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QUINCY, ILL. -- The following is a press release from the United Way of Adams County:

United Way of Adams County, Inc. hosted its Pacesetter kickoff this morning. Pacesetters are selected organizations chosen to conduct their campaigns in advance of the general campaign. These organizations provide a glimpse into the upcoming campaign’s climate as well as an avenue to test campaign techniques and messages. The results give the annual campaign a jump start and will be announced at the Campaign Kickoff August 2nd. Pacesetters are a vital piece of the Campaign and are selected because of their continual support.

The 2010 Pacesetter organizations are: ADM Alliance Nutrition, Advocacy Network for Children, Bank of Quincy, Blessing Health System, First Bankers Trust Company, JK Creative Printers, Scholz, Loos, Palmer, Siebers and Duesterhaus, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell, State Street Bank, Western Catholic Union and WGEM.

“This group is a great example of what it means to LIVE UNITED,” said Mike Mahair, 2010 Campaign Chairman. “They support United Way year round, are involved in the community and have employees that volunteer not only with United Way but other organizations as well. We are pleased to announce them as Pacesetters and to call them our partners.”

Executive Director Cheryl Waterman introduced Mahair, President of State Street Bank, as the 2010 Campaign Chairman and Carlos Fernandez of WGEM as the Campaign Vice-Chairman

“We are lucky to once again have tremendous, community-minded leaders guiding our campaign,” said Waterman. “Mike and Carlos bring a spirit of enthusiasm to our team and we are looking forward to this year’s campaign.”

Mahair and Fernandez lead of team of 20 volunteers, Division Leaders. This group enlists their own team of volunteers to serve as the liaison between United Way and local companies and organizations. They are at the heart and soul of the campaign and assist in delivering all the necessary items needed to conduct a workplace campaign, are on hand for questions and support, and they follow up to ensure all pledges are returned to United Way. Additionally, they are responsible for encouraging new and increase participation in the campaign.

This year’s Division Leaders are:

Alisa Elkins                                 WGEM-TV-FM-AM-FOX-CW

Linda Groves                               Blessing Health System

Jenny Hayden                             City of Quincy – City Clerk

Clairice Hetzler                           Advocacy Network for Children

John Hirner                                  Cornerstone: Foundations for Families

Jerry Jackson                              Blessing Health System

Troy Kemp                                  Bank of Quincy

John Letts                                  John Wood Community College

Kris Lyle                                    Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell

George Meyer                             Retired Educator

Debbie Niederhauser                   Regional Office of Education

Dave Rakers                               First Bankers Trust Company

Mary Kay Rossmiller                   Comcast

Jim Rubottom                             The Knapheide Manufacturing Company

Christy Salgado                          Gardner Denver

Steven Siebers                           Scholz, Loos, Palmer, Siebers and Duesterhaus

Jim Sours                                  ADM Alliance Nutrition

Jim Stebor                                 State Street Bank

Kent Stegeman                          Western Catholic Union

Larry Williams                            Retired, ADM

United Way also introduced this year’s Loaned Executives. These professionals are on loan from their respective companies or organizations. Upon request, these individuals go to an organization and present United Way and the work it does to the employees and ask for their support. Last year, Loaned Executives did more than 90 presentations at organizations that donated more than $460,000. This year’s Loaned Executives are:

Steve Billeter                             The Knapheide Manufacturing Company

Kelly Damon                              Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Gerry Dutkowski                        The Knapheide Manufacturing Company

Suzanne Ellerbrock                    Blessing Health System

Billie Grawe                               Mercantile Bank

Caly Kite                                   Bank of Quincy

Holly Andress-Martin                  Quincy University

Nate McNally                             Vatterott

Devan Neally                              The Quincy Herald-Whig

Niki Niekamp                             State Street Bank

Rhonda Rees                             Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Nicole Sawin                              Adams Telephone Cooperative/Simmetry Wireless

Meghan Selchow                        ADM Alliance Nutrition

Josh Welker                               John Wood Community College

Kevin Westby                             Blessing Health System

For more information on the 2010 Campaign, please log on to www.unitedwayadamsco.org.