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Board & Staff

Meet our Staff

Executive Director

Heidi Lanier

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Heidi Lanier joined the QPS Foundation in July of 2022. While born and raised in Idaho, Quincy is Heidi’s chosen community and she is passionate about doing her part to help the community thrive. Heidi was introduced to Quincy by her husband, Josh Lanier, who was born and raised in town and graduated from QHS in 1999. Her two children, Marley and Harper, both attend Quincy Public Schools.

Heidi has a bachelor's degree in English from Quincy University and has completed all coursework for a master’s degree in marketing and communication at Franklin University. Heidi has spent her career working in educational non-profits, holding roles at Quincy University, Culver-Stockton College, John Wood Community College and Southern Oregon PBS.

In her free time, Heidi enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited about her position at the Foundation and can't wait to see the amazing things that get accomplished when we all work together.

Alumni & Events Manager

Rachael Raleigh

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Racheal Raleigh joined the QPS Foundation in January of 2023. Born in Quincy and having grown up in the area, Racheal is proud to call Quincy home. She graduated from Payson-Seymour High School in 2010. After high school, she attended Quincy University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in graphic design and a minor in marketing. Racheal's work experience in healthcare allowed her to serve in many capacities including marketing, design, communications, events management, and non-profit work.

In her free time, Racheal enjoys reading, design, outdoor activities, and spending time with loved ones. She is excited to join the team and is looking forward to accomplishing great things together.

Bookkeeping & Finance

Lori Salisbury

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In May 2020, Lori Salisbury joined QPS Foundation, working as a Bookkeeping/Finance Specialist. She came to us with 20+ years’ experience as an accountant with a local manufacturing company. She earned a 2-year degree from John Wood Community College, majoring in accounting. Lori lives in Quincy with her son Jacob and their two dogs. She enjoys cooking, working in the yard, listening to music, and watching her son play basketball and baseball.

Office Manager

Katie Rodemich

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Katie Rodemich joined the QPS Foundation in March of 2023. Born and raised in Quincy, she is a 2002 Blue Devil alumna and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and a minor in Broadcasting from Western Illinois University. Katie is passionate about helping the Quincy community to grow and prosper. She is an active member of Quincy Service League and served in various chair positions throughout her tenure. Recently, she joined the District Diplomats with The District.

Meet our Board of Trustees

President

Lindsay Ertel

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Lindsay is a 2001 QHS Graduate. She attended University of Kansas where she graduated with a degree in Interior Design. She and her high school sweetheart, Mitch, moved back to Quincy in 2010 when they tied the knot. They have 3 wonderful children - Madison, Will, & Jackson. Lindsay opened GemStone Countertops in 2019. Lindsay wants to make Quincy Public Schools as strong as possible to ensure a wonderful education for all students.

Vice President

Michaela Fray-Tappe

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Michaela Fray-Tappe, Ed.D. is in her 16th year serving as an educator. Raised in Augusta, Illinois, the daughter of two lifelong educators and a basketball coach, Michaela considers QPS "home". She attended Quincy University where she was a member of the basketball team and received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.

Michaela started her teaching career at Baldwin South Intermediate School. She has also served as the Western CUSD 12 PK-8th grade Principal, QPS IL-PART Coordinator, and QPS Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Currently, Michaela serves as the ROE #1 LEAD Coordinator. Michaela successfully completed her doctoral degree from Western Illinois University in December 2020 and holds a superintendent license. Serving on the QPS Foundation provides Michaela a way to continue to actively contribute to and celebrate the phenomenal people and happenings within Quincy Public Schools.

Michaela actively serves as the Secretary on the Horizons Board and as Vice President on the Mart Heinen Board at QU. Michaela is married to Andy Tappe. In March 2022, they welcomed Ja'Niya into their family. Ja'Niya is a student at Quincy Sr. High School. Michaela and Andy are both passionate about serving their community and region.

Second Vice President

Michelle Moore

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Michelle is a 1982 graduate of Quincy High School and a 1985 graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia with a double major in Early Childhood & Elementary Education. She formerly taught kindergarten, 1st grade, and Reading Recovery in the Peoria and Quincy Public Schools.

Michelle has always been very passionate about education, particularly Quincy Public Schools, and has been involved in a variety of roles as a parent, an alum, and a community member. She and her husband, Todd, also a 1982 QHS alum, were Honorary Chairs for the 2022 Dream Big Campaign. The support and enthusiasm of the community was overwhelming. She feels strongly that the quality and strength of the public school system in a community is mandatory for continued growth and development of that community, as well as for the quality of life for its citizens.

Michelle and Todd are the parents of two children, Austin and his wife Miranda and Alexandra and her husband Tony. They are the grandparents of four (amazing) grandchildren, Natalia and William Moore and Lucas and Sophia Lantz.

Secretary

Lucy Bordewick

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Lucy Bordewick and her husband, John, are proud natives of Quincy who returned to their hometown in 2011 from St. Louis. They have three children in Quincy Public Schools. Lucy earned her degree in Communication and International Studies from Saint Louis University. After working in fundraising, marketing, and communication in both St. Louis and Quincy, Lucy founded Digital Thread Inc., a communication and marketing firm, in 2020. She is deeply committed to fostering an environment where every student and educator can learn, grow, and succeed, feeling supported and respected along the way.

Treasurer

Heather Cook

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Heather is a 1994 graduate of Quincy High School. She received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting from Quincy University in 2000 and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She worked as a staff accountant at Gray Hunter Stenn LLP for two years. Heather is currently the Finance Director for The Salvation Army Quincy Area Command in Quincy and has been with the organization for 20 years. Heather is also owner and operator of HLC Tax. Heather is an active member of Quincy Service League and has served as treasurer for the annual gift show. Heather has been married to her husband Jason for 17 years and they have a 16-year-old son (Camren). Camren attends Quincy Senior High School and plays baseball for the Blue Devils. Heather enjoys spending time with friends and family, restoring furniture, exercise, golf and watching her son play baseball. Heather has a passion for the Quincy community and values the importance of the QPS Foundation's role in providing much needed resources to both students and educators.

Nominating Chair

Heidi Holzgrafe

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Heidi Holzgrafe is a 2000 graduate of Quincy Senior High School. She and her husband, Eric Loos, a 2001 QHS alum, returned to their beloved hometown in 2019. As a member of the Quincy Public Schools Foundation, Heidi hopes to grow community support of the organization. She believes investment in our students, educators and facilities is essential to maintaining quality of life of the entire community long term. Prior to moving back to Quincy, Heidi worked for a real estate investment firm based in Chicago overseeing operations for their national multi-family housing portfolio.

Heidi also sits on the Board of the Quincy Art Center.

School Board President

Shelley Arns

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Shelley Arns is a 1988 graduate of Quincy Senior High School. She attended Illinois State University, earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Educational Administration. Shelley taught in the McLean County Unit District #5 schools for twelve years as a substitute, teaching assistant, teaching 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades, and teaching technology to students in PreK-6th grades in the Instructional Media Center.

She and her husband Jeremy (QHS Class of '89) moved back to Quincy in 2005 to raise their son, Greysen (QHS Class of '19) in their hometown. While in Quincy, Shelley taught 6th grade at Baldwin South for 8 years. She then transitioned to working with her family's business, W.C. Holzgrafe Construction Company in 2013. Since working in the property management arena, she has remained active with Quincy Public Schools serving as a mentor to students, on PTAs at both QJHS and QHS, and most recently on the school board. In 2018 she was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy and was voted to the board in 2019. In August 2022 Shelley became the president of the board.

Brandy Blickhan Ridder

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After 21 years in marketing and advertising, Brandy is President of Brand Advantage Marketing Agency located in Quincy. Brandy is on the Quincy Humane Society Board, Advocacy for Children Network and various committees at the Quincy Art Center. She recently married Mike Ridder of Adams Fiber and has 2 stepsons Adam and Austin and a dog Lucy. Brandy graduated from Quincy High in 1993 and University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 1997 with a degree in Communications.

Diane Glaub

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Born and raised in Breese, Illinois, Diane attended Mater Dei High School and graduated in 1978. She later attended and graduated from Quincy College in 1982 and never left the community. Fortunately, she was able to find a job teaching Math at Quincy Junior High School right out of college. Diane retired from QPS in 2015 after enjoying 35 great years as a teacher and principal.

Today, Diane enjoys the life of a retiree. You can find her traveling, enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family and friends or participating in a competitive game of pickleball.

Kaite Schelp

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Katie Schelp and her husband Spencer are both graduates of Quincy Senior High School. They have four children (Ben, Jane, Anne & Gus). Katie is the Director of Physician Recruitment & Retention for Quincy Medical Group. After living away from Quincy for 16 years, the Schelps returned to the town they love in 2011. Katie believes that a strong public school system is essential for Quincy to continue to be a place where people want to raise their families.

Ben Van Ness

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After graduating from Quincy High School in 2001, Ben attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 2006. From there, Ben and his wife moved to Philadelphia, PA where Ben started his television career as a Political Representative for Blair Television. Ben stuck with Blair Television for several years as that job moved them from Philadelphia, to New York City, to Chicago IL over the span of about 6 years. Ben then joined Quincy Media, Inc as an Account Executive for WSJV in South Bend, IN. After becoming Local Sales Manager while in South Bend after a few years, Ben became General Sales Manager at KXLT and relocated to Rochester, MN. That same job opportunity became available at WGEM in Quincy, IL where Ben was born and raised and moved back in 2017. In early 2021, Ben became the Vice President & General Manager of WGEM.

Ben and his wife Amanda have two daughters, Olivia and Emma. Ben is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with family & friends. Ben and his family are active at St. John’s Episcopal Church and several other community organizations. With any free time, you can often find Ben on the golf course or outside chasing around the kids in the neighborhood.

Stephanie Barbagiovanni

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Stephanie is an OB/GYN (not currently practicing), graduated from Cornell University in 1990, and UMDNJ-SOM in 1996. She and her husband John moved from NJ to Quincy in 2004 because it was both a job opportunity for John and a great place to raise a family (and escape the fast pace of the East Coast!). Since that time she has been passionate about the Quincy Public School System. She has two children, a QPS graduate and a QPS senior. She has served on the PTA at all levels, from elementary to high school (including past QHS PTA President), been a director on FPA and currently secretary, involved in the QPS Mentor Program, and participates in multiple volunteer organizations/activities. She loves to run and play tennis.

Mellissa Douglas

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Mellissa is a 1993 QHS graduate. She attended Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science In Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. After 14 years of working for Monsanto, living in St. Louis and 2 years in New Orleans, Mellissa returned home to Quincy in 2009. She is the Customer Solutions Manager at Phibro Animal Health.

Mellissa is an active member of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Adams County, serving on several committees and volunteering. Mellissa is passionate about supporting community and honored to be a part of the QPS Foundation. Supporting education and the future of our children is essential.

Mellissa has one son, Parker (future Blue Devil, class of 2029). She enjoys watching his many sporting events, spending time with family, golfing and trying new recipes.

Dan McCleery

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Dan graduated from QHS in 2008. He played on the golf team and his 2006-2007 golf team was inducted into the Quincy Blue Devil Hall of Fame. He earned his B.A. in History from the University of Illinois in 2012 and J.D. from Saint Louis University in 2015. Dan returned to Quincy to practice law in 2015 and founded McCleery Law in 2022. Dan believes the future and well-being of our community lies in the hands of those students enrolled at QPS. Dan believes our mission is to support our young people to provide them the highest educational experience possible, so they can achieve great things, help others, and carry our community forward.

He is married to Allie, and they have a daughter, Molly, QHS class of 2037. Dan previously served on the Arts Quincy board and is an active member of First Union Congregational Church.

Erin Knapheide

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Jason Finney

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Jason is a 2000 graduate of QHS, he went on to attend Western Illinois University majoring in General Education with a minor in Computer Science and Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Jason has held several positions in our community centered around public service. He is currently employed with The State of Illinois at the Department of Human Resources as a Staff Development Specialist. Jason previously was Alderman of the 3rd Ward, and served his community in that capacity.

Jason and his wife Nikki have two children, Nora (class of 2034) and Aiden (class of 2029). In his free time Jason enjoys CrossFit, coaching his son in basketball and cheering on the Blue Devil sports.

Wendy Koontz

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Wendy is a 1987 graduate of Quincy Senior High School and a 1991 graduate of Culver-Stockton College with a major in Recreation Management. She is married to Tim, a 1986 QHS graduate. She has 2 daughters, Megan O’Connor, a 2013 QHS graduate and Madelyn Dean, a 2016 QHS graduate. Wendy currently assists her husband with his business, Dale Koontz-Builder and is a volunteer on staff at LifePoint church as the Impact Coordinator. Seven generations of her family have attended Quincy Public Schools, & she looks forward to impacting the district through the Foundation.

Trustees Emeritus

Carson W. Kirk

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Carson Kirk, son of former Quincy teachers Carolyn and Houston Kirk, is President of the Kirk Family Foundation, which is mainly geared towards education. To that end, Carson has really appreciated the opportunity to get involved with the QPSF as a trustee and as a staunch supporter of the Circles of Investment program. Despite being a longtime Floridian, Carson enjoys his ties to the Quincy community, and is still a big Cardinal fan.

Dr. George C. Meyer

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George Meyer is a former teacher, coach and administrator in the Quincy Public School district for 34 years and was superintendent during his last four years with QPS.

George was born and raised in East St. Louis, IL. He graduated from Quincy University in 1963, and he married Mary Nell Frier in the summer of 1963. They both began teaching at QJHS. He obtained his Doctorate from the University of Missouri in 1972. George and Mary Nell had three children who graduated from QHS. He worked in the QPS system and retired as Superintendent in 1997. George then taught and became Dean of the School of Education at Quincy University until he retired again in 2006. Since then George has been involved in bringing Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to the schools of Adams County."

Interested in joining the Quincy Public Schools Foundation Board of Trustees?

Please complete the interest form at the link below! Please note that completing the interest form does not guarantee you will be invited to join the QPSF Board. Board members are selected based on a number of factors, included current board member terms, skill sets, and geographic locations.

Complete the Board Interest Form

Board & Staff

Meet our Staff

Heidi Lanier

Rachael Raleigh

Lori Salisbury

Katie Rodemich

Meet our Board of Trustees

Lindsay Ertel

Michaela Fray-Tappe

Michelle Moore

Lucy Bordewick

Heather Cook

Heidi Holzgrafe

Shelley Arns

Brandy Blickhan Ridder

Diane Glaub

Kaite Schelp

Ben Van Ness

Stephanie Barbagiovanni

Mellissa Douglas

Dan McCleery

Erin Knapheide

Jason Finney

Wendy Koontz

Trustees Emeritus

Carson W. Kirk

Dr. George C. Meyer

Interested in joining the Quincy Public Schools Foundation Board of Trustees?

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