Board of Directors
Heather Jackson
Heather has been instructing and choreographing professionally for over 25 years, with an emphasis on children’s dance. Heather received her formal dance training from Claudette Soltis (former dancer of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo) of the Joliet Ballet Society. The Ballet Society gave her the opportunity to work with many other ballet greats such as Irina Kolpakova of the American Ballet Theatre and Dance Dindonis, formerly of the Indianapolis Ballet. She is a graduate of Millikin University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Performance degree in Dance & Musical Theatre. She is the former Director of Dance at the Mayer Kaplan JCC in Skokie. Heather also established the Kaleidoscope Dance Ensemble in the Northshore area in 2001, for which she is the Artistic Director. Heather founded Kaleidoscope Dance in 2004 and has been a part of the Skokie Business Community for 19 years. Kaleidoscope Dance prides itself on a warm community atmosphere and small class sizes, our studio is able to give each student personal attention so they can progress at a faster pace. We encourage quality dance technique and self-discipline while fostering a love of movement and self-expression. Heather loves spending time with her husband and two children. She is honored and thrilled to represent the Skokie Chamber as Board Chairperson.Â
John Baker
Past President
Julie Hardegree is the co-owner of ProAuto, an auto repair shop in Morton Grove. Julie and her husband Lee, a highly rated mechanic for over 25 years, opened ProAuto in 2020 to bring an honest and expert service to the community. Previously Julie ran her own embroidery company and spent many years as a private yoga instructor – a practice she still continues today with a few long term clients.
Over the past two years, Julie has helped build a loyal customer base and has become a fixture in Morton Grove and the surrounding communities. Along with her commitment to the Skokie Chamber she is a member of the Niles and Northbrook Chambers as well as local networking groups including Women in Networking. Julie also volunteers for many community organizations including Morton Grove Senior Center and Night Ministry. The Hardegree family has many strong local ties – Julie grew up in Wilmette, Lee grew up in Skokie and they raised their two, now adult, children in Northbrook.
David Putrus
Board Treasurer
First Bank Chicago
Randy Usen has been a Commercial Banking Executive for 40+ years, an Auditor/Credit Analyst for 6 years and a Commercial Lender/Advisor to Businesses for 35 years. He is a Senior VP in the Skokie / Evanston Byline Bank organization and serves as a  Division Head for Commercial Banking (F/K/A First Bank & Trust), specializing in providing loans and commercial banking services to privately held companies and not for profit organizations. Randy’s work experience includes Continental Illinois National Bank, Unibanctrust (F/K/A Sears Bank & Trust), and Bank One NA (combined with First Chicago and now JP Morgan Chase). Randy holds a B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University and an M.B.A. in Finance from DePaul University. He also attended St. Xavier University’s Professional Financial Planning Program. Growing up in Skokie he graduated from Niles North H.S. In addition to serving on the Skokie Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, Randy has participated in the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and served as their President. He was also a Board Member of SomerCor 504 and is a Rotarian in the Lighthouse Rotary Club of Rotary International. Randy enjoys golf, softball, cycling, skiing, canoeing and spending time with his wife and two children.
David Hartley
Joy Schaefer just retired as the co-owner of Home Helpers of Northeastern Illinois and was granted an honorary lifetime membership to the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. Joy has spent her career in endeavors which have focused on giving back to the community. She is currently serving as the acting Board Secretary and is a past Board Chairperson of the organization. Her family-owned party business, Le Potpourri, provided decorating services in Skokie from 1981 until 2008. Joy also lived in Skokie for 16 years.
David Putrus is VP/Market Manager for First Bank Chicago. He brings over 20 years of financial experience from the banking industry including Personal, Non-Profit and Business Banking. Born and raised in Skokie, David is actively involved in the Community. He is the former President of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission, District 219 Education Foundation and the Skokie Community Foundation.
Board Members at Large
Frank Moy
Biography Coming Soon!
Dave Biskup
Biography Coming Soon!
Cara Hardiman
Biography Coming Soon!
Maegan Akers
Serge Khalimsky became the General Manager of Westfield Old Orchard in 2016, after serving as Assistant General Manager for 3 years. Serge has a professional background that spans across multiple industries including financial services, insurance, and commercial real estate. Serge also participates in a national veteran mentorship program, providing professional guidance to veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life as they search for meaningful and rewarding careers. In his free time, Serge likes to play basketball and has a passion for traveling.
Zorica Lucic
Biography Coming Soon!
Richard Kong (Public Sector)
Skokie Public Library (Community Representative)
Richard oversees the operation and administration of the library, including matters related to library policies, finances, facilities, and personnel. He works closely with library staff and key partners in the local community to ensure progress is made with the library’s long-term strategic goals and annual objectives. In addition to the Chamber of Commerce Board, he is involved with various community organizations in Skokie. Richard is also a recognized leader in the professional library community, and previously served as an executive board member of the Public Library Association and as an executive board member of the Illinois Library Association.
John Lockerby (Public Sector)
Village of Skokie (Community Representative)
John Lockerby has served as the Village Manager of Skokie since 2014 after serving as Assistant Village Manager for nine years. Prior to coming to Skokie, John worked in the City of McHenry and Village of Woodridge. The Village of Skokie strives to provide high quality services, excellent customer service, and foster a business-friendly atmosphere that supports economic growth. The Village’s vibrant, diverse business community is impressive and among the community’s assets. John is an active member and Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Skokie Valley. He lives in Skokie with his wife Kate and two children.
Jim became Executive Director of the Skokie Community Foundation in September 2021. He was a member of the original steering committee of the Skokie Community Fund in 2014 and has been a member of the Board of Directors since that time. He served Niles Township High School District 219 as Director of Strategic Partnerships & Community Relations from 2006 until his retirement in June 2021. He has been part of the Skokie and Niles Township community since 1985, when he started as a reporter for Pioneer Press, covering Skokie. He was also Public Information Officer for the Village of Skokie from 1988 to 1996. Between his public sector stints at the Village of Skokie and D219, Jim was Public Affairs Director for Ameritech New Media/SBC. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and German Studies from Northwestern University and a Master’s in Written Communication from National-Louis University.
Michelle Tuft (Public Sector)
Skokie Park District (Community Representative)
Michelle Tuft is the Executive Director of the Skokie Park District. She oversees the district’s comprehensive management, planning and operation of the public agency.
Michelle worked as the district’s superintendent of recreation and facilities since 2012, after serving as its superintendent of recreation from 2006 to 2012. She was an integral part of administrating the district during the modernization of many of the district’s 12 facilities over the past decade. Michelle also was instrumental in creating the district’s largest event, Skokie’s Backlot Bash, an event that she has chaired since its inception in 2007. She also served as the chair of the iconic Skokie Festival of Cultures from 2007 to 2012. She previously worked as the facility manager of the district’s Weber Leisure Center and its Oakton Community Center, after recreation supervisor stints at three other suburban park districts in the 1990s.
Michelle received her bachelor’s degree in leisure studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is recognized as a certified park and recreation executive (CPRE) by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and is a member of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) and NRPA, having served the national association as an exam committee member.
Michelle has also served as the district’s Freedom of Information Act officer, as a past president of the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley, as a past member of the Illinois Arts Council Ethnic & Folk Arts grant selection committee, and as a past committee member of the University of Illinois Alumni Board. She is also Open Meetings Act certified by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
In addition to enjoying the many offerings of the Skokie Park District, Michelle is an avid Cubs fan. She also enjoys biking, gardening, reading, pottery and traveling with her partner Max and their friends.
Designated Board Alternates
Samina Hussain
Niles Township High School District 219
Lisa Edelson is the Education to Careers (ETC) coordinator for Niles North, Niles West and Niles Central High Schools. The ETC program aims to help D219’s 4,800 students understand how they can take advantage of their high school experiences, including their academic classes and extra-curricular activities, to investigate potential career choices. Lisa cultivates partnerships with businesses and community professionals who help students make informed decisions about college and careers. Lisa’s own career path has included positions with Baltimore County, MD’s Planning and Zoning Department, the Hilton and Hyatt Corporations and the Back of the Yards Business Association. She served as Executive Director of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce from 1988 to 2000. Lisa earned a Bachelor’s degree in City and Environmental Planning and a Master’s degree in Corporate Employee Life & Wellness Benefits Programming.