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Board of Directors


Melissa Ryzy - President of Board and Director of National Sales for WCPT - Melissa has been in Broadcast Media (radio and television) for over 20 years.  Her experience is in sales, promotions, and management and has a deep appreciation for cause-related marketing and non-profits. She and her family moved to the Chicago area 3 years ago and vow to never leave this wonderful city!  She lives with her husband and daughter in Park Ridge. Contact Melissa at melissa@localfirstchicago.org.

Jim McHale – Treasurer 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.  

Sara Dinges – Secretary of Board and Managing Director of the Andersonville Development Corporation -  Sara Dinges is the Managing Director of the Andersonville Development Corporation, on Chicago’s north side. She manages ADC’s work on economic development based on local, independent business ownership; environmental sustainability; and area beautification and historic preservation. Sara co-developed and leads ADC’s groundbreaking environmental initiative, eco-Andersonville, which includes a sustainable business certification program developed specifically for small business districts. Sara has served on the City of Chicago's green business task force and has presented to international and national platforms including USGBC's Greenbuild conference, the national BALLE conference, and the national Main Streets conference. She lives and works in Andersonville and loves all things local.

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.

Peter Locke – Board Members 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).

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.