- Richland County CEO
- Board Members
Board Members
Meet the Richland County CEO Board Members
Sara Buehnerkemper - Board Chair
Sara is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy and serves as the Director of Ancillary Services at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital. She is a member of the Richland County Addiction Prevention Coalition and serves on the Illinois Pharmacist Association Board of Directors. Sara resides in Teutopolis, IL and enjoys spending time with her family, listening to podcasts, being outdoors, and gardening.
Lauren McClain - Vice Chair
Lauren is an alumni of Richland County schools (ERHS) and a lifetime resident of Olney. She attended Eastern Illinois University where she obtained her undergraduate degree and is a graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield where she completed her Master's Degree in Human Services.
Lauren is married to her husband, Rob and they have three children; Nora, Grant and Alexander. Lauren is the Executive Director at Richland County Development Corporation which is the Fiscal Agent for the Richland County CEO Program. She also serves in leadership roles for the Olney Rotary Club and Project Community of Richland County, serves as a board member for the St. Joe School Board, the Richland County 708 Board and the Richland County 4-H Foundation. Lauren attends St. Joseph Catholic Church and enjoys spending time watching her kids participate in local athletics.
Previously, Lauren was an entrepreneur in Richland County so CEO is something she is very passionate about. Being able to see the students grow during the year is her favorite part of CEO and something she looks forward to each year!
Chad LeCrone - Treasurer
Chad is the assistant superintendent for the Richland County School District. Prior to that, he served as a principal at Richland County High School for four years and Richland County Middle School for one year. He spent 10 years as assistant principal at Richland County High School as well as serving as the athletic director for six years. Prior to moving into administration, he was a teacher at RCHS for 10 years. During that time, he taught physical education, mathematics, and implemented the Jobs for Illinois Graduates program while also serving as an assistant coach for the boys' basketball team and coaching the girls' track team. He is proud to say that he has spent his entire career in education in the Richland County district.
Brandan Michels - Secretary
I graduated from East Richland High School in 2008 and Eastern Illinois University in 2014 with a Master's of Applied Science in Exercise Physiology. I worked as an Exercise Physiologist at Baptist Health in Madisonville, KY upon graduation before returning to Olney in 2019. I have worked at MAC Plastics as the Plant Manager and Human Resources Manager since 2019. My wife Kelly and I live in Olney with our son, Benson. Outside of spending time with my family, I enjoy cooking, traveling, reading, and watching films.
Taryn Bunting - Board Member
My name is Taryn Bunting and I am the Coordinator of Financial Aid at Olney Central College. This is my 9th year at OCC. I also own and operate The Smokin’ Pig restaurant and food truck located in Olney and Grayville, IL.
My husband Drew Bunting is a Richland County Sheriff Deputy and together we operate The Smokin’ Pig businesses. We have one son, Mason who is in the 7th grade at St. Joseph School. We reside in rural Richland County where we have several goats, chickens and two dogs, Yadi and Mac.
Heath Houchin - Board Member
Heath graduated from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale with a bachelors degree in Agriculture Business Economics and is currently an Agriculture and Commercial Loan Officer at First National Bank in Olney. Heath resides in Olney with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys grilling, fishing, baseball and being outdoors with family and friends.
Darrell Houchin - Board Member
The 2022 - 2023 school year marks my 19th year in education. I previously served in the following positions:
2020-2022 Principal at Richland County Middle School in Olney
2016-2020 Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Richland County Middle School in Olney
2013-2016 Dean of Students, 8th Grade Science Teacher, and coach at Richland County Middle School in Olney
2003-2013 8th Grade Science Teacher and coach at East Richland Middle School in Olney
I am originally from Murphysboro, Illinois, I graduated from Southern Illinois Univeristy Carbondale with a degree in Biological Sciences and Science Secondary Education in 2000. Since then, I have completed a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Eastern Illinois University and have most recently completed my Educational Specialist Degree from Eastern Illinois University that would allow me to serve as superintendent of schools.
My wife’s name is Amanda and she is a 7th grade social studies teacher at Richland County Middle School in Olney. We have two children, Carly (Sophomore in high school) and Kyler (5th grade at RCES).
Maddy Jones - Board Member
I was raised in Mt. Carmel, IL, graduating in 2017. I was in the Mt. Carmel CEO’s 2nd year class in 2015-2016. I attended Brescia University and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2020. One year later, I graduated from University of Southern Indiana with my Masters in Business Administration. I currently work for Big R Farm and Home in the Corporate Office as an Accounting Specialist. I am active at church, enjoy teaching yoga, being outside on the water, gardening, and traveling.
Gina Kocher - Board Member
I am a graduate of EIU and spent 16 years in education, including four years as a CEO Program facilitator. I currently work as a Director of Marketing and Business Development Officer at TrustBank and had the opportunity to serve as a mentor for the Richland County CEO program last year. My husband and I also run our own personal business, Headhunter's Taxidermy. In my spare time, I enjoy making memories with my children, being physically active, and playing bass guitar.
Jaclyn Shan - Board Member
Jaclyn grew up in Olney, Illinois and was a 2015 graduate of East Richland High School and a 2016 graduate of Olney Central College. After OCC, she transferred to Eastern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting in 2018 and her MBA with an Accountancy Concentration in 2020.
Jaclyn earned her Illinois CPA license in 2021 and is currently a Senior Accountant at Kemper CPA Group LLP in Olney. Her work experience is primarily in individual and business taxation as well as governmental and non-profit auditing. In her free time, Jaclyn enjoys playing tennis, going to concerts and sporting events, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.