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MEET THE FINALISTS: CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES
Karen Mullins • Jan 09, 2020
MEET THE FINALISTS: CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the finalists for the 2019 Citizen of the Year Award. Joni Barwick with TMG Company, along with Megan Jones with Priority Staffing Group and and Lance Hafeli with Smith-Hafeli Inc, have been nominated for this year's award. Our finalists have been nominated by fellow chamber members and selected by the Awards Committee.
Joni Barwick
is the president of Turtle Marketing Group Company, which focuses on the consumer path-to-purchase journey by using data to bridge messaging with consumer habits, behaviors and technology trends. Born and raised in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Joni moved to Southern Illinois in 1994. Throughout her professional career, Joni has obtained various technology and networking certifications, as well as certifications in several Google products and inbound marketing. Joni completed the Delta Regional Authority Leadership Institute in 2014, which fueled her passion for her local community. She also recently attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Business Authentic Leadership program.
In the past several years, Joni has served on various boards and committees, including Past President of Marion Kiwanis Club, Past President of Marion Unit 2 Community Foundation, and eLaunch. She recently worked to help start Square Up Marion and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Joni is also a member of the Marion Rotary Club, Illinois Delta Leadership Network and volunteers and serves frequently at Heaven’s Kitchen Marion.
Joni and her husband John, enjoy traveling to visit their sons, Ryan, a network engineer in St. Louis and Michael, a senior at SIUE. In regard to her award nomination: “As I have been inspired by people throughout my life to serve my community, I hope to inspire others, especially young people, so that they too, can realize their potential to make an impact. I am honored to have been nominated for the Marion Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.”
Megan Jones
is a Southern Illinois native, growing up in Carterville and residing in Marion since early 2012. She began her Human Resources career in 1997 with First National Bank and Trust Company in Carbondale. In 2002, Megan was recruited to assist in the management of HR operations, systems and programs at the newly opened Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC. Megan sat for and obtained her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification in 2003. In 2011, Megan accepted a position at Heartland Regional Medical Center where she restructured processes to ensure consistency and compliance within the Human Resources department.
In 2015, Megan obtained her Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Certification. Later that year she became the Director of Human Resources and Direct Hire Placement at Priority Staffing Group, Ltd. Megan is dedicated to her family and her small zoo of animals. She is very proud of her community and loves seeing how people come together for the greater good and helping others in the Southern Illinois region, especially children.
Megan is involved with many organizations and is an active board member for SIPMA, Williamson County Heartland Rotary, Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless, John A. Logan Foundation, and many other groups. She has been a Marion Chamber of Commerce Board member since 2016, serves on the Scholarship Committee, and volunteers for the Annual Dinner and the SI Made Expo.
Megan is grateful to be nominated for this year’s award. This nomination reflects “not only my efforts, but as a part of a team within this community.”
Lance Hafeli
is an Air Force veteran who retired at the rank of colonel in May, 2012 after serving his country for 27 years. Upon retirement, Lance and his wife Kathy moved back to Marion where he’s now able to serve his local community.
Lance earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois in 1983 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force in May 1985. Additionally, he earned three master’s degrees while on active duty. Over his 27 years, Lance held numerous leadership positions at all levels of the Air Force. His last job while on active duty was as the Director of Installations, United States Air Forces Central Command at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar where he was responsible for civil engineering and contracting contingency planning in support of US Air Forces assigned to the United States Central Command. His major awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award.
Since retiring and moving back to Marion, Lance was instrumental in assisting Marion Unit 2 to apply for and setup an Air Force Junior ROTC program at the high school - the first of its kind in Southern Illinois. He ran the program for 3 years before transitioning to his present job as President and majority owner of Smith-Hafeli construction. Additionally, Lance is also involved in Marion Rotary Club.
The first Citizen of the Year Award was given in 1970 to Clara Boatright. Last year’s winner was John Holst. Past winners of the Citizen of the Year Award can be viewed at https://www.marionillinois.com/award-winners.html.
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