Speaker, trainer and coach whose passion is bringing out the very best in people. My life goal is to help individuals and organizations identify opportunities to shine through improved performance, the demonstration of strengths and the pursuit of making a difference in the world.  

Training, Leadership, Education and Development Manager with proven expertise working in multi-cultural environments and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.  Recognized as an international training and guest speaker for computer-based and customer service training.  Accomplished facilitator and trainer with excellent skills in delivering and engaging diverse audiences. 

I have traveled extensively as a training conference quest speaker regarding computer-based "e-Learning" training and has delivered customer service training for General American, Great West Life, Western Union, Airport Terminal Services and American Water Resources in multiple site locations in various countries.   Since 2013, I have also been a Franklin Covey Facilitator for "Speed of Trust" and "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People".

I have significant experiences as the organizational “go-to” person responsible for major new initiatives, projects and programs. Through these experiences, I fully understand the dynamics of running a department, managing competing priorities, cost management and day-to-day deadlines.  

As of July 2025, I retired from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.  My responsibilities as their System Training Manager was managing the ComplianceWire Learning Management System and Environmental Health and Safety EHS Suites system for the global Mallinckrodt Specialty Generics organization.

 

 

Jade Heuer is a 2019 graduate and Granite City CEO alum. Love for people and her drive to uphold the community has led her down the path of serving the younger generation in youth ministry at GCFirst Assembly of God. While the younger generation are her heart, she can be found participating in music therapy with individuals at New Opportunites in Granite City. She continues to strengthen her values of professionalism and compassion by creating connections within the community. Jade can be found playing pickle ball during the summer or catching a movie at the Granite City Cinema. 

I am a proud Granite City High School alumna and the owner of a State Farm Insurance Agency right here in my hometown.  I am committed to giving back, so I serve on multiple community boards and lead charity events that support local causes. I am passionate about the future, and sincerely dedicated to mentoring and inspiring youth to pursue entrepreneurship and become the next generation of leaders.

Chris McCullough brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the food and beverage industry with over 33 years of hands on experience.  Chris has been the Food Services Director for the Granite City School District and oversees 9 schools with a total enrollment over 5,600 students.  He has 58 employees he manages on a daily basis.  Chris is the leader of the Central Illinois Coop and also has been president of the School Food Director’s Association.  Chris is also the dead varsity assistant basketball coach at Granite City High School.         

As the Director of Suites until 2020 Chris lead the suite operation at the Enterprise Center a team consisting of 15 supervisors and 50 employees.  He is certified in safe food handling and preparation, along with proper alcohol management. He also was the Loss Prevent Coordinator.  Enterprise Center is the home of the 2019 NHL Stanley Champions St. Louis Blues Hockey Club.  Enterprise Center also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts, ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. Enterprise Center plays host to approximately 175 events per year, bringing nearly 2 million guests to downtown St. Louis annually and ranking it as one of the top arenas in the country. 
          Chris joined Levy Restaurants in the summer of 2008 as a Suite Manager at the Scottrade Center, in St. Louis, Missouri. He oversees all aspects of food and beverage operation of the 75 Executive Suites and 10 Party Rooms. His responsibilities include forecasting sales, controlling labor costs, working hand in hand with the purchasing department to successfully stock the suites, making sure all QRE standards are followed by employees, and running a positive and fun work environment in which our crew makes each and every one of our guests feel at home. In addition, he is also responsible for all aspects of billing for the suites. Whether it is from receiving the pre-orders from the home office to closing out events, printing invoices or mailing them to the client, he has all responsibility when it comes to collecting payment to adhere to the Levy philosophies of business.  Chris did the Guest Relations Role and on site management role.  No other location similar to Enterprise Center has a person who does this on their own.
          Chris came to Levy Restaurants after working for the Enterprise Center in various roles. He started as a Guest Service Host and was quickly promoted to a Supervisor. His duties included providing the highest level of service to every guest who entered the facility.  While still working events Chris also spent time in many departments filling various roles in Sales, Human Resources, Building Operations and as a Receptionist at the front desk.  In the summer of 1999 Chris became a Club Services Representative.  He was responsible for the day-to-day interaction with the Suite Coordinator and Executive.  After excelling in this role, he was quickly promoted to Assistant Manager of Premium Services and became more involved with the food and beverage operation and managed the In-Seat Operation, which serviced 1,600 seats.  In the spring of 2004 Chris was promoted to Suite and In Seat Manager and was responsible for over 75 employees.   He joined the Levy Family when they took over all of the food and beverage operation in the summer of 2008.
          Chris and his team have been a part of many memorable NCAA events at Enterprise Center including the 2020 NHL All Star Game, 2019 Stanley Cup Championship run by the At. Louis Blues, NCAA Women’s Final Four, 4 NCAA Men’s Midwest Regionals, 8 NCAA Wrestling Finals, and the 2007 NCAA Frozen Four.  He has also been very successful with other events such as the Missouri Valley Basketball Tournament (25 Years), SEC Conference Basketball Tournament and the Missouri vs. Illinois game on an annual basis (26 Years).  Chris has also assisted with many catering events including the Anheuser Busch Christmas Party in 2003 and 2004 Introduction of 16 ounce aluminum bottles).  Chris has supported other properties with Levy Restaurants including the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010, Senior PGA at Bellerive, 2014 NASCAR Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, 2018 US Open at Quail Hollow, 2019 US Open at Bellerive, Edward Jones Dome (Rams Games), America’s Center, and opening University of Missouri football stadium the last 12 years.  Chris currently resides in Granite City, Illinois with his 16-year-old daughter Sophia and wife Leslie.  He is very active in athletics and enjoys spending time with his dogs and family.  Chris and Leslie enjoy time at their pool and outdoor kitchen entertaining friends and family.  Chris is involved with many charities raising money for several charities in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.  He also is a member of the St. Louis Sports Commission and Granite City Sports Hall of Fame Committee.   

Training Analyst, Washington University

I am a seasoned professional with over two decades of service at Washington University. Currently, I am serving as a Training Analyst, specializing in EPIC systems for the last 10 years. My extensive knowledge and expertise in this area have been pivotal in optimizing training programs, enhancing user proficiency, and ensuring smooth operational and security workflows.

Prior to my current role, I served as a Referral and Specialty Projects Coordinator for 10 years, coordinating individual referrals and working closely with the Gateway to Better Health and Medicare initiatives.

With a rich background in both technical training and project coordination, I bring a unique blend of skills and experience.

 

 

Ryan Worthamserves as the Vice President of Pizza World USA, where he oversees the brand’s strategic growth and nationwide presence. Since joining the company in 2015, Ryan has been instrumental in refining the "Pizza World experience," currently serving as the Director of Operations and Training. In this role, he ensures that every franchise maintains the high standards of quality and service the brand is known for.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Ryan is a hands-on entrepreneur and the owner of the Pizza World in Granite City, Illinois. This dual perspective—as both a corporate executive and a local business owner—allows him to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and day-to-day excellence.

I am a third generation Restauranteur.  
My family has owned and operated restaurants for over 80 years and I am a life long resident of the Granite City area. I aserved as apprentace  under Chef Ollie Sommer as a up and coming chef, and have since run several restaurants, including two golf clubs, before taking over my families business in 2017.

I believe it is important to be involved in my local community, especially the youth.

 

Besides my four decades in the restaurant industry, I have previously  served in kids Sunday school ministries, been a youth hockey coach, and taught countless "tweens" (10-13 year olds) in my commercial kitchen, cooking skills from the most basic to some more advanced techniques. 

I have a passion for helping foster our young adults and want to participate in programs that encourange them.

 

 

CEO changed Karen’s life as she gained a deeper appreciation for our blue-collar industrial community, respect for Granite City and its local entrepreneurs and leaders. She was honored and privileged to lead and facilitate seniors for six years at Granite City High School. Students toured local businesses, learned from guest speakers, wrote business plans, executed a class business and started and operated their own businesses.  Students were transformed from average high school teenagers to young adults ready to navigate life and embrace challenges and opportunities. CEO changes people to business minded and community oriented.

Karen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at Illinois State University. She worked in corporate accounting in St. Louis for eight years with Banquet Foods, Pet Incorporated and Peabody Coal Company. In 1997, she changed careers and began teaching in the Business Department at Granite City High School after completing her teaching certificate at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. As technology changed, so did the classes Karen taught from Desktop Publishing, Microsoft Works, Keyboarding, Marketing, Careers, Accounting to Photoshop, C++, Web Design and CEO, to name a few. In 2005, Karen earned her Master’s Degree in Information Science and Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Girls Golf Coach, Hockey Club Sponsor, Spirit Club Sponsor, Photography Club, Swim Coach, Head Ticket Taker and Yearbook Sponsor were her extracurricular responsibilities she embraced at Granite City High School.

Karen retired in 2020 after 25 years of teaching and enjoys life with her husband, Jim, three children, two daughter-in -laws and four grandchildren. She is the treasurer for the Granite City Area Community Foundation. Please email Karen with any questions about our Granite City CEO Program. karen.greenwald@att.net

Joel Rahn is an entrepreneur, small business owner, and strategic advisor who believes strong communities are built by people willing to take initiative.

As Treasurer and board member of Granite City CEO, Joel is committed to thoughtful financial stewardship and long-term sustainability for the program. He views the CEO experience as more than a class — it’s an opportunity for students to develop confidence, responsibility, and the courage to build something of their own.

Professionally, Joel works with families and business owners to design practical strategies that support growth, stability, and generational impact. His approach combines disciplined planning with creative problem-solving — a balance he believes is essential in both business and life.

Joel and his wife Emily are active entrepreneurs in the Granite City community, where they are committed to investing their time, energy, and resources locally. As a father, Joel is especially passionate about helping create opportunities for young people to discover their strengths, develop resilience, and see what’s possible when they take ownership of their future.

 

He believes Granite City’s next chapter will be written by leaders who think independently, act with integrity, and build with intention — and he considers it a privilege to support that journey through the CEO program.

Jeremy Johnson is a multifaceted tech entrepreneur and national television commentator with a portfolio spanning tech electronics, tech recycling, spirits, and professional sports. As the founder of Think I.T. Lifecycle Management and Recycling and Steeltown Property Investments, Jeremy has built a reputation for scaling diverse business ventures.

His influence extends into the lifestyle and hospitality sectors as the owner of Uppercut Whiskey and Uppercut BBQ Sauce, as well as a partner in The Speakeasy bar in Granite City. A familiar voice in combat sports, Jeremy provides expert analysis as a commentator for combat sports, with his work featured on NBC Sports, Stadium Network, Fubo, and others.

Committed to civic leadership, Jeremy serves on the board for CEO, where he advocates for youth mentorship. He believes that by empowering the next generation, "small-town kids" can successfully compete and win on a global stage.

Andrea Shelton is a CEO Program alumna and board member with Granite City CEO. During her time in the program, she founded GIBB-IES, a student-run business creating scrunchies from recycled and repurposed fabrics, gaining experience in sustainable entrepreneurship and small business operations. Andrea also serves in a leadership role at Calvary Life Church, where she leads The Gap, a young adult community focused on support, connection, and building strong personal foundations. She is passionate about investing in young people and encouraging steady growth through mentorship and presence.

Kevin has been involved with the Granite City CEO as a Board Member and host since the beginning of Granite City’s CEO program.   The Nicol Foundation has also provided scholarships and pioneered and hosted CEO Empowerment Days with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.   

After graduating cum laude from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education, Kevin Nicol taught in area schools for 11 years.  Kevin entered the financial services industry in August 1981.  The quality and quantity of business he produced has been frequently recognized. 

Kevin is licensed to sell life, health, fire, casualty, and variable insurance.  Kevin has taught many licensing classes and has certified many life and health insurance producers and securities registered representatives for their pre-licensing and continuing education requirements.   After initially becoming securities licensed in 1983, he became a registered principal in 1985 and managed an OSJ office for several Broker/Dealers.  Kevin currently holds Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 51, 63, and 66 securities licenses. 

Kevin has been frequently recognized and has appeared in Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, St. Louis Magazine and more as a top Five-Star Wealth Manager.  

His Agency, Nicol Financial Services, was originally founded in 1981.   Currently Kevin is currently securities and investment advisory licensed with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., A  Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA and SIPC; and Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor.

Kevin and his wife Elizabeth (Beth) have two grown children: a son, Matthew (wife, Leah) Nicol of Hamilton, OH and a daughter, Laura (Nicol) Campbell-Conner of O’Fallon, IL, and three granddaughters, Anna Kathleen Nicol, Grace Elizabeth Nicol, and Abigail Hope Nicol also of Hamilton, OH and two grandsons, Sebastian William Campbell and Aksel Douglas Conner of O’Fallon, IL.

Kevin has authored several books including: Financial Priorities, A Foundation for Financial Freedom; Making a Difference, The Nicol Way; Lean Not (An Autobiographical Testimony); Your Loving Son Irvin (World War II Letters Home, ETO); and many articles.

In 2014, Kevin fulfilled a dream in establishing a 501c3 charity, The Nicol Foundation; dedicated to promoting and supporting “Faith-Based American Exceptionalism”. 

Kevin’s offices are located at:

#1 Nicol Professional Park

P. O. Box 907

Granite City, IL 62040-0907

618-931-3267

FAX: (618) 500-1038

www.nicolfinancial.com

www.thenicolfoundation.org