Rural IL CTE Project
Rural IL CTE Advisory Council
The Rural IL CTE Advisory Council is a high-level group of CTE educators, rural school administrators, nonprofit advocates, national experts, and industry partners. Together with the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools, the Council discusses the present state and future growth of rural CTE programs, and the ongoing progress of the Rural IL CTE Project. Their reflections and reviews are instrumental in forming the recommendations for equitable program growth shared with the Illinois State Board of Education. Learn about each of the council members below:
Joe Barbic
Director, Indian Valley Vocational Center
Bret Hitchings
Director, Heartland Technical Academy & EFE #390
Garrett David Hunter
Engineering & Technology Professor, Western Illinois University
Matthew Klaska
Superintendent, V.I.T. CUSD #2
Travis Mackey
CTE Director, Geneseo CUSD #228
Brooke May
CTE Career Pathway Coordinator, Vienna HSD #133
David Messersmith
Director, Education for Employment Regional Delivery System #265
Blake Noland
Founder, Birddog Careers
Michelle Spiva
Executive Director, Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development
Mariah Suddarth
Education & Industry Partnerships Manager, Trane, Inc.
Kenneth Trzaska
President, Lewis & Clark Community College
Dan Whisler
Educator in Residence, Trane, Inc.
Council Alumni
Sally E. Arnett
Professor & Coordinator, Illinois State University Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education Program; Past President, Illinois Association of CTE
Joe T. Wood
CTE Educator, Advocate, and Expert
