- Richland County CEO
- Board Members
Board Members
Meet the Richland County CEO Board Members
Sara Buehnerkemper
Board Chair
Organization:
Carle Health, Carle Richland Memorial Hospital
Title: Director of Ancillary Services
About SaraLori Uhl
Vice Chair
Organization:
Illinois Gas Company / USDI
Title: Treasurer & CFO
About LoriTynan O'Neil
Treasurer
Organization:
Vizient
Title: Sr. Consultant, Corporate Strategy
About TynanBrandan Michels
Secretary
Organization:
MAC Plastics Manufacturing Inc
Title: Plant Manager/Human Resources Manager
About BrandanTaryn Bunting
Board Member
Organization:
Olney Central College
Title: Coordinator of Financial Aid
About TarynJason Givens
Board Member
Organization:
Richland County High School
Title: Guidance Counselor
About JasonHeath Houchin
Board Member
Organization:
First National Bank in Olney
Title: Loan Officer
About HeathDarrell Houchin
Board Member
Organization:
RCCU School District 1
Title: Principal
About DarrellGina Kocher
Board Member
Organization:
TrustBank
Title: Director of Marketing/Business Development Officer
About GinaChad LeCrone
Board Member
Organization:
RCCU #1
Title: Assistant Superintendent
About ChadLauren McClain
Board Member
Organization:
RCDC
Title: Executive Director
About LaurenBartley Zuber
Board Member
Organization:
Bartley C. Zuber, Attorney at Law
Title: Owner
About Bartley
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.
Lori Uhl - Vice Chair
I am a 1990 graduate of East Richland High School and a 1993 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. I am a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois and a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. I have worked at Illinois Gas Company/Utility Safety and Design Inc since September of 2002. Previously, I worked at Pacific Cycle (formerly Brunswick Bicycles and Roadmaster) for 8 ½ years. I am an active member of St Joseph Catholic Church in Olney and have served on various committees in the community. My husband Mike and I reside in Olney with our two very active children, Evan and Claire. In my spare time, I enjoy doing almost anything outside, walking, boating and kayaking and working in my yard.
Tynan O'Neil - Treasurer

Tynan is an Idaho native and completed his B.S. in Healthcare Administration at Idaho State and Master of Health Administration at Penn State. He has been in Illinois since 2017 where he held multiple roles within Carle Health in the Champaign-Urbana Area. In 2020, Tynan and his family were given the opportunity to move to the land of lakes and white squirrels and fell in love with Olney and the surrounding communities. His wife Lyttia (Tia) and he, own TerraSageSM Salon and HERBoS™ Fun Center in Olney.
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

I am the Coordinator of Financial Aid at Olney Central College. I have been employed at OCC for seven years. My husband Drew and I own and operate The Smokin' Pig food truck and restuarant. The restuarant is located in Grayville, IL. I reside in rural Richland County with Drew and our son Mason. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with our Golden Retriever Mac and watching Mason play baseball.
Jason Givens - Board Member

My name is Jason Givens and I am the Guidance Counselor at Richland County High School. This is my 7th year as a Guidance Counselor. Prior to working at RCHS I worked as the Guidance Cousenlor at Red Hill Jr/Sr High School. I went to school at Evangel University where I have a Master's in School Counseling, Masters in Educational Administration and a Bachelor's in Mental Health.
My wife Kearsten works as a 1st grade teacher at the Richland County Elementary School. We have two kids, Landon (3) and Crew (1).
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).
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.
Chad LeCrone - Board Member

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.
Lauren McClain - Board Member

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!
Bartley Zuber - Board Member

I was born and raised in Richland County. I attended the University of Illinois, graduating from what is now known as the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, and, three years later, from the University of Illinois College of Law. I practiced law in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis for a couple years before starting my practice in Olney in 2003. My wife, Jennifer, and I live in rural Richland County with our two very young daughters. In addition to spending time with my family, I enjoy tending to our surrounding acreage and recycling scrap metal.