PEORIA MAGAZINE April 2022

B U S I N E S S N E W S

IN BRIEF

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

Meenakshy Aiyer, M.D. , will become regional dean for the University of the Illinois College of Medicine Peoria campus, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Aiyerwas appointed Interim regional dean of the Peoria campus in April 2019, succeeding Dr. Sara Rusch. She also serves as professor of clinical medicine and professor of health sciences education and pathology. Founded Oct. 18, 1921, the Heart of Illinois United Way is marking a century of community service. A 100th anniversary celebration with about 200 guests was held Feb. 23 at the Par-A Dice Hotel. The Murray Baker Bridge was lit in blue and yellow to mark the anniversary, as Baker was a founding board member of the organization. More information can be found at https://www.hoiunitedway.org/. The Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service at Bradley University will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a 6 p.m., April 21 event at Bradley’s Alumni Center/Peplow Pavilion Ballroom. Speakers will include BU President Dr. Stephen Standifird, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and former U.S. Transportation Secretary/Congressman Ray LaHood. Register at bradley.edu/continue. Peoria native and baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome will be the keynote speaker at the SundayMorning League’s banquet marking its 107th season – it’s the nation’s oldest amateur baseball league— at 2 p.m., May 1, at East Peoria’s Par-A-Dice Hotel. For more information or to order tickets, go to the league’s website, http://www.psml.net/. ‘HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABY, GOT YOU ON MY MIND …’

and Sales Manager Robin Barnes was named Sales Activity Champion and nominated for Sales Hunter Award and Sales Leader of the Year. The hotel also was recognized for Guest Satisfaction for Service and Good Food and Beverage Experience, and was one of three finalists for Hotel of the Year. The Sterling Merit Awards Banquet by the Rotary Clubs of Peoria will honor area academic achievers on May 3 at the Peoria Civic Center. The event recognizes the top 8 percent of seniors at the fol lowing high schools: Brimfield, Dunlap, East Peoria, Elmwood, Farmington, Illini Bluffs, Illinois Valley, Limestone, Manual, Peoria Notre Dame, Peoria Heights, Peoria, Princeville, Quest Academy and Richwoods. HIRES AND RETIRES Bradley University has appointed Dr. Rui Li as its inaugural assistant vice president for online and distance education. Li, who will assume the role May 31, currently serves as assistant vice president for digital learning and innovation at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She will succeed Dr. Molly Cluskey, who currently serves as the director of online and distance education and who is retiring at the end of May. CLIMBING THE LADDER Chris Youngmark has been named the assistant director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. He has served the Illinois SBDC for the last 14 months as the rural outreach coordinator.

Advanced Technology Services, Inc. (ATS) has been named a Best Midsize Employer by Forbes for a third time. The 2022 list ranks ATS as No. 8 out of 500 companies nationwide in the midsize (1,000 to 5,000 employees) category. ATS was also named a Best Midsize Employer by Forbes in 2019 and 2021. First Busey Bank has been named among America’s Best Banks of 2022 , a first-ever recognition by Forbes. Ranked 52nd overall, Champaign based First Busey was the top-ranked bank headquartered in Illinois. Only three other Illinois-based banks were included on the list. Karen Stumpe received the 2022 Legacy of Leadership Award . The honor was announced at the Woman to Woman Leader Luncheon by the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. Brad Kniep of American Rental was named the recipient of the 2022 Venture Award from the Morton Economic Development Council. The award recognizes a Morton business owner who has made a significant impact on the community and employees through business leadership, growth and innovation. Fairfield by Marriott East Peoria brought home multiple awards from the annual BanyanManagement Awards Conference in Columbus, Ohio. General Manager Alexis Oliver was awarded the Accounting Partnership Award, Assistant Manager Charles Nelson was nominated as Rising Star, Joelle Carroll was named Team Member of the Year,

86 APRIL 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE