Describe the importance of public libraries,
in 20 words or fewer.

Public libraries are a great community resource. They give everyone an equal opportunity to access information.

Describe your background and what you bring to the board:

I am an attorney at Meyer Capel and have been practicing law with the firm for over twenty years. I have lived in Champaign County most of my life and am a graduate of the University of Illinois. Between college and law school, I worked for a local CPA firm.

During my time on the Library Board, I have been actively involved in two building projects, the creation of the Champaign Public Library Foundation, hiring a new library director and numerous budget and financial issues. My experience as an attorney and accountant has been useful in all of these areas. Having contacts in the local business community also helped me assist in the fundraising campaign for the new main library building.

Tell us a little about your family, pets, etc.

My wife, Jill, and I met in high school and attended college together at the U of I. We have two sons — Sam and Harrison. Sam is a student at Parkland College and a volunteer firefighter in Savoy. Harrison is a student at Champaign Central High School. Jill is a homemaker. Besides attending our sons’ baseball, football and hockey games, we enjoy gardening, reading and following the Fighting Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals.

What have you read, watched, or listened to lately?

I am currently reading You Can’t Go Home Again by Thomas Wolfe. Earlier this year, I read Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier.