Share Tweet Share Email

Alumni Association elects five new members to board of directors, two to executive committee

October 5, 2010

NIU’s Alumni Association has announced the election of new members to its board of directors and executive committee.

The new board members are Wheeler G. Coleman, vice president and chief technology officer at Health Care Service Corporation; Linda J. Deering, executive vice president, chief operating officer, and chief nursing officer at Sherman Health; Robert J. Gallagher, chief financial officer for Classified Ventures, LLC; Bacilia Gomez, retirement plan communication manager for John Hancock USA; and John L. Shigley, executive vice president of operations at MGM Grand Las Vegas.

New executive committee members are Anthony A. Iosco, circuit judge, Circuit Court of Cook County; and Francine Pepitone, vice president business development for InnerWorkings, a global provider of managed print and promotional solutions.

The NIU Alumni Association 501(c)(3) is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of NIU and to serving as a communication link between alumni and the university community. The association has offices on the main campus and in Chicago, and hosts about 150 events and programs each year.

Wheeler G. ColemanWheeler G. Coleman

Wheeler G. Coleman holds degrees from NIU and the University of Notre Dame, and brings more than 25 years of experience and leadership in information technology to his role as vice president and chief technology officer at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), where he manages more than 100 employees in four states.

He has received several accolades for leadership and service at HCSC, including Presidential and CIO awards. Coleman serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Black Ensemble Theater, and was named Chicago United’s Leader of Color in 2007 and a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago in 2006.

Linda J. DeeringLinda J. Deering

Linda J. Deering, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from NIU, is executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Sherman Health in Elgin, Ill., where she is responsible for more than 2,300 employees.

In previous employment as vice president for patient services and chief nursing officer at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, Ill., Deering led the hospital to Magnet status, making it the first non-academic hospital in the region to attain such a position. Deering is an active member of several organizations, including the Illinois Coalition for Nursing Recruitment and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Robert J. GallagherRobert J. Gallagher

An NIU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and an MBA in business administration, Robert J. Gallagher is chief financial officer for Classified Ventures, LLC. He is responsible for all elements of finance within the organization, including financial reporting and consolidation of business units, budgeting/forecasting and GAAP research and interpretation. Gallagher has led finance and operations teams of multiple sizes, including his current staff of 175.

Gallagher volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and is a member of several organizations, including the American Institute of Public Accountants and the Bolingbrook Youth Baseball League.

Bacilia GomezBacilia Gomez

Bacilia Gomez is a retirement plan communication manager for John Hancock USA, where she manages and motivates 13 professional communication associates in the Midwest sales region.

An NIU graduate with a degree in business administration, Gomez previously was employed as an enrollment coordinator for Manulife Financial.

Gomez is a member of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting and a volunteer with the DuPage Children’s Museum and One Brick. She also is a member of the NIU Latino Alumni Council and the National Association of Pension Administrators.

Anthony A. IoscoAnthony A. Iosco

Anthony A. Iosco practiced law for 23 years before assuming his current position as circuit judge, Circuit Court of Cook County.

An alum of NIU and the University of Illinois, his experience includes roles as the assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois, Office of the Attorney General from 1983 to 1987 and sole practitioner in Elk Grove Village, Ill., from 1978 to 1983 and from 1990 to 2000.

With interests ranging from reading and writing to scuba diving, Iosco is affiliated with several organizations, including the Chicago and American Bar Associations, the City Club of Chicago and the Illinois Judges’ Association.

Francine PepitoneFrancine Pepitone

NIU graduate Francine Pepitone is vice president business development for InnerWorkings, a global provider of managed print and promotional solutions. Pepitone’s experience includes 17 years in the hotel industry and 15 years as president and owner of Francine Marketing, Inc., prior to its merge with InnerWorkings. Pepitone has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Worldwide Sales Manager of the Year by Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Associate Member of the Year by the Association Forum of Chicagoland.

Pepitone was also recognized as the Chicago Chapter of Meeting Professionals International’s Member of the Year and received its prestigious Kathy Osterman Industry Award in addition to being installed in its Hall of Fame.

John L. ShigleyJohn L. Shigley

As executive vice president of operations at MGM Grand Las Vegas, John L. Shigley is responsible for strategic direction and operation of the hotel, food and beverage, entertainment, arena, facilities, and security divisions of the MGM Grand. A graduate of NIU with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy, Shigley is a CPA in the state of Nevada, and has more than 24 years of experience in the gaming industry.

He has held various positions in finance and general management, including president of Primm Valley Resorts and Caesars Palace. Shigley has been a featured speaker at several universities and is the sponsor of the John and Winifred Shigley scholarship, awarded to NIU graduate accountancy students based on financial need and outstanding academic performance.