Brother James Gaffney, FSC – Romeoville
Brother James Gaffney, president of Lewis University since 1988, provides an extraordinary standard for public service through his own example. He is a board member for more than 15 educational, religious, civic, corporate, and community organizations locally, in the Chicagoland area and nationally. His service includes chairman of the Board of Directors of the Canal Corridor Association, the Housing Foundation of Will County, the national Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities, and the Divisional Board of Directors for Provena St. Joseph Medical Center. He also is a board member of the Will County Center for Economic Development and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet.
During his presidency, Brother James has spearheaded efforts to strengthen current academic programs, created new educational offerings, promoted mission-centered strategic and long-range planning.
A former Provincial of the Chicago Province of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Brother James is a graduate of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He holds master’s degrees from St. Mary’s and Manhattan Colleges, and a doctorate in pastoral theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Illinois.
James M. Roolf – Joliet
James M. Roolf is president of First Midwest Bank’s Joliet Banking Center and senior vice president of Investor Relations for its parent company, First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. He serves on numerous local boards and committees, and demonstrates extraordinary service at its deepest level while promoting humanitarianism, distinguished public service, scholarly service, and creative attainment. He has worked tirelessly with local and national officials to provide safe, clean and affordable housing for low-income tenants at a local housing complex.
He also led a capital campaign that exceeded a $3 million goal for the Joliet Area Hospice’s new residence for the terminally ill. During his term as chairman of the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED), Roolf led the way for new store development, lobbied for the extension of I-355 and the widening of I-55, and worked with the CED in developing a Targeted Industry Study to research area business needs. Roolf also has worked on fundraising campaigns for the United Way of Will County, Easter Seals, and Caritas 2004, and with the Joliet Grade School District, educators and community members for new and improved schools.