City Council

Jamie is a Naval Academy graduate who served onboard submarines for twelve years. He deployed overseas four times in support of the Global War on Terror. On the last two of these deployments, he was the ship's navigator and officer third in command. While in the Navy, Jamie earned his Masters Degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. Jamie decided to leave the naval service after meeting his wife, Ann Marie. The couple moved to Rockford in 2009 after Jamie began working as a nuclear supervisor at the power plant in Byron. Jamie and Ann Marie have enjoyed getting involved in Rockford at a community level by volunteering at the P.A. Peterson Center for Health, working out at the Y.M.C.A. and taking their dog, Daisy, for frequent walks around the neighborhood. All of the wonderful people that they have met inspired Jamie to serve on the City Council as their representative.

Tom was born and raised in Rockford and is a strong advocate for the region with a firm belief in the importance of community service. Tom is excited to be serving the Third Ward in Rockford He is the son of John and Barbara McNamara and sibling of Nell, Mary, Dan, Kate & John McNamara. Tom returned to Rockford after receiving his Masters Degree from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Shortly after returning to Rockford, Tom was lucky to find his best friend and the love of his life, Sarah Ann Reed, at the Greenwich Village Art Fair. Sarah and Tom were married in May of 2011 and currently live on Harlem Boulevard. Both Sarah and Tom are strong advocates of Rockford and active community volunteers. Employment: Eckburg and Bates Insurance Agency, Agent Education: John Carroll University, M.S. in Non-Profit Administration (2008) John Carroll University, B.S. in Sociology/Criminology (2005) Boylan Catholic High School (2001) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

• IGNITE Young Professionals – President of the Board of Directors (Member since 2009)
• Northwest Community Center – Board of Directors, serves on the executive committee and finance committee (Member since 2008)
• Rockford Area Arts Council – Board of Directors (Member since 2012)
• City of Rockford Human Services Department and Community Action Agency – Board of Directors, serves on the By Laws Committee and Co-Chairs the Public Policy Strategy Committee (since 2011)
• Signal Hill Neighborhood Association – Current Member and Past Vice President (2008–2012)
• United Way of the Rock River Valley– Serves on the Impact Council for Education (since 2011)
• Next Rockford – Strategy Team Member (Member since 2010)
• Rockford Health Systems – member of RHS Ambassadors since 2010, Membership Co-Chair
• Money Smart Week – Co-Chair (2011)
• NAACP – Member since 2012
• League of Women Voters – Member since 2010

AWARDS

• IGNITE Young Professional of The Year (2011)
• Rockford Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 Leader (2010)

Kevin Frost is a life-long Rockford resident. He attended Rockford Public Schools and graduated from Guilford High School. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Accountancy.  He also graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law.  Prior to attending law school, Mr. Frost worked as an auditor for Price Waterhouse, LLC and Porter Chadburn, PLC. Kevin is principal/officer at the law firm of Clark, Justen, Zucchi & Frost, Ltd.  His law practice focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, transportation liability, and premises liability.  Prior to joining Clark, Justen, Zucchi & Frost, Ltd. In 2001, Kevin gained experience with a Chicago based full service law firm and as an attorney for the City of Rockford Department of Law.  During his employment with the City of Rockford, he handled zoning, land use, property standards, building and community development issues.  He also prosecuted traffic, DUI, and various code violations. Kevin is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where he serves as a lector.  Kevin and his wife Lisa have two children, Maddie and Libbie.  In his free time, he can be found at his children’s soccer games and swim meets.

Venita Hervey was elected to City Council in April 2009.  She is an attorney in private practice.  Prior to joining City Council, she served on the Rockford Mass Transit District Board of Directors. Venita is a Rockford native, born and raised in the 5th Ward, and lives in the 108-year-old family home where she grew up. Venita received her B.S and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. from the University of Akron (Ohio) School of Law.

Pamela Connell was born and raised in Southeast Rockford, IL and is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. She graduated from Florida Metropolitan University with a Bachelor Degree in Management and Human Resources. She also graduated from James Madison University with a Master’s Degree and Doctorate Degree in Management. She currently is employed in the transportation industry as a Human Resources Business Partner/Sr. Recruiter. Her career has included senior management positions in the transportation/travel (airline, yachts & bus), hotel, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. As well as working as a management/human resources consultant. Community Involvement: Pam volunteers her time as the Operations Flight Line Chairperson with Rockford AirFest since 2005. She is also the Vice President/Board of Directors with the FBI Chicago/Rockford Citizens Academy Alumni Association working as a community ambassador educating local communities about federal law enforcement issues and challenges, community services and community outreach.

Jeanne Oddo is married and mother of two sons. Jeanne helped start her neighborhood watch group five years ago and is active in the community. Jeanne has also served as a PTO member.

Franklin C. Beach has been a member of the Rockford City Council since 1981 and a resident of the 10th ward for 30 years. He was raised in Rockford and is a graduate of West High School. Frank is currently the President and CEO of Groom Industries in Rockford and also owns a private accounting business. Frank is an active, involved member of the Salvation Army, Rockford Temple Corps, and  plays in the Salvation Army Band.  He is also the Junior Band Director.  Frank is a past president and life member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. His other activities include the Rockford Concert Band, the Rockford Christian School Board, the Rockford Area Arts Council, the Rockford Noon Lion’s Club, and the Rotary Club.  Frank also was the co-founder of the Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition and chairs the annual City Wide Leadership Luncheon. Frank has been married to his wife Sonja for over 45 years. They share two daughters and two granddaughters.

John Beck was born in Hays, Kansas, but grew up in Rockford, graduating from West High School and the University of Illinois. John is serving his fourth term on the Rockford City Council. He is well known in the community as Events and Recreation Projects Manager of the Rockford Park District. John is a member of Edgewater Neighborhood Association and Rockford Cosmopolitan Club. John and his wife, Sandra, have two cats (Dolce and Newbie) and a dog (Maggie).

Linda McNeely is a graduate of Rockford's Auburn High School, the University of Denver, and Roosevelt University and is employed as an accountant and tax preparer.  She is serving her third term on the City Council and sponsors community events in her ward, such as the Back to School Parade, Easter Egg Hunt and Best Lawns contest. Linda is active in the National League of Cities, serving in committees that promote community and economic development.  She also serves as the 16th District State Central Committeewoman..

Joseph Chiarelli was born and raised in Rockford, IL and is a graduate of Boylan High School. Joseph apprenticed as a Tailor with his father at an early age and is currently the Head Tailor for the Men's Wearhouse. Before that, Joseph owned and operated Vince the Tailor for more than 25 years. He is a certified Master Tailor and was named among the Top 100 Tailors in the United States at 30 years of age. Joseph is a retired member the Custom Tailors and Designers Association of America and also a retired member of the Chicago Custom Tailors and Designers Association. Joseph is a past member of the Rockford Zoning Board of Appeals and currently serves on the Winnebago County Zoning Board of Appeals. He has been married to his wife Connie for 25 years. They have two children, Vince and Claudia. Joseph has been an instructor at Rock Valley College, teaching tailoring for the Continuing Education Program. He has been active in creating and implementing a tailoring program nationally and locally, working with displaced workers to gain employment as tailors.