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 Back in October an announcement was made about the Effingham-born
program being brought to Logan County to launch a class to cultivate
young entrepreneurs in high school—the Land of Lincoln Creating
Entrepreneurial Opportunities (LLCEO) program will bring together 20
to 25 high school seniors from around the county to learn about
business development and start their own businesses.
To-date the organizers of the LLCEO program have made great strides
in the efforts to make this program a reality for Logan County
Students. The original group to begin these efforts, April Doolin &
Patrick Doolin of Integrity Data; Andi Hake, Logan County Alliance
and Bob Bagby with LTEC have solidified the inaugural board of
directors to include themselves along with Todd Hamm, Mt Pulaski
School District; June Harnacke, New Holland Banking Center; Sara
Sisk, Lincoln Community High School; Clyde Reynolds, Keystone Risk
Management and Todd Nobbe, Nobbe Eyecare. In addition to these
voting members of the board the group unanimously voted to create
three ex-officio seats on the board. One seat will go to each higher
learning institution in Lincoln (Lincoln Christian University,
Lincoln College and Heartland Community College).
 Some members of the board of directors have visited some of the
Logan County Schools to present this new concept to current juniors,
hoping these students will consider this class when signing up for
their classes next fall. The board is still working on scheduling
presentations at a few more schools that serve Logan County high
school students. The applications have been sent to school
counselors from each high school (Lincoln Community High School, Mt.
Pulaski High School, Hartsburg-Emden High School, Illini Central and
Olympia High). The deadline for the applications to be submitted by
interested students is March 11, 2015. The LLCEO board of directors
is in the process of putting together a selection committee to
choose the students that will make up the first ever LLCEO class.
The application process is blind, meaning those on the selection
committee do not know the students’ names or which school they
attend. The board feels that the blind application process makes it
fair and equitable for every student wishing to be a part of this
cutting edge program.
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Finding the right person to lead the LLCEO program is crucial to its
success and longevity. The board is currently seeking applicants for
the facilitator position. The perfect person to fill this position
is an entrepreneurial thinker, dedicated to students, naturally
curious, an excited learner, adaptable, an outstanding communicator,
must be able to interface with the business community, and
comfortable working in a technology-rich environment. “The right
facilitator is key to the success of the program. We are excited to
offer this position in Logan County.”, says April Doolin, President
of the LLCEO Board of Directors. “Individuals with a teaching
certificate are eligible for the job as well as those with strong
business experience may qualify for a provisional certificate. This
opens up the possibility for a retired businessperson or those with
a business background. It is a fantastic opportunity to broaden the
vision of our young people and improve the future of our community.
Our hope is that the network of business contacts developed by the
students over the course of the year will draw them back to Logan
County in the future. I feel that the facilitator position is an
opportunity to have a huge impact on the future success of not only
the students but Logan County as well” added Doolin. The deadline
for cover letters and resumes for those interested in the
facilitator position is February 28, 2015.
For more information of the Land of Lincoln CEO program, student
applications, or facilitator application process, please contact the
Logan County Alliance at 217-735-2385 or andi.hake@lincolnillinois.com.
[Andi Hake, Logan County Alliance of
behalf of the Land of Lincoln CEO Board of Directors]
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