Board of Trustees

Bob Thompson has been on the Board at Sauk Valley Community College for 27 years where he also taught speech communication and critical thinking and analysis as an adjunct instructor early in his service to the college. He is also past president of the statewide Illinois Community College Trustees Association where he continues to represent Sauk on the ICCTA Board of Representatives.

He is a local attorney in Dixon, Illinois with a private law practice and has served in the public defender's office for 28 years. He previously served as president of the Dixon area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and as Co-Chair of the United Way of Lee County. He is married with two children.

Bob loves to hear Sauk Success stories and never hesitates to ask how current and former students enjoyed their time at Sauk. His wife, Michelle , and he have a daughter in the inaugural class of the Sauk Impact program, earning tuition at no cost to the students. Feel free to contact Bob anytime with reflections, comments or suggestions.

Brian Duncan is a 1986 graduate of Sauk Valley Community College.  He and his wife, Kelly, own and operate a diversified grain and livestock farm.  Their livestock operation includes a wean-to-finish pork farm and a custom cattle feedlot.  They grow mostly corn, along with some soy and wheat.  Their son, Levi (Lydia), and daughters, Sarah (Carl) and Emma (Danny), are all part of the farming operation.  Their youngest daughter, Molly, is a technician and crew leader for the Nature Conservancy Nachusa Grasslands near Rochelle, IL.

Duncan was elected as the 16th president of the Illinois Farm Bureau in December 2023.  In his capacity as president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Duncan is also president of COUNTRY Financial, Illinois Agricultural Service Company, and the IAA Foundation.  Prior to his election as president, Brian served six years as vice president and thirteen years as president of the Ogle County Farm Bureau.

Margaret Tyne, a loyal alumna of Sauk Valley Community College, maintains that her involvement with Sauk is a longtime pursuit of which she is extremely proud. After graduating from Polo Community High School, she started her pre-pharmacy studies at SVCC. She was well-prepared to transfer to Drake University School of Pharmacy.

Since returning to this area after finishing law school, Margaret has been very involved in civic organizations. During her current tenure on the SVCC Board of Trustees, she has served as Board secretary, liaison to the SVCC Foundation, and has lobbied our members of Congress.

Margaret believes Sauk is truly important to our area because it affects many aspects of daily life. SVCC can initiate, expand, and change educational opportunities. The college develops programs quickly (e.g., Police Academy, sonography, assistance to first-generation students, and employment training).

Sauk beneficially impacted Margaret's life, and anyone can experience these benefits whether taking classes, consulting professionals educated at SVCC, or assisting others. Sauk has impact. Support Impact.

Lisa Wiersema, a proud Sauk Valley Community College alumna, pursued her education as a non-traditional student, completing a Bachelor's degree in Business Management after transferring from SVCC. Alongside her husband, she successfully operated Wiersema Waste Service, Inc. for two decades until their retirement in 2020. Lisa, happily married to Mark, cherishes their family life with three sons and two grandchildren. She enriches her community as a part-time substitute teacher in the Sauk Valley area. Lisa finds joy in outdoor pursuits such as gardening, boating, and bike riding, and is an avid reader, embracing a balanced life of learning, family, and leisure activities.

Danelle, raised on an Atkinson, IL farm, relocated to Dixon in 2008. She and her husband, Paul, now farm near Grand Detour. Danelle leads the Palmyra Hillbillies 4-H Club, passionately supporting youth development. Her hobbies revolve around family, from chauffeuring to cheering at her children's numerous activities, to volunteering. Danelle values Sauk Valley Community College for its local, affordable educational opportunities, believing it crucial in broadening horizons and fostering new career paths.

Sam Ramirez has dedicated 30 years to River Country 101.7 Radio in Dixon, where he hosts the morning show and covers local sports. Married to Carie for 20 years, Sam finds fulfillment in giving back to his community through his work. He is a proud Sauk Valley Community College ('03) and transferred to Northern Illinois University where he completed his bachelor degree. He values SVCC for its vibrant atmosphere and community spirit, fostering a place where people thrive. Fun fact: Jim Croce performed at SVCC in 1972, a memorable event!

Tom Demmer is the Executive Director of the Lee County Industrial Development Association. He previously served five terms in the Illinois House of Representatives and was Deputy Minority Leader and the chief budget negotiator and healthcare policy lead for the House Republican caucus. Prior to the General Assembly, Tom served for three years on the Lee County Board. He was also a member of the senior leadership team at KSB Hospital. Tom graduated from the University of Dayton and was a White House Intern in the Office of the Vice President of the United States. He is a Henry W. Toll Fellow with the Council of State Governments and an Edgar Fellow with the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs. He served for 12 years on the Board of Directors of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Preservation Foundation. Tom was born and raised in Dixon. He is a member of St. Anne Parish and lives in Dixon with his wife Rebecca, an RN at KSB, and their children Katie and John.

James Curl, a proud salutatorian graduate of Amboy High School, is pursuing a business major at Sauk Valley Community College with plans to transfer to Northern Illinois University to earn a degree in Finance. His goal is to return to his community to embark on financial endeavors or start a business.

James's connection with Sauk Valley Community College began in high school where he was drawn to the college's supportive faculty and extensive resources designed to help students reach their full potential. He is an active participant in the SVCC community, working in the Testing Center and engaging in TRIO, the Science Club, the Business Club, and Phi Theta Kappa.

In his role as Student Trustee, James serves as a vital link between the SVCC student body and the Board of Trustees, ensuring that student activities, concerns, and feedback are communicated directly to the Board. His dedication to advocating for the interests of all SVCC students and enhancing the overall college experience is evident in his commitment to this role.

Outside of his academic and trustee responsibilities, James enjoys following financial markets, investing, and playing video games.