Board of Directors

Chairperson of the board

Fletcher “Bud” Farrar owned the Illinois Times for nearly half a century. Soon to enter his 50th year in association with Illinois Times, Fletcher has recently moved from editor and owner to the role of board chair. He still finds that IT has a life of its own and is a great teacher, a friend with many friends. Fletcher often says, “It’s fun to work for a newspaper.” As a person of faith, he tries with Wendell Berry to “practice resurrection.” He’s grateful for his wife, Mary, and daughters Elizabeth and Ann. 

Board Member

Sheila Caldwell, Ed.D., serves as the Vice President for Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for the Southern Illinois University System, which includes campuses in Carbondale, Edwardsville, and the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Since joining SIU in 2021, she has led systemwide efforts focused on inclusive excellence, student success, campus climate, policy, and community engagement. She has extensive experience developing partnerships across higher education, healthcare, government, and community organizations and has helped secure and leverage grant funding to advance institutional priorities. Dr. Caldwell is committed to creating sustainable strategies that expand opportunity, strengthen belonging, and improve outcomes for students and communities. 

Board Member

Lisa Clemmons Stott is the Chief Business Attraction and Development Officer for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development. She is the previous executive director of Downtown Springfield Inc., a nonprofit business association and also was a director of development for the local NPR station. She knows how to run a nonprofit and has extensive fundraising experience. 

Board Member

Melissa Hamilton is a dedicated entrepreneur and the president of Synergetic Solutions, Inc., a business consulting firm working with government agencies, nonprofits and corporations to identify organizational and managerial challenges and develop custom solutions. Her past experience serving on numerous boards, including vice president of Downtown Springfield, and the consulting she has provided the Illinois Times in the past will be valuable to driving our mission forward. She also is president of “I Donate Local,” a platform created to bridge the gap between local nonprofits in need and local donors and Your Corner Office, a shared co-working space. 

Board Member

Larry Johnson is a Senior Tax Manager at Sikich and a Certified Public Accountant with more than four decades of experience in taxation. He holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Fontbonne University and has lectured across the country on a wide range of tax matters. In addition to his professional career, Larry has a long history of volunteer and community involvement in Springfield, Illinois, supporting numerous charitable, civic, and community organizations. 

Board Member

Bernie Schoenburg was a journalist with The Pantagraph of Bloomington, the Associated Press in Chicago, and for 30 years until his retirement, with The State Journal-Register, where he was political writer and columnist for 28 years. He covered seven national political conventions and the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama. He is a journalism graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign, and in 2022 was named to the Illini Media Hall of Fame for accomplishments after working for the campus newspaper, the Daily Illini. In 2023, he received a distinguished service award from the Illinois Press Association for his work in the newspaper industry. Among activities in retirement, he is on the board of Local Journalism Matters, the newly established nonprofit organization that includes Illinois Times. 

Board Member

Peter Wise practiced law in both state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout Illinois for over four decades. He has lectured and written on various legal topics. He was a founding partner at the Springfield law firm of Gates Wise Schlosser and Goebel. Peter is a lifetime Springfieldian. His legal knowledge and his knowledge of the community will be an asset to the board. He was one of the early donors to Local Journalism Matters. Peter has a long history of participation in the arts, music and various athletic endeavors.