds, Membership/Public Relations Committee Chair
Kristy Mullins, Membership/Public Relations Committee Chair
The Public Relations Committee Chair prepares or cause to be prepared materials to aid in recruiting and retaining members. Develops ways and means to effectively promote IEHA to the public and outside agencies in a positive way. Cooperates with other Committees in the dissemination of news releases concerning Association activities, educational materials, proposed legislation, and other matters of mutual interest.