Events Upcoming
New Members
Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has elected four new members to join its board of directors in 2026.
Jim Reed is executive director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA), previously served as director of government relations for the Illinois Education Association, and has held senior legislative roles with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Citizen Action/Illinois.
At ICCTA, Reed has led the development of a strategic plan, strengthened partnerships across Illinois' community college system, and facilitates board retreats on governance, executive transitions, and dispute resolution. He also leads a Joyce Foundation-funded initiative exploring community college baccalaureate degrees to address workforce needs and expand access to bachelor's completion.
Reed has served on several local boards over the past two decades, including Springfield Memorial Hospital, The Copper Coin Ballet Company, Ball-Chatham Educational Foundation, and Lincoln Memorial Garden. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and a law degree from Hamline University School of Law. After law school, he served as a judicial clerk for the Michigan Supreme Court.
Larry Sweat is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign and certified public accountant. He began his career in St. Louis with a national public accounting firm before joining Bi-Petro, Inc., a Springfield-based crude oil purchasing and production company, in 1982 as controller. Since 2000, he has served as the company’s chief executive officer. During his tenure, Sweat has helped guide the company through strategic acquisitions and diversification of its operations while working alongside a dedicated team of employees.Lisa Wichterman is a retired physician and lifelong resident of central Illinois who has lived most of her life in Springfield. After graduating from University of Illinois Champaign, she completed medical school and residency at Southern Illinois University. Her subsequent residency in Diagnostic Radiology was at SIU School of Medicine, and she then practiced as a member of Clinical Radiologists for 30 years. Toward the end of her career, Lisa served as the section head for breast imaging and intervention at Memorial Medical Center.
Kathy Germeraad is a lifelong resident of Springfield, IL, attending Springfield District #186 schools and graduating from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a degree in education. She taught school in Springfield and Athens and has been an active volunteer for numerous organizations, including Wooden It Be Lovely, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Springfield Art Association, Friends of Memorial, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Compass for Kids. She previously served on the Community Foundation’s board a decade ago, including as board chair from 2014-15. Kathy returns to the board to fill a partial term, bringing valuable experience and institutional knowledge that will help support the Foundation’s work.
Jim, Larry and Lisa will each serve up to two four-year terms as directors. Kathy is filling a partial term and will serve for up to two years.
“These new board members bring a wide range of professional experience, community involvement, and leadership that will strengthen the Community Foundation’s work across our region,” said John Stremsterfer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Their perspectives and commitment to service will help guide our efforts to grow philanthropy and address the opportunities and challenges facing our communities.”
Other board members include Steve Etheridge (chairperson), Jen DeJong, Jane Denes, Chad Lucas, Thomas Martin, Kent Massie, Kenyatta Revelle, and Mark E. Staley.
Through philanthropic services, strategic grantmaking and community leadership, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln “connects people who care with causes that matter.
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln
-
Stacy Reed Chief Program Officer
- March 16, 2026
- (217) 789-4431
- Send Email
