J. Kyle Braid Board of Directors

Ken Braid

Co-Founder of The J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation

Ken Braid is a 1969 graduate of Hinsdale Central High School. Ken had an exceptional sports career while at HC and was captain of both the football and basketball teams. Ken went on to the University of Illinois, graduating in 1973. At Illinois, he was the captain of the football team and met his wife Colleen, a fellow student at Illinois.

Ken, Colleen and only son, Kyle, lived in southern Florida where Ken had a successful business career as an entrepreneur, with an emphasis on overseas manufacturing with factories in Malaysia, South Africa and Mexico. Son Kyle was following in the footsteps of his successful and hardworking parents and was developing into a popular and athletically talented teenager. Unfortunately, pressure to achieve athletically, not an uncommon issue for teenagers, caused Kyle to take performance-enhancing steroids. In a fit of steroid induced rage, Kyle took his own life in 1994.

This personal tragedy caused Ken and Colleen to dedicate their lives to serving youth by founding and operating the J Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation Ranch in Villa Grove, Colorado as an ongoing memorial to their son. Nearly 1200 students have benefited from their time at the JK Braid Ranch, with intensive programs of teamwork, interaction, and self-discovery. These students then, in turn, return to their home schools and communities and help lead and guide their peers and serve as examples of student leaders. The JK Braid ranch program has expanded to include athletic coaches to improve communication skills for those coaching high school sports.

As part of the work of the Foundation, Ken travels the country conducting seminars on youth leadership. Ken and Colleen were awarded the Brevard County, Florida “Citizens of the Year” award for their work with teens from Florida. In 2007, Ken was the recipient of the University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award.

Ken exemplifies the values and traditions of excellence at Hinsdale Central by imparting lifelong strategies and skills to teenagers.

Colleen Malany Braid

Co-Founder of The J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation

Colleen is a native of Chicago, IL. She graduated from Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, IL and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She received a BS Applied Life Science/Kinesiology. She taught and coached for 4 years in the Dade County, FL. Colleen worked in the field of Dentistry for 10 years gaining certification in radiology & expanded duties from the State of FL. She then earned a BS degree in Respiratory Therapy in 1993 and worked in the medical field for 2 years. In 1994 she & Ken Braid founded The J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation in memory of their son. She is currently the VP/Managing Director and is a certified ROPES course facilitator. Past & present affiliations include: Delta Gamma Fraternity, AARC (American Assoc. of Respiratory Care), FSRC (FL Society of Respiratory Care), AAUW (American Assoc of University Women), Advisory Board of the National Institute of Steroid Research, M & M Orthopedic steroid presentation panel. She was presented the Brevard County (FL) Citizen of the Year (2002) Award by FL Today and the University of Illinois Alumni Assoc. Humanitarian Award in May of 2007.

BARRY BALDWIN

JKB Board of Directors since 2008

Barry Baldwin has been an educator since 1993 at Naperville Central High School in its Communication Arts Department. Over that time Barry has coached girls’ soccer where he was named Illinois Assistant Soccer Coach of the Year in 2003 and has also been the varsity boys’ golf coach. Starting in 1999, Barry has been the head sponsor of the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation at Naperville Central. Over that period, he has volunteered every summer at the Ranch as a facilitator in the classroom and as a ranch hand. Barry graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in English and received his Masters in Teaching from Aurora University.

Diane Baumgartner

JKB Board of Directors since 2001

Diane grew up in the greater Cleveland area. After graduating from college she moved to Cincinnati to start a new business. She is currently co-owner & VP of Vanderwist of Cincinnati, Inc.-a company that installs, designs & services outdoor irrigation systems & outdoor landscape lighting. She has been active in the school district and serves as county coordinator for the Butler County JKB schools. Diane resides in West Chester, OH with her husband, Chip. They have 2 grown children, Donavin & Erika.

 

 

 

Marty Bee

Board of Directors since 2011

Marty Bee has been with Naperville School District 203 in Naperville, IL for 33 years.  He started his career in the district in 1979 as a generalist counselor at Naperville North H.S.
Two years later he was appointed to a position in the guidance   office to work with high risk students and then was appointed  Student Assistance Program Coordinator.  As a certified addictions counselor, Marty worked with prevention and intervention programs in the school as well as developing leadership programs for student/athletes.

Marty also served as an assistant track & field coach, head girls track coach and head girls cross country coach.  In his eight years as a cross country coach his teams recorded 6 top ten state finishes, including an IHSA Class AA state championship in 1993.  During the 1994 and 1995 school years Marty served as Assistant Athletic Director.

In 1996, Marty accepted the position as Athletic Director at Naperville Central.  In his time at Central there has been exceptional improvement in facilities and student participation in athletic programs.  The school has also recorded 12 state championship teams and numerous top 4 state finishes.
Marty earned a degree from the University of St. Francis with a major in Law & Government.  He later earned a MS Ed. degree with emphasis in Guidance & Counseling from Northern Illinois University and an Administrative Endorsement from Aurora University.

Marty and his wife Barb reside in Naperville and are the parents of 3 grown boys, Eric ( wife Valerie ), Kevin and Ryan.  They also are proud grandparents of granddaughter Riley.

TRACEY CASCARANO

JKB Board of Directors since 2011
Tracey is a native of the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL where she graduated from Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, IL.  She attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana  and received a BA in Economics and Finance.  She has held leadership roles in Finance, Corporate Development, Strategy and Planning over a career spent in both Fortune 500 companies, including RR Donnelley and Hewitt Associates,  as well as small entrepreneurial companies such as VISANOW, a web based legal services firm specializing in  immigration services. She is currently working for a Family Office serving as interim Chief Financial Officer and Operating Officer for several of their private equity investments.  Past & present affiliations include: Delta Gamma Fraternity, University of Illinois Alumnae Association, Glenbrook South Parents         Association, Glenbrook South Booster Club Board, OLPH Women’s Club, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Executive Board. Tracey resides in Glenview, IL with her   husband Brian.  They have three sons Patrick, Sean and Brennan.

BRIAN CASSIDY
Independent floor broker (soybean complex), Chicago Board of Trade

JKB Board of Directors since 2005
Brian is a graduate of York High School (Elmhurst, IL) and Loyola University of Chicago. He & his wife, Sally, reside in Elmhurst, IL (suburb of Chicago). They have 3 grown children. Kelly teaches English at York HS and is the JKB sponsor. Paddy is a professional drummer in Madison, WI and Kaellagh is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

 

 

 

MARK GERSTEIN
Attorney & Partner-Latham & Watkins

JKB Board of Directors since 2008
Mark lives in Highland Park, Illinois with his wife Julie and two children, Allison (17, and a JKBer) and Evan (14). He is a member of the Board of Directors of Youth Guidance, an independent agency on-site in Chicago public schools which helps guide at-risk youth towards paths of success. Mark also leads Latham & Watkins’ partnership with the National Teachers Academy, an elementary school on Chicago’s near south side. He has also served on the Associate Board of the Ravinia Festival, Chicago’s outdoor music festival, and on the Visiting Committee of the University of Chicago Law School.

Mark is a corporate partner at Latham & Watkins, a global law firm, and co-chair of the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions group. He graduated with an AB in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1981, and from the University of Chicago Law School in 1984.

MARY KAY HABEN
Group Vice President and Managing Director, North America
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Chicago, IL

JKB Board of Directors since 2008
Mary Kay Haben joined the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of quality chewing gums & confectionery products, as Group Vice President and Managing Director, North America on April 16, 2007. In this role Mary Kay will lead the growth and development of Wrigley’s U.S. & Canadian businesses.

After a 27 year career at Kraft, Mary Kay brings to Wrigley extensive experience in global management including leading the company’s new innovation processes targeted at bringing outside ideas into the company and driving innovation culture change globally. She has a proven track record for successfully managing fast-moving consumer goods businesses, growing existing brands and developing new product and packaging innovations.

Mary Kay received her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois and her M.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Michigan. She resides in Glenview with her husband Ed and her sons, Michael and Jack.

In addition to her business responsibilities, she serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Junior Achievement, a not for profit organization dedicated to helping children succeed in the business world, and the Off the Street Club, the oldest Chicago club for boys and girls, located in one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods. She also serves on the Visiting Committee of the University of Michigan Business School and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

LeGRAND L. MALANY
Attorney at Law & Licensed Professional Engineer

JKB Board of Directors since 1997
Lee earned a BS in Engineering Physics and a JD in law from The University of Illinois. He has held many government jobs including the Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Auditor General for the State of IL. He is currently a Disaster Response & Mitigation Engineer, Land, Shelter & Infrastructure Specialist with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). He is also the President & CEO of the newly formed Disaster Relief Organization for Rotary International. He has worked in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Macedonia, Pakistan & Papua New Guinea. Lee was in FL & AL for the Red Cross during the 2004 hurricane crisis & in LA & MS during the 2005 Katrina crisis. He sits on the Board of Directors of many civic organizations in the State of Illinois. He and his wife, Barbara reside in Springfield, IL. They have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren.

ROBERT MANY
VP, Consumer Goods – Teradata Corporation

JKB Board of Directors since 2011
Bob Many currently is Vice President, Consumer Goods at  Teradata Corporation.  Bob grew up in DeKalb, IL, home of Northern Illinois University about 60 miles west of Chicago.  Following graduation from college, Bob taught high school and  coached until he changed careers and moved into technology  sales.  Bob has held various sales and sales management roles for the last 25+ years in technology and consulting companies such as NCR, MCI, Accenture, Motorola and Teradata.   Bob earned his BS and MBA from NIU, and Has his Black Belt in Digital Six Sigma.

Bob and his wife, Marina, live in the Chicago suburb of Naperville.  They have three children, Mike (Notre Dame 2009), Julie (Iowa 2012) and Krissy (Wisconsin-Madison 2015). 

GREGORY MILLER
JKB Board of Directors since 2011
Greg grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating from North Central High School in 1978.  During these years, I volunteered for many organizations and was the President of five state group of High School teens.  After graduating the School of Business with a degree in Marketing in Spring 1982, I joined my family business named Great Lakes Wine Company in Chicago and become the third generation in wine and spirits industry.  Married in the Spring of 1984 Greg & his wife,       Melissa, moved to Germany where I worked in the cellars and vineyards of Sanistatrat,  Dr. Dahlem, Oppenheim am Rhein.  He also worked in the  vineyards and developed new marketing programs for the Dahlem’s family business.  Melissa worked for in the freight forwarding department of J. F. Hillebrand, Maniz while we enjoyed the Spring, Summer and Fall of 1984. 

Upon returning to Chicago in the Fall of 1984, Greg rejoined Great Lakes Wine Company in numerous roles including sales, administration, purchasing, finance, marketing and logistics. Melissa formally joined Great Lakes Wine Company 10 years later in a financial and logistics after taking time off to raise their three children. Aaron currently is teaching 7th grade math in Tulsa for Teach for American, Sarah is a Senior at Indiana University in Education and Alana has just begun studying Urban Planning at University of Illinois.

Currently we own Miller Squared Inc. and Sabaca Beverage Group set up to in 2003 to capitalize on our nearly 30 years experience in the wine and spirits industry.  German wines are the specialty of our companies but wines from France, Italy, New Zealand and South American wine are included in our offering. 

Greg studies wine for his vocation and own edification each day and regular travel to France, Germany, Spain and South America helps him keep up on the current conditions of the market.  He speaks about wines to culinary schools, civic groups, wine educators, wholesale organizations and retail customers all over the country.

Greg also continues to volunteer as a Board Member at Am Shalom in Glencoe and sits on the finance committee and head the Alternative Revenue Committee.  He also participates in the largest  independently funded food drive in the city of Chicago twice a year.  

PAUL TANZILLO
Attorney & Partner-Nora & Tanzillo, LLP

JKB Board of Directors since 2011
Paul lives in Naperville, IL with his wife, Heidi.  They have two children, Vincent ( a senior at Baylor University in Waco, TX) and Russell (JKB 2009 and a freshman football player at Malone University in Canton, OH).  He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Westchester, IL in 1978 and is a 1992 graduate of Illinois Benedictine College (now known as Benedictine University) in Lisle, IL.  During his collegiate career, he was a four year letter award  winner in football.  Upon graduation, he attended IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating in 1986.  He started out his legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, IL and for  the last 20 years has been in private practice as one of the principal partners in the law firm of Nora & Tanzillo, LLP located in Chicago, IL.  His law practice concentrates in the defense of premises liability and business and liquor licensing matters.

Outside of his practice of law, he is a member of the Board of Directors of CareLink Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization, which provides monetary assistance for medical care and treatment to children whose families are either uninsured or underinsured.  He is also a past president and member of the Naperville Central High School Athletic Booster Club.  In addition, he is an Illinois High School Association Licensed Football Official and Referee and a member of the St. Joseph High School Sports Hall of Fame.