Officers

James W. Winkelman

President

jwinkelman@ftea.org

James is the president and owner of Laundry Solutions Group. He has been employed in the commercial laundry industry since the early 1970′s and previously owned an appliance service company. He formerly co-chaired the Neuqua Valley High School Band Parent Association’s Ways and Means Committee and served as President and Vice President for the Indiana Coin Laundry Association. James also started and served as Scout Master for Naperville Boy Scout Troop 89. Interest and involvement with therapeutic horseback riding began in the late ’80s and he volunteered with the now dissolved Friends of Handicapped Riders.


Judy B. Kestner

Secretary

jkestner@ftea.org

Former department manager, systems analyst and market analyst for several companies including Allstate Insurance Company and Kraft Foods, Inc. She is a former board member and vice president of a local PTA council; former board member of the American Red Cross; founding member of ABC/25 Foundation (educational foundation). Judy has an extensive volunteer history working with organizations such as the North Suburban Special Recreation Association; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Glenbrook Hospital (Physical Therapy Department); Lake County Forest Preserve District (newsletter editor) and several local therapeutic riding programs. She currently volunteers with FTEA and is an active equestrian and horse owner. Judy has been a member of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International since 1998. She holds a degree in child development.


Matthew Winkelman

Treasurer

mwinkelman@ftea.org

Matt is the head of strategy and co-owner of Progredi Group. He has dedicated the last 20+ years across every aspect of the retail environment including stores, head office, and now a virtual reality to optimize the customer experience from a merchandising and marketing perspective. His approach is laid by a foundation of blending data, process, and technology to drive organizational success and unlock new capabilities. Matt holds an MBA in Leadership and Operations Management/Information Technology from Aurora University.


Board Members

Russell Brown

Director

rbrown@ftea.org

Russell Brown is a retired business manager who has held senior management positions with leading companies including Sears. His experience at Sears included leading 3 stores as a General Manager as well as responsibility for the merchandising of a 33-store region as a Regional Merchandise Manager.

Russell has also been very active within the community both personally and professionally by holding roles as a Boy Scout Commissioner, Elgin Catholic Charities Board Member, Naperville Chamber of Commerce Member and as Vice President of the Fox Lake Merchants Association.

He is an avid horseman and previously showed in English pleasure classes throughout the Midwest area. He is often found volunteering his time at FTEA during normal operating hours. Russell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Roosevelt University.


Barb Rutherford

Director

brutherford@ftea.org


Advisory Board

Roger Jones

Legal Counsel

Roger Jones has been FTEA’s legal counsel since 1996 and assisted FTEA in obtaining its 501(c) (3) status. Roger is a partner and a member of the tax department at the Chicago office of McDermott, Will & Emery and specializes in tax controversy and litigation matters. In a career spanning more than two decades, Roger has represented taxpayers, including numerous Fortune 500 companies, in more than 50 matters at all levels of the federal court system, including the United States Tax Court, Federal District Court, the Court of Federal Claims, the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, as well as before various state courts. Roger’s wife, Karen Jones, is a founding board member of FTEA and a volunteer at the program site. In addition, Roger and Karen have housed horses for FTEA.


Cindy A. Hallett

Cindy was president and owner of Box Props, located in West Chicago. She is past secretary-treasurer of JOPA, Inc. and business manager of Box Props for 15 years prior to purchasing the company. She has served as treasurer of FTEA for six years. Cindy is part of the founding committee and board of directors for FTEA. She is a parent of a FTEA program participant with autism. Cindy has volunteered with church in children’s ministry, VBS, women’s ministry and choir member. She is a former member of the West Chicago Historical Society and a former Girl Scout leader. She holds degrees in education and business administration.


Julie Kuehn-Bailey

Julie is a parent of an FTEA participant and volunteer leader and side walker. She is the owner of FingerPrint, a marketing, advertising and promotion firm. Julie is a former board member of the DuPage Community Clinic, and past board member of Main Street Winfield. She has previously volunteered with Cheff Center in Michigan, the nation’s first therapeutic riding facility. Julie has a bachelor of arts degree with a business administration minor.