About the Trustees
Kathryn Bohn, Chairperson
Bohn is currently a physician and partner at The Vein Specialists in Bloomington, IL. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree from Illinois State University. She then matriculated to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree. Following medical school, she completed a three-year residency in family medicine. Bohn worked as an emergency physician for 24 years in the Bloomington-Normal area. She served on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Family Violence Council, the Red Cross Board, and the Illinois State University Foundation and Alumni Boards. In 1999, Bohn was honored as a McLean County YWCA Woman of Distinction, and in 2005, she was inducted into ISU's College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
Term Expires January 2029
Julie Hoeniges
A trade compliance professional with more than 25 years of global experience, Hoeniges is the Senior Director of Trade Compliance at Rivian, based out of Normal, IL. In this role since 2019, she is responsible for ground-up development of trade policy and strategy, customs import operations, export controls, audit and advisory activities, as well as ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations related to international trade. Prior to that, Hoeniges spent 20 years at Caterpillar Inc. where she led a global team with responsibility for enterprise trade compliance leadership, policy, advice, and oversight for 125 different legal entities across 26 countries. She has served two terms on the Illinois District Export Council, is a licensed US Customs Broker, and is a long-time member of the American Association of Exporters and Importers, where she currently serves on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee. Hoeniges earned a bachelor’s degree in risk management and insurance from Illinois State University.
Term Expires January 2031
Kris Lutt
Lutt is president, Sustainable Materials and Strategic Initiatives for Archer Daniels Midland. In this role, he oversees ADM’s global BioSolutions group; Precision Fermentation team; its decarbonization agenda; defossilization work around renewable natural gas and sustainable aviation fuel; Business Development activities across the Carbohydrate Solutions portfolio; and ADM’s Evolutions Chemicals and Southern Cellulose businesses. Lutt joined ADM in 2002, and most recently served as president of Sweetening & Texturizing Solutions within the Carbohydrate Solutions business unit. In that role, he was responsible for all commercial activities across the company’s sweetener, starch and acidulant businesses in the food space. Prior to that, he was president of ADM subsidiary Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts, a leading handler, processor and exporter of peanuts and tree nuts, with processing facilities in major growing areas in the United States, Argentina and South Africa. Before that, Lutt was president of ADM’s Milling business, and before that, advisor to the Office of the Chairman. Within ADM’s Corn business, he has served as general manager, Specialty Feed Ingredients, and vice president, Corn Processing. Before joining ADM, Lutt worked for Minnesota Corn Processors, which ADM acquired in 2002. Lutt holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from Illinois State University. He also serves on the board of directors of the Corn Refiners Association, Redstar Yeast Company, and the Community Foundation of Macon County.
Term Expires January 2029
Lia Merminga
An internationally renowned accelerator physicist, Merminga is a Distinguished Scientist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the United States’ particle physics and accelerator laboratory located in Batavia, IL. She was the first woman to head Fermilab, serving as its director from 2022 to 2024. Prior to that, Merminga led the design and execution of the Proton Improvement Plan II (PIP-II) project, a billion-dollar upgrade to Fermilab's accelerator complex that will enable the most powerful beam of neutrinos for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), to unlock the mysteries of neutrinos. Merminga has held major scientific leadership positions at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California; TRIUMF in Vancouver, Canada; and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Laboratory in Virginia. She has served as an adjunct professor at the College of William and Mary, University of British Columbia, and University of Victoria, and as a professor at Stanford University in the departments of physics and astronomy. Merminga earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Athens, Greece, and master's degrees in physics and mathematics and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is a fellow of the American Physical Society, a graduate of the DOE's Oppenheimer Energy Science Leadership Program and was recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Women in STEM 2023.
Term Expires January 2029
Robert Navarro, Secretary
Navarro is currently the President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this role since 2006, Navarro administers a viable destination marketing program for the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor region that is designed to achieve economic development through tourism, marketing, promotion and development. He previously served as Director of Housing Services as U.S Equities Reality, where he worked to open the 18-story University Center in the Chicago loop that houses students from Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University, and Roosevelt University. Navarro also served as a facility manager for the DuPage Children's Museum and began his career at Illinois State University as an assistant director. He is a founding member of Illinois State University's Latino Alumni Network and a former chairman of the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Navarro earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Illinois State University.
Term Expires January 2031
Doug Peterson
Peterson is a strategic leader with profound expertise in AI Strategy and Integration, driving enterprise-wide initiatives that align with corporate objectives and enhance operational efficiency. He currently serves as the Director of AI Strategy and Implementation with AbbVie. Peterson leads AI governance and compliance frameworks, ensuring ethical AI deployment and adherence to regulatory standards, as a part of AbbVie's Responsible AI and Governance Team. Peterson received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Information Technology from American InterContinental University, and a Master of Business Administration from Illinois State University.
Term Expires January 2029
Darren Tillis
Darren Tillis is the owner of Darren Tillis Insurance Agency, an independent contract agency with State Farm Insurance Companies providing insurance and financial services throughout the State of Illinois, located in Chicago’s historic North Lawndale community. With over 29 years of experience in the insurance & financial services industry, Darren has served in various leadership roles within the company and community. Darren has served as the Chair of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) North Lawndale Advisory Board, Co-Chair of Lawndale Community Action Council (CAC), Co-Chair of Hughes Elementary Local School Council and a member of Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) North Lawndale Advisory Board. Darren is currently a member of Strategic Human Services Board of Directors and a member of UCAN Governing Board. Darren is a recipient of the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP Nola Bright Community Service Award and the New Covenant Community Development Corporation Game Changer Award. Darren earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Illinois State University in 1994.
Term Expires January 2029
Ryan Russell, Student Trustee
Ryan Russell is a Junior Marketing major with a minor in Organizational Leadership. In his time on campus, he has served as a Student Life Senator in the Student Government Association, the Vice President of the University Program Board, the Director of Event Planning for Student Leadership Advisory Board, a Student Member on the Reinstatement Committee, and is currently the Vice President of Sigma Pi Fraternity, the Vice President of Brotherhood for the Interfraternity Council, a Social Media Intern for the College of Business, the Treasurer for Alpha Kappa Psi, and the President of Business Week. He is passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment on campus while also making sure students' voices are being heard. He is thrilled to be able to work alongside many colleagues at Illinois State University to continue to make this place, that he now calls home, great!