Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees
Civic, nonprofit, healthcare business, education leaders make up inaugural class
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce
Rockford, IL (June 1, 2026) — The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the inaugural class of 40 Over 40 honorees.
Honorees represent a broad cross-section of Rockford’s civic, nonprofit, healthcare, education, government, and private-sector landscape.
“This group of professionals make up the very best and brightest experience shaping the Rockford region,” said GRCC COO Caitlin Pusateri. “They deserve this recognition and our thanks for their skills, service, and mentorship influencing our community’s success.”
2026 40 Over 40 Honorees
- Ann Wasser
Executive Director
Severson Dells Nature Center - Anne Weerda
Executive Director
Burpee Museum of Natural History - Anqunette Parham
Executive Director, Health and Human Services
City of Rockford - Bo Chaney
Recruiter
Rockford Fire Department - Bob Trojan
President/CEO
Rockford Linear Actuation - Carlene Cardosi
President of Clinical Services / COO
Rosecrance Behavioral Health - David Anderson
Founding Family Member
Anderson Japanese Gardens - Deepshika Shukla
AVP, Business Innovation & Dean; Professor of Physics
Rockford University - Dr. Howard Spearman
President
Rock Valley College - Dr. Ray Davis
Clinical Associate Professor, Medical Director MERIT, Dept of Pediatrics
University of Illinois College of Medicine – Rockford - Faten Abdallah
Co-Owner & Co-Founder
Institute of Languages, Mathematics, and Sciences (ILMS) - Fran & John F. Morrissey
Founders
Morrissey Family Businesses - Gina Caruana
SVP/Consumer Banking
Foresight Bank - Greg Harle
Service Director
Hartwig Mechanical - Gretchen Gilmore
General Manager
Legends Global - Gwyn Gulley
Circuit Judge
17th Judicial Circuit - Jeff Kaney
Founder and Former CEO
Kaney Aerospace - Jennifer Cacciapaglia
Executive Director
Mayor's Office of Domestic & Community Violence Prevention - Jim Derry
CEO
Field Fastener - Jorge Herrera
Senior Vice President
Rockford Community Bank
- Karl Arvidson
COO
Thayer Energy Solutions - Kevin Haas
Managing Editor
Rock River Current - Kristen Paul
Executive Vice President
GoRockford - Lamont Jones
General Manager, Youth Sports Programs and Clarence Hicks Sports Complex
Rockford Park District - Lisa Fambro
CEO
Open Arms Learning Center - Mark Henderson
Owner
Mark's Weather Hub - Maurice West
IL State Representative
67th District - Mike Broski
President
Entre Computer Solutions - Pam Clark Reidenbach
President & CEO
NICNE - Paul Sletten
Chef & Owner
Abreo LLC - Shelton Kay
Executive Director
Rockford Regional Health Council - Steve Schmeling
President
Schmeling Construction - Steve Shannon
Rockford Region Media Personality - Sue Danforth
President & Co-Founder
The VanVleet Family Foundation - Sue Schroeder
CEO
Stepping Stones of Rockford - Ted O'Donnell
Co-chair
Rockford 4th of July Civic Committee - Teresa Beach Shelow
President/Co-Owner
Superior Joining Technologies Inc. - Thomas Weightman
Financial Consultant/First VP Investment Officer
Gummow Wealth Advisory Group of Wells Fargo Advisors - Todd Cagnoni
City Administrator
City of Rockford - Xavier Whitford
Founder/Executive Director
Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation
Thanks to presenting sponsor workplace, a reception featuring desserts and champagne will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. June 25 at the UMB Bank Pavilion to recognize the class of 2026.
To register for the event, click here.
Presenting Sponsor:
Hospitality Sponsor:
