IIRA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Cooperative Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director
- Administration
- Dean of Innovation and Economic Development
Chris Merrett earned his Ph.D. (University of Iowa) in Geography and Planning. He currently serves as the Dean for Innovation and Economic Development, as well as the Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA), at Western Illinois University. The IIRA is a university-based research, outreach, teaching, and policy development center that identifies and implements strategies for sustainable rural community and economic development. Merrett has authored or collaborated on more than 100 publications in the area of rural community and economic development. He has secured over $12 million in external grants from agencies such as the USDA, US Agency for International Development (USAID), Economic Development Administration (EDA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), to support research, outreach, teaching, and policy development activities related to community and economic development.
Job Titles:
- Local Food Program Coordinator
John Bannon is a native of Crest Hill, Illinois and an alumnus of Marquette and Western Illinois University. Mr. Bannon served in the Peace Corps in Macedonia from 2009-2011 and has also worked with nonprofit organizations such as the Union League Boys and Girls Club and Hands of Peace. Mr. Bannon led the Office of Community Development in the City of Macomb as Community Development Director, managing planning and zoning, tax increment financing districts, building permitting / inspections, rental registration / inspections, and code enforcement. He has been involved in the creation of a new Tax Increment Financing District, federal multimodal transportation grants, and numerous housing projects and grants, including IHDA's Blight Reduction Program, Community Revitalization, Abandoned Properties Program, Strong Communities Program Rounds 1 & 2, Home Repair & Accessibility Program, HUD / DCEO's CDBG Housing Rehabilitation, and local Residential Façade Grant and RISE programs. Mr. Bannon currently serves as the Local Food Coordinator for the Value-Added Sustainable Development Center in the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. He is working on a Regional Food Economic Development (ReFED) initiative with local food producers, rural housing, and more.
Job Titles:
- Cooperative Program Coordinator
Kristin joined IIRA in February, 2023 as the Cooperative Program Coordinator. She helps cooperative and other community-owned businesses in Illinois start-up and succeed by providing technical assistance, training, business plan development, and publications. Kristin brings over fifteen years' experience in community and economic development and marketing. Kristin received a bachelors degree in Business Administration-Marketing from American Intercontinental University and is currently pursuing her masters degree in Community and Economic Development at Western Illinois University.
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- Value - Added Sustainable Development Program Director