Byers & Co. Interviews

September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director and Jimmy Rade, Macon County Conservation District Board Trustee, joined Byers & Co to talk about the MCCD board. The Macon County Conservation District Board of Trustees is the governing body of MCCD. The five-member Board provides the leadership, oversight and long-term direction for the District and makes sure the organization is carrying out its mission to protect and preserve Macon County’s natural and cultural resources. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 8, 2026 - Phil Julius, Director of Operations and Executive Director, and Mitch Lovgren, Natural Resources Manager joined Byers & Co to talk about MCCD Natural Resources and Operations. MCCD currently manages more than 3,800 acres of natural areas, historic sites and recreational property in Macon County. Its mission is not simply to provide parks—it is to acquire, maintain, restore and permanently protect natural and cultural resources. That means every acre requires ongoing management decisions: what gets planted, what gets removed, where fire is used, how wildlife populations are managed, how trails are maintained and how public access is balanced with habitat protection. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director, and Robin Caceres, Macon County Conservation Foundation Board President, joined Byers and Co to talk about the Macon County Conservation Foundation History and board. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 8, 2026 - Jerry Culp, Executive Director, and Melody Arnold,  Naturalist, joined Byers & Co to talk about the history of the Conservation District. MCCD began with a threat to the land. A proposed federal reservoir in the 1930s and 1960s threatened farmland and natural areas around the Sangamon River and Allerton Park. Local people decided they needed a voice in what happened to their land. Citizens from the Audubon Society, Historical Society, outdoor organizations, schools and other community groups came together. They built a conservation district from the ground up. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 4, 2026 - Tom Brinkoetter joined Byers & Co to talk about the stabilizing real estate market and to highlight a home with a lake view. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 4, 2026 - Alyssa Patrick joined Byers & Co to talk about her new role as the Director of Communications for Decatur Public Schools and her career in news. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 3, 2026 - Dr. Zak Standerfer, Grant Administrator and Work Study Program Coordinator, and Heather Ethell, Asst. Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about Building Inspections and Compliance and ROE's new Work Study Program.  Listen to the podcast now!

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September 3, 2026 - Shane Brandel, Retired Decatur Police Chief and Regional Director of School Safety, and  Jill Reedy, Regional Superintendent, joined Byers & Co to talk about school safety, support, and safety training in schools. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 3, 2026 - Holly Kelly, Director of Social Emotional Learning Hub, and Amy Jones, Social Emotional Learning Hub Coach, joined Byers & Co to talk about student mental health, behavior, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Listen to the podcast now!

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September 3, 2026 - Sarah Smith, Professional Development Coordinator, and Nancy Brodbeck, Grant Administrator, joined Byers & Co to talk about professional development opportunities leveraged cross county, cross district, cross grade level collaborations to highlight cumulative professional knowledge. Listen to the podcast now!

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