In Memoriam: James K. Michels

Portrait of James K. Michels, P.E.
James K. Michels, P.E.

Mr. Michels' commitment and service to the college was long-lasting and impactful. First elected to the Waubonsee board in 1987, Michels went on to become the college's longest continuously-serving trustee, with a 36-year tenure, ending in April 2023. In 2022, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association recognized Michels as one of only 15 community college trustees in Illinois to have served 35 years or more. The founder of Engineering Enterprises, Inc., Michels was inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2007. He received several other professional awards throughout his career, including Civil Engineer of the Year and professional recognition honors from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Board of Trustees Members

Rebecca D. Oliver
Rebecca D. Oliver

Chair
Sugar Grove
Board Member 1997-2027
Business Executive

Patrick Kelsey
Patrick Kelsey

Vice Chair
Montgomery 
Board Member 2015-2027
Consulting Scientist

Greg Thomas
Gregory Thomas

Secretary
Aurora
Board Member 2018-2029
Law Enforcement Executive

Rick Guzman
Photo of Rick Guzman

Aurora
Board Member 2019-2025
Non-profit Executive Director

Daniel Jaquez, CISA, CDPSE, CRISC
Daniel Jaquez

Yorkville
Board Member 2024-2025
IT Audit Leader/Real Estate Broker/Investor

Stacey Ries
Stacey Ries

Oswego
Board Member 2023-2029
Healthcare Attorney

Tina Willson
Tina Willson

Montgomery 
Board Member 2019-2025
Writer and Instructional Designer

Ashley Hatcher
Ashley Hatcher, Oswego, Student Trustee 2024-2025

Oswego
Student Trustee 2024-2025

Additional Information

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For more information on the board of trustees as well as the schedule of board meetings and minutes of past meetings: