Nexus Board of Directors:
Providing Leadership for the Future

David Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer Appointed CEO of Nexus: 2007 David Hutchinson joined Nexus in 2001 as Executive Director of Indian Oaks Academy, and, in 2007, was promoted to CEO of Nexus. In this capacity, he reports to the Nexus Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall direction of the organization within the framework of policies established by the Board. Mr. Hutchinson assesses Nexus’ operational and developmental needs and takes appropriate action to meet the company’s strategic, operational, and financial objectives. Jeffrey Talley

Jeffrey Talley, Chairperson Year Elected to Board: June 2007 Jeff Talley is currently Vice President of Human Resources for Opportunity Partners, where he leads the Human Resources function for a nonprofit provider of services for developmentally disabled adults. Prior to joining Opportunity Partners, Mr. Talley spent 25 years with for-profit organizations including executive leadership positions in domestic and multi-national corporations. Mr. Talley offers Nexus extensive experience in strategic human resource management and planning. Reed Robinson

Reed Robinson, Vice Chair Year Elected to Board: August 2009 Reed Robinson, NCARB, CID is Principal/Architect, Managing Partner with Winther Johnson Robinson Architects, specializing in Architecture and Interior Architectural Design. He has broad experience in space utilization planning, building new or renovation of buildings and human & animal dental and medical clinics. He assists Nexus in optimizing its campus space utilization. Laureen Carlson

Laureen Carlson, Secretary Year Elected to Board: October 2007 Laureen Carlson is President and Founder of Portage Marketing, a marketing and media placement agency in Minneapolis, MN. Ms. Carlson brings Nexus a wealth of experience in marketing and media planning, as well as nonprofit professional and volunteer experience. Her background helps Nexus develop its strategic marketing, tactical marketing execution, media planning and placement, and website development activities. Peter Freeman

Peter Freeman, Program Committee Chair Year Elected to Board: February 2005 Peter D. Freeman, Ed.D., LICSW, is a former faculty member and Director of Alternative Learning Initiatives for the College of St. Catherine and the University of St. Thomas School of Social Work. Dr. Freeman is now in private practice with Full Circle Dynamics, where he provides counseling and professional development coaching for individuals and organization development consulting and training to organizations, leaders and their teams. Laurie Zenner

Laurie Zenner Year Elected to Board: March 2001 Laurie Zenner is a communications consultant who specializes in helping communications teams set sound strategies and maximize their influence within their clients. She is a former executive of several Fortune 500 companies, where she served as Global Head of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Zenner provides Nexus assistance in the creation of business plans, analysis, product development, and policy and procedural development. Larry Riesselman

Larry Riesselman, Finance Committee Chair Year Elected to Board: March 2001 Larry Riesselman served as Senior Information Systems Director supporting human resources technology for St. Paul Travelers until his retirement in 2006. He has conducted several office automation studies for nonprofits such as AMICUS and the Frogtown Action Alliance, and his IT background provides essential support as Nexus utilizes new technologies in its patient care. Darnell Allen

Darnell Allen Year Elected to Board: June 2007 Darnell Allen is the former Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for SUPERVALU, Inc., in Eden Prairie, MN, where he directed diversity and inclusion functions by developing recruiting and retention initiatives and partnering with community organizations. Mr. Allen provides Nexus with extensive experience in policies and procedure, career counseling, turnover reduction, salary and benefit plans, and individual development. Lisa Dugan

Lisa Dugan Year Elected to Board: March 2009 Lisa Dugan currently serves as Chair of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee, Vice-Chair of the State Government Administration Committee, and is a member of the Elementary and Secondary Education, Health Care Availability and Accessibility, Tourism and Conventions, Veterans Affairs, and Appropriations Human Services committees. She serves on the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council and the Bipartisan Task Force on Local Government Consolidation Commission. Dugan also co-chairs the Illinois Fire Caucus and has served as co-chair of the Illinois EMS and Health & Facilities Planning Task Forces. Ms. Dugan provides Nexus with extensive experience in community planning, education initiatives, and nonprofit fundraising. Francis Smith

Francis Smith Year Elected to Board: March 2008 Francis Smith currently serves as Chairman of the Board of HomeStar Financial Group and as Executive Vice President of HomeStar Bank, a community bank with offices in five Illinois communities, a full-service insurance agency, a trust company, a title insurance company, and an investment services division. Mr. Smith provides Nexus with extensive experience in business development and finance.