Liz Loveless is the Director of Graduate Admissions at St. Ambrose University. Liz has a BS in Zoology from University of Washington, Seattle; a teaching certificate K-12, University of Washington, Seattle; a MBA from St. Ambrose University, Davenport; and has taken graduate courses in education (ESL) from WIU-QC. Where do you work and what do you do there? I’ve been employed at St. Ambrose University for 22+ years and am currently the Director of Graduate Admissions. I’m retiring in June 2014. Our department finds qualified people who want to enrich their lives by entering one of the 14 graduate programs offered at SAU. St. Ambrose was established in 1882 and is a Catholic, diocesan, co-educational university with a current enrollment of over 3600 students. Our core values include our Catholic identity, Integrity, The Liberal Arts, Life-long Learning and Diversity. /I’ve been married to Jim Loveless for almost six years. My daughter Clara Berridge is completing her PhD at University of California, Berkeley. I have four grown step children and nine step grandkids. What do you like most about the Quad-Cities? It’s a beautiful part of the country with friendly people and lots of activity and opportunities for involvement. Besides membership in the GQCHCC, I’m an Ambassador with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of The Women’s Connection, a 26-year member of the Rock Island Noon Kiwanis, on the First Day Fund Committee for the Rock Island/Milan School District and am a Board member for the Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health. What motivated you to join the GQCHCC? Diversity is a Core Value of St. Ambrose University so professionally and personally I saw it as an opportunity to meet and network with new people in the community. I look forward to participating in the singing of "Twelve Days of Christmas” at the Holiday Fiesta. Seriously, I love attending/hosting the Multicultural Mixers. Most people don’t know…about our organization. That we have a new Director of Diversity, Ryan Saddler who will be actively involved in the GQCHCC and that we have a large number of veterans going to classes at St. Ambrose. Motto or favorite quote: "Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth” What is your favorite musical group, and favorite song, favorite movie? HA! I love the "oldies” from the 1960s and 1970s and the "easy listening” stuff of Johnny Mathis, John Denver, etc. Most often though, you’ll catch me listening to Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and the older C& W singers. I’ll go to any movie that stars Denzel Washington. I’m an avid reader who enjoys international women authors. Who do you look up to as an inspiring role model? I always looked up to my dad. He was an outgoing, friendly man who never spoke unkindly about other people, loved to talk and could remember everybody’s name. He encouraged me to travel, try new and different things and he always told me, "Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well”.Directory Profile: St. Ambrose University 518 W Locust St. Davenport, IA 52803 Phone: (563) 333-6000 www.sau.edu

Marcy Mendenhall is the President & CEO of SAL Family and Community Services (formally Skip-a-Long). Mendenhall received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Dubuque and Master of Social Work from St. Ambrose University. She is also a licensed Independent Social Work and Registered Play Therapist.

 

Tell us about your organization and/ your family.

As the President and CEO, I oversee this fantastic and diverse organization. Since July, my time has been reading and researching the agency’s rich history, talking to staff, families, children and community members about their views on the agency.I have been visioning on the future of the organization that will help us advance our mission and grow in the community. I am married to Dr. Matt Mendenhall for nine years and am the mother to Mallory and Libby who both attend Bettendorf High School, and the ‘bonus mom’ to Lydia and Ryan Mendenhall.

SAL Family and Community Services was founded under the name Skip-a-Long in 1970 by the "concerned citizens” group who wanted to ensure quality care to all children, regardless of financial means. We are a non-profit organization which is dedicated to providing programs and services accessible to families of all incomes. We have three early care and education campuses in Moline, Rock Island and Davenport, caring for children ages six weeks to 12 years old. With our new name we offer community-based services such as the Home Child Care Network, which links families to a network to qualified child care providers for 2nd shift, 3rd shift, weekend, and special needs care, and offers home child care providers free assistance and training to help them better serve families and develop their businesses. The Open Door program offers immediate crisis intervention and assistance to those in need of obtaining food, employment, substance abuse and health services in the Illinois Quad Cities area. Lastly, SAL Child Care Connection is a Child Care Resource and Referral agency in Peoria that provides families with a database of licensed child care centers and homes, helps families learn about child care options and payment assistance, and offers professional development opportunities to home and center child care providers.

Most people don’t know…about our organization.

We serve 900 children per day at our early care and education environment and 90% of our children entering into kindergarten are assessed to be ‘kindergarten ready’!!

What motivated you to join the GQCHCC?

GQCHCC is a great organization and a valuable asset to our community. In addition, our agency missions align thus making it an easy choice to collaborate on like issues and projects. We look forward to working with the GQCHCC closely in the future with the ongoing support through job postings, career fair sponsorship, and connecting us with interesting community events.

Tell us about your community involvement.

SAL Family and Community Services are members of The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Quad Cities Chamber, we are a United Way Partner Agency and work with Iowa and Illinois Departments of Human Services. We have staff members who serve on committees for the improvement of the Illinois and Iowa Quality Rating Systems, and who are leaders in local organizations like the Early Childhood Coalition (ECC) and the QC Association for the Education of Young Children (QCAEYC). I am on the Executive Board of Scott County Regional Authority and YWCA, and a member of Junior League of the Quad Cities.

There are many aspects that I love and appreciate about the Quad Cities. I love the beauty of the Mississippi River, the depth of quality and accessible child care and human services providers, the business professionals and community stakeholders who are tireless advocates for vulnerable populations. I love that I can wear a John Deere or Iowa Hawkeye shirt when traveling and it is immediately recognized, swelling me with hometown pride. I love the invisible fact that I can get from my house to almost any local destination within 25 minutes without having to factor traffic into the equation. I love our diverse residents and their generous sharing of their cultures, and the continuous growing entertainment field of our area as there is always something interesting happening around town.

Motto or favorite quote:

Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you. -H. Jackson Brown Jr

Directory Profile:

SAL Family and Community Services
4210 44th Ave
Moline, IL 61265
Phone: (309) 764-3724
www.salfcs.org/
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Dr. Kristina Montez is a chiropractor and the owner of Balanced Body Chiropractic. Balanced Body Chiropractic provides chiropractic care to individuals of all ages – young and old. Dr. Montez earned her Bachelor of Arts from University of Iowa and Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She graduated Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic and is board certified.

Motto or favorite quote: You only have one spine…take care of it!

Tell us about your practice and your family.

It is so important for babies and children to have healthy spines since they go through so many changes from birth. Many do not realize that a child’s nervous system is the key to development. A healthy spine and nervous system ensures optimal growth and development. I am engaged and have 2 children. Both children have received chiropractic care since birth! Isiah is 6 and Arianna is 1. We enjoy spending time together outdoors, watching movies, and participating in the community race events.

What do you like most about the Quad-Cities?

I grew up here, so it feels like my friends are family, as well. The community is very supportive and friendly. There are many more activities and events coming to the Quad Cities for people to enjoy. I like that there is always something going on. And I love that I know someone almost everywhere I go, so I can have conversations wherever I am at! I appreciate the improvements that are going on in downtown areas, also.

What motivated you to join the GQCHCC?

Since opening up my business, I have wanted to reach out to the Hispanic community.They are such an integral part of the Quad Cities, and being Hispanic, I feel that I can relate to them. The GQCHCC has been great with supporting small businesses and hosting great events. I have been a member for less than a year, so my most favorite memory was the GQCHCC being present at my ribbon cutting. I was so thankful for their support! It is a great feeling to have that support. I plan on doing wellness talks at area businesses or schools to spread the word about the importance of chiropractic care.

Directory Profile:
Balanced Body Chiropractic
1614 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL 61201
(309)786-1700
www.qcbalancedbodychiro.com
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Matt Casillas is a State Farm Agent serving Davenport and the surrounding communities in Iowa and Illinois for insurance and financial services. Matt has 4 licensed team members that work in his Davenport office. His team members include Office Manager – Faith Keeney, Customer Relations Joy Irons, Sales – Maghen Lindholm & Tan Osothsongkroh-Harris. Combined they have over 80 years of insurance experience.

What do you like most about the Quad-Cities?

It is a great place to own a business and raise a family. The people in the Quad Cities are very friendly and involved in the community. I am married to my wife Becca, 10 years in January, we have 3 children Bear (5), Noni (4) & Sasha (2).

What motivated you to join the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?

I was relocating to Davenport in 2011 and I saw a sign at the Moline Airport. It highlighted The GQCHCC and talked about the organization. I knew at that moment as soon as I opened my doors as a small business owner that I would join the Hispanic Chamber. I value the Mission of our organization and feel it is a great place to meet business owners like myself as well as stay in tune with what is impacting our community and how I could help. I am also a member of LULAC Council #10, I am the secretary and Scholarship Committee Chairperson. My involvement with LULAC has also given me the opportunity to work with the Davenport Community Advisory Panel.

What is your favorite memory of being part of the Greater QC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?

The Annual Gala was a very positive event last year. Knowing our chamber was Hispanic Chamber of the Year was great to see. I am proud that State Farm has been the presenting sponsor of the Annual Gala for the last 3 years and knowing that we are going to sponsor for a 4th consecutive year in 2014 is very exciting and my proudest moment.

Directory Profile: Matthew Casillas, CPCU
State Farm Agent-Serving Iowa and Illinois
Providing Insurance & Financial Services
102 E Kimberly Rd Ste J
Davenport, IA 52806
(563) 386-5481
Fax (563) 823-0103
Cell (563) 381-7807
Visit Matt at www.matthewcasillas.com
Email: [email protected]
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