Mike McNeily, financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments in Brookfield and first vice president of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, has been chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young People in Illinois by the Illinois Jaycees.
The TOYP program honors 10 individuals each year, shining a spotlight on those who have proven themselves as extraordinary community leaders. McNeily and the other nine nominees will be recognized at a black tie dinner ceremony hosted and organized by the Illinois Jaycees at the Holiday Inn in Decatur on Saturday, May 2.
Each of the distinguished honorees will be awarded with a bronze medallion and a plaque and all 10 address the banquet attendees. The other honorees and their hometowns include Brooks Boyer (Chicago), Gina Marie Carrara (Frankfort), Kelly Elliott (Park Forest), Alexi Giannoulias (Chicago), Ginger Johnson (Farmington), Dr. Renee E. Reeder (Westmont), Kara Repsys (Crystal Lake), Charles Tillman (Chicago) and Lisa Holder White (Decatur).
McNeily was nominated by Yvonne Agnello-Adams, 2009 chairman of the board of the Brookfield Jaycees, in three categories: personal improvement or accomplishment; financial success and economic innovation; and philanthropic contribution or voluntary service.
Agnello-Adams stated "Mike is the embodiment of a great man who sincerely cares about making a difference in the lives of others. He truly is a great leader who has had a tremendous impact on the Brookfield community. I am honored to have submitted him for this extraordinary honor."
McNeily decided to pursue a career with Edward Jones Investments when he was 26 years old. His Brookfield office opened on St. Patrick's Day in 2007. He joined the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce about a month after taking over the Edward Jones office in Brookfield.
McNeily was asked to serve as first vice president, and he believes in making the community aware of the businesses which give back to the community and who invest their time and resources in improving the local economy.
Golden
Riverside resident John Scully received a President's Volunteer Service Gold Award by the Illinois Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve at the group's annual awards conference for employers on March 20.
The ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to promote understanding and support among employers of employees who serve as members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Scully, who serves as the Illinois ESGR committee chair, received a Gold Award for his more than 500 hours of volunteer work on behalf of the ESGR. Scully is also a Riverside village trustee.
New gig
Loretta Alonzo broker/owner of Century 21 Alonzo & Associates in LaGrange Park, has been named treasurer of the Illinois Association of Realtors. A real estate professional since 1976, Alonzo will assume her new responsibilities in September. She is a member of the West Towns Board of Realtors.
Artistic endeavor
Anna Schneider, a student at the Singing Winds School in Riverside, won a $75 first prize in a poster contest sponsored by the Riverside Township board at the agency's open house last month as part of Local Government Week.
Six students, all from Singing Winds, participated in the contest, which asked artists to create a poster related to township government. Second prize went to Will Wiora, while third prize went to Ian Race.
The contest was judged by Lyons Township Clerk Mary Jo Noonan and Beth Patterson of Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center.
On campus
Riverside resident Lindsey Stirek, a 2008 graduate of Riverside-Brookfield High School, was named to the dean's list at the University of Illinois-Urbana, for the fall semester of the 2008-09 school year.
