ERCA Foundation Chooses Officers

(BOARD MEMBERS, LEFT TO RIGHT: JERRY TKACHUK, LUCINDA HART, CARY JACKSON, EMILY PLUMLEE, MARK DOAN, NORMA LANSING, BOB SCHULTZ, DR. JOSH BULLOCK, STEVE METTE, KURT ROBERTS, MATT STURGEON, DAN WOODS, CHRISTI DONSBACH, CHAD THOMPSON, COURTNEY YOCKEY, ANDY JOHNSON AND IKE NWOSU. NOT PICTURED: CASEY ADAM, GREG FEARDAY, PHIL LARK, DAVE JANSEN, KEVIN STUNDON, KELLY ROEPKE, JUSTIN NIEBRUGGE, LAURA SULLIVAN, SARA RUDING, TAMMY BLOEMER, DR. AUSTIN CHENEY, MATT ROEDL, JAMIE CORDA-HADJOUI, TODD HULL, JOSH DOUTHIT, JULIE WOLLERMAN)

The Effingham Regional Career Foundation board members elected officers during their recent meeting. While several members were in attendance, some of the 33 members attended via Zoom access.

Newly-elected officers are Norma Lansing, President; Bob Schultz, Vice President; Lucinda Hart, Treasurer; and Dr. Josh Bullock, Secretary. Additionally, the board appointed ex-officio members, including: Jamie-Corda-Hadjoui, WIOA 23 Director; Julie Wollerman, Superintendent, Regional Office of Education #3; Dr. Austin Cheney, Eastern Illinois University; Todd Hull, Economic Development Director, City of Effingham; Josh Douthit, Effingham County Board Chair; and Mark Doan, ERCF Immediate Past Board Chair.

Effingham Regional Career Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that oversees the operation of the Effingham Regional Career Academy. Serving communities and 14 school districts in Clay, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties, ERCA offers focused curriculum and advanced, hands-on training in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, technology and transportation. Courses allow high school students and current professionals to gain hands-on education in those fields. The goal is to provide the region with well-educated and trained individuals who are able to work in their field of choice without moving away.

The first Explore ERCA, a one-semester course that introduces students to local career opportunities, completed the Spring 2022 semester with classroom and hands-on business and industry training. A group of high school students attended orientation for the Fall 2023 semester and registration is currently open for Spring 2024.

ERCA is available through a partnership with Lake Land College.

For more details, visit https://www.eiefes.k12.il.us/regional-programs/erca