Dodji Amouzouvi
– With a robust background encompassing over 10 years with John Deere and UAW Local 79, Dodji brings expertise in areas such as insurance claims, retirement benefits, and adeptly serving as a liaison between staff and management. His professional journey has showcased a progression in responsibilities, refining his leadership and interpersonal skills. As a trustee for the Quad City Area Community Action Program, Dodji demonstrated a commitment to community service, gained valuable fundraising experience, and honed skills in public outreach. His passion for supporting community organizations and volunteering, coupled with his diverse skill set, Dodji will bring unique perspectives and talents to our organization.
William Brewer –
Past Chair - has been under contract as a costing specialist for FEMA for the past 3 years. He retired as Western Illinois University’s Architect and Director of Facilities – Quad Cities in 2019 with more than 28 years of experience in designing, constructing, and operating higher education facilities.
Rhonda Copeland – Finance Chair – a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Augustana College in Rock Island in 1999 and has earned both the Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant certifications. She is also a CFA® charter holder. As Manager, Investments at Deere & Company, she is responsible for asset allocation, operations, and reporting for the John Deere Pension Trust. She also has portfolio management responsibilities for the John Deere Indemnity, Warranty, and Foundation investment portfolios. Rhonda also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sherrard Academic Foundation.
Stephens Dunne is a Boston-based professional with a strong background in historical construction projects in the Boston area and New York State. A father of two college-age children, he balances his personal life with his passion for preserving historical legacies, particularly inspired by John Deere’s innovative spirit. Stephens also plays a pivotal role in the start-up world, helping companies secure capital funding, showcasing his entrepreneurial skills and financial acumen. In addition to his professional pursuits, Stephens is an avid car enthusiast, reflecting his diverse interests and dynamic personality. His blend of expertise in restoration, commitment to innovation, and hands-on experience in business development is a valuable addition to the William Butterworth Foundation's board of directors.
Nick Foster – Nick brings extensive project management experience to the William Butterworth Foundation. Currently working as a project manager for Estes Construction in Davenport, Iowa, Nick oversees a variety of intricate building projects, including healthcare, manufacturing, and production facilities. Nick is a property owner in the Overlook neighborhood of Moline and is committed to the continued improvements of Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House grounds and the surrounding neighborhood. Nick and his wife, Trista, currently reside in Sherrard with their two children. Nick is an avid outdoorsman, airplane enthusiast, and private pilot.
Christine (Chris) Grisham – is the Controller at Ragan Mechanical, bringing a wealth of experience and financial expertise to the role. Before joining Ragan's team, Chris had a 30+ year tenure at RSM where she developed a deep understanding of the William Butterworth Foundation through her work on the Foundation's audit. This extensive knowledge of the Foundation's financial and organizational history makes her a valuable candidate for the board. Chris began serving on the Foundation’s Finance Committee in 2024, where her insights and experience have already made a positive impact. Outside of her professional commitments, Chris enjoys traveling and in the past year traveled to Scotland and also embarked on an Alaskan cruise, showcasing her adventurous spirit and love for exploration. Her financial acumen and dedication to the Foundation position her as a strong contributor to the board's future success.
Natalie Linville-Mass –
President of Media Link, Inc., has been in the media field for more than 30 years. She graduated from Drake University with a degree in Broadcast Sales and Management. Prior to opening her business, she worked throughout the Midwest in radio and television holding positions as commercial producer, DJ, reporter, editor, producer, and account executive. Natalie is currently on the board of The Moline Foundation, founded and runs a Women’s Executive Group dedicated to supporting the advancement of Quad Cities female executives, serves on the IA/IL NDIA Board as Vice President, and serves as President of the Rock Island Music Association. She is also a past board member of The ARC of the Quad Cities Area; Workforce Investment for Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer County; Living Lands & Waters; and the Quad Cities Advertising Federation.
Luis Moreno – Secretary – CEO of Arrowhead Youth and Family Services, earned his PhD from the University of Iowa in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs. He served as a police officer in East Moline for five years, followed by 23 years of working in higher education at the university and community college levels. Luis is very involved in the Quad Cities community, serving as an elected member of the Rock Island County Board, for which he is currently Chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee. He is also an executive member of the Rock Island County Forest Preserve Committee. He served two terms as Alderman on the East Moline City Council and is a member of the Moline Rotary, East Moline Breakfast Optimists, EveryChild Board of Directors, and Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley Board of Director.
Drue Mielke – is a lifelong Quad Citian and a proud fourth-generation resident of Coal Valley, with a deep-rooted commitment to his community and a love for Illinois. He has dedicated much of his life to serving the people of Rock Island County, reflecting his strong sense of responsibility to his hometown. Drue holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Western Illinois University-Quad Cities and spent many years working in marketing, including recent work with Arrowhead Ranch. Now semi-retired, Drue continues to contribute to his community, working in Illinois Quad City schools in substitute teaching and volunteering as editor and publisher of a Coal Valley community newsletter. In addition, Drue works in his family-run company, Regal Faire, Inc., which provides Illinois county fairs with ribbons, rosettes, and fair supplies. Drue’s public service includes serving on the Rock Island County Board, where he is a passionate advocate for preservation and local history, including efforts to save the Rock Island County Courthouse. He joined the William Butterworth Foundation's Programming Committee in 2024 and has enjoyed volunteering at the Music on the Lawn event. Drue's extensive local knowledge, marketing expertise, and dedication to community service make him a valuable addition to the board.
Matt Sivertsen –
Chair
- is a 4th generation Moliner and a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2003 he started working for The Planning Center, a fee-only, independent financial planning firm, located in a historic building on Moline’s 5th Avenue, which he owns. He is currently a partner and the Vice-President, serving clients as a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Financial Transitionist. In his spare time, he is a saxophonist in the group Minus Six and is also an avid runner on the Moline River Trail, biker of Sylvan Island and Stephens Park, and kayaker of the slough.
Matt also serves as a board member for the River Music Experience. In the past, he has chaired the Moline Centre (Downtown Mainstreet Partnership) and was a board member for the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.
Kristi Steinbeck – brings with her a wealth of volunteer experience with organizations like Junior Achievement, Quad City Botanical Center, and the Rock Island Music Association. Currently serving as a manager of technical accounting and employee benefits at Deere & Company, Kristi’s expertise extends to managing US Pension and other post retirement Benefit (OPEB) and stock compensation accounting and, reviewing plan asset investments exceeding $10 billion. In addition, she led the adoption of the new lease accounting standard resulting in a $380 million asset. As a CPA with a BA in accounting from Buena Vista University, Kristi combines her professional acumen with a passion for community service. In Kristi’s free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and son.
Jacob Strom – With a background as a manufacturing engineer, Jacob has excelled in addressing safety, quality, and efficiency issues, contributing significantly to the Business Improvement Team at John Deere Harvester Works. Holding a BS from Western Illinois University, he brings expertise in site surveying, construction planning, estimating, and framing and finishing carpentry. What makes Jacob truly stand out is not just his professional expertise but also his commitment to community enrichment. Volunteering to join the board, he aims to strengthen community ties and make a positive impact beyond his professional role.
