Our Mission
With the innovative combination of the membership driven Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development agencies, Vermilion Advantage will create and sustain an environment for all individuals and businesses to succeed and grow within the Danville and Vermilion County area.
Our History
In 2002, the Economic Development Corporation and the Danville Chamber of Commerce merged into the organization we now know as Vermilion Advantage.
Combining what was then 125 years of experience and dedication to Vermilion County, Vermilion Advantage is working for businesses, large and small, to enhance all aspects of community living – quality of life, successful business and retail climate and the general welfare of Vermilion County’s residents.
Investing in our future is important to everyone for the overall goal, success and vision for Vermilion County.
Mike Marron
President / CEO
- Organization Administration
- Economic Development
- Business Incentives
- Local Business Assistance
- Prospect Development
- Available Sites and Facilities
Lisa Thompson
Data & Finance Administrator
- Accounts Receivable and Payable
- Membership dues
- Annual Wage & Benefit Survey
- Retail Sales Comparisons
- Membership Information Updates
Jodie Ingram
Community Development Coordinator
- New Member Inquiries
- Member and Community Engagement
- Program Planning and Implementation
- Resource Mobilization
- Commercial Property Listing
- Jobs Board
- Member Surveys
Dana Rowland
Communications & Marketing
- Front office first point of contact
- Website Administrator
- Executive Committee & Board of Directors Recording Secretary
- Employment Level Report & Economic Outlook Surveys
- Weekly Member Announcements & What’s Happening In Vermilion County This Weekend
- Social Media
Board & Executives
Vermilion Advantage Board members give generously of their time, expertise and financial resources to support our efforts to grow and improve Vermilion County. Collectively, they establish the directives for implementing and attaining our goals.
- Chair | T.J. Morris, Iroquois Federal Bank
- CEO/President | Mike Marron, Vermilion Advantage
- 1st Vice Chair | Jeff Fauver, President Catlin Bank
- Vice Chair | Gary Tucker, Thyssenkrupp Dynamic Components
- Imm. Past Chair |Deanna Witzel, DND Witzel Enterprises
- Secretary | Jackie Vinson, Vermilion Housing Authority
- Treasurer | Gardner Peck, Assoc. VP of Mfg, Danville Metal Stamping Co., Inc.
- Director | Mike Hulvey, President, Neuhoff Family Broadcasting
- Director | Dan Laughner, Vice President, First Financial Bank
- Director | Dr. Alicia Geddis, Superintendent, Danville District #118
- Director | Heather Tucker, Administrator, Carle – Hoopeston
- Director | Linda Darby-Dowers, Trigard/Greenwood, Inc.
- Director | Matt Smiley, Credit Underwriting Manager, First Midwest Bank
- Director | Phil Muehl, Retired Executive
- Director | Jon Stalcup, Plant Leader, Fiberteq
- Director | Ned Hill, President/CEO, OSF Healthcare Sacred Heart
- Director | Dr. Stephen Nacco, Director, DACC
- Director | Dr. Seth Miller, Westville School District
- At Large | Rickey Williams, City of Danville Mayor
- At Large | Larry Baughn, Vermilion County Board Chairman
- At Large | Paul Faraci, State Senator
- Doug Ahrens – Danville Sanitary District, Director
- Brock Burton – Danville Country Club
- Michelle Chesnut – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Gen. Manager
- Rev. Dale DeNeal – Second Church of Christ, Pastor
- Tim Donahoe – McLane Midwest, General Manager
- Darren Duncan – Duncan Farms, Owner
- Rick Elkin – Heartland Properties Group, President
- J.R. Fregia – Courtesy Ford, Owner
- Paige Galloway – Arconic, Plant Manager
- Rod Golden – CCMSI, Vice President
- Aaron Goodrum – IBEW 538, Business Manager and Financial Secretary
- Matt Grandone – Mervis Industries, HR Director
- John Griebat – Bunge Milling, Regional Director
- Tara Hafner – Christie Clinic, Clinical Services Manager
- Amber Hahn – CEO Tee Pak Credit Union
- Tom Hashimoto – Hyster-Yale, Director Parts Operation
- Jonathan Keim – Aqua, Area Manager
- Larry Kuchefski – Coldwell Banker, Vice President
- Bruce Lutes – REG Danville, LLC, General Manager
- Angie Hatfield-Marker – Comm. Foundation of E. Central IL, Development Director
- Michael Mervis – Vermilion Development, Owner
- Joe Mollica – Central States Distribution Service, Director Business Development
- Larry Moss – Automation International, Inc., President/CEO
- Bill Nicholls – Retired Executive
- Larry Owen – Owen Financial Services, Owner
- Jim Picillo – Watchfire Signs, Signworks Mfg. Manager
- Brad Pintar – Ameren, Key Account Executive
- Mark Starr – Republic Services, Business Unit Sales Manager
- Joe Stelzer – IBEW, Training Director
- Dori Stone – Sleep Inn & Suites, General Manager
- Auston Surprenant – Danville Area Board of Realtors
- Angie Lazzell – United Way, Director
- Tricia Teague – Founder of Trep School, Founder of Soar Space Business Center
- Jackie Vinson – Vermilion Housing Authority, Executive Director
- John Vogt – thyssenkrupp Crankshaft, Human Resource Manager
- Mike Weese – Vermilion County Mayors’ Council, Chair and Mayor of Westville
- Julie Zimmerman – Genpact, Vice President