Board Of Directors
Jim McHale - President of Board and Vice President of North Community Bank -Jim is a lifelong Chicagoan who began his career in banking twenty three years ago working for a community bank on the north side of Chicago. After moving to a larger banking environment Jim returned to community banking ten years ago and joined North Community Bank, a locally owned bank whose mission is one of true community banking. Currently Jim is a Vice President of the bank whose responsibilities include the daily operations of the twenty six branch bank located throughout the north side of Chicago. Jim is the previous past Chairman of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and served as President of that organization for three years. In addition Jim is a member of the 48th Ward Zoning and Planning Committee.
Peter Locke – Treasurer of Board and Managing Director of TerraLocke Inc - Peter Locke is co-founder and Managing Director of TerraLocke, Inc., a business consulting company with a focus on green and sustainability concepts and approaches. Peter is currently acting as the Chicago Retrofit Program Director where he is responsible for facilitating the Chicago Retrofit Steering Committee and updating and implementing the Chicago Retrofit Strategy based on best practices, funding opportunities, and on-going analysis of performance data. Peter is also chairs the Foresight Sustainable Business Alliance's Public Policy Group, and the Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project's Green School's committee. Prior to founding TerraLocke, Peter spent 15 years in the private sector primarily as a business consultant. Peter is a RESNET Certified Energy Rater, and certified in greenhouse gas inventory quantification (GHG IQ).
Sara Dinges – Secretary of Board and Assistant to the Alderman at 48th Ward - Sara Dinges manages and oversees business & economic development for Alderman Harry Osterman of the 48th Ward, on Chicago’s north side. Previous to working for the 48th Ward, she worked in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood on economic development based on local, independent business ownership, environmental sustainability and historic preservation. Sara has been working to keep urban neighborhoods local, sustainable and unique for over 5 years. She has presented to international and national platforms including USGBC's Greenbuild conference, the national BALLE conference, and the national Main Streets conference.
Pon Angara - Board Member and Owner of Barkada Creative - Pon Angara is Principal of Barkada Creative, a team of brand architects working with emerging businesses and associations to enhance their positioning and recognition in the marketplace. Pon is responsible for the design and implementation of the clients' cohesive brand strategies and the development of their marketing communications materials. Barkada Creative serves clients in professional services and associations, financial services, healthcare, IT, education, retail, and non-profit organizations.
Jean-Paul Thomas – Board Member and Owner of Small Office Nets – Jean-Paul is the founder of Small Office Nets, a technology consultancy which specializes in technology solutions for the Small and Medium Businesses in the metropolitan Chicago. When not implementing and supporting his clients with computer / networking based solutions; you will find Jean-Paul assisting local community organizations with their efforts to improve residents’ quality of life within the city of Chicago.
Jenna Obluck – Board Member and President of Gilasi Recycled Glass Countertops – Jenna has six years of experience as a small business owner, five years in IT management, eight years in corporate communications and eight years in the mental health field, specializing in crisis intervention. She and her husband Garrett began developing Gilasi in 2003 when they couldn't find sustainable countertops, tiles or flooring for kitchen and bath projects in Chicago. They now manufacture Gilasi surfaces in a day-lit facility in Chicago’s Kinzie Industrial Corridor. They locally source all the recycled glass used to make Gilasi, mostly from local businesses that have glass that cannot be recycled in traditional ways. The Oblucks continue to seek and find ways to make their business and their lives more locally sustainable.
Dan Cotter - Board Member and Co-Founding Member of Korey Cotter Heather & Richardson LLC - Dan focuses on non-litigation matters and supports startups and existing businesses in the for profit and non-profit space, but with a real passion and commitment to non-profits and social enterprises. He has advised 501(c)(3), (4), (6) and (7) organizations, including converting to the right category and advising organizations in formation on structures that make the most sense. His non-profit services include drafting articles of incorporation, obtaining EIN, drafting and filing the 1023 or other IRS applicable documents, drafting other governance documents including conflict of interest statements, and other advice. He counsels organizations on good governance, on board roles and responsibilities and on other aspects of their operations. He is a frequent speaker and presenter on social enterprise and on non-profits. Dan's passion for non-profits extends to his extensive involvement on boards and in leadership positions. He is currently Treasurer of the Chicago Bar Association, Treasurer of the Friends of Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Treasurer of The John Marshall Law School Alumni Association, a Board of Trustees member at Monmouth College, Chair of the Edgebrook Public School Local School Council, Chair of Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth, and sits on the boards of The Talk About It! Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. Dan is a CPA. He graduated with a BA in Accounting, magna cum laude, from Monmouth College, and hold a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School, where he graduated first in his class.
Andrew Clarke - Board Member and President of Ground Floor Partners - Andrew Clarke is founder of Ground Floor Partners, a Chicago-based boutique management consulting firm focused on market research, strategy and planning for small and middle market businesses. Andrew has advised hundreds of businesses and several non-profits on strategy, marketing, operations and technology. He works with companies in a wide variety of industry verticals, including education, medical devices, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, real estate, construction, retail, and restaurants. Before starting Ground Floor Partners, Andrew held a variety of senior technical and management positions at several small companies. He is a member of the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance, Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and several other organizations focused on the environment and social justice.
Mark Thomas – Board Member and Owner of The Alley Stores - Mark has been a serial entrepreneur in Chicago for over 40 years starting companies in retail, manufacturing and real estate. His current retail locations include "The Alley", “Architectural Revolution", "Taboo Tabou" and "Blue Havana". Liberty Trading is his costume jewelry manufacturer; still in existence after 40 years and proud to remain in the USA. He owns and manages a 90 unit incubator building for the arts and music community and is also the President of licensed private investigation agency - Blue Star Agency. Mark has been very active in the business community including co-founder and current member of the Central Lakeview Merchants Association, co-founder of SSA #17, former board member, Vice President, Chair of the Halsted Market Days Committee, currently a member (for 25 years) of the North Halsted Business Alliance and ten year board member and current Executive Director of the Kedzie Elston Business Industrial Council.