Rick Stephens-Founder of Horizon Hobbies

After an early career in educational publishing, Rick entered the hobby industry in 1980 working for a company that sold high end hobby products to U.S. retailers. He worked there for five years, learning the hobby industry while helping that company grow to become one of the largest distributors in North America. In 1985 the company was sold and soon after, Rick left to start Horizon Hobby, Inc. He and 3 other industry veterans started Horizon from the basement of Rick’s home. Today Horizon is a world leader in the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of hobby products. Major categories of product include radio control airplanes, helicopters, cars, trucks, and boats; model railroad equipment; plastic model kits; and general hobby items. Horizon has developed many of its own brands over the years including JR, Spektrum, Team Losi, Hangar 9, EFlite, Evolution, Saito, Hobbyzone, ParkZone and many others. Horizon sells to 2500 retailers in North America and 700 in Europe as well as consumers via the internet, and has distributors throughout the rest of the world. The company employs 650 people and has facilities in Champaign, IL; Ontario, CA; Harlow, England; Elmshorn, Germany; and Paris, France. Stephens’ passion for excellence in both corporate and non-profit environments and desire to teach leaders to become better leaders have been driving forces in his life for many years. Rick and Jeanene have been married for 38 years and have 3 married daughters and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys leading small group Bible studies, traveling, golfing, hiking, snowboarding and motorcycling. To Watch my interview with Rick CLICK HERE

A Man for All Seasons- Dr. Thomas Ramage, President of Parkland College

Tom Ramage joined Parkland College in July of 1998 as Chair of the newly created Distance & Virtual Learning Department, responsible for developing and administering Parkland’s online course delivery systems and policies.

In 2001, he was named Associate Vice President for Academic Services and later, Information Services.

In July of 2003, Tom was named Vice President and Chief Academic Officer.

He received his Masters Degree in Education and Human Development with a specialization in Educational Technology Leadership from The George Washington University in 1998, and a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University. His research focused on cost-efficiency and return on investment of online programs.

Since June of 2007, Tom served as the Interim President of Parkland College. The Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Ramage as Parkland’s 5^th President in January, 2008.

He serves on the following boards: United Way Board, University of Illinois Employee Credit Union Board, and Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. To watch my interview with Dr Tom Ramage CLICK HERE

The New Face of Business-An Interview with Jennifer Shelby

Jennifer Shelby is the president/dealer principal of Shelby Motors, Inc. the local Dodge and Jeep dealer. She has been with the company since 1993 and took over as president in 2008 after the death of her husband Mike – who was the third generation of the Shelby family to own the company. Jennifer is an active member in a National Auto Dealers Association 20 Group, and was just awarded Five Star Distinction by Chrysler Group.

Jennifer currently serves as the treasurer for the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation, a non-profit corporation designed to enhance the quality of education through community support of the public schools. She was also recently elected to the Board of Trustees of Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. Blackburn is one of only seven work colleges in the country and the only program that is student managed. She is a member of the Champaign Urbana Sunrise Rotary club, a past president of that organization, serves on the fundraising committee, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. She also works with the Cunningham Children’s Home in planning their annual golf tournament that the dealership has underwritten since its inception in 1990. Jennifer was named One of Twenty Outstanding Women You Should Know in Central Illinois in 2009. To watch my TV interview with Jennifer click here.

Living a Dream The Flesors Sisters

Ann Flesor Beck is President and Co-Owner of Flesor Family Confectionary. She has worked for over 25 years as a non-profit administrator, development director, and management consultant for national and international corporations. Ann is also an active volunteer in Coles and Douglas counties for various organizations. Devon Flesor Nau is Co-Owner and chief confectioner of Flesor's Candy Kitchen in Tuscola, Illinois. Before returning to her family’s confectionary business in 2004, Devon taught English for almost 20 years, most of those at Eastern Illinois University. Devon is involved with local business and civic groups in Tuscola where she lives with her husband and three children. To watch their interview on One on One click here.