Lori Patterson-A Profile of One of Today's Top Leaders

Lori Gold Patterson has helped to set the bar for Champaign-Urbana’s growing tech sector. OJC’s success stems from Lori’s ability to identify and nurture top notch talent, challenge clients to expand their vision, and structure a company that can turn on a dime, thriving in the best and worst of economic climates. That’s why in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, OJC has added new full time staff and is growing again this year.

Lori sees her own success as intrinsically tied to the success of every single OJC employee. She created a flexible, empowering workplace where every employee has a decision-making role in the company and is positioned to grow and thrive. As a result, there has been nearly zero turn-over of staff in 13 years. In 2011, Lori continues to innovate by leading OJC's launch of the "App Center", or Applicable Programming Center. Because the IT economy has again caused a shortage of skilled IT professionals and programmers, OJC is investing in training and skill-building in the C-U community to help people get a jump-start in a real-world high-tech career.

In its 13 years of operation, OJC’s employees have contributed hundreds of thousands of volunteer and civic hours to their community, their country, and the world at large. A winner of the 2011 Athena Award and Innovation Celebrations Excellence in Management Award Lori truly is one of today's top leaders. The see the entire TV interview with this outstanding leader click on the following link: WATCH LORI PATTERSON'S INTERVIEW

Maing A Difference-Gail Glende Rost

Gail moved to Champaign as a young child with her family of 5. After graduating from Central High School, she went on to the U of I and received her Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. After a short stint in the Chicago area, Gail returned to the University of Illinois to complete her MFA in Graphic Design. It was while having small children that she became certified in pre-school education and taught at the Creative Discovery School, moved into the volunteer world and served in the Junior League and did freelance work as a graphic designer. In League, Gail served primarily in the project area where she served as the State SPAC Chair for the Junior Leagues of Illinois, on the Board of Directors for many years and as JLCU President for 2 years. As Gail's children became independent, she went back to work part-time as the Foundation Administrator for the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation. Today, 11 years later, she serves full-time as the Executive Director of the Foundation and the General Manager of The I.D.E.A. Store. Under her leadership, the Foundation has grown to provide a menu of options for the community to become financially involved with their public schools. From Master and SPLASH Grants, CUScholars, Scholarships, the Basic Emergency Services Fund and The I.D.E.A. Store, the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation provides support for excellence in education and creative initiatives. Gail currently serves on the Provena Covenant Hospital Foundation Board, the Urbana Rotary Board as Incoming President, the Unit 4 Facilities Committee, the United Way Executive Directors Committee, and the Maker Faire Steering Committee. She is married to Craig Rost, has 3 children: Anna 26, John 24 and Christopher, 18. Gail loves to travel and is passionate about equal access to quality education.

To watch the entire interview with Gail Glende Rost CLICK HERE