Campaign Leader Biographies

Gary Rhodes

Campaign Chairman

Gary was born and raised in the rural environment of Ogle County. Following his elementary years at a two room schoolhouse in Holcomb, he attended Rochelle Township High School, of which he has many fond memories. He attributes much of what motivates him to the instruction and encouragement of his teachers, coaches and peer associations.

After attending college at Western Illinois University, he began his banking career at a Rockford bank in 1964 in consumer and small business lending. Gary later joined the Stillman Bank in 1968 and became President and Chief Executive Officer in 1982 and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 2003.

During his 38 years at Stillman Bank, he has served and participated on many local committees and organ-izations. Gary has also served on the Boards of several State and National banking and industry boards, including the first regional and later statewide ATM network. Currently he serves on the Boards of the Illinois Bankers Association and the Ogle County Hospice Association Foundation, Inc. He credits that exposure for furthering his continuing education and development.

Gary stated that one of the most difficult areas for most of us, including himself, is to balance our lives in the area of faith, family, vocation, and leisure and that he has to continually, as others do, confront this balance. It remains his belief that we all come into this life to serve with the only distinction being who or what we serve.

Gary and his wife, Connie, were married in 1964 and are graced with two married children and four grand-children. He and his wife live in rural Stillman Valley and are members of the Stillman Valley Congregation Church.

Gary says his wife, Connie, who has had a career in nursing, has always emphasized how highly the regional area medical profession regards the Ogle County Hospice Association for its professionalism, and as a caring compassionate service provider to their patients and their families.

Gary stated that while the work of a Capital Campaign requires significant effort and commitments by many, we all recognize the benefits that Ogle County Hospice can provide relative to the number of families and friends that this organization has served, and will serve.

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