Category: Meet the Team

Amanda Brown

 Amanda has a degree in English from Illinois State University and has been working in digital marketing for almost eight years. She loves the mission of LifeLine Pilots, and is very excited to use her passion for communication, marketing, and customer service to help us spread our wings! Amanda has lived in Peoria for 15… Read more »

Luis Rojas

Board Member Luis Rojas created Rojas Spanish Language in 2007 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The language school, with its unique teaching style, has grown exponentially over the years and has attracted a wide range of students looking to become fluent. Among his students are executives of Fortune 500 companies, small business owners, medical professionals, law… Read more »

Karen Nicholas

Board Member Karen has spent her career helping companies, clients, and individuals share their messages. With a background in public relations and communications, Karen has filled various roles ranging from media relations to crisis communications. Earlier in her career, she filled multiple roles in public relations for nonprofits, including Special Olympics Texas, Special Olympics Oregon,… Read more »

Neal Glassett

Treasurer Neal Glassett grew up in the Chicago suburbs and then spent his early career as an accountant moving between Texas, California, Indiana, and Illinois. He has spent most of the past 10 years in the Peoria area working for Caterpillar, with a three-year stint living overseas in Germany. Neal graduated from the University of… Read more »

Jordan Delgadillo

Office & Mission Coordinator Jordan is a Peoria native with a background in illustration. After years of exploring various forms of art, he graduated from Illinois Central College with a degree in Multimedia. He is passionate about helping others and believes in the mission of Lifeline Pilots. Drawing from his previous experience working for a… Read more »

Ann Rude

Grant & Mission Coordinator After many years as a homemaker and hobby farmer, Ann has spent the last 3 years working in the aviation industry. She is enthusiastic about putting her customer service skills and knowledge of flight procedures to use in service of a worthwhile mission. She has lived in the Peoria area for… Read more »

Lindsey Kerr

Executive Director Lindsey has spent her career in the non-profit sector, helping organizations by providing expertise in fundraising, communications, marketing, and leading staff & volunteers. Lindsey loves the mission of LifeLine Pilots. During times of medical distress, people are at their most vulnerable and LifeLine Pilots is there to help ease their burden. Lindsey and… Read more »

Andy Zich

Board Member Andy is a life-long aviation enthusiast and avid pilot. He received an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and currently resides in Peoria, IL. As an entrepreneur, Andy has worked in the international product manufacturing & importing field as well as the field of engineering. Currently, he works for Caterpillar’s Innovation,… Read more »

Andy Wheatcroft

Board Member For 23 years Andy has worked for Caterpillar, the Peoria-based manufacturing giant. Originally from the UK, Andy has worked for CAT in his home country, Belgium, France and since 2011, the United States. Andy brings with him a passion for aviation, a vast network of pilots and professional connections, and a track record… Read more »

Dr. Ken Reily

Board Member Ken Reily is an instructor of Information Science and Computer Science at the University of Minnesota. In addition to his role at the University, he provides consulting services in software research, software development and architecture, process development, and training/education. Prior to Ken’s current roles, he was a Senior Technical Manager for 3M’s Electronics… Read more »

Peyton S. Metzel, Ph.D.

Board Member Dr. Metzel received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1979. That same year he joined Abbott Laboratories’ Diagnostics Division as a Research Scientist in Hepatitis Research & Development. He held several positions until leaving Abbott in 1995 as Section Head, Infectious Disease Diagnostics Technical Support. In the ensuing… Read more »

Craig Hourigan

Vice-Chair Craig Hourigan is a Supply Chain and Operations Executive with over 30 years of experience in a variety of industries including industrial electrical products distribution, medical device, and consumer products.  Currently, Craig is a Senior Director, Network Transformation at Wesco International, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Wesco International, Craig was the President… Read more »